Do you prefer classic, vintage basses and amps, or the latest modern tech? I’m curious how people balance nostalgia, tone, and playability in their setups.
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Old Gear vs. Modern Bass Tech
- Thread starter Reedi
- Start date
Like vintage basses but I will take a hard hard pass on vintage electronics/amps. That stuff is for guitarists
What about vintage basses with modern class D amps and lightweight cabs ?
I sure don't miss the vintage weight of amps.
Modern bass tech is almost an oxymoron at this point. I think by the time the 90's hit we pretty much hit the apex of engineering and technology. By the time modulus and zon started doing graphite builds and carbon fiber and we had on board preamps it's become stagnant after that. Fan fret is cool but it's not technically Better it's only better if you feel better with it. In amps and effects we've definitely progressed.
I don't mind things that look vintage. But I don't really want anything that is actually vintage. I'm not very nostalgic when it comes to gear I use on a regular basis. And gear these days is just too good compared to what I had to use to learn on as a kid. Back in the day we didn't have small, portable combos readily available, there were very few out in the wild.. You either had a stage ready rig, or you didn't. You ever tried using a Sun Coliseum for bedroom practice?
Yes.
Who says it has to be one or the other?
Here is a 60s Jazz and a midi Wal.
Who says it has to be one or the other?
Here is a 60s Jazz and a midi Wal.
I wouldn’t mind having a vintage Ampeg B-15 so long as I didn’t have to move. As in semi permanently moored at a house gig or practice place. I’m currently set with my Mesa Subway amps & cabs snd PJ cabs. Very weight friendly to my back.
As far as basses, I like the vintage Fender Jazzes, but haven’t been moved to spend the green to get one. I’d actually be too worried to take it out of the house anyway.
As far as basses, I like the vintage Fender Jazzes, but haven’t been moved to spend the green to get one. I’d actually be too worried to take it out of the house anyway.
I love modern class D amps and lightweight cabs, but not a fan of computerized gear that requires firmware updates. There's some impressive stuff in that world, it's just not for me. I deal with enough software updates (and conflicts) at my job, i don't need to do it on my music gear.
I prefer old basses in general, but i also appreciate the array of low-cost gear around that facilitates easy tinkering and customizing.
I prefer old basses in general, but i also appreciate the array of low-cost gear around that facilitates easy tinkering and customizing.
Vintage basses can be great. Vintage amps/cabs I feel like we're come a long way and I feel no nostalgia or need for one.
I want the vintage sound but for the amps and cabs I want no hiss, no hum and something light weight. On top of that, don’t want to change all the tubes in my amp every other year. 
Not interested in nostalgia for gear, unless it is gear that I own and keep / use at least in part for the memories, and I wouldn't purchase 'another' of a piece of gear I sold before to replace it out of nostalgia. Old gear is not generally better, not better made and mojo is just BS justification for something not so great, but usually expensive.
Class D amps are better in every regard than lead sled A/Bs, speaker drivers are often better, but it's incremental refinements.
Instruments, mass produced ones at least, are typically better made and far more consistent than older ones.
Tone I'd rather was 'bright', wideband as it's easier to EQ it down to a thumpy tone than to make one bright. I want my rig to be able to cover most genres.
Playability is about set up and QC, and the latter is better in more modern instruments.
IMHO, vintage music gear in general is monstrously overrated in terms of "tone". There's an esthetic and nostalgic element that is subjective but undeniable. In terms of sound, however, IMHO new high quality stuff can do anything and everything old stuff did, and more .....and (in the case of amps/cabs specifically) with a lot less weight to schlep.
I dig modern remakes/takes on/reissues of vintage, when they cop the original vibe but improve where possible with modern tech.
I use class D amps now but I miss my heavy old Traynor 2x15 rig. Not the weight & the bulk really, but I guess it could be argued that those attributes are what made it what it was.
All of it. I use all of it. I have vintage full tube heads, hybrids and Class D.
The fulltube heads need too be serviced and biased more often too keep them working as they should. I have vintage basses, and modern. Depending on my need and location of where it will be for my bass cabs at events, that will come into play too. Too many stairs, the 810 can stay put
The fulltube heads need too be serviced and biased more often too keep them working as they should. I have vintage basses, and modern. Depending on my need and location of where it will be for my bass cabs at events, that will come into play too. Too many stairs, the 810 can stay put
Whatever looks, plays and sounds good to me!
I will say I prefer vintage, sure—most of my collection is, as are most of the objects of my GAS—but I’ve played plenty of newly made basses that have made me very excited.
Really love the Classic Vibe Squiers. The 50s and 70s Precisions. Wonderful.
I will say I prefer vintage, sure—most of my collection is, as are most of the objects of my GAS—but I’ve played plenty of newly made basses that have made me very excited.
Really love the Classic Vibe Squiers. The 50s and 70s Precisions. Wonderful.
somebody's posting a lot of "old vs new" threads
