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"Modern" basses, what's to like?

#41
This subject is kind of funny because bass guitars as we know them are only sixty years old, and "modern basses" go back about forty years to Alembic. Mass produced modern basses by outfits like Music Man, Ibanez, Aria, and Yamaha, go back a little more than thirty years. Neither vintage or modern basses are new any more.

I like both sorts of basses, and I really enjoy vintage style basses with active electronics. One could say that the Stingray or Sabre is a "vintage active bass."

Bottom line: Listen with your ears, not eyes, and trust your judgement. Avoid getting caught up in fads or fanboi hype!;)
 
#44
#47
If we are the sum of our influences, then it stands to reason that I would trend towards a Fender P bass by virtue of the fact that probably 90% of the bass players in the bands I like the most--and have liked the most over the years--play one. However, despite it being the "safe bet" (I do not dispute the advice that "You can't go wrong with a P bass."), I just can't muster any inner affection for it. For whatever bizarre psychological reason, I feel the need for something with a bit more character. Something that doesn't conform so predictably and perfectly to the P shape or to the P pickup/electronics configuration.

Now I do think that to a certain extent, what you play, that is to say what it looks like, conveys something to a viewing audience, every bit as much as the clothes you wear on stage. A P bass pretty much fits into the look of any band regardless of genre, which is why it is such a safe bet. A Gibson SG bass or a B.C. Rich Warlock bass, on the other hand, is going to say, "I belong in a heavy metal band," and you had better be in a heavy metal band unless you want to send mixed messages to your audience. ;)

For when I play hard rock or heavy metal in front of an audience (if I ever do someday), I know I can rely on my Stealth Bongo to send an appropriate visual message. And for everything else, I feel confident that my Ibanez SR1005EWN will let me fit in perfectly with the visual "statement" being made by the band (even if it is only a subconscious one). I tend to think that "modern" basses are a bit more versatile in that they can look and sound vintagey enough for most purposes, whereas truly vintage-style basses will only ever really look and sound vintagey ("old-timey" as someone in another forum once said).
 
#48
After nearly 40 years of playing I find that I prefer the tonal flexibility of "modern" basses. I can get everything I need even if I only bring one bass to a practice/session. And I am one of those people who monkeys with his tone a lot - not song-to-song necessarily - and being able to quickly dial in very different sounds is a good thing, IMO.
 
#49
Hifiguy said:
After nearly 40 years of playing I find that I prefer the tonal flexibility of "modern" basses. I can get everything I need even if I only bring one bass to a practice/session. And I am one of those people who monkeys with his tone a lot - not song-to-song necessarily - and being able to quickly dial in very different sounds is a good thing, IMO.
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I totally agree, especially when doing a gig through a DI with no amp or preamp. When all you've got is a "vintage" passive bass with a "toy" tone control, you feel like you are playing wearing "tonal handcuffs"!

But on the other hand. the essence of monkeying with tone is that you want the instrument to fit the music. So Hey. If you intend to play authentic Elizabethan songs, you are going to want to do it on a lute and not a Strat!
 
#51
WoodyG3 said:
I like vintage style visually, I'm not much on some of the modern bass body styles. On the other hand, I really do like a good onboard preamp. I guess that puts me somewhere in the middle.

:)
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So where am I then? Sounds like I'm with you.

I have a Mike Lull M4V: looks like a Fender Jazz, but has a smaller, and much lighter body. It also has active EQ which is the reason it sounds so damn good.
 
#52
I have both and am quite happy with them.

Just got a new neck for my '73 Jazz bass and it's never played better. For me it's perfect.

I also have an Ibanez SR505 that plays like a dream and has great tonal variation.

Yep, very happy with one old and one new.
 
#54
i've had all manner of basses over the years,and i have to say that you take the best of what's out there in any genre. the one thing i don't care for,as far,as "modern" on a bass is active circuitry. if the bass sounds good unplugged,then you should be able to tweak your tone with an amp or pedal,and it always seems that the preamps in basses don't interact with amp preamps all that well.(for me). i do believe in using modern amps that are very flexible. (markbass currently) i have a jazz,danelectro,a vintage ric and a recently made ric,and a yamaha trx,which is like a really modern sleek version of a fender bass. i've owned modulus and steinbergers,but just prefer something wood with a cutting resonant tone.
 

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