What's so great about DARKSTARS?

[Keef]

First off, this is not a trolling post, it's a sincere question.

Second of all, I have read their website, and have read a million threads here on the topic. But most everything I've read simply says that DarkStars are great, but don't really say why or how.

So if I may ask, what makes them so special compared to all the rest of the pickups that are out there?

TIA!

(edit: five seconds after posting this, I realized it probably belongs in the pickups forum. My apologies to the moderators, please move this thread if you see fit)

[Ryan L.]

[Keef]

Thanks for the thread-move, Ryan!

[PMC89]

well, i threw a set into my old ibanez sr400. and they really do sound fantastic. they are clearer, louder, more dynamic than many of the bass pickups i have played with. they are very versatile as well, and tonally can handle a wide variety of genres (even slap/pop, despite the company's owner not seeing this as their 'intended' usage)

overall, very solid pickups, with lifetime warranties to boot. an an awesome guy running the joint.

[billbass1]

[quote=Keef;4215730]First off, this is not a trolling post, it's a sincere question.

Second of all, I have read their website, and have read a million threads here on the topic. But most everything I've read simply says that DarkStars are great, but don't really say why or how.

So if I may ask, what makes them so special compared to all the rest of the pickups that are out there?

TIA!

You couldn't of have read very much at all on their website.
Go back and SEARCH.
You will find plenty as to the " Why ? " and " How ? ".

[SundanceChile]

Have you listened to the sound clips on the website? I think they sound pretty kick-arse.

[Keef]

Thanks, PMC89!

Anyone else? Are they growly? Scooped? Midsy? Jazz or P like? Or something entirely different?

I am assuming that they're "vintage" sounding...

[Rodent]

A new Dark Star prototype of mine that I'll be bringing into production later this year



Here's a clip played fingerstyle in accompanyment to a somewhat lame midi track of Stevie's Signed, Sealed, Delivered

http://jona.pp.fi/Sounds/SSD.mp3

This was just bass -> DI -> console (no effects, no compressors, no EQ)

The guy who played the trac said it had been about 11 years since he last played this song, and this was his first take. I also just learned that he rolled the tone off about 75%.


And for the more adventurous, a little slap with all of the same recording settings - this time with a simple drum loop and another first take of whatever came to mind. For this take, the tone was turned wide open.

http://jona.pp.fi/Sounds/ReaDrums%20Test.mp3


There is definitely a LOAD of versitility with Fred's Dark Stars!!

all the best,

R

[dunamis]

Originally Posted by Rodent

A new Dark Star prototype of mine that I'll be bringing into production later this year



Here's a clip played fingerstyle in accompanyment to a somewhat lame midi track of Stevie's Signed, Sealed, Delivered

http://jona.pp.fi/Sounds/SSD.mp3

This was just bass -> DI -> console (no effects, no compressors, no EQ)

The guy who played the trac said it had been about 11 years since he last played this song, and this was his first take. I also just learned that he rolled the tone off about 75%.


And for the more adventurous, a little slap with all of the same recording settings - this time with a simple drum loop and another first take of whatever came to mind. For this take, the tone was turned wide open.

http://jona.pp.fi/Sounds/ReaDrums%20Test.mp3


There is definitely a LOAD of versitility with Fred's Dark Stars!!

all the best,

R

Nice clips. 11 years-- that guy has a great memory!

[PMC89]

Originally Posted by Keef

Thanks, PMC89!

Anyone else? Are they growly? Scooped? Midsy? Jazz or P like? Or something entirely different?

I am assuming that they're "vintage" sounding...

there is definitely a strong vintage sound. however, you can definitely sound modern. and great low end/funk sounds.

i can even sound close to an acoustic/urb sound if i play close to the neck with only the bridge pup soloed.

[Keef]

To the person who said that I didn't SEARCH the forum – well, that's your opinion. But you have to understand that 99% of the Dark Star posts on TB are of the "look at my new Dark Star!", "what kind of bass should I build to house a Dark Star?" and the ever-present "Dark Stars ROCK!" variety. It's a bit hard to find real information regarding the specifics of the sound of the pickups. Well, at least it was for me.

I really don't understand posts like that... when someone asks me "which way to the 405 freeway?", I answer their question. I certainly don't tell them "go buy a map!" Hey, at least I didn't post a "hey, look at this fretted bass that switches instantly to fretless!" thread!

But I will admit that I missed the sound samples on the Dark Star website (I must be going blind ) – thanks for pointing them out, SundanceChile!

For everybody else – THANKS for the info! Big thanks to Rodent – those clips sound fantastic, thanks for posting them! The bass sounds so fundamentally solid, with so much punch in the bottom. If I didn't know otherwise, I'd assume the track was compressed and EQed.

Terrific stuff, I think there's a NEW Dark Star fan on TalkBass!

[Unrepresented]

Track sounds good. Not "magic bullet, secret weapon, eureka this is the finest pickup ever crafted" good, but I dig the tone, just don't hear anything that sets it apart from other pickups particularly.

Honestly it sounds like a slightly thicker version of my Jazz with S-1 engaged.

[WarriorJoe7]

For one, they look awesome. Never heard one though

[Rodent]

Originally Posted by Unrepresented

Track sounds good. Not "magic bullet, secret weapon, eureka this is the finest pickup ever crafted" good, but I dig the tone, just don't hear anything that sets it apart from other pickups particularly.

Honestly it sounds like a slightly thicker version of my Jazz with S-1 engaged.

The difference I experience and hear is in the simple fact that these clips were with no nothing added. To get the a similar performance from a Jazz you'd need some compression and definitely some EQ.

But this is moot ... listen to both basses side by side - this will be your eureka moment. I know it was for me and for many others. This said, a DS isn't for everybody ... it may just not be your thing ... and that's cool too

all the best,

R

[ihateusernames]

really diggin the sound on the fingerstyle clip.

[azzyrazzy]

Some more audio on the lakland site.

[Willem]

Sounds good! Would like a glaub with one!

[billbass1]

Gee wizzz, sorry.
Which way to Hollywood ?