Does it REALLY make a difference?

[marko138]

I must be in the minority. When I’m playing in a band setting, I for one, can’t hear the difference between amp brands for the most part. Nor do I hear much of a difference between scale length of basses. I can hear the difference between Rotosounds and Chromes at lower volumes. But when you’re pushing it ,the difference diminishes. Rosewood and Maple boards? You’re joking, right?. Stock picks vs after market? Nope. These all might make a difference if you’re sitting in your bedroom , playing along at low volume to your favorite tunes but not in the real world. Not to me anyways.

I think you just solved the riddle of Talk Bass. The forum will now self destruct...

 

[smogg]

I must be in the minority. When I’m playing in a band setting, I for one, can’t hear the difference between amp brands for the most part. Nor do I hear much of a difference between scale length of basses. I can hear the difference between Rotosounds and Chromes at lower volumes. But when you’re pushing it ,the difference diminishes. Rosewood and Maple boards? You’re joking, right?. Stock picks vs after market? Nope. These all might make a difference if you’re sitting in your bedroom , playing along at low volume to your favorite tunes but not in the real world. Not to me anyways.

Exactly, all amps sound the same. All basses sound the same. All cabs sound the same. That's why all songs sound the same. Overdue for hearing exam perhaps?

 

[Mili]

Does it REALLY make a difference?


YES.

 

[Seashore]

It really does make a difference to me, yeah. Maybe some of it's more about feel and comfort than something purely sonic, but the purely sonic stuff matters a ton as well. Even more when I'm playing at full volume with the band. Random Joe in the audience might not be able to articulate exactly why, but he can probably tell when things are firing on all cylinders and when they aren't.

 

[SactoBass]

I must be in the minority. When I’m playing in a band setting, I for one, can’t hear the difference between amp brands for the most part. Nor do I hear much of a difference between scale length of basses. I can hear the difference between Rotosounds and Chromes at lower volumes. But when you’re pushing it ,the difference diminishes. Rosewood and Maple boards? You’re joking, right?. Stock picks vs after market? Nope. These all might make a difference if you’re sitting in your bedroom , playing along at low volume to your favorite tunes but not in the real world. Not to me anyways.

In a live band setting, I tend to agree with you for the most part!

I think alot of what we buy in terms of bass gear is based on what we like and want to own, i.e., personal preferences, and what we are comfortable with. And I think a significant percentage of us buy gear based on how it looks. I know for a fact that I am guilty of that (I buy stuff that *I* like the look of, not because I think someone else will like the look). But as I always say, do whatever makes you happy in life! We are all individuals and we all like different stuff, and I am thankful for the diversity in personal preferences. It's what makes life interesting!

 

[RichardW]

I'd say the differences are probably real and might make a difference among super bass geeks. I would also say that 99.999999% of any audience you are playing for doesn't have a clue. All they care about is the groove...

 

[arbiterusa]

I must be in the minority. When I’m playing in a band setting, I for one, can’t hear the difference between amp brands for the most part. Nor do I hear much of a difference between scale length of basses. I can hear the difference between Rotosounds and Chromes at lower volumes. But when you’re pushing it ,the difference diminishes. Rosewood and Maple boards? You’re joking, right?. Stock picks vs after market? Nope. These all might make a difference if you’re sitting in your bedroom , playing along at low volume to your favorite tunes but not in the real world. Not to me anyways.

If I'm playing it on stage, yes, I can hear the difference between amps and cabs. As can I hear the difference between rounds and flats. The rest, not so much.

And the important thing is this: the audience can't hear the difference and does not care. They want to hear bass-style noises coming off the stage, and don't care if it's from your Precision, your synth, an iPod, or a giant bass marimba.

 

[TNCreature]

"Does it REALLY Make a Difference?"
Yes, it does. Except for those who it doesn't.

As other have pointed out, not every song, amp or bass sounds the same. And it is also important that all elements collectively create what we hear. Does it matter? Well why wound't it matter? Why doesn't it matter? That's a more interesting question to me.

