Things you hate about bass manufacturers' websites...

**Blackbird** · #1 07-30-2005, 10:14 PM

I just checked out the Alembic website and always find that they don't have enough pictures. Not a single six string is pictured. What's up with that?

What do you hate about bass makers' websites? It can be general or specific.

Against Will · #2 07-30-2005, 10:36 PM

I wish more included sound clips. And I wish Fender would update theirs.

I also hate it when they photograph the body, and the headstock, but not the entire bass, or when they do one of those sort of 'vanishing point' type shots so either the neck or body is in focus and the opposite end is a furry blur.

invisiman · #3 07-31-2005, 12:26 AM

Some lack neck dimensions, which is vital information for me.

**Kelly Lee** · #4 07-31-2005, 12:56 AM

One thing I like to know is the weight of the bass. I see alot of manufacturers somehow forget that little bit of info.

I also agree about the pics especially when they are really small and you can't actually see the details.

Cambass · #5 07-31-2005, 04:41 AM

As a lefty it can be irritating when manufacturers don't state if or which of their basses are available left handed.

**Vorago** · #6 07-31-2005, 05:13 AM

Prices not being mentioned.

Gard · #7 07-31-2005, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelly Lee

One thing I like to know is the weight of the bass. I see alot of manufacturers somehow forget that little bit of info.

I also agree about the pics especially when they are really small and you can't actually see the details.

Unfortunately, builders can't give weight information with any accuracy, that's why most will leave it off of their descriptions. I can tell you with THIS particular bass weighs, but the next one, with the identical specs, may weigh as much as 1-2 lbs different, due to variations in wood weights.

I've seen, first hand, two pieces of swamp ash, cut from the same board, to the exact same dimensions, weigh as much as a pound different.

If someone puts the weight of the bass on a description, it can only be for one example.

djcruse · #8 07-31-2005, 07:40 AM

This is a really interesting topic to me so far. As a fulltime website developer for Lakland (among others) this thread directly addresses issues I face every day.

I would like to address some of the comments already made in this thread, but I would like to preface my comments with this observation:

The biggest thing I hate about musical instrument sites is when the manufacturer makes a high-end, quality instrument but has a site that makes them look less than professional. I firmly believe that hurts your reputation. If you're going to make great stuff, show it off!

The lack of sound clips on a site are more a technological shortcoming than anything else. MP3 compression is sometimes less than kind and the audio quality isn't as good as the instrument is capable of. Style also plays a role. If you are interested in a certain bass and the sound clip is, say, heavy metal, and you HATE heavy metal, you might decide you aren't interested in that bass. That's no good.

And Gard hit it right on the head regarding weight. There's so much variation that it would be really difficult to do. For instance, I've known Lakland Joe Osborn 4-string basses to vary as much as four or five pounds even with the same configuration.

If prices aren't mentioned, it's usually because the manufacturer sells through dealers rather than direct. That's certainly the case with Lakland and Fender and many others.

As I said, this is an interesting thread so far. If there are specific questions I can answer, I'll be happy to.

daofktr · #9 07-31-2005, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackbird

What do you hate about bass makers' websites? It can be general or specific.

no free samples.

AaronS · #10 07-31-2005, 09:45 AM

I understand the weight issue. I have a Tele (that I love) that weighs 8.5 lbs, the same as my Rick Turner Electroline bass! But there are other specs that are pretty standard, like neck dimensions or string spacing. When I find a site with good photos (the whole bass as well as various parts) and has plenty of specs, I am happy. I really like Roger Sadowsky's site. Fender's site has lots of info and good photos, but it is circuitous to navigate. I like the current version of the Lakland site a lot. I like the basses also.

djcruse · #11 07-31-2005, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron Schiff

I like the current version of the Lakland site a lot. I like the basses also.

Well, thanks. I appreciate that. When I took the project over, the Lakland site was frame-based and have info scattered all over the place. I basically tore the site down and redid it in a way that made sense to me and Dan. It's definitely not done, but I believe we're in a much better place than we were.

Coming up next is a revamped Artists page, the return of the Scrapbook, revamped color swatches, and additional model info.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #12 07-31-2005, 10:40 AM

Just lack of updating photos and not enough info about what is involved in a particular model. Unfortunately, most small builders don't have the time to work on their websites as well...I find it pretty unfortunate when you can find better information and photos of a particular brand from a source other than their own website.

