I'll vote Alembic for an "expensive sound." If a P Bass is considered a cheap sound then sign me up as a cheap sounding bassist!
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Best expensive sound
- Thread starter pedroims
- Start date
You need to make a poll first, and ask if it's a good topic for discussion.
Then, when it's all over, you start another thread discussing how well the actual discussion went.
I think "sounds cheap" is just a person's way of saying they don't like the way it sounds, while simultaneously insulting the owners of that particular type of sound.
There seems to be a little hostility regarding the topic, but I understand the question.
A P bass is a "cheap" sound. It isn't meant to be insulting; rather, it is the pedestrian, "reference" tone for a bass.
An "expensive" tone would be an active bass with round low end, a little mid scoop, and sparkly high end. From the basses I have seen live, I would say MTD and the USA Peavey Millennium deliver that. Of the basses I have, my Alembic, Kubicki, and Brubaker Brute deliver that.
My Fender Jazz can sound "cheap," by the definition used in this thread. If I add my EWS or Sadowsky preamp, though, I can make it sound "expensive."
A P bass is a "cheap" sound. It isn't meant to be insulting; rather, it is the pedestrian, "reference" tone for a bass.
An "expensive" tone would be an active bass with round low end, a little mid scoop, and sparkly high end. From the basses I have seen live, I would say MTD and the USA Peavey Millennium deliver that. Of the basses I have, my Alembic, Kubicki, and Brubaker Brute deliver that.
My Fender Jazz can sound "cheap," by the definition used in this thread. If I add my EWS or Sadowsky preamp, though, I can make it sound "expensive."
Ok so then the OP is asking about quality active basses.
Just for the record a lot of the basses deemed "expensive" in terms of sizzle in the highs with the mids scooped a bit can disappear in a mix pretty fast.
I can see how this idea got started. Alembic basses are expensive. They have a certain "modern" sound. So do many expensive basses in their own way. My modulus for example. Expensive, active, and Modern. On the other hand cheap and beginner basses tend to be standard passive Fender clones of various kinds. Squire, SX, even Yamaha. Hence there is this image developed of Fender basses = cheap and Boutique basses = expensive. But it's really a "modern" vs "old school" kind of difference. I mean I can go to Low End basses or Fender Custom Shop or many other places and lay down plenty of scratch for a consummate Fender or Fender clone. So it really isn't about expensive vs cheap.
Well. A Ritter or an Alembic.
If you grab a bassist and factor in how many hours he has practiced along with how he has developed over that time while paying for lessons, his technique/play style could add to the expense.
Factor in his amp rig too and it could get even more expensive.
John Entwistle played Fender Precisions & Jazz Basses, Alembics, Musicman, Status, Rickenbacker, fenderbirds, all of which have different sounds and prices. But if you listen to the way he strikes the strings and the way he plays, he sort of molds all the different tones of these basses into that signature tone of his own. Didnt seem to matter what name was on the headstock, it always sounded like John Entwistle.
Many ways to look at expensive sound imo.
If you grab a bassist and factor in how many hours he has practiced along with how he has developed over that time while paying for lessons, his technique/play style could add to the expense.
Factor in his amp rig too and it could get even more expensive.
John Entwistle played Fender Precisions & Jazz Basses, Alembics, Musicman, Status, Rickenbacker, fenderbirds, all of which have different sounds and prices. But if you listen to the way he strikes the strings and the way he plays, he sort of molds all the different tones of these basses into that signature tone of his own. Didnt seem to matter what name was on the headstock, it always sounded like John Entwistle.
Many ways to look at expensive sound imo.
okcrum
in your chest
Well, if there are cheap sounding basses then there must be expensive sounding basses.
This does not exclude the possibility that both terms could be ridiculous. That might be part of the OP's point.
This does not exclude the possibility that both terms could be ridiculous. That might be part of the OP's point.
Well, if there are cheap sounding basses then there must be expensive sounding basses.
This does not exclude the possibility that both terms could be ridiculous. That might be part of the OP's point.
U got it
I don't know who told you a P sounds cheap, but you should not listen to them. P basses were used on more hit songs than any other bass. Do you think all those pros would use a cheap sounding bass?
The sound of your amp or speaker blowing up, preferably as the bass is being smashed to bits.
Otto
Otto
WHAAAAT??? 
IMHO, Stanley Clarke and Stu Hamm are examples of players who have "Expensive Bass" tone.
For me, its always meant a full-spectrum tone, nicely processed with some sparkle on the high end, punchy mids & a tight low end.
Perhaps that comes from having a crappy-sounding Sears Silvertone bass as my starter instrument, and striving for a better tone than it was capable of.
"Expensive Bass Tone", however, may be defined as something else entirely by the next guy.
EDIT: I own 2 P-basses and they don't sound "cheap" to me. I also own 2 USA Spectors, and they have what I would call the "Expensive Bass Sound" . I love my P-Basses & Spectors equally, and each of them have a time & place where they excel.
For me, its always meant a full-spectrum tone, nicely processed with some sparkle on the high end, punchy mids & a tight low end.
Perhaps that comes from having a crappy-sounding Sears Silvertone bass as my starter instrument, and striving for a better tone than it was capable of.
"Expensive Bass Tone", however, may be defined as something else entirely by the next guy.
EDIT: I own 2 P-basses and they don't sound "cheap" to me. I also own 2 USA Spectors, and they have what I would call the "Expensive Bass Sound" . I love my P-Basses & Spectors equally, and each of them have a time & place where they excel.
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I can vaguely understand the idea. A P bass is a working musician's bass. Anybody who can afford a bass can afford a P style bass. Same thing with a J.
To me, an expensive sounding bass would be something like an Alembic. A hi-fi tone, with an even frequency response.
I think an expensive sounding bass means that the signature tone is associated with an instrument that has a high price. Expensive and good are not the same thing, though.
To me, an expensive sounding bass would be something like an Alembic. A hi-fi tone, with an even frequency response.
I think an expensive sounding bass means that the signature tone is associated with an instrument that has a high price. Expensive and good are not the same thing, though.
