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narrowed down to mtd, sadowsky, lakland

#101
johnbkim93 said:
Thanks for all the opinions. Im leaning towards the sadowsky mv5 but i have another question.
If i want the bartolini pick up for a darker sound, what bass do you suggest that fits to my requirements?
Click to expand...

I think I'm leaning towards the Lakland option

Bartolini have that kind of character, especially US made ones.
So, if 5594 is the Lakland among your alternatives (Skyline 5502 being the import one: less characterized voicing there) no matter ash/maple there: Bartolini pickups will grant you that kind of deep, yet well balanced, lowend

I experienced different configuration with Bartolinis on MIJ Ibanez Prestige, where USA Barts are stock, and even if with light ash/full maple, electronic and pickups (in passive mode as well) sounded dark and rounded just like you need'em to.

Cheers,
Wallace

PS: congrats for your budget man!
 
#102
KJung said:
That live Chaka CD is a good example of what I'm talking about with the MTD tone through front of house. Great playing of course (I actually love that performance), but man, that is the classic example of an uber scooped MTD tone. Massive deep low end, upper treble click on the slap sections, and virtually nothing coming out of that instrument between 500hz and 4K. I understand that is kind of his thing, and that it doesn't sound 'bad' in an absolute sense (that uber scoop was quite popular, especially with the urban Gospel players back in the day). But man, no articulation, very weak tone center to the note, and virtually no 'space between the notes'... very 'blurry'.

Of course, many love that tone, and that is totally cool. Just trying to describe it for the OP more than saying 'that is good or that is bad', even though that sound, for me, is really bad.

It is interesting that he uses MTD's version of a more traditional J with Prince at this point;) In his recent Bass Player interview, he talks about not even bringing his 'regular' MTD with him on that gig. I wonder if Prince had something to do with that!

Just FYI on your hot output P (most of them are... my passive P is by far my hottest output bass)..... the passive tone control is your very good friend with an aggressive P bass. Very different from a J, where many leave that passive tone all the way up. There is definitely a sweet spot with the passive tone control on a P that will help you control the pronounced upper midrange of those instruments without going all the way to dub/flub land!
Click to expand...

Ken, I agree. As soon as I started playing my P5, I realized that I needed roll down the tone knob to the sweet spot.
 
#103
Gouche is getting the sound HE WANTS. It is not mandatory with an MTD. If it were I'd have the same tone since it would be unavoidable. I don't... because I know how to get what I want out of mine. And it takes very little to get there.

One of my gigs is playing at a Black Baptist church. We play anything from quartet to standards to Tye Tribbett. I did not change my tone for this gig and there was no reason to mimic anyone else. I don't play with the stereotypical "Black gospel" tone despite the fact that I am indeed a Black gospel player on those gigs:D. I really get tired of this idea that there's a Black gospel tone. If you actually listen to enough of it you'll probably realize how narrow minded it is.
:cool:
 
#104
Brad Johnson said:
Gouche is getting the sound HE WANTS. It is not mandatory with an MTD. If it were I'd have the same tone since it would be unavoidable. I don't... because I know how to get what I want out of mine. And it takes very little to get there.

One of my gigs is playing at a Black Baptist church. We play anything from quartet to standards to Tye Tribbett. I did not change my tone for this gig and there was no reason to mimic anyone else. I don't play with the stereotypical "Black gospel" tone despite the fact that I am indeed a Black gospel player on those gigs:D. I really get tired of this idea that there's a Black gospel tone. If you actually listen to enough of it you'll probably realize how narrow minded it is.
:cool:
Click to expand...

Of course. I didn't even realize 'urban gospel' was necessarily black;). I don't limit it to that. Also, if you reread my post, from my years in Detroit, many of the players (black and white) that played contemporary gospel totally dug the 'MTD scoop'. Of course, many others played a P Bass or whatever, so +1 to your rather obvious point (although I don't really know what a 'stereotypical 'Black Gospel' tone is).

And yes, I played my MTD for a decade in all styles of music. That being said, these basses have a STRONG voice, and if that isn't YOUR voice, it probably makes sense to also consider basses with different voices. They all sound and feel different.

PS I'm not going to get into a zillion back and forths with you on this, so by definition, as always, I will let you have the last word on this. I'm out;):p:hiding::cool:
 
#106
KJung said:
Of course. I didn't even realize 'urban gospel' was necessarily black;). I don't limit it to that. Also, if you reread my post, from my years in Detroit, many of the players (black and white) that played contemporary gospel totally dug the 'MTD scoop'. Of course, many others played a P Bass or whatever, so +1 to your rather obvious point (although I don't really know what a 'stereotypical 'Black Gospel' tone is).

And yes, I played my MTD for a decade in all styles of music. That being said, these basses have a STRONG voice, and if that isn't YOUR voice, it probably makes sense to also consider basses with different voices. They all sound and feel different.

PS I'm not going to get into a zillion back and forths with you on this, so by definition, as always, I will let you have the last word on this. I'm out;):p:hiding::cool:
Click to expand...

A long winding response followed by accusing someone else of needing to get the last word in. Childish but in this case let's see if you're actually done.
:D

I'm talking about a pattern I've seen. I don't expect you to notice it. And now you didn't know that Urban gospel was doublespeak for Black? That's what "Urban" has come to mean.

