Most unforgiving bass guitar?

[Usidore T Blue]

If I wanted to work on my chops, and I do, I might use an instrument that revealed every excruciating detail of my technique, or at least crank the tone knob. What's the most revealing bass guitar/strings combo you've ever played? Did it make you better or did you abandon t?

 

[Kevin Wolfe]

I've been playing the same Precision since 1979 and just acquired a new Stingray Special 5H and boy does my technique suck. Not gonna bail on it though, just practice more and unlearn all those bad habits.

 

[bearfoot]

ABG, phosphour bronze.

 

[BigBigGuy44]

Fodera YYS. Man, that thing brought out the good, the bad and the ugly! But what a glorious instrument.

 

[Usidore T Blue]

I've been playing the same Precision since 1979 and just acquired a new Stingray Special 5H and boy does my technique suck. Not gonna bail on it though, just practice more and unlearn all those bad habits.

Are you using the StingRay to play the same music as the Pbass, or are you going new places with it?

 

[SteveC]

For a while I played a couple Modulus Q5's (Bart soaps and preamp, rounds) through an Avalon U5 rig. Not much room to hide. I play a Roscoe 5 now and while it's a fabulous bass (I prefer it to a Modulus now) I don't think it is quite as "exposing" as that Modulus was.

 

[Usidore T Blue]

Fodera YYS. Man, that thing brought out the good, the bad and the ugly! But what a glorious instrument.

I really like watching the YYS demos on because of this effect.

 

[StyleOverShow]

This Precision MIJ A4E has a piezo and a standard P pup. It's lightweight, has a variety of tones and looks great. It is uncomfortable to play without a forearm contour. I'm playing this bass more often often in lieu of the upright and my right wrist and shoulder just ache after a few hours. I am trying out sitting on a stool and it seems to work better. Not giving up on this baby, just yet.

 

[UNICORN BASS]

Brice 6 string fret less, sold it to save me any further embarrassment.

 

[Usidore T Blue]

For a while I played a couple Modulus Q5's (Bart soaps and preamp, rounds) through an Avalon U5 rig. Not much room to hide. I play a Roscoe 5 now and while it's a fabulous bass (I prefer it to a Modulus now) I don't think it is quite as "exposing" as that Modulus was.

I notice people taking advantage of this clarity and spaciousness in solo playing situations.

 

[Bob_Ross]

carbon fiber FTW! I've been playing a Steinberger L-2 since 1982, and a Modulus Graphite Quantum-6 since 1988, and holy crap talk about "exposing your weaknesses"! Sometimes it feels like I'm standing there with my pants down around my ankles! But any time I've wanted to just throw in the towel I remember that the part is gonna sound freakin' awesome once I can nail it. Every nuance of articulation and dynamics is clearly reproduced; really makes you think about micro-details in a very musical fashion.

plus I can pick up an ordinary wood Fender when drunk and still make it sound good!

[that last sentence is a joke. Don't try this at home, kids.]

 

[Usidore T Blue]

Brice 6 string fret less, sold it to save me any further embarrassment.

 

[Usidore T Blue]

carbon fiber FTW! I've been playing a Steinberger L-2 since 1982, and a Modulus Graphite Quantum-6 since 1988, and holy crap talk about "exposing your weaknesses"! Sometimes it feels like I'm standing there with my pants down around my ankles! But any time I've wanted to just throw in the towel I remember that the part is gonna sound freakin' awesome once I can nail it. Every nuance of articulation and dynamics is clearly reproduced; really makes you think about micro-details in a very musical fashion.

plus I can pick up an ordinary wood Fender when drunk and still make it sound good!

[that last sentence is a joke. Don't try this at home, kids.]

I never considered that the technique improvements one guitar demands would make sounding good on a more gracious instrument easier! I sort of figured you would have to unlearn what you have learned...

 

[Son of Wobble]

No contest.

 

[Usidore T Blue]

View attachment 3306691
This Precision MIJ A4E has a piezo and a standard P pup. It's lightweight, has a variety of tones and looks great. It is uncomfortable to play without a forearm contour. I'm playing this bass more often often in lieu of the upright and my right wrist and shoulder just ache after a few hours. I am trying out sitting on a stool and it seems to work better. Not giving up on this baby, just yet.

Pretty. Sounds like it is physically demanding--does the hollowbody make it sensitive to your technique, as well?

 

[Lesfunk]

I owned an alembic that perfectly amplified every defect in my playing. (In HD)

 

[Usidore T Blue]

No contest.

View attachment 3306739

I want my bass to help me play with soul, not play with my soul. This is the wrong kind of unforgiving.

 

[Gee Man]

This Precision MIJ A4E has a piezo and a standard P pup. It's lightweight, has a variety of tones and looks great. It is uncomfortable to play without a forearm contour. I'm playing this bass more often often in lieu of the upright and my right wrist and shoulder just ache after a few hours. I am trying out sitting on a stool and it seems to work better. Not giving up on this baby, just yet.

There are several aftermarket acoustic guitar armrests out there, I wonder if one of those would help.

 

[Usidore T Blue]

I owned an alembic that perfectly amplified every defect in my playing. (In HD)

Such beautiful dissonance, though! Maybe we should just found a school of music based on the sounds we normally would not want to make.

 

[Son of Wobble]

I want my bass to help me play with soul, not play with my soul. This is the wrong kind of unforgiving.

Oh....Sorry....Never mind