Complex bass and too many tones!

[N4860]

OK, I see this pretty often here that people don't want a bass with too many controls and/or pickups because its too complicated to use live. Most recently with the Bongo vs Big Al thread but it comes up a lot in many other comparisons.

My perspective is that with a bass with lots of controls and pickups (such as my Bongo HH) is that I can simply find a great unique sound, adjust my eq to my liking and have it set and forget it. Same with my SR HH. There's no rule that you have to constantly adjust the EQ and pickup settings to try to cover all of the different standard bass sounds. I just don't see how someone can say having too many tonal options is a negative. It's only a negative if you can't settle on it and are constantly changing. I have multiple stingrays so I can have 1 setup just on the bridge pickup, and then use my HH with both pickups and eqed just how I like it and it is a completely different flavour.

Anyone else feel this way? Why the hate for having options?

 

[Samatza]

It depends if you need a set and forget tone or you need to change it up for different tunes.

I like to have options but mostly two pickups and a tone control get me through.

 

[jd56hawk]

I always get a kick out of those "It's just too complicated!" people when they're talking about a G&L L2000 or a MusicMan Big Al, etc.
As if they're talking about playing this!

 

[rtav]

I am on the fence about the new Bongo 6 John Myung signature bass bc while John has enjoyed the benefits of the full compliment of Ernie Ball tone controls plus that awesome tight string spacing, they ripped out the tone controls - why? John didn’t play that.

Let’s not forget it’s only available in a HH config - again, John has basses with HS config, which I would order over the HH.

So the John Myung Signature Bongo bass lacks the controls (and configuration possibilities) that John has used on his Bongos for years.

I would love to get a bass with the stock Bongo config to get the tonal options and tight string spacing he has made use of - that I could have used, too.

 

[N4860]

It depends if you need a set and forget tone or you need to change it up for different tunes.

I like to have options but mostly two pickups and a tone control get me through.

My argument is that with a bass with active eq and multiple pickups is that you can choose to have either set and forget or multiple sounds. I enjoy the flexibility of being able to switch up the sound of my bass throughout a set list, but I don't see why some people think of that as a detractor. If you don't want to fiddle with knobs, set up your eq and pickup blend how you like and don't ever change it.

 

[Bassaga]

I would think people who frequent forums like this would be more troubled by tone options than other players would. This place is such a source of GAS and a "Oh, that perfect tone is just around the corner!" mindset, anybody who falls into traps like that could find the same trouble getting lost in "Just a few tweaks of the knobs could make this so much better!"

I fall into that category, so it's a relief for me to not even have the options so I can just play what I have. If I had more self discipline, yeah, versatility is obviously better. I drooled over a Sire M7 for the longest time because it had so many options, it could be everything I ever needed. But I realized that I would always want to fiddle with the controls, wondering if I could make it juuust a little better, instead of just playing the dang thing.

So at least for me, the trouble is myself, not the controls. But knowing myself thus, I avoid the controls.

 

[mouthmw]

Anyone else feel this way? Why the hate for having options?

Yeah, no need for hate really. Play what you like and what works for you.

I play single pup basses (Precision, Stingray) because that's what's just what I like. I'm not into "swiss army knife" basses because most of the tones that the variety brings - I don't like. Take Stingray HH for example. I dislike the tones of the neck pup and any combination with the neck pup. It all sounds too scooped, or too boomy, and just characterless and lifeless to me. That sweet spot on the Ray is what works for me.

I do go for the set it and forget it rule, pretty much. Oh and I'm certainly not opposed to variety of tones - I have 10 pedals on my board after all.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

My argument is that with a bass with active eq and multiple pickups is that you can choose to have either set and forget or multiple sounds. I enjoy the flexibility of being able to switch up the sound of my bass throughout a set list, but I don't see why some people think of that as a detractor. If you don't want to fiddle with knobs, set up your eq and pickup blend how you like and don't ever change it.

I like simple (P bass)
I like Swiss army , L2500 with Kmod, jazz with 4 band Audere.

I like onboard shaping, so I can leave my amp alone and adjust each bass for its best tone. I run direct often and prefer to have some control over my tone.

Then again, I play 30" scale 4 strings, 5 strings, 35" scale 5 strings, fretless , and EUB.

I have an amp head with more time shaping than most (Mesa WD800)

It's more about knowing what adjustments, and where to make them.
To achieve the sound/tone you wish .

Some don't even like any controls on the instrument, and do it all with pedals, outboard preamps, or the controls on their amps.

I don't understand the P with flats n tort, any more than I do the crowd that must have coil taps on 3 humbuckers with a 4 band preamp and 18 knobs and 12 switches

I play what I like , and I always still manage to get a sound and tone that appeals to me, sits in the mix and makes me smile .

I arrive there differently, and the tone varies slightly in color like a beautiful sunset varies from night to night.

You will never understand what does it does not appear to another, not they understand your desires. Goals are different, execution and talent differ.
Skill at manipulating Tone is not a requirement to some, paramount to others

Heck many members would never stand onstage with some of my instruments. I don't, and never have owned a sunburst p with flats , and likely never will (especially with tort -- blech)

 

[Peteyboy]

I'm ok with options, but it's a bass. I don't need it to do too many things. I guess I understand the desire for a tonal swiss army knife, but one should also be able to maneuver with the direct simplicity of a Bowie knife. Not all limitations are bad.

 

[Funky Phantom]

I’d rather have 3 basses that each have only 1 sound, than 1 bass with 3 crappy sounds.

 

[HearNoStevil]

Nowadays, if seems the more knobs you give people, the more time they have to spend setting each and every one of them at noon no matter how it sounds or if that is actually flat or not (which it almost never is).

