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Sound vs. Playability

#21
You shouldn't have to settle for either (especially in this day of quite good quality affordable instruments). A pro set-up even on a lesser bass is better than a boutique bass with a bad set-up.
There ARE some tradeoffs however especially with recording. A bass will typically sound better with higher action and heavier strings. You'll find it sits in the mix more authoritatively, and needs less EQ and other stuff to get it be clear. It's not about eliminating fret/string buzz ('cause that's not even an issue--there should be no buzzing whatsoever anywhere on the entire neck if you're taking that bass to a session)---it's about how the instrument "speaks". So, sometimes sacrificing a little playability for sound really pays off.
 
#25
pbass2 said:
You shouldn't have to settle for either (especially in this day of quite good quality affordable instruments). A pro set-up even on a lesser bass is better than a boutique bass with a bad set-up.
There ARE some tradeoffs however especially with recording. A bass will typically sound better with higher action and heavier strings. You'll find it sits in the mix more authoritatively, and needs less EQ and other stuff to get it be clear. It's not about eliminating fret/string buzz ('cause that's not even an issue--there should be no buzzing whatsoever anywhere on the entire neck if you're taking that bass to a session)---it's about how the instrument "speaks". So, sometimes sacrificing a little playability for sound really pays off.
Click to expand...

You just killed the fun of 'what-if questions,:p
 
#26
I've suffered some poor playability for good tone in the past. That said, navigating a baord and neck that are too chunky or the wrong shape has actually helped my chops because when I spent a couple years on a bass like that,and then go to a Lakland which is like driving a Cadillac in comparison-- all of a sudden I dont' have to work half as hard to get the same result, so my results get better. It's like running with weights on your ankles-- it's harder, but you get a lot stronger by doing it.
 
#28
Both are important, yet playability wins over. If you have to fight to get a decent sound, it's battle to be lost due to fatigue. Playability is more than 50% of how we feel regarding an instrument. Having said that, always play basses that are properly set up: they will have the best sound they can have!!!!
 
#30
I owned a pair of basses (fretted and fretless) that had a tone that was just amazing. But they were short scale basses with 24 frets and thin narrow necks. The string spacing was tight, the bodies were actually pretty ugly and they weren't comfortable to play.

The worst part was the short scale length made for very tight tension and even with light guage strings, the playability was stiff. Slapping was near impossible.

I finally traded both of these basses which retail for about $2,500 each, for a new Stingray 5 fretted and i have never looked back.

The basses were made by a very small company in Canada called Fury. Some thought i was insane to give up this pair which had recorded so well and been used live for years.

But the sheer playability and mojo of the SR5 won me over in about 5 seconds and I really don't desire any other bass anymore.
 
#31
NEITHER!! Looks come first... But seriously, a little example here, my beat up crappy old jazz sounds great (to me) and happens to play like poo... well I think so anyway. I have played many a bass that played better but didn't sound quite as good for me. The thing is though, I don't mind, because I get used to these things. I, and I expect most people, are highly adaptable. I'm not saying it is possible to play a barbed wire fence as long as it sounds good, but within reason, if it works, it works. I still like a nice feeling bass though. ALMOST nothing beats that.
 
#33
erochelle77 said:
Sound and tone are pointless if you can't play the thing.
Click to expand...

Bingo.

Tone, schmone. The tone of your bass isn't that important. We bassists can tell the difference between a Hofner with flats and an Alembic with rounds, but most others can't or don't give a crap.

Give me a bass that I'm comfortable on, and I can groove with it. That's all that really matters.
 
#34
Hawkguy said:
Okay, so let's say you had to choose between a bass whose sound puts (insert favorite player) to shame, BUT makes a baseball bat with rubber bands seem like a step up,

OR

a bass that is so buttery, it practically plays itself, BUT whose sound lands between a McDonald's drive-thru speaker and Charlie Brown's teacher.

Which one would it be, and why? :confused:
Click to expand...

Neither... because finding both in one bass isn't all that hard... so why settle?
 
#35
If your lucky enough to have a few basses then there will be differences between each one.I just picked up a 1996 MIA Precision that plays good but not as low asI would like to get the action. Plugged it into my Sunn 2000S and Sunn 2x15 bottom today for the first time and had an eargasm! As compared to my 97 Thumb bolt on which has super low action and a loose feel, the P is a bit clunky but sounds awesome! I will be getting the P set up so that it will play better but IMO different basses have different personalities and who would want one to play and sound just like another anyway?
 

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