Yes, you can debate (ad nausea) cheap vs expensive, etc. etc. etc. "I gig with a crappies crap that I find for free" yep; good for you. But that's not the point. People who work hard at music create something that they can be proud of, and is often times very worth hearing.

All I know is that I get compliments on my bass sound at every gig, and often time from other musicians. They want to borrow my amp, write down my settings, etc. It feels good. It was worth it. It made a difference to somebody.

 

[JPaulGeddy]

The entire point of the details (live), imo, is that it inspires you to play better and to hear better. Whatever that is, is very different between people. If the $100 Squier & a Rumble gets you there, nothing wrong with that. If it has to be a specific type of wood in the truss rod cover because YOU can hear the different - then there you have it.

I know that 99% of the audience is not invested enough to care beyond the right notes/groove and overall sound. But I like playing to that last 1% that may be there - as well as to entertain myself. This goes for sonic qualities as well as note choices, technique, etc.

 

[bassbrad]

I must be in the minority. When I’m playing in a band setting, I for one, can’t hear the difference between amp brands for the most part. Nor do I hear much of a difference between scale length of basses. I can hear the difference between Rotosounds and Chromes at lower volumes. But when you’re pushing it ,the difference diminishes. Rosewood and Maple boards? You’re joking, right?. Stock picks vs after market? Nope. These all might make a difference if you’re sitting in your bedroom , playing along at low volume to your favorite tunes but not in the real world. Not to me anyways.

There is about 99% of truth to that!

It is true that for many things of all sorts, the "last 5%" of improvement is the most expensive in terms of time and money. Playing in a band at typical volumes, the last 5% in sound, or even 20%, doesn't matter at all. This is why the top tier of classical players will likely spend a ton of money on their instruments as well as practice for hours every day: Because they are in that top 5%. For the rest of us, a rig that we simply like is good enough.

I treat every gig I do like I'm playing with the greatest musicians in the world, I work hard to give the greatest sounds I possibly can for the best possible listening experience, I don't do lowest common denominators, and even if I use something cheap, it's excellent cheap. That said, there are times I can't have everything, but I try, and IMHO not trying is weak sauce.

All of the above 100% and as usual @JimmyM brings the wisdom.

Excellent Cheap! Indeed - best descriptor EVER!

 

[Spidey2112]

Go Bucks!

 

[bass12]

I can most definitely tell the difference between my various amps in a live setting. Difference between rosewood and maple? I've never switched fingerboard woods on any of my basses so I couldn't tell you, but I can certainly tell the difference between my various basses sound-wise - and some of them are identical save for the wood types. Electronics? Switching the preamp in one of my basses made the difference between my disappearing in the mix and my sitting right where I wanted to be. If you can't tell the difference with this stuff maybe your bandmates are too loud.

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

I guess it depends on who we’re talking about. As a non-bass playing listener or audience member , I’d say no, not at all. The focus is on the song and overall appeal of the song. As a bass player maybe. If the bass is so muddled that it can’t be appreciated , then I think there’s a problem , but in general if you can hear the bass clearly and it comes through with authority, that’s all that matters to me.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

I must be in the minority. When I’m playing in a band setting, I for one, can’t hear the difference between amp brands for the most part. Nor do I hear much of a difference between scale length of basses. I can hear the difference between Rotosounds and Chromes at lower volumes. But when you’re pushing it ,the difference diminishes. Rosewood and Maple boards? You’re joking, right?. Stock picks vs after market? Nope. These all might make a difference if you’re sitting in your bedroom , playing along at low volume to your favorite tunes but not in the real world. Not to me anyways.

You should get a wireless and then step away from your amp to hear how these differences really sound when playing with a group. You would be surprised. Standing in front of your amp is less than ideal if you are trying to hear the subtleties it produces.

