• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Do eyes decieve?

lamborghini98

lamborghini98

The Aristocrats
May 1, 2005
1,333
1
NYC; Portland, OR
www.sarcasam.com
#1
I wonder if there are any basses that simply look really great but dont sound so good. I mean.. I look at Nordstrand or Benavente basses and I think "thats how they look" but I NEVER think about the sound. Is it something we (rightfully?) take for granted? I mean.. I look at a Fender and the first thing that comes to me is the sound (same thing with Hofner.. but not in a good way)... that doesnt happen with more aesthetically pleasing basses.
Im not saying its a bad thing that people appreciate basses for their looks, but I just hope that the wow factor of having great looking woods doesnt lose its class (as do so many once-good things in America).
 
#2
I am sure you will run across many basses that look good to you but sound like crap. It's subjective to a certain point and then there are basses that look great but just don't measure up in the sound department. That said, it's probably less likely to happen the higher the price tag goes....
 
#4
Looks matter, but I agree that they're not really that important, although I strongly believe that you're per definition a better player when you're playing an instrument you like 100%. But your eyes can decieve you, no doubt about that. The human mind just works that way. Always play, feel, stroke, sniff, lick, and jump around with a bass before you buy. A good bass is an extension of the creative part of your brain, something you don't want to take any chances with, especially if it's costing you a lot of money.

The other side of the coin but also more proof that you should always try before you buy: cheap instruments nowadays usually look stunning at first sight. Figured tops (could be photo flame!), a forest of controls and switches, gold hardware, elaborate inlays etc. make it very hard for beginners to make a rational, sensible choice without the advice and guidance of an experienced player who's able to see through the 'make-up'.

Personally I've only bought one bass without a testdrive. I couldn't / didn't want to travel all the way to the USA to try her out. This particular instrument got a rave review in Bass Player magazine and with the great reviews Benaventes in general get on Talkbass in mind I decided to take the chance. But to me it was still a huge gamble and I was really nervous when I picked her up and strummed her for the first time. Luckily it proved to be a fabulous instrument... :)
 
#5
I find that there are very few basses being made today that truly sound bad. Even the cheapie Squiers, Rogues and Carlo Robelli basses are miles above the cheapies made in the 60's. However, I must admit that the farther past the $2000 price point a bass costs, the less I like it. There are certain things about basses that cost that much and more that I absolutely can't stand, like exotic woods that do nothing for tone(especially spalted woods), overblown pickup systems, bridges that take 2 hex wrenches and a screwdriver just to adjust the intonation, etc. I find that a lot of those basses sound sterile and lifeless. I'd rather play a bass that has a few flaws and has some (for lack of a better word) personality than these airtight basses that are so perfect they perfect all the personality out of them.
 
#7
JimmyM said:
I find that there are very few basses being made today that truly sound bad. Even the cheapie Squiers, Rogues and Carlo Robelli basses are miles above the cheapies made in the 60's. However, I must admit that the farther past the $2000 price point a bass costs, the less I like it. There are certain things about basses that cost that much and more that I absolutely can't stand, like exotic woods that do nothing for tone(especially spalted woods), overblown pickup systems, bridges that take 2 hex wrenches and a screwdriver just to adjust the intonation, etc. I find that a lot of those basses sound sterile and lifeless. I'd rather play a bass that has a few flaws and has some (for lack of a better word) personality than these airtight basses that are so perfect they perfect all the personality out of them.
Click to expand...
I completely agree. :smug:
 
#8
It's reasonable to expect an expensive bass to sound great, and I think that most boutique/custom basses do have their own personality. I find the problem more in the higher-end mass produced basses, that sterile sound JimmyM talked about above.

Using my own basses as an example: I have an FBB fretless 6 that has got tons of personality and it's own unique sound. Although it wasn't built to my specs (I bought it used) it sure feels like it was.

Conversely, my Conklin GT7 feels like a mass produced instrument. Originally priced at ~ $1,250-$1,300 street value, it's not a real high end bass, but it ain't cheap either. The bass, while well built and reliable, doesn't have a lot of soul. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a lot of players love this bass, but for me it's only so-so. It's been a great intro into the 7 string world, but I'll be much happier once I order a 7 string FBB.

For me, mass produced basses give off a mass produced vibe. That's not to say they're poor instruments, just haven't been properly "funked-up" yet ...... :cool:
 
#11
I want to like Spector basses.
They do sound nice as hell BTW, but they just don't fit me good.
I love the shape, the woods and colors. The blue burst with gold hardware just kills me everytime I walk into GC. And the natural finish...WHEW!!!! nice!!!
But they just don't fit me well. And I want them to, I really do!! I play one everytime I go in there.
God I want one of the blue ones!!
 
#13
I'm sorry, but the field mice and honey trick stopped working as a ploy to attract customers.
Plus, I feel insignificiant next to you big strapping guys over there!! BA HA HA HA!!!!! RIGHT!!!
And if you biitches put out a little more then we wouldn't have this problem no would we?!?!
Blow it out your gerbil cage tough guy.
Sissy.
Go play a Lakland or something.
 
#15
I think part of the reason why you look at something like a Nordstrand and dont think of a particular sound is that they are all different. Each one being made to personal tastes, you may get some very similar ones, but wont get a "stock" sound so to speak. These types of basses are often very versatile as well, so dont have that "one" sound.

And yeah Ive played a few lookers that were just that, lookers. Fodera's and Warrior's come to mind, allthough both makers have produced amazing sounding basses as well, the few Ive played werent very impressive personally.
 
#18
MikeBass said:
I want to like Spector basses.
They do sound nice as hell BTW, but they just don't fit me good.
I love the shape, the woods and colors. The blue burst with gold hardware just kills me everytime I walk into GC. And the natural finish...WHEW!!!! nice!!!
But they just don't fit me well. And I want them to, I really do!! I play one everytime I go in there.
God I want one of the blue ones!!
Click to expand...
i couldn't agree more. same with alembics. both make absolutely gorgeous basses that i simply cannot stand to play.
 
#19
nad said:
i couldn't agree more. same with alembics. both make absolutely gorgeous basses that i simply cannot stand to play.
Click to expand...

It's not that I can't stand to play them, they just fit my body strange.
No here's the funny part, Warwick Streamers are nothing but "copies" of the Spectors (in fact Spector sued them and lost, but thats another thread ;) ) and I've owned a Streamer and it was fine.
Weird huh?!?!
 
#20
Juneau said:
I think part of the reason why you look at something like a Nordstrand and dont think of a particular sound is that they are all different. Each one being made to personal tastes, you may get some very similar ones, but wont get a "stock" sound so to speak. These types of basses are often very versatile as well, so dont have that "one" sound.

And yeah Ive played a few lookers that were just that, lookers. Fodera's and Warrior's come to mind, allthough both makers have produced amazing sounding basses as well, the few Ive played werent very impressive personally.
Click to expand...

Mmm.. I didnt expect that. I mean, I would probably have a rather difficult time telling one Fodera from another based on ear. This is true with a few more makers. I didnt really think that sounds varied that much from bass to bass within the same manufacturer (except if they have obviously different electronic setups -like active or passive or P v J).
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back