So, for the current crop of players, the less knobs to set to "bland" whoops I mean "flat" the better.

 

[mikewalker]

I like two or three pups, with a volume for each and one master tone control. Passive and extremely well shielded is my preference...

 

[mouthmw]

I’d rather have 3 basses that each have only 1 sound, than 1 bass with 3 crappy sounds.

Yup, that's what I go for too. I like it when the bass has a recognizable, distinct tonal character rather than tons of tonal options that end up being meh and generic sounding to me.

 

[Deleted member 341607]

P>Ampeg=joy YMMV
Fretless

 

[BoogieZK]

OK, I see this pretty often here that people don't want a bass with too many controls and/or pickups because its too complicated to use live. Most recently with the Bongo vs Big Al thread but it comes up a lot in many other comparisons.

My perspective is that with a bass with lots of controls and pickups (such as my Bongo HH) is that I can simply find a great unique sound, adjust my eq to my liking and have it set and forget it. Same with my SR HH. There's no rule that you have to constantly adjust the EQ and pickup settings to try to cover all of the different standard bass sounds. I just don't see how someone can say having too many tonal options is a negative. It's only a negative if you can't settle on it and are constantly changing. I have multiple stingrays so I can have 1 setup just on the bridge pickup, and then use my HH with both pickups and eqed just how I like it and it is a completely different flavour.

Anyone else feel this way? Why the hate for having options?

Yes, i feel the same way.
The thing i don't understand is why people bother telling others they are doing something wrong by having more than 2 knobs.
What is your problem? You don't know how to deal with an EQ so you blame it on others?

It makes me laugh to think that musicians who plays with "simple" instruments have always the same setup...
Tortoise pickguard, flats, sunburst finish, tone rolled down, tube amps, vintage speaker and cherry on top, fabric or spiral cords....
Same people that thinks "Modern instruments" can not sound vintage or mellow, tube amps are the best, Germanium fuzz.....
I know, it's not always the case, i said it makes me laugh to think that.

 

[Vinny_G]

My argument is that with a bass with active eq and multiple pickups is that you can choose to have either set and forget or multiple sounds. I enjoy the flexibility of being able to switch up the sound of my bass throughout a set list, but I don't see why some people think of that as a detractor. If you don't want to fiddle with knobs, set up your eq and pickup blend how you like and don't ever change it.

The knobs can move in your gig bag during transport.

 

[two fingers]

OK, I see this pretty often here that people don't want a bass with too many controls and/or pickups because its too complicated to use live. Most recently with the Bongo vs Big Al thread but it comes up a lot in many other comparisons.

My perspective is that with a bass with lots of controls and pickups (such as my Bongo HH) is that I can simply find a great unique sound, adjust my eq to my liking and have it set and forget it. Same with my SR HH. There's no rule that you have to constantly adjust the EQ and pickup settings to try to cover all of the different standard bass sounds. I just don't see how someone can say having too many tonal options is a negative. It's only a negative if you can't settle on it and are constantly changing. I have multiple stingrays so I can have 1 setup just on the bridge pickup, and then use my HH with both pickups and eqed just how I like it and it is a completely different flavour.

Anyone else feel this way? Why the hate for having options?

I learned this lesson through owning a Fender Roscoe Beck Signature 5 string. Sure, there are a zillion (all passive) options. I settled on one setting about 75% of the time and another two for special circumstances.

Now most of my basses have a bevy of knobs and switches. The same applies. I have a go-to sound, and a few other options I use most often. But I do enjoy playing with the settings during practice. And I will incorporate more tones over time.

 

[Mili]

Simple and less options for me!
Because when you have many options, You have many and simultaneously you have nothing!

 

[JimmyM]

OK, I see this pretty often here that people don't want a bass with too many controls and/or pickups because its too complicated to use live. Most recently with the Bongo vs Big Al thread but it comes up a lot in many other comparisons.

My perspective is that with a bass with lots of controls and pickups (such as my Bongo HH) is that I can simply find a great unique sound, adjust my eq to my liking and have it set and forget it. Same with my SR HH. There's no rule that you have to constantly adjust the EQ and pickup settings to try to cover all of the different standard bass sounds. I just don't see how someone can say having too many tonal options is a negative. It's only a negative if you can't settle on it and are constantly changing. I have multiple stingrays so I can have 1 setup just on the bridge pickup, and then use my HH with both pickups and eqed just how I like it and it is a completely different flavour.

Anyone else feel this way? Why the hate for having options?

If you're happy, never let the opinions of others bother you.

The thing i don't understand is why people bother telling others they are doing something wrong by having more than 2 knobs. What is your problem? You don't know how to deal with an EQ so you blame it on others?

It makes me laugh to think that musicians who plays with "simple" instruments have always the same setup...
Tortoise pickguard, flats, sunburst finish, tone rolled down, tube amps, vintage speaker and cherry on top, fabric or spiral cords....
Same people that thinks "Modern instruments" can not sound vintage or mellow, tube amps are the best, Germanium fuzz.....
I know, it's not always the case, i said it makes me laugh to think that.

So many bassists are passive aggressive approval junkies who already have a chip on their shoulder just from playing bass, and the way they deal with it is to try to get everyone in the world to like the exact same things they like. If they don't, then they get insulting. Like what you just did. There is a big difference between not knowing how to deal with an EQ and not WANTING to deal with an EQ. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out how to twist a few knobs. But I will agree that some folks can get real pompous about their likes and dislikes. Like what you just did.

What other people like and don't like affects my life in zero ways. You should all be more like me.

 

[Yahboy]

G&L SB-2 Warmth<>Aggressive<>Bite tone with just 2 volume knob tweak.