Today I has a electric bass lessons . I told him how I wanted to put a new pick up on my bass . He said it wouldn't change much and said that the wood that makes up the bass makes the sound . is this true ?
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Something my bass teacher said .
- Thread starter Hordehunterx
- Start date
What? ............. The wood makes the difference on an acoustic and upright bass but, electric bass sound is mostly pickups. ..... Upgradeing the type of pickup will improve the sound. ..... Try that first.
This is a VERY touchy subject.
Some say yes, some say no. Others say a little, others say a lot.
Both are (usually) very passionate on their view.
If you do a search, Dan Atkinson, from Atkinson basses, has made a thread about blind testing Alder vs Ash as a body wood, where it was only the body was changed (pickups, hardware, neck and strings were kept the same).
All I can say is that the results were controversial to say the least and the thread got very heated."
Edit: Here is the link to ALDER vs SCRAP LUMBER bass: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/scrap-lumber-bass-vs-alder-bass-can-you-tell-difference-743932/
Here is the link to ALDER vs ASH: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/can-you-tell-difference-ash-vs-alder-738084/
Some say yes, some say no. Others say a little, others say a lot.
Both are (usually) very passionate on their view.
If you do a search, Dan Atkinson, from Atkinson basses, has made a thread about blind testing Alder vs Ash as a body wood, where it was only the body was changed (pickups, hardware, neck and strings were kept the same).
All I can say is that the results were controversial to say the least and the thread got very heated."
Edit: Here is the link to ALDER vs SCRAP LUMBER bass: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/scrap-lumber-bass-vs-alder-bass-can-you-tell-difference-743932/
Here is the link to ALDER vs ASH: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/can-you-tell-difference-ash-vs-alder-738084/
A different pickup will make a difference. But the wood is the most important component in the first place. Different pickups can change the sound, but it won't make massive difference(ie// make a Jazz sound like a Stingray). You will always have the character of the bass. YMMV, but that is my experience with years of owning a TON of basses boutique and production.
And this is why everyone leaves the pups stock or buys the $10 replacement pups from ebay.... Different windings don't make a pup hotter or anything.... I mean EMG's and Barts sound exactly the same.
The biggest improvement anyone can make to the sound of their instrument is become a better player.
Spend as much time practicing and taking lessons as you can. Your bass will continue to make a more beautiful sound every week.
You will know when the instrument is holding you back.
Spend as much time practicing and taking lessons as you can. Your bass will continue to make a more beautiful sound every week.
You will know when the instrument is holding you back.
Here's a better place to start:
What don't you like about your current sound?
What type of sound would you like to get?
What don't you like about your current sound?
What type of sound would you like to get?
Windings are the reason pickups are hotter. ...... If you over wind a pickup is hotter/louder but usually with less highs which can be contribute to the hotter sound it produces. ..... And sorry EMG's & Barts do not sound exactly the same. Just like Norts and Lindlys sound different.
I might be wrong but you may have missed some intended sarcasm in the original reply. Of course they don't and actually couldn't be more different in my experience. In fact, that was the first comparison that I made when I first read this that proves the 'teacher' wrong. many things shape the sound, of course but pickups are certainly a key component so to dismiss them as irrelevant is just mistaken.
True but there is something to be said for having a great sounding and playing instrument to practice with. That does not mean expensive, just one that sounds right and inspires/motivates you. I know from personal experiences with both electric guitars and basses that the ones that just sounded 'not to my liking' were far less likely to ever get picked up. I have two now that I just love and play them all the time. Sound and playability matter and an instrument that suits you can actually make you want to practice.
IMO, biggest difference is fretted or fretless, followed by string type (steel round, nickle round, flats), then pickup type (P,J,MM,Humbuckers,etc), active/passive.
I can hear the difference of fretboard woods, but not so much body woods.
Swapping your pickups for another of the same type in the same position will make a slight difference.
I can hear the difference of fretboard woods, but not so much body woods.
Swapping your pickups for another of the same type in the same position will make a slight difference.
