Will they sound the same?

[strummin]

If you take a specific bass and amp combination, in this case, an SB-2 with an SWR WorkingPro 15, will a different SB-2/WP 15 sound the same? Assume they are identical setups but a year older/newer.

[Ken Baker]

Originally Posted by strummin

If you take a specific bass and amp combination, in this case, an SB-2 with an SWR WorkingPro 15, will a different SB-2/WP 15 sound the same? Assume they are identical setups but a year older/newer.

They will usually sound very similar, but not exactly the same. The variabilities in the following will make a difference:

On the bass:
The body wood - even is it's the same species of wood.
The neck - regardless of fingerboard.
The pots.
The strings due to age, unless matched at time of test.
The pickups, if different production runs.

On the amp:
All electronic components in the amp have tolerances, and they will seldom match exactly.

On the speaker:
Tolerance differences in voice coils.
Differing resistance to movement from the suspension
Differing gauss levels in the magnets
The cones are paper.

So, there are a LOT of things that can cause the tone to be different, even if the difference is slight.

Ken...

[carlos840]

That is a hard question!
I guess it depends, some people say two basses with same specs are the same, some say that every instrument is different!
I believe that it will sound different, i dont think two basses can sound the same, they all have so many variables in wood quality, tiny craftsmanship variation there is no way they can sound the same!
But then there is a third point, will your ears be able to notice a difference? We dont all have the same ears!
( im not implying that your tone def! just saying that some people notice slight tone variation more than others!)

[RobJ]

Put me in the category that says each instrument is different (some drastically, some not so much) even identical models, paint, color, strings, and even with identical cases.... that's been my experience anyway.

[quickervicar]

I had to send my SB-2 back to Fullerton because of an electronics problem. They gutted the circuit and put all-new components in. I could notice a difference--the original p/ups were a tad warmer & growlier. Not that the new ones were bad--they just weren't quite the same. (yes, p/up heights were equal)