I NEED more punch/sustain!

[RattleSnack]

How long has it been since you snugged the neck and bridge screws?

+1
Good start is to check bass acoustics without pluging it in. I hold it upright like a wall hanger (close to nut) with one hand, and strum it with other hand, first all strings, than one at the time. Listen for sustain, clarity, possible ratling. Do all strings sustain same lenght of time? This eliminates electronics, and tells what to expect from instrument when plugged in.
If it has poor sustain or clarity, check neck-body, bridge-body and nut-neck connections. If it sustains nice, check electronics, but also ALL of your signal path.

As for bodytrough vs. bridge-top string load, and also lightweight vs. heavy bridge: if strings and bridge are properly installed, there is minimal difference IMO. Maybe can be heard in perfect studio conditions, but not in real life, live gig situation, well - at least for me.

 

[dkelley]

This is pretty funny but I know for a fact well made cables produce better tones.I know the owner of ESP but,I haven't tried his gear yet.

I used Monster for about 3-4 years and I didn't know enough to know the difference back then.Now that my ears have matured and I know what I'm listening for,I know there's a direct relation to cables and tone.

The cables I currently use, Evidence Audio,clearly shows this is true.I've done A/B tests with my basses,my studio monitors,and my rig and there's a very noticeable difference in clarity and punch.They don't pay me to say this,I'm speaking purely from my personal experience.I also have video/audio proof of what I said if you're ever interested in hearing.Not trying to prove a point,just trying to help you improve your sound if you're interested.

Peace!

I love this sort of post.

At least you're keeping those guys in business, feeding their kids for them. Someone's gotta do it. But I'd suggest performing a blind abx test of a large number of repetitions to see how accurate your assessment is.

 

[dkelley]

Thanks!!! Fortunately,I've never had a bad instrument to make me post such questions as the OP.The majority of my basses are stock with the exception of my '74 Jazz.I only changed the pickups because the coils were separating,causing me to lose signal.

My other basses are dang near close to perfect!!!

Thanks again!

Peace!

Good to hear...you get all kinds of instruments on here lol

 

[dkelley]

So here's an update on my situation. I tried heavier strings and that really did the trick! I put a 130 on the low c and the punch and sustain was ridiculous. I still hold firm that a better bridge will improve at least my tone cause the standard fender bent steel bridges are damn near terrible. I played with my band last night at a show and my saddles slipped down to unplayable levels and I had to switch basses (a problem I've experienced more than once just never as bad) and I'm more than definitely going to upgrade my cables just for some added clarity and whatnot. And on a side note I got a kick out of the guy saying he would use a 105 tuned to around A! The only way that would ever make sense to me is if you wanted no tone at all and wanted to sound like fieldy from korn (possibly the worst bass tone in history, sounds like a broken baby rattle being slapped to death) if you want any sort of clarity I wouldn't use below a 130 for A and even then I would probably still go a tad bigger. Thanks for all the help guys I really appreciate it!

Great to hear! Fender bent Steel bridges are actually quite good, based on common feeling in the world and on science.... But I'm happy that the string gauge did the trick!

Always good to be one of the guys with the winning solution lol

 

[Thomas Kievit]

Neckthrough bass + heavy strings should help you out

 

[dkelley]

Don't buy into that. There are always a few that insist they can hear a huge difference and that everybody else is deaf, but the vast majority (and very respected dudes) disagree, including myself.

Yup. Complete waste of money. The electronics is very simple here.... everyone knows what makes a great cable: low capacitance wire (as found in every cable you can buy these days including cheap ones), and good solid plugs attached on well.

 

[Britbonic]

I love this sort of post.

At least you're keeping those guys in business, feeding their kids for them. Someone's gotta do it. But I'd suggest performing a blind abx test of a large number of repetitions to see how accurate your assessment is.

Monster built a huge business around over hyped cables and crazy stuff like bass or guitar specific cables. It's not that they are bad just typically overpriced for what they are.

I will say I'm not a big believer in significant differences in cables at a certain quality levels providing good connectors and cable is used. That said, I've AB'd an Asterope cable that a friend of mine recently bought after hearing at NAMM. I plugged straight into my amp and compared it with a couple of my regular cables (Livewire Elite, Spectraflex) There's no question there was a noticeable difference in the tone, primarily in the upper mids. Almost like there was more clarity in that area. Was it life changing? No, but if I were doing a critical recording I might consider borrowing it. In a live band context there are so many other variables any differences will be lost.

