Do older basses sound significantly better?

[N. Kentucky Bass]

I am wondering if the aging of the wood on solid body bass guitars over decades makes.them sound noticeably better than new ones. For example a new Fender P vs one that is 20 or 40 years old?

Depends. On the pickup, strings, preamp, drivers and enclosure -- oh, and the player too!

 

[Geri O]

Very much depends on who you ask..

Very, very much!

 

[red_rhino]

YOU: can you create a carrot cake recipe i can bake to keep my mind off of redundant topics related to bass guitars and whether or not the age of the wood is noticeable changing the tone?

ChatGPT
Certainly! Baking can be a wonderful way to take a break from repetitive thoughts. Here's a delicious carrot cake recipe for you:

Carrot Cake Recipe
Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups grated carrots (about 4 medium carrots)
• 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
   
   
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
   
   
3. In a separate bowl, beat together the oil, eggs, and vanilla until well combined.
   
   
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
   
   
5. Fold in the grated carrots, crushed pineapple, shredded coconut, and chopped nuts (if using).
   
   
6. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
   
   
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
   
   
8. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
   
   
9. For the cream cheese frosting, beat together the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
   
   
10. Once the cakes are completely cooled, spread a layer of cream cheese frosting on top of one cake layer. Place the second layer on top and frost the entire cake.
    
    
11. Optional: Garnish with additional chopped nuts or shredded coconut.

Enjoy your homemade carrot cake and take some time to savor the delicious flavors while taking a break from those repetitive thoughts!

New poll: Does old carrot cake taste better than new carrot cake?

 

[HardNHeavy]

this has always intrigued me. For instance playing an unplugged bass, whether it's a vinty 60's or new..how resonant it is or isnt unplugged....I have an 83 p w/maple neck,when unplugged you can barley hear it but others like my 2000' MIM J w/rosewood is very resonant without being plugged in, as well as a cpl other builds... But when plugged in they all sound beautiful. They are either ash or alder as far as i know, with 2 slab construction with rounds and one with medium flats.....maybe that has something to do with it....its a mystery to me., but the internet said tone wood is a myth.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I am wondering if the aging of the wood on solid body bass guitars over decades makes.them sound noticeably better than new ones. For example a new Fender P vs one that is 20 or 40 years old?

I started playing bass in the 1960s, and have had basses and have played more that a few basses at that age, and I can’t discern any improvements in tone and or sustain. I have noticed electrical issues, truss rod issues, warpage, splits in wood, dings, & fret wear.

IMO, no, electric basses to don’t improve with age. I’ve been a long time Fender owner/player and frankly, as opposed to buying a 40-50 year old Fender at today’s prices, I’d be looking at the next level above Fender MIA series basses, a recent issue and gently used of course.

 

[VeryTallBassist]

I don't know if they sound better, but often times they play better simply because the fretboard edges have been naturally rolled over time from enough playing.

 

[Phaidrus]

Depends on the bass. This one is over 70 and sounds amazing.
View attachment 5315416

This one just turned 10 and while modded all to hell it sounds great as well.
View attachment 5315417



I've always wondered if the vibrations from being played over decades could alter or enhance the wood. Probably just wishful thinking. These survivors probably lasted the test of time because they sound good from the get go.

Nice! Are these Rotos Swing Bass?

 

[BadMonk]

No, the rule is there are no rules.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

If the 40 year old bass is in excellent condition (which is very often not the case):

Will it sound DIFFERENT? Yes, definitely, but it will be a VERY subtle difference compared to new vs old acoustic instruments.

Will it sound BETTER? That's highly subjective and a matter of personal taste.

I'll say one thing though: The most coveted pre-CBS Fenders were almost NEW when players like Jamerson, Dunn, etc. recorded their legendary tracks.

(And no, roasting is not comparable to natural aging)

 

[2saddleslab]

Nice! Are these Rotos Swing Bass?

Thanks! No, they are TI flats, same as all of my basses.

 

[Phaidrus]

Thanks! No, they are TI flats, same as all of my basses.

Thanks!

 

[TrevorG]

So I've been a Fender Ultra Precision fan for a while thinking the Precision purists were just being fanatical and dumbing down the rest of us. I've played C.S stuff and thought they were okay but, for one reason or another, not worth the fuss in my opinion. Yesterday I played a £9000 1965 Precision and my eyes were open!!! I did an A/B test with my Ultra and the bottom fell out of my world. The 65 had more output than the 18 volt preamp on my Ultra (somebody please explain that!!)! The Ultra was actually closer to the 65 in active mode than in passive which suddenly sounded a bit "meh"!

So I'd like to apologise to all the Fender puritans for my arrogance but to be fair - it's the first one that hit me like that but it really hit me. Can't justify buying it but the education was priceless.

 

[friskinator]

Perception is reality with this sort of thing. You can apply it to virtually anything where "old vs. new" is debated.

 

[Wesley R]

After seeing some of the pedal boards, and thinking of the half a kazillion watt amplifiers, and mains that rival the eruptions of a volcano, I wonder if older wood is significant. Yet, I do see the attraction

 

[Deleted member 394181]

I read somewhere you can speed up the well played effect by putting your bass in front of speakers. Vibration.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Here is my 65 jazz bass. There are many like it but this one is mine. I like the vintage stuff because I like the sound and look. Additionally, I collect old military surplus and am very interested in history, so I was naturally going to be into vintage instruments.

However to answer the question, no. Vintage basses do not sound significantly better. They sound good, yes, but if all you’re after is the sound, I don’t see how putting vintage style pickups in a squier jazz would sound much different than the 65.

 

[DrBnz]

Wha????? Nah..... come on - stop it. I know old bass players can't hear as well. They may perceive that as an increase in tonal quality.

 

[Squittolo]

..non necessarily BETTER but.. certainly DIFFERENT!

 

[Lance Bunyon]

There's something that happens to wood when it's exposed to low frequencies for decades. Other than that,
No.

 

[Jim C]

IMO, there are far too many variables (as well as loose QC) to be able to say old basses are uniformly better (whatever that means).
I do think that many older basses tend to be more resonant acoustically but I also think that goes out the window once it's plugged into an amp and run at stage volume.