Cool... Since it's not predominantly Black, name some White Urban gospel? You don't have to answer here.
:D

If a player was limited to a scooped sound with an MTD it is likely because they didn't know how to avoid that with that bass. IME MTDs are very revealing basses... you get out what you put in. I got a lot of string noise when I first played mine, now I don't. Which result is the bass' fault?
:cool:
 
#107
Wallace320 said:
I think I'm leaning towards the Lakland option

Bartolini have that kind of character, especially US made ones.
So, if 5594 is the Lakland among your alternatives (Skyline 5502 being the import one: less characterized voicing there) no matter ash/maple there: Bartolini pickups will grant you that kind of deep, yet well balanced, lowend

I experienced different configuration with Bartolinis on MIJ Ibanez Prestige, where USA Barts are stock, and even if with light ash/full maple, electronic and pickups (in passive mode as well) sounded dark and rounded just like you need'em to.

Cheers,
Wallace

PS: congrats for your budget man!
Click to expand...
Just an FYI, Lakland switched to its own LH-3 pickups and preamp in the 02/94 basses circa 2006. They're generally considered to be a bit brighter when set "flat" and more versatile overall than the Barts previously used.
 
#108
#113
Dr. Cheese said:
I suspect you don't know R&B and Urban Gospel as well as you think you do if you don't think an MTD would work.
Click to expand...

I suspect... your reading comprehension skills could use a tune up. I didn't mention 'urban gospel', in fact I am very familiar with how much I know about that genre - none. I have never once listened to an 'urban gospel' artist. Sure there are great ones, just can't say I've given them a listen.

That said, I'm very familiar with R&B and Hip-hop - as my first post plainly stated. I think the MTD would be fine for a more 'pop' rendition of those sounds (from the little I do know about the genre I would expect there is a certain element of modern/pop sound in Gospel). But most R&B and Hip-Hop does not make use of that tone. An MTD will not sit as naturally as other basses in many R&B and Hip-hop settings.

Bass12 - Love the Badu album, haven't heard the other, I'll have to check it out. I trust anyone who praises Live.
 
#114
Here's more proof of what Brad Johnson is talking about when it comes to getting the sound you want...this is my 2003 Lakland 55-94 with Barts.I'm using very little EQ but I do have the blend control slightly towards the MM pickup with the toggle in bridge position.This was recorded direct thru my interface(Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56) with a slight bit of compression from my EBS MultiComp pedal...and a little plugin delay and verb.

http://youtu.be/cCHhnSW4kwU
 
#115
#117
As for Andrew's sound on the Chaka DVD,that's his signature tone!!! Another thing that most of you may not know is Andrew uses light gauge strings which lends itself to more top end as well.He uses light strings because he like to use vibrato quite a bit and light strings help make the vibrato sing a bit more.

You really have to do research and find the bass that fits you and your playing style.Although I'm not an artist with Lakland anymore,I still play my Lakland basses exclusively because I did my research,picked the instruments that responded to what I needed(of course I was able to pick them directly from the factory...big advantage!) :-)

I can play just about any style of music as a sideman and get the solo tones I want as well...haven't had any complaints just yet(knock on wood) hahaha!
 
#118
Brad Johnson said:
Again, check out Bubby with Snoop. There are lots of tones available with MTDs and they can easily sit well in Hip Hop and R&B. I play both and have used mine without sounding like a UGB.
:D
Click to expand...

Brad,I'm sure you probably know that Bubby sometimes used nylon strings on his MTD's with Snoop...a whole different vibe altogether.

I'm glad you're pointing them in the direction that it's the player and not necessarily the bass.
 
#119
jcsgroove said:
Here's more proof of what Brad Johnson is talking about when it comes to getting the sound you want...this is my 2003 Lakland 55-94 with Barts.I'm using very little EQ but I do have the blend control slightly towards the MM pickup with the toggle in bridge position.This was recorded direct thru my interface(Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56) with a slight bit of compression from my EBS MultiComp pedal...and a little plugin delay and verb.

http://youtu.be/cCHhnSW4kwU
Click to expand...

Always good to see you here, Jackie.

This is a great example of knowing how to get what you want. Chances are high that if you plop five other bassists down in that chair, the results won't be the same.
:cool:



Find something you like to play and play it. Don't let others' inabilities hinder you. If you truly believe what others say can't happen, imagine how annoyed you might be years down the road if/when you find out they were wrong?
:D

OP, you likely won't have to spend $3500 to find something that really clicks with you. What do you have available where you are?
 
#120
Brad Johnson said:
Always good to see you here, Jackie.

This is a great example of knowing how to get what you want. Chances are high that if you plop five other bassists down in that chair, the results won't be the same.
:cool:



Find something you like to play and play it. Don't let others' inabilities hinder you. If you truly believe what others say can't happen, imagine how annoyed you might be years down the road if/when you find out they were wrong?
:D

OP, you likely won't have to spend $3500 to find something that really clicks with you. What do you have available where you are?
Click to expand...

Thanks Brad,same to you bro! With a $3500 budget,he could actually grab 2 great instruments if he searches hard enough!!! :-)
 

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