isn't a rehearsal space informal already?I could smuggle this one into the office (when that opens up again) and call it 'work'.
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The official "Show your basses" thread part 19!
- Thread starter smperry
- Start date
'
Uncanny!
Interested to hear your thoughts between these three. These are the exact basses that are on my radar for a shortie. I discounted the Gibson cause of the slab body. What about the other two? Which one has more groowwl?
The Gibson
Seriously though it's got the best growl so far IMO, the Wattplower would be runner up likely although I've kept the Mustang w/ the stock Fender flats for the short scale flats sound (still gives you some nice aggressive sounds under drive but I'd guess would be better suited w/ some nickel rounds for those pursuits for me). Wattplower kinda combines a big bottom that sounds more old school to me than the more hifi top. It's also likely the highest output of the 3. It's kinda assumed the (attempted) finesse playing/modern sound bass role out of my pile right now.
The Gibson has the poorest ergonomics for me w/ the lack of forearm or belly contour & a waist that doesn't work too well in the seated position for me, but on a strap & hung around the hips it doesn't bother me so far (I'd imagine if you use a pick it might not be an issue at all). It helps that I'm guessing it (& the Wattplower) weigh in <7 lbs, likely a bit closer to 6.5-6.75lbs . I'm guessing the Mustang is more in the 7.5-8lb range. None of them exactly dive for me, but the Wattplower's natural balance point feels closest to ideal, followed by the LP Jr., w/ the Mustang wanting to hang ~10-15 degree above parallel to the ground unsupported on a nylon strap.
(Edit to add neck comparo)
The Wattplower has the widest nut & the most "modern C" type feel to the profile to me. The Mustang & the LP share a nut width that feels very much like the Jazz Bass (I think Gibson says 1.6" & the Mustang 1 5/8" IIRC). The Gibson is more of a chunky D in profile w/ more peak at the nut, while the Mustang does more of a consistent deep D that winds up feeling narrower longer. All 3 finishes feel great to me & haven't presented any drag or stickiness.
After setup, they all kinda have their own personality action-wise: Wattplower has TI short scale jazz rounds & is the lightest & smoothest, LP Jr. w/ LaBella RX nickel rounds .045-.100 is still pretty easy playing but puts up slightly more fight (which can be a good thing some times for me), & the Mustang has the most perceived tension of the 3 but is still pretty manageable for bends/vibrato for me. The Gibson took a fair amount of setup work to get there for me, but YMMV.
All of them seem really inspiring to play for me for most anything I've thrown at them.
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Great review!
Everything points to that Wattplower being the one eh. A finesse playing/modern sound bass is preferred for me, especially if it's short scale, since they tend to be inherently thumpier anyways. Thicker nut is better too imo on a shortie.
Everything points to that Wattplower being the one eh. A finesse playing/modern sound bass is preferred for me, especially if it's short scale, since they tend to be inherently thumpier anyways. Thicker nut is better too imo on a shortie.
And from Nova Scotia , Canada ,..1969 Jazz ,...1961 Jazz ..1965 P bass ,..and 1968 Telecaster bass.
Can you be more specific? Like an address? Merely including the province won't help us much ...
...a pair of violins...
...my 1970 Univox EB-1, &
my pawn shop Hofner Icon
B-Bass...I have no idea how old it is; I’ve owned it for 8 years.
For the moment, they’re sharing a strap.
...my 1970 Univox EB-1, &
my pawn shop Hofner Icon
B-Bass...I have no idea how old it is; I’ve owned it for 8 years.
For the moment, they’re sharing a strap.
Interesting timing, I just finished my EB-1 review. More violin basses. MORE!
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,611
- 222,114
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
...a pair of violins...View attachment 3869960
...my 1970 Univox EB-1, &
my pawn shop Hofner Icon
B-Bass...I have no idea how old it is; I’ve owned it for 8 years.
View attachment 3869959
For the moment, they’re sharing a strap.
I have a hollow-body Conrad with the same neck/hs. The only difference is your Univox has one more fret marker at the 1st fret.
^^^I still think that placing the fret markers at the ‘top’ of the neck was a brilliant design choice.
As a rookie, I needed to see them...and I could!
As an old guy, I just enjoy that memory.
As a rookie, I needed to see them...and I could!
As an old guy, I just enjoy that memory.
^^^I still think that placing the fret markers at the ‘top’ of the neck was a brilliant design choice.
As a rookie, I needed to see them...and I could!
As an old guy, I just enjoy that memory.
Just my observation and I am an "OLD GUY". I never look at my fret board when I play and never noticed if they were there or not.
Now on the side is a different story. My 2 cents, thanks.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,611
- 222,114
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
^^^I still think that placing the fret markers at the ‘top’ of the neck was a brilliant design choice.
As a rookie, I needed to see them...and I could!
As an old guy, I just enjoy that memory.
I like that style also - my '65 Teisco Del Rey goes one step further - ad yah, I see it as more of a stylistic difference than a visual aid.
As a not old guy playing not blues/ classic rock 1- 4- 5 progressions, once
I've decided playing patterns on tunes, I don't pay attention to the neck.
I'm pre occupied remembering lead vocal lines. "But when I do",
I wish to hell I could pull out those big glaring MM style fret dots.
What is the crappiest feature you've seen on a bass?...
Now on the side is a different story. On a black Phenolic graphite neck
on a dimly lit stage it can get scary, My 2 sense, thanks.
The Crappiest feature I have seen on a bass????
"The B String" - here goes the crap now from others. . . . . .lol
When I learned there was no "B" string - sorry guys.
When I viewed some of the posts in that thread I came of the opinion
that they were simply that- opinions. If you have no use for a "tug bar",
then the item is superfluous at best and "crappy" at worst. Charles
Mingus may feel the same way about electric basses. There are B strings
on some double basses. Several of my instruments are vintage 4 strings.
They are more precious to me than my fivers. If I have need of them,
they're there. But my money comes from MM, Smith and Modulus 5's.
That's the beauty in diversity (sorry). TB would be a boring place
if we all played washtub basses. Funny, but boring.
Plus we wouldn't have jpegs of hot chicks holding cool basses.
Yeah - those JPEGs are nice. But actually I learned bass on a 1965 Fender Bass V (E to High C). So as you would expect the High C seems more natural to me.
But it is all good - That is why there are 5 buttons on most radios. lol
Have enough FGNs to fill my wall now
. They're such great instruments.
Have enough FGNs to fill my wall now
Which one is your favourite?