 

[Jackie Clark]

I love this sort of post.

At least you're keeping those guys in business, feeding their kids for them. Someone's gotta do it. But I'd suggest performing a blind abx test of a large number of repetitions to see how accurate your assessment is.

That's the only reason I'm saying it now...because I've used so many cables over the years.The companies I endorse don't pay me to say any of this.I only use the gear I use because I believe in it and what they do for me.

Every piece of gear I endorse,I paid for before I went to them.

There is a difference and until you hear it for yourself,you'll continue to think as you do....nothing wrong with you feeling that way.I'm not saying you don't know what you're talking about because obviously you gave me some valuable info earlier but,until you've actually heard better,there's absolutely no way you can know what better really is or that it exists.I once felt the same way as you do now.

I'm more than happy to post unedited video footage where you can clearly see me changing the cable and seeing everyone's reaction,as well as hearing the difference without me touching the amp.Just let me know when you're ready to hear for yourself.

Thanks again for your earlier info!

Peace!

p.s-I'm not sure I'm keeping them in business or feeding their kids but,I know for a fact I'm feeding myself and my kids using their gear!

 

[M.R. Ogle]

Don't let this thread get derailed by that old hi-end cable discussion. Start a different thread.

 

[Jackie Clark]

Good to hear...you get all kinds of instruments on here lol

You have a point there brother but,I don't buy instruments from here...matter of factly,I'm done buying basses...I practically have every instrument that I need for the work I do(there are a few I want but,that's a different story)I'm just here for the cool articles/discussions from time to time. I've sold one of mine here but,I endorsed Lakland from 2002-2008.I was blessed to get my basses direct from the factory.I would pick the actual bodies(before routing) and necks in person and they'd ship em to me within a 3-4 month period.

This was before they became a bit more popular of course.

 

[Jackie Clark]

Don't let this thread get derailed by that old hi-end cable discussion. Start a different thread.

It's one thing to talk about it but,there's a way to end that myth about the cable I speak of...I'll probably just go ahead and post the video to show actual proof as opposed to going back and forth with the non-believers! hahaha! Just messing with you bro.

I know you don't know me but,I don't just post my opinions without facts/proof to back it up.I know I'm kinda off the original subject but,if someone feels the need to quote me,I feel it's ok to reply...I hope


Peace!

 

[Jackie Clark]

Monster built a huge business around over hyped cables and crazy stuff like bass or guitar specific cables. It's not that they are bad just typically overpriced for what they are.

I will say I'm not a big believer in significant differences in cables at a certain quality levels providing good connectors and cable is used. That said, I've AB'd an Asterope cable that a friend of mine recently bought after hearing at NAMM. I plugged straight into my amp and compared it with a couple of my regular cables (Livewire Elite, Spectraflex) There's no question there was a noticeable difference in the tone, primarily in the upper mids. Almost like there was more clarity in that area. Was it life changing? No, but if I were doing a critical recording I might consider borrowing it. In a live band context there are so many other variables any differences will be lost.

Do you attend NAMM regularly? I'd love to meet up with you in Jan to let you do an A/B test of Evidence Audio cables...

I'm always there representing EBS amps...let's keep in touch here and meet up at the EBS booth or any booth of your choosing.I'm suggesting this not because I have a desire to show the world(hahaha) I just know the response you'd have once you actually hear it....especially since you seem to have a good knowledge of how cables work!

Shoot me an inbox when you have time!

Peace,
JC

 

[Jackie Clark]

So here's an update on my situation. I tried heavier strings and that really did the trick! I put a 130 on the low c and the punch and sustain was ridiculous. I still hold firm that a better bridge will improve at least my tone cause the standard fender bent steel bridges are damn near terrible. I played with my band last night at a show and my saddles slipped down to unplayable levels and I had to switch basses (a problem I've experienced more than once just never as bad) and I'm more than definitely going to upgrade my cables just for some added clarity and whatnot. And on a side note I got a kick out of the guy saying he would use a 105 tuned to around A! The only way that would ever make sense to me is if you wanted no tone at all and wanted to sound like fieldy from korn (possibly the worst bass tone in history, sounds like a broken baby rattle being slapped to death) if you want any sort of clarity I wouldn't use below a 130 for A and even then I would probably still go a tad bigger. Thanks for all the help guys I really appreciate it!