 

[socialleper]

I must be in the minority. When I’m playing in a band setting, I for one, can’t hear the difference between amp brands for the most part. Nor do I hear much of a difference between scale length of basses. I can hear the difference between Rotosounds and Chromes at lower volumes. But when you’re pushing it ,the difference diminishes. Rosewood and Maple boards? You’re joking, right?. Stock picks vs after market? Nope. These all might make a difference if you’re sitting in your bedroom , playing along at low volume to your favorite tunes but not in the real world. Not to me anyways.

You are talking about several things at once and trying to make an assertive statement out of it.

I don't know what you can and can't hear. You could have hearing loss, or simply a lead ear for all I know.

Scale length isn't about sound, it is about how a B string feels to the player.

If you can't tell the difference between flats and round wounds on recordings or live, I would wonder even more about my first rebuttal. There couldn't be a bigger difference.

Amps and cabs do tend to have less of an impact in a lot of live situations because the PA might be doing the heavy lifting, or the space you are playing in impacts the dynamics. I'd say this is a bigger factor when recording. Live they are more about projecting and fitting your bass into the right EQ niche.

Ditto for tone woods.

Yes you are in the minority. Grats.

 

[Copperhead]

Thanks for this

Im going to go sell all my gear now and buy that bass and amp I seen at a garage sale for $10.00

That's kind of ad absurdem. Amusing, nonetheless.

 

[Helix]

That's kind of ad absurdem. Amusing, nonetheless.

Yeah, I guess it was a little snarky......My apologies to the OP if he took it as more than just a joke......but, I do know this, I play a lot of back line gear and I'm always happier when I get to use my own.....to me there's a world of difference in tone / timbre

 

[bass12]

The entire point of the details (live), imo, is that it inspires you to play better and to hear better. Whatever that is, is very different between people. If the $100 Squier & a Rumble gets you there, nothing wrong with that. If it has to be a specific type of wood in the truss rod cover because YOU can hear the different - then there you have it.

I know that 99% of the audience is not invested enough to care beyond the right notes/groove and overall sound. But I like playing to that last 1% that may be there - as well as to entertain myself. This goes for sonic qualities as well as note choices, technique, etc.

Yes. What the audience hears is only part of the equation. My primary concern (as to me it's a given that my bass is going to sound perfectly acceptable in the room, barring bad acoustics or a crappy FOH mix) is that the sound I'm producing inspires me. If I'm getting off on the sound of my bass then I'm going to have more fun and I'm more than likely going to play better.

 

[Wasnex]

I must be in the minority. When I’m playing in a band setting, I for one, can’t hear the difference between amp brands for the most part. Nor do I hear much of a difference between scale length of basses. I can hear the difference between Rotosounds and Chromes at lower volumes. But when you’re pushing it ,the difference diminishes. Rosewood and Maple boards? You’re joking, right?. Stock picks vs after market? Nope. These all might make a difference if you’re sitting in your bedroom , playing along at low volume to your favorite tunes but not in the real world. Not to me anyways.

The way you monitor makes a significant difference. Low frequencies essentially radiate in all directions, but as the frequency rises the sound become more directional and starts beaming out in front of the cab.

If you put your speaker flat on the floor aimed at the back of your calves, then you are going to loose a lot of detail, because the mids and highs are going to zip by below your knees and the only direct sound you will hear from your cab will be low mids down.

I typically elevate my cab about two feet and tilt it back to aim at my ears, so I can hear the mids and highs as well as the lows. I also tend to crank up the mids and highs a bit to compensate for masking. This allows me to hear many of the nuances you are missing, and also helps keep my stage volume down, so my unusually bright tone does not really cause any problems for the house mix. The audio tech typically takes a DI straight off my bass, and most of the time I run the volume wide open and tone controls flat. So the audio tech basically has a blank canvass to paint upon, and if anyone else in the band wants to hear bass, they ask for a bump in their monitors.

 

[SactoBass]

It all depends on what type of tone screws you used to attach your pickguard.