What is a "modern" bass sound...? Discuss...

[Highlander]

Dave Chris once said that if you can't do it with a P... (not a direct quote and edited to credit accordingly)

Now, I'll happily defer descriptions of instrument "tones" to Uwe as he describes "tone" like a master vineyard taster describes a fine wine, but some things recently discussed make me raise this question...

What is a modern bass sound...? Who has the "definitive" modern sound...? What are the "definitive" instrument and/or amplification...? Does it really matter...?

Please, do offer examples...

Now, the newest instrument I own is a butchered black Squier Jazz that I slapped a fretless neck onto and the newest amp is a used MAG but the PC has a Mudbucker and I play her (mostly) through a 42 year old Hiwatt, so I can not really comment here...

Most importantly, does Gibson provide something that would fit the bill...? I'm going to suspect that Uwe, possibly others, will note the TB+ pups

[Dave W]

Dave once said that if you can't do it with a P... (not a direct quote)

I'm pretty sure I haven't said anything resembling that, although no doubt someone else has.

[Chris P.]

I could have set it. A P can do everything:)

Modern sound... I guess quite clean, tight, hifi?

[ilan]

I'm thinking at least 3 out of these 5:

* 5-string
* fresh roundwound set
* active circuitry
* clean class-D amp tone
* smiley face EQ.

[exiledarchangel]

Less mids, more clangyzingyness. Go buy a (5-string) musicman!

[uwe]

Undistorted, sub lows for oooomph and presence so you have a percussive effect/attack, but no harsh treble and little mids that might get in the way of other instruments. Compressed to hell.

[exiledarchangel]

Most importantly, does Gibson provide something that would fit the bill...? I'm going to suspect that Uwe, possibly others, will note the TB+ pups

No way, I could never put "modern" and "TB+" in the same sentence.
They could probably do the modern thing with an added preamp, but no on passive mode.
I think they are too middy for that, thats why I like em anyway!

If you insist on using Gibson stuff, maybe G3 pups is the answer.

[Dave W]

Less mids, more clangyzingyness. Go buy a (5-string) musicman!

Musicman isn't at all what I'd consider a modern sound. Its preamp makes it possible to sound clangy and to cut the hell out of the mids, but that's not its default sound.

[Highlander]

The RD Artist had compression/expansion covered in the soundscape...

(Sorry Dave, sure it was your "quote" but...)

How about something to "listen" to that fits the bill, or a clissic modern exponent of the "modern" sound...

Exiled (what was that temporary non fruity avatar?) has proposed the G3 sound but not a present instrument - nothing from Gibson to fit the bill...?

[Pilgrim]

When I think "modern sound" for some reason I reflexively think of the Seinfeld background bass.  Of course, that's old too....

[Dave W]

When I think "modern sound" for some reason I reflexively think of the Seinfeld background bass.  Of course, that's old too....

And not made by a bass anyway.

[Pilgrim]

And not made by a bass anyway.

Illuminate me...I'm clue-free....

[Dave W]

Illuminate me...I'm clue-free....

It's sampled synth bass riffs.

[Pilgrim]

Ah.  Veddy modern, pip pip, carry on.

[Highlander]

No examples, anybody...?