Variance in Basses of Same Make/Model/Age

us_soccer · #1 09-01-2009, 08:11 AM

I was just wondering how many of you have found significant differences in the sound of basses that are of the same make/model/age/setup. I bought a new Shen plywood a couple of years ago and love the sound of it, but when I've played a few others (same exact model, same luthier who set it up new), I noticed quite a difference in the sound and the others never really sounded as good.

Are there particular types of basses that you see more or less of this variance/consistency within model?

Andrew McGregor · #2 09-01-2009, 08:46 AM

It's pretty much universal... they're made of natural materials, for a start, and then there's the variation in the handmade parts of the construction (which isn't that much in a low-end bass, and just about everything in an old or high-end instrument). Every one is different. This is pretty much the basis of why brands and even luthiers don't give a guide to sound.

Bijoux · #3 09-01-2009, 08:54 AM

Also,and this is only the way I feel...
I have owned a few basses and to me they all sounded great. except by one Eastman I thought I had gotten lucky with all my other instruments. maybe because they were set up right for me. strings that I like, perfect action for me, and most important I played them every day, so there was that intimacy. I now have an small 3/4 unlabeled, and a Romanian 7/8 and I still think they sound and feel great. I play these basses every day for a few hours at least. In my opinion that has something to do with it as well as all the other facts.

mjt0229 · #4 09-01-2009, 12:22 PM

An illustrative anecdote:

My brother was an oboist. His teacher was the principal oboist of the Toledo Symphony. When she needed a new oboe, she called the Loree company (long the oboe of choice in professional orchestras) and ordered 25 new oboes. Yes, 25.

When they arrived, she played each one for several days before settling on one of them. The rest, she sent back to the company.

Basses are much the same, only we don't have the luxury of ordering 25. No 2 are quite alike, even if they came from a factory.