Fodera, Roscoe, Elrick, and Bebensee are all examples of really high-end basses where they just don't appear to have the spare time to update their websites with information and photos. Zon had a really abandoned-looking website forever until they recently updated it, and it's MUCH more professional now. I really like what Ritter is working on right now- he's chronicling all of the basses he's made throughout the years and posting a photo of each (and a description, IIRC). An archiving of your work shows your customers what you're capable of.

Gard · #13 07-31-2005, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan R. Tyler

Just lack of updating photos and not enough info about what is involved in a particular model. Unfortunately, most small builders don't have the time to work on their websites as well...I find it pretty unfortunate when you can find better information and photos of a particular brand from a source other than their own website.

Fodera, Roscoe, Elrick, and Bebensee are all examples of really high-end basses where they just don't appear to have the spare time to update their websites with information and photos. Zon had a really abandoned-looking website forever until they recently updated it, and it's MUCH more professional now. I really like what Ritter is working on right now- he's chronicling all of the basses he's made throughout the years and posting a photo of each (and a description, IIRC). An archiving of your work shows your customers what you're capable of.

I agree, and am working on our (Roscoe) site, but there is only so much I can do. I'm tempted to hire Dale, because I really dig his work.....but our budget just doesn't allow for it presently

WalterBush · #14 07-31-2005, 11:01 AM

I understand why they don't post soundclips, but I'd still like to hear something of what a bass sounds like, even if it's as simple as a specific example of what songs an artist endorsee has actually tracked with his/her brand 'x' bass. I hate having to wonder whether the artist in question actually uses a product they're endorsing, or just selling the product to pay rent.

The other gripe I've got is that the pictures aren't good enough. By that, I mean, not large enough to capture detail. It's bad enough that wood grain doesn't digitally compress well, and that finishes are difficult to photograph in their full glory, but I'd like more companies to post hi-res photos for me to examine, even if I have to click my mouse a few extra times to get it. I hate pixelation when trying to examine a bass closely.

djcruse · #15 07-31-2005, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jabberwock777

The other gripe I've got is that the pictures aren't good enough.

+1

More bass porn!

malthumb · #16 07-31-2005, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackbird

I just checked out the Alembic website and always find that they don't have enough pictures. Not a single six string is pictured. What's up with that?

What do you hate about bass makers' websites? It can be general or specific.

What I don't like about the Alembic website is that they haven't updated their model pictures for years. What I do like about it is the section that shows all the wild customs that people have ordered over the years. You'll find a 6 string or two there.

One other area that I have mixed feelings about is the Quote Generator. It gives you a pretty good idea of what your "dream bass" could cost, but there are some options and combinaitons that it does not deal with accurately.

Peace,

James

keb · #17 07-31-2005, 12:42 PM

Carvin's site is a little wacky, mainly with the ordering pages. If you're putting together an instrument online, sometimes not all the available options are shown and there are sometimes other little bits of weirdness going on (like once, I was looking at a rackmount EQ and an option listed under it was "matching headstock"...

That one's been corrected since!)

The guys at Carvin say it's better to phone in orders, but I wish the web order stuff was up to par if it's going to be on there at all.

daveonbass · #18 07-31-2005, 01:52 PM

I don't care about any fancy moving intros or cool flash effects - I just want information laid out in an easy to understand format. List prices somewhere is also important to me. Nothing more frustrating than going to a manufacturer site that is obviously done by some very professional designers and being totally confused as to trying to find out information about specific products.

BurningSkies · #19 07-31-2005, 01:55 PM

I hate sites that don't bother to update on a regular basis. Fer instance, A bass I recently bought has specs that are wildly different than those stated on the manufacturer's website. If you can't update info on the site, then post CLEARLY MARKED PDF files of the spec sheets. Then as you change your specs, it's easy to throw up a new spec sheet with the newest info.

I much prefer sites that are low on hype. The less you tell me about the perfection of your design and the quality of your materials, the depth of your knowledge, the more likely I'll believe it. Your pictures and specs should show off the design and build prowess you possess.

Fasoldt Basses · #20 07-31-2005, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurningSkies

I much prefer sites that are low on hype. The less you tell me about the perfection of your design and the quality of your materials, the depth of your knowledge, the more likely I'll believe it. Your pictures and specs should show off the design and build prowess you possess.

Yes, Parker's website drives me CRAZY because their "wood" section tells you basically nothing about the wood, just about Mr. Parker's ingenious use of those woods.