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Does having a better, high-end bass improve your playing?

C

cahir231

Apr 4, 2011
16
0
#1
To explain what may initially sound like an inane question:

I have an entry-level 5-string Fender Squier Jazz Bass. The feel of the instrument (in terms of left-hand comfort and ease of motion) is tolerable, and the the string spacing is alright. However, the pickups are terrible.

I also wonder if the fact that traversing the instrument's range is awkward and somewhat clumsy-feeling reflects simply on my lack of skill (and subsequent need for more practice to remedy this) or the fact that the instrument itself is making it more difficult for me to play.

Sometimes when I pluck the strings, I have to give them a real hard motion with my right-hand fingers to bring out an acceptably full sound. I was working my way through Portrait of Tracy and I can PLAY THE SONG (I mean, my fingers are going to the right places), but the harmonics that ring so purely when I play unplugged often times fail to speak or sound extremely faint when I'm plugged in, no matter how hard or soft I pluck the string.

When I try doing slap with the bass unplugged, it sounds great, but when I amplify the bass and try slap, my right thumb (slap) sounds boomy and uncontrolled, my right index finger is thin and twangy, and if I try to add a left hand slap, it usually doesn't even sound.

I wondered if it had something to do with the action and the height of the strings. I had tweaked it to where it was comfortable to play fingerstyle, but perhaps for slap it needs to be lower???

I also have worked with the EQ options on the bass, but (perhaps because I don't completely know what I'm doing) it hasn't helped much. I also wondered if the fact that the amplifier that I'm stuck with currently is a POS has that much of a drastic effect on the bass's sound.

I haven't tried too many other basses, but I remember going to a store recently and having the chance to try an Ibanez six-string...it wasn't the best thing I've ever heard of or seen, but it felt so much smoother and playing it/moving across it was easier. I didn't know what the EQ settings were on the bass (or the amp the guy at the store plugged me into) but slap sounded pretty good on it (and like heaven comparatively) and I could even TAP and get a good clean sounded without buzzing and odd overtones sounding.

In summary, I guess what I'm asking is, am I missing something, or do I just need to go shopping for a better instrument and better equipment? I mean, how good can I make an entry-level bass with less-than-average pickups sound?

Yeah, I know I sound like an idiot, but I'm kinda desperate at this stage, so...educate me! Please...
 
#3
You need to play a bass that inspires you...if that's a $200 Squire, great! If it's a $3500 Sadowsky, that is great too! But Aspidites is right...if the bass can take a great set-up it just makes the bass easier to play and the easier it is to play, the better a player you will be.
 
#7
I believe it can. My first bass was a piece of crap Cort bass that played and sounded horribly. My next bass, was about a $300.00 bass that played much better. It had a straight neck, no fret buzz and it set more balanced on me when I wore it. As a result, I played much batter as a bass player. There were less mistakes made. With my first bass, I could play a perfect note but sometimes it would not sound like a perfect note simply because the bass was in such bad shape when I bought it.
 
#9
I dont think the instrument HAS to be expensive, but an instrument that is set up correctly and has good components will make you play better. An expensive instrument by default usually has good components and will be set up well (most of the time).
However...
My favourite bass I've ever owned is in my sig - the Aria Integra 85B. Not sure what it was worth back in the day but I picked it up for about $400. I set it up myself. The action is LOW, no buzz, the neck feel great, the Bart pickups sound great. It definitely has made me a better player I think and it was a cheapy! I have owned $3000 Warwicks, Zons and Spectors that were at best only as good as this bass, some just played badly and therefore didn't make me a better player.
Hope this rant made sense!
I think my point is a cheap bass well set up with good pickups can be just as good to the right player as an expensive bass.
 
#10
I like playing different instruments. They can be inspirational, just due to their uniqueness or difference from what you usually play. It could be cheap or expensive, but only you can determine what inspires you. Sometimes to me playing something modern with super low action inspires. Other times it is something vintage, that may not play the best but just has that "vibe".

But at the end of the day, you've got to find inspriation from within.
 
#11
I believe it can to a point if the bass is set up to match the players style. For me that would be a thin neck with super low action. For others it could be a wider neck with high action.

This is a really good question that I think would be better answered in the ask a pro section. You should see what they have to say.
 
#12
Denial said:
I like playing different instruments. They can be inspirational, just due to their uniqueness or difference from what you usually play. It could be cheap or expensive, but only you can determine what inspires you. Sometimes to me playing something modern with super low action inspires. Other times it is something vintage, that may not play the best but just has that "vibe".

But at the end of the day, you've got to find inspriation from within.
Click to expand...

This!:hyper:
 
#13
Thanks folks! I appreciate the input a lot!

I guess then all I would be wondering is how to setup a low-quality bass so as to get as ideal a sound as possible.

And my initial guess is that the answer would be too complicated for you all to answer via the internet...am I right?
 
#14
cahir231 said:
In summary, I guess what I'm asking is, am I missing something, or do I just need to go shopping for a better instrument and better equipment? I mean, how good can I make an entry-level bass with less-than-average pickups sound?
Click to expand...

Yes, that much seems clear enough. As any experienced player will tell you, one of the hallmarks of a high-quality instrument is a build quality that makes it seem able to "play itself". That means you don't have to fight the thing constantly in order to force your musical ideas through it. It's just easy.

Also, a high-quality instrument will have a very good tone, and usually a very distinct, very pleasing natural "voice" - that shines through in virtually any combination of settings you care to use. In other words, the thing just sounds so good, that it's nearly impossible to make it sound bad - even if you try. That's quality. :cool:

A bit of advice: Remember that high quality doesn't necessarily correlate to a high price tag. And the reverse is also true.

MM
 
#15
I think it's all user preference, IMO.

I've played high end stuff that played worse then "low quality" stuff, and then I've played stuff that was so remarkable I had to have it, but couldn't afford it at the time.

But I sincerely believe every instrument is a different beast, even though they could be the exact same thing. Like they say, no two snow flakes are the same.

To the OP, think of it this way.

If you can sound amazing on "sub par" equipment, imagine what you'll sound like on a 5k rig. Just practice and practice some more. Find yourself sitting here posting for 2 hours? Go practice. :-P
 
#16
Honestly, its all perspective. I know this might seem backwards, but i always tell anyone who wants to start out playing music to find the crappiest instrument they can. Once you MASTER that, imagine what you could do on a decent instrument. But alas, there is ALOT of flaws in my logic.
 
#18
cahir231 said:
Thanks folks! I appreciate the input a lot!

I guess then all I would be wondering is how to setup a low-quality bass so as to get as ideal a sound as possible.

And my initial guess is that the answer would be too complicated for you all to answer via the internet...am I right?
Click to expand...

"Low quality" is only so good.
Sometimes you can find some really good "low quality" basses (and guitars) but the majority are just that.

Polishing a turd.
 
#19
IMHO good music comes from good musician, good musicianship, and good instrument.

Good instrument (bass) has to be a good setup bass, even if 'good setup' can be different personally (e.g. the late James Jamerson had a setup that maybe unplayable for other, etc.)

Good basses sometimes, but does'nt always, are the high-end or higher priced bass.

But I'm sure good musicianship comes first.
 

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