Glad it worked out for you brother!!!!!

 

[jamersonburton]

mxr bass compressor!

 

[huckleberry1]

I've got 3rd the compressor, my Gibson RD Artist has a built in Moog compressor & the sustain goes on & on &..........

 

[Dave W]

Do you attend NAMM regularly? I'd love to meet up with you in Jan to let you do an A/B test of Evidence Audio cables...JC

I feel like NAMM isn't the best place to do cable testing. There is too much noise going on in the background.

 

[mapleglo]

Back in the day, I worked for a multinational electronics manufacturer in the marketing department as a sales trainer. I had access to a variety of pretty high end test equipment, and would sometimes bring along some of the test equipment on trainings to show the retail salespeople how much better the specs on our amps, CD players, and speaker were than the competition.

During one training, which was right after the Monster Cable Rep did his thing, I happened to be using a TEF analyzer to show off our new line. I saw a Monster brand RCA cable that the previous Rep left on the table, and decided to have some fun.

I ran a frequency analysis first on our generic cable and displayed the results on the projector. Perfectly flat from 20 - 20k. Did the same thing with the Monster brand RCA cable. Also, perfectly flat from 20 - 20k. One of the salesmen pointed out that the Monster cable was directional, and I had originally tested it "backward". Ran the test again, and again, perfectly flat from 20 - 20k.

Another pointed out that there's more to good sound quality than frequency response. Fortunately, the TEF also measures time alignment - in other words, do all the frequencies travel down the cable at the same speed, and arrive at the same time at the other end, or do some cables "smear" the sound? Another test, another set of perfect response curves across the spectrum on both the cheap and expensive cables.

Granted, an extremely poorly constructed cable will negatively impact sound, but once you reach a certain level, I don't believe there is a difference that *I* can hear between cables. Or measure, for that matter.

 

[Jackie Clark]

I feel like NAMM isn't the best place to do cable testing. There is too much noise going on in the background.

We were able to do it accurately at our booth but,I totally understand your point...

Just keep in touch and maybe we'll link up during that time.I'll shoot you an inbox and come Jan,I'd like to see what your honest opinion happens to be!

Somewhere where the test will be reliable of course! haha!

Thanks for the reply!!

Peace,
JC

 

[Jackie Clark]

Back in the day, I worked for a multinational electronics manufacturer in the marketing department as a sales trainer. I had access to a variety of pretty high end test equipment, and would sometimes bring along some of the test equipment on trainings to show the retail salespeople how much better the specs on our amps, CD players, and speaker were than the competition.

During one training, which was right after the Monster Cable Rep did his thing, I happened to be using a TEF analyzer to show off our new line. I saw a Monster brand RCA cable that the previous Rep left on the table, and decided to have some fun.

I ran a frequency analysis first on our generic cable and displayed the results on the projector. Perfectly flat from 20 - 20k. Did the same thing with the Monster brand RCA cable. Also, perfectly flat from 20 - 20k. One of the salesmen pointed out that the Monster cable was directional, and I had originally tested it "backward". Ran the test again, and again, perfectly flat from 20 - 20k.

Another pointed out that there's more to good sound quality than frequency response. Fortunately, the TEF also measures time alignment - in other words, do all the frequencies travel down the cable at the same speed, and arrive at the same time at the other end, or do some cables "smear" the sound? Another test, another set of perfect response curves across the spectrum on both the cheap and expensive cables.

Granted, an extremely poorly constructed cable will negatively impact sound, but once you reach a certain level, I don't believe there is a difference that *I* can hear between cables. Or measure, for that matter.

Great reply!!! I'm not a technical by any means but,I totally understood your explanation! Thanks!

I know a few people say the same thing(that you can't hear a difference) but,there is a noticeable difference in the cables I happen to be using.He makes his cables slightly different than the norm.I was able to let players of all caliber test these and they were all shocked by what they heard and I have unedited video proof that I'm willing to share.I'm kinda off subject here so I won't make any more posts unless it's an inbox message.

Thanks again...your post was very helpful!

 

[Kmonk]

I recently switched to Ernie Ball Cobalt strings and instantly heard a difference in tone and sustain.