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Best expensive sound

#43
JIO said:
All semantics - a P (a basic 1 pu bass) can sound huge and flavorful w/ideal placement in the mix…, or not - depending on many things starting w/the player. So if I wanted to attempt to start the usage of the word "expensive" to describe really choice, tasteful playing - it would have less to do w/the machine and more the players creativity. To take it further, something 'expensive' means you would be less willing to overplay (too many notes= devaluation of bass) so 'choice' notes played with authority. Like owning a Lamborghini and just cruising in it (not flooring it when some nob revs their engine next to you at an intersection). Actually that's a pretty fitting analogy because it's about implied value. A creative player plays less notes while implying many notes. "Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away"
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You can't just cruise a Lambo......They tend toward sulking if you try that.....
Add me to the list of the confused about this thread....
 
#44
bassbenj said:
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.
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Oh I agree fully that this is actually a modern sound vs vintage sound I was just having a bit of fun with this somewhat silly thread!
 
#53
wvbass said:
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."
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Yup. MTD sounds expensive. Heard Norm Stockton playing his signature bass and was blown away by the bottom end. Bought the exact same MTD bass....mine sounds cheap when I play it though.
 
#55
To me cheap sounding can mean it lack texture or caracter. A P bass sound old to me ... like old 60's and 70's music with music concept that we moved on or it is associated with punk


EDIT :
I just red the thread and someone said there is a stigma about Fender and all the clone, often very cheap and being a starter bass ... well there is some truth to that as I have felt for it. I still have a hard time not feeling like Fender isn't worth it as their cheapess bass look the same as their more expensive and all suffer and shine of the same thing ... so it dilute the product a lot to my eyes.
 
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#56
JIO said:
"an expensive sound" is an interesting concept. "…Man, that guy has an expensive sound!" Maybe a colourful way of saying 'a rich sound' but so far I've yet to hear either version. Start using it next time you are at a show and see if anyone knows what you're referring to. ;)
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Well... if you are looking for a RICH sound, there is only one way to get that. B.C. Rich! :smug:
 
#59
Fat Freddy said:
You can't just cruise a Lambo......They tend toward sulking if you try that.....
Add me to the list of the confused about this thread....
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Yes, you may know better about 'Lambo's'- I've not had the opportunity to test my analogy so specifically. I did recently cruise a friends '86 Lotus Esprit - it didn't sound expensive, but it was very fun to drive. What was the thread about again?
 
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#60
JIO said:
Yes, you may know better about 'Lambo's'- I've not had the opportunity to test my analogy so specifically. I did recently cruise a friends '86 Lotus Esprit - it didn't sound expensive, but it was very fun to drive. What was the thread about again?
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Drove a friends Lambo from Italy to Belgium and back about 12 yrs ago.....The experience of a lifetime!....What thread?.....
 
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