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The old RW/Maple AND 34" vs. 35" issues. Hear the difference :-)

Boombass76

Boombass76

Commercial User
Jul 1, 2008
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Denmark
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#1
Hey all,

I just found this video in which you can hear two almost identical basses played by the same guy, playing the same song during the same recording interface, etc. (at least I presume that :-)

The only difference is that one bass has a rosewood fingerboard and the other a maple board. The video 'swaps' the two basses many times, so it's easy to hear the subtle nuances in difference.

For years, I have sworn to maple boards, but lately i have become quite fond of rosewood. In this vid, it's hard to say, but to my ears... maybe the RW sounds a little better...?

 
#2
I hear a difference in my Maple vs. RW, Maple is brighter with more of an edge on the notes. My 35 inch scale Five String has a substantial difference, there is just sonority to the note and fundamental that is missing from the 34inch, they sound different to me That is not to say the 34inch sounds bad - they are different. Would the average person notice - not likely - these nuances are in my opinion more noticed by the player, maybe band mates, but to everyone else they are listening to the music and song as a whole.
 
#4
This has been discussed to death. I'm sure there are differences in those basses other than the fingerboards and scale lengths (no 2 bodies can be identical) and unless you are listening blindly, you are, by definition, at least partially listening with your eyes. The only way to tell if there is a difference would be to listen to a larger number of basses apparently differing in only 1 parameter, do it blindly, and analyze theresults to see if the difference is greater than that expected by chance. Anything else is opinion. FWIW, here's my opinion:there's no way in hell anyone in an audience is going to tell the difference.
 
#5
Hey, I didn't say this was the answer to the issues (I hope I didn't imply that :-)

And yes, it has been discussed a million times, and everyone has their own opinion regarding fretboards and 34/35" - I know I do :-)

I just though that it was a rare opportunity to hear an A/B test in as accurate a way as possible. Sure, these basses have different bodies, but I think it's also important that it's the same guy playing though the same gear (and recording interface) in the same room. I haven't ever heard a direct A/B like that other than when I have brought along two 'almost identical' basses on gigs or to a rehearsal. And the thing is that it's very hard to explain the subtle (because they ARE subtle) differences in nuance in words. I mean 'growl', 'sizzle', 'fat', 'tight', 'punchy', etc. may mean a thousand different things to a thousand different people.

It may be easier to just listen (you could close your eyes and see if you can 'tell the swaps' :-) But take it for what it is and find the bass that you like the most based on real-world gigging!
 
#10
lomo said:
This has been discussed to death. I'm sure there are differences in those basses other than the fingerboards and scale lengths (no 2 bodies can be identical) and unless you are listening blindly, you are, by definition, at least partially listening with your eyes. The only way to tell if there is a difference would be to listen to a larger number of basses apparently differing in only 1 parameter, do it blindly, and analyze theresults to see if the difference is greater than that expected by chance. Anything else is opinion.
Click to expand...

Exactly, anyone who thinks the recent spate of so-called "tests" posted on this board actually proves anything is fooling themselves.
 
#12
mongo2 said:
Exactly, anyone who thinks the recent spate of so-called "tests" posted on this board actually proves anything is fooling themselves.
Click to expand...

Hey, who said anything about proof? :)

I posted this for one reason. The fact that it is likely to indicate whatever difference there may be better. Not because these basses are 100% identical with just one exception, but because the player and the recording chain is 100% identical. Same fingers and same AD/DA converters say a lot more than someone posting a clip of someone playing an ash/maple bass saying "that's how an ash/maple sounds...", IMO

In fact, I'd say that anyone thinking that wood matters more than fingers are fooling themselves...:cool:
 

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