Testing all Basses

[aero58]

In your future vids (which I look forward to), please keep showing what strings are on the bass, like you did with this vid. Definite thumbs up.

 

[Number179]

In your future vids (which I look forward to), please keep showing what strings are on the bass, like you did with this vid. Definite thumbs up.

Strings are such an important factor. I can’t even say I love DR Hibeams the most, or like them, for that matter. They are just what I standardized on and that ain’t changing.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[logdrum]

I thought it was great video, even if you are picking and had only one tune, I can infer how it would translate to my own situation and genre. And I ca see where your left hands are not as comfortable on some of the necks, Plus no talking - just the right length and no ego --- Mustang definitely killed it and we can bash Fender all day long but they always work and that's the greatest learning from this video. I get what you feel about the Gibson - ripper in particular but there is also a reason that they haven't been cancelled as a bass of choice. Oh the Guild was a pleasant surprise. Also Nathan - Sushi Box makes good products - I have 2 of his and will always keep them, Serves me in many ways.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

2) I’m at my wits end with overdrive when I want clean and have dumped way too much money into.

I'd assumed overdrive was intentional. And it can work well in a mix. Maybe try a clean up and then get an 'amp-in-a-box' to add grit when desired. It will, unfortunately, take some experimentation and an 'amp-in-a-box' may well only sound somewhat like the real amp. But if you are aiming for clean with overdrive only as an occasional flavour, maybe that is the way to go. You could maybe try one of the Sansamp VT pedals and something like a Warwick Gnome (used) to test it out at bedroom levels (I see a bed in the room!) before committing, although the true test is a gig, but there are many generous folks on here - maybe there is someone local who might lend you a clean amp for a gig for a go on the Gibsons. (I would!). I'd say the 60s Precision, but I wouldn't let that leave the house if it was mine...

 

[-Asdfgh-]

In your future vids (which I look forward to), please keep showing what strings are on the bass, like you did with this vid. Definite thumbs up.

And it was mostly the same type of string, which helps with comparisons. Although the best comparison would be the same 4 strings on each bass, but that's a lot of restringing...

 

[-Asdfgh-]

And I ca see where your left hands are not as comfortable on some of the necks,

I would need to rewatch to remember which, but one in particular seemed to be hard work.

I measured my fretted basses last week just to check action (not that I can remember where I put the piece of paper now...) but they were all 1.7mm to 1.9mm 12th fret, E string, so pretty consistent. Some I will be sending out the door, hence I've been recording. I let my wife check. She thought the G&L L-2000 sounded good in a mix, but that is with everything open and to me it sounded dull. To get a brighter sound you have to really dig into the options on the L-2000 (cut bass, dial up volume to compensate). That was one of the last true G&L L-2000 Tributes but had some QC issues so it went back. I am not really in the market for holding on for some possible increase in value due to G&L's demise... But I mention it because I had the G&L in close to last place despite it being a high quality bass, but it might just need playing with the EQ and pickup selections to improve it in the video.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

They are just what I standardized on and that ain’t changing.

I standardised on Rotosound SM-66Ns for fretted *mumble* years ago (decades ago) apart from some occasional unfaithfulness. And TI JFs on most fretless for not quite as long, but quite a long time.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Yes, you’re right on for both points. 1) that’s one of my conundrums, sound solo, versus sound in a mix.

The biggest conundrum is if you are going to do something like play Gouge Away by the Pixies which has quite a period of fairly exposed more-or-less solo bass (drums and vocals - they hide some frequencies but not as much as when there are guitars). Sometimes an EQ pedal helps, but psychoacoustics of loud sounds complicate matters.

 

[PJorBoth]

For me the Mustang and the 61 P and G&L were the best All the boutique were disappointing including the StingRay. All the Fender's will work for me though and was surprised by the Gibsons for this tune that you are playing

Pointless really.
Vindicated my love of Fender bass guitars - 4 strings in particular But a slight adjustment to EQ or drive could have changed the assessment.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Pointless really.
Vindicated my love of Fender bass guitars - 4 strings in particular But a slight adjustment to EQ or drive could have changed the assessment.

Yes, a really extensive test would be whether each bass can be made to sound good (or not) in each of eight different mixes in all different styles you expect to be able to play. So for me the list of tracks would be devoid of K-pop, country and Western.

 

[Stylee Mousse]

You are running a preamp before a SVT input? Do I have that right?

Clean is always relative with bass. For my vintage V4-b no high output bass will be truly clean.

Clean for me? Into a mixer channel then monitors or phones. It’s ok. But not very FUN

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

I learned a ton about how I only need one bass.

Cool vid man thanks for posting!

 

[Number179]

I learned a ton about how I only need one bass.

Cool vid man thanks for posting!

Thanks for checking it out. I think 1 is plenty. But which 1 is impossible to answer. My guitarist buddy has 1 guitar. Doesn’t even have a backup. It can be done!

 

[RicheyLather]

Makes me want to grab a Guild SB, that one really stood out for me. Followed by the L1000 and the Mustang.

I had 2 of those Guild’s. Heavy! Got a great tone with them tho……cool video!

 

[pklima]

Interesting to hear the differences and how big and obvious they can get.