My B string Shootout- Conklin vs. Dingwall vs. Smith vs. Warrior

Thanks for the review. There are a couple of things I would point out, in reference to your "Scale length makes no difference" statement.

1) The Smith has a 34" scale, and I'm pretty sure the Warrior does too. So, you compared three 34" scale basses with one fanned fret bass that had a 37" scale B.

2) All three basses were rather different in the woods they used, the neck construction, the pickups, etc.

So, you can't really conclude from your test the "scale length makes no difference in B tones", only that "scale length isn't the only thing that makes a difference in B tones". After all, you had three 34" scale basses, all of which had rather different B's. And also, "It's possible to have a very good B with a 34" scale".

Mike

 

Good feedback.

I usually like Smiths for the mids/highs. I only messed with one Conklin, just not for me. I saw a Dingwall once, that's it. I also tried a Warrior Soldier. I have to agree that the tone was pretty limited. Also, the body of the bass was too close to the strings where I dig in with my right thumb and middle finger. The action was crazy low.

I thought I'd get more out of a Warrior. Maybe the Studio/Signature models are mo' better.

So far, nothing touches the B on my Warwick Thumb.

 

These basses were all hanging in a music store, correct? If so, you had no control over the following:

1) String gauge and brand
2) String freshness

These are two critical factors, particularly #2, because the difference between "brand new" and "kinda new" strings could mean the difference between a rating of 7 and 10. A set of strings doesn't necessary die evenly: it's possible (and even likely IME) that the B string will start to fade first. So, while your comments are very interesting, I would not draw too many conclusions from them!

 

I completely agree.

 

You're quite right--scale length is a factor, but only one among many, and probably not the most important one. It's quite possible to make a 35" scale bass with a sucky B!

Also, it's great that you had the chance to do a "head to head" test, because it seems like having other reference points right there to compare to can make a huge difference. Memory gets kinda tricky when trying to recall how the bass you tried 2 months ago compares to the one you have in your hands at the moment!

Thanks again,
Mike

 

Thanks, I think these types of direct comparisons are very useful.

 

I used to be one of those "35 inch scale or nothing" guys until I was looking for a high end bass and picked up a Pedulla. 34" scale and it blew all the 35" scale basses that I had played that day out of the water in both sound and feel of the low B.

Made me a believer that there are many other, dare I say, more important factors than scale length.

 

If I get another 6 string bass, it will be a John Myung sig Yamaha, I have heard it had a great B.

 

If you check out JT's website, he talks about factors that determine a good low B. Rigidity of the neck, and the overall mass of the instrument are the two he thinks have the biggest effect.

 

Eric Cioe,

You put time and effort into this and it is hip to get reviews from fellow TB'ers... Thx dude.

One thing that I'm assuming might not has been seen, Was the B & E Strings on the Warrior going through the body or fixed at the bridge... The reason I say this is that I also was a cat that would only consider a B-stringed bass if it was going to have a 35 inch scale length. The Warrior 5 string Soldier that I have has both the B & E Strings going through the body, opposed to the A D G strings that are just at the bridge.

IMO it does make a difference. I had changed the strings due to a set up and completely didn't realize that I was supposed to use 'Extra-Long Scale' bass strings. This was to afford me the length of the B & E Strings going through the body. The diffence was that the low two strings didn't sound as full and the sustain wasn't entirely all there. Like before

Did the other basses that you tried have some/all strings routed through the body?


Just a thought...

 

Hi Eric:
Thanks for the time and effort to do this review.

Like yourself, I also found that Dingwalls had the most playable, most articulate, and best sounding B string (thats why i play them). The next closest great sounding B string I found was on a Zon.

So since many of us don't play all that often on the Bstring- would you also comment/review what you thought about playability and tone of the 4 basses as well. (as you know B string is the only reason to play a bass)

As an FYI-Sheldon has his own strings custom wound (there really long). Not sure who the maker is.
frank

 

Yeah that might make a difference... After that one time with the 'regular scale strings', I will now always use the extended length ones through the body... I think the B is quite clean and clear... that's IMO... Granted the other bass that is my work-horse is a Fender Jazz MIA with LaBella Flats on it, cause I do a bunch of Blues, Zydeco and Motown... So who knows..

 

Eric:
I care not who is the winner of the bass shootout, lets face its all in the eyes (and ears) of the beholder.
I would like to know how your thought on how the basses played; how easy they were to get around on the neck, how the neck felt, how easy it was to dial in a good tone, and how suitable the tones were.
I figured since you logged in time on the B-strings, you musta fiddled w/ the dials.
Just curious on your thoughts. The B-string alone wouldn't sell me on a bass.
Thanks
frank