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sound vs feel

what is more important to you?

  • Total voters
    203
#61
M.R. Ogle said:
No one stated that you had to LIVE with a less-than optimal sound.

That can be changed easily. Turn a knob. An uncomfortable neck? You're stuck with it.
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Exactly. I can get a few good sounds out of basically any bass I've come across, even just using my hands and the bass's controls. Add in amp controls and I can change the sound in all kinds of different ways. Then there are all the ways I can change pickups and other electronics to change the sound.

An uncomfortable neck will be an uncomfortable neck no matter what I do, short of fairly extreme modification.
 
#62
Jefff said:
Any structuraly sound bass can be made to play well. Some require a little more work than others but that doesn't change the fact.

Sound is paramount.
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And I can get any working bass to sound the way I like, too. Much more easily than I can get some to feel how I like.

M.R. Ogle said:
Can you get a structurally sound Thunderbird to hang right on a strap? No, you cant, it'll still be uncomfortable.
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Well, actually, Ric5 extended the strap button on his, so this is mod-able.
 
#64
Sound is in the player, not the bass/other instruments. A good player, can make any bass sound good. If a bass is so uncomfortable that we have difficulty playing it, what does it matter what it sounds like?
 
#67
both sound and feel are the most important things to consider about a bass and i value them equally.
I once took the plunge and took a bass i don't like the feel, but the sound was too good to let the opportunity pass. I do play that beast, but reluctantly.
Now i can say that i have one of those at home and go on looking for a bass with both.
 
#69
Sound. But I don't find too many basses all that uncomfortable. My MM Stingray Classic digs into my chest when I sit and play, but that's about it. On the other hand, a MM Sterling feels better and sounds almost like a Ray, so... :)
 
#70
I voted feel.

The sound of a bass is too subjective. My bass is going to sound totally different in someone else's hands and vice versa. Also because with good technique and practice you can get a better sound of your bass before you even start changing things like pickups and strings.
 
#72
A lot of good responses here, i really thought that sound would win given the parameters. I do have to argue with the responses that said you sound the same whatever bass you play, or its all in the fingers, i disagree, if that were the case it wouldn't matter what bass i picked up and played they would all sound the same. If you think thats true then you really aren't listening to whats coming out of the speakers. Given the parameters and considering the feedback im voting sound in this case and i have my bass. Thanks for participating. I'll leave the poll open because its a good discussion.
 
#75
Im not that picky on feel (although i definitely have preferences), but if a bass has blah tone, there's just no point in using it. I mean, most all basses can be made to sound better, or usable, or can be made to fit into the context. But if a slightly uncomfortable bass can make people say, "wow, that sounds good," then it's probably good that people hear you play that one.
 
#77
When push comes to shove, feel. If I'm comfortable I'm happy and not distracted from the music. However it's a delicate balance. I also play 35" scale 5ers because I prefer the sound and plucking hand feel, even though my fretting hand is more comfy at 34".
 
#78
Zitch said:
I do have to argue with the responses that said you sound the same whatever bass you play, or its all in the fingers, i disagree, if that were the case it wouldn't matter what bass i picked up and played they would all sound the same.
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I voted for feel and I agree with you. Style is in the fingers, but precise tone (as opposed to general tone -- say, bright or thumpy) depends on the bass.

I voted for feel because an uncomfortable bass will prevent me from playing like me, and therefore sounding like me. As others have said, I can get decent tone out of any bass that feels comfortable to me, regardless of what make or model it is.
 
#80
M.R. Ogle said:
Can you get a structurally sound Thunderbird to hang right on a strap? No, you cant, it'll still be uncomfortable.
Click to expand...

Maybe not for you, but in my experience Thunderbirds are substantially more comfortable than Fender-style basses. For what it's worth, I own two of both. As much as I like the tone of my Jazz bass, for instance, I don't like the awkward way Jazzes hang when I stand or the way offset contour body styles tend to slide off my lap while seated. Also, I've found that Thunderbirds are much easier on the fretting hand, as how they hang a little outward allows for better circulation while I play. In short, I prefer Thunderbird body styles in large part because of how they feel. I keep the Fenders to have more tonal options in my quiver, but will probably replace them with Thunderbirds sporting P and J pickups.
 

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