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Can You Tell The Difference?

Ralph Notoro

Ralph Notoro

Inactive
Jul 14, 2014
465
255
51
#1
So I did it...

I went out and bought TWO Squiers. (So ridiculous). I just liked them both and couldn't decide. And they were only $269.00

So I decided to do a little sound test and compare them. Then, just to complicate matters, I decided to throw my MIA Standard into the mix.

Now I'm really depressed.

They each sound a bit different, but there really isn't THAT much of a difference. One sounds a little better for one thing, another sounds better for something else.

Here are a few samples of similar licks I just slapped down of all three basses. ALl levels and settings are the same.

Example one is rear pup with fingers.

The second is a slap thing.

The third is a riff with a pick.

HELP ME!!!

Is any one a clear winner or a clear loser?
 

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#2
I liked #2 best in all 3 of them (though there wasn't a lot of difference between 1 & 2), and 3 the worst. It almost sounded like 3 had different settings, either the tone rolled off a bit, or more emphasis on the neck pickup. All of the differences could be attributed to differences in pots/wiring though.

To me, more expensive basses don't necessarily SOUND better (although really cheap basses sometimes have deficiencies), but more expensive basses typically keep in tune better, have better fretwork, intonate better, stay in tune better, play better, take a beating a bit better, and of course usually look better too.

If you look at what it costs to build a bass, most of the money is in things that affect it's aesthetic properties rather than performance.... so it shouldn't be surprising that a Squire and an American Jazz sound almost the same - they are essentially the same bass, but one is just better constructed. I bet you can get your action lower on the US one though!
 
#4
Honestly, if you say there's not much of a difference between the 3, but the little things that make each of them somewhat different; they're really great in. So if you can't really notice a huge difference between the 3 while you're just playing them straight up, is there gonna be any difference at all in the mix? What I would do is keep the best playing and most comfortable one and sell the others. That's just what I would do, so obviously don't listen to me if you don't want to... GAS is such a powerful thing lol

The more simple solution, to avoid all complication, would be to sell everything and get a Precision. lol jk
 
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#9
So - which one was which? And to my inexperienced ears, I thought I heard four distinct tones, not three - :laugh:.

I just got a 4th short scale today. Not sure if I'm keeping it. But anyways - they all sound the same, but different.
The ones that have 2 pickups sound different from each pickup. Where i play on the string, and dynamic levels
produce differences. And the settings on the amp can make them all sound more different too.

Are you trying to decide if you should send one back?
 
#10
Ralph, could you clarify a little? Which was #1, #2 and #3? Was it Squier '70s, Squier '77 and the Fender Standard?

Regardless of which was which, I, personally, liked #2 the best…deep while retaining clear highs, especially during the slap-portion.
 
#11
I think #2 is the most raw and visceral sounding, but there is something deep, well rounded, and pleasing about #3. #1 seemed a little dull to me. If I was forced to choose between #2 and #3 I would have a very hard time... But at this very moment in time I'd go with #2...
 
#12
The first two sounded real similar to me - short, tight, focused and clean.

The switchover to the third sounded a bit strange for a second, but quickly got a more ballsy sound that sounded good to me. Ha ha - I thought the second was the third.

Never mind - LOL. I read your description again, and thought the pause in the first section was the start of the second.
I like the 3rd one. Maybe I should start using a pick.
 
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#13
Very Interesting. Thank you all for the replies! It actually clarifies somethings for me.

I preferred a different bass depending on the technique. One sounded best with fingers, another sounded best slap and they all worked equally well with the pick to me. (Slight advantage to #2 )

They all play really well. The MIA is bit more solid feeling -- naturally -- it's 4 times the price!

They are , in order -- #1: The Squier 70's #2: The MIA Standard #3: The Squier 77.
 
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#15
Not fair, I know, now that you've said which is which. I had to listen a few times to get my bearings.

But after figuring what is was about, knowing what they are didn't change my impression. I liked the first the least.
The second sounded the 'greasiest' - in a good way.
And the third - you said a pick worked pretty much equally well with them all.
I like it, but I don't use a pick, so it might just be the difference I'm hearing that I like.
 
#16
I liked the #1 on your finger style thing. Has a nice focused tone. The other two sounded like you might have recorded them at a lower level, or didn't compensate for a lower output from the bass.

#1 was my least favorite on your slap thing. I'd probably take #2.

Didn't have a clear favorite on your pick thing. They sounded similar to me.
 
#17
I didn't adjust for volume because that also changes the timbre. I thought it was the most "honest" to have everything the same and that would also show which bass was the hottest. (All pups are adjusted to the approx same height.
 
#19
tortburst said:
Great playing
They all sounded 'good' to me but I preferred #2 in each style

Notice how it doesn't break
Up around the edges in the low loud notes. It retains the tone.
More colorful
Click to expand...


. It's funny -- even though the "tone" is similar, I noticed that after listening for a few times. The MIA isn't even as hot but there is an evenness and solidity to the attack. And maybe a wee bit more "prettiness." That comes from a more stable neck, better wood, better wiring, etc. But it's soooooo subtle.
 

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