Too Many Knobs vs. Not Enough Knobs

[micguy]

Why is it that when someone posts an active bass that there frequently tends to be an individual or individuals who find it necessary to post a statement like, “too many knobs for me.”? I don’t believe that I’ve ever seen anyone make a statement after a person posts a P bass saying, “Not enough knobs for me.”.

The user interface of a device matters more than some folks appreciate. While I can mix FOH on a console with hundreds of knobs, playing a bass with 5 knobs is more than I care to have for that task - there is a fundamental difference between those tasks, one being more technical, and the other more artistic - where you really don't want to have to think "which knob does this.....?" Anything that takes you out of your flow state is a problem as a musician; a techie really doesn't operate with the same mindset.

 

[Stewie]

At last! Something we can actually fight about. “Guns or knives Butch?”

 

[/\/\3phist0]

The same reason why when when Person-A talks about a style of music or band they like, a bunch of people here clown on it or say, "who?!?!" It's like, why are you even poking your nose into this conversation if it's not something you're into or know about? To me, that just feels d-baggy.

One time I posted a thread with a photo of Alex Skolnick playing with a bassist and a singer and asked if anyone knew who they were. I got a helpful answer, but I also got a bunch of "I don't know who Alex Skolnick is" and "who?!?!" responses. Sorry, but if you have nothing helpful to say, then why are you responding with useless junk like that? Do you enjoy hearing yourself talk that much that you need to stick your nose into every conversation?

Maybe I just answered my own question- people like to hear themselves talk so much that they need to put their two cents into every conversation.

(And I think the only time I've seen someone clown on a bass for too few knobs was when Frank Bello had that sig bass with Charvel and it only had volume controls for each pickup and no passive tone control).

There is @StereoPlayer

0 knobs
2 switches
2 Brantley Jazz pickups
Stereo (duh) Ric-o-sound style output jacks.

 

[Wasnex]

Why is it that when someone posts an active bass that there frequently tends to be an individual or individuals who find it necessary to post a statement like, “too many knobs for me.”?

I am going to put this question in the category of gratuitous sharing of pet peeves. IMHO of course so YMMV.

TB is an internet forum. The whole idea is we get to express our opinion. So I don't see the problem with anyone writing: “Too many knobs for me.” In fact, I would be surprised if the response was not posted, since we all have different ideas of perfection.

For the record my #1 has 5 knobs and a switch. My #2 has 4 knobs and a switch. If you think that is not enough knobs, great! If you think that is too many knobs, great! Your entitled to your opinion, but don't expect it to have any bearing on what I think about my basses.

 

[ebozzz]

P-basses don't have enough knobs. There, I said it.

The ones I own have enough…..

 

[ebozzz]

The whole format of TalkBass is built around discussion. So people are going to express their opinions. Expression of different opinions doesn't bother me, as long as people are civil. Sometimes I learn from them, or at least appreciate that there are different perspectives/approaches.

My basses range from 1 knob (Rob Allen) to 4 knobs. I tend to be a "set it and forget it" kind of guy, rarely tweaking my tone settings after getting them where I want, and happy if I get my tone in the general ballpark of what I'm shooting for. I had a couple of Sire basses with active electronics and 8 controls (5 knobs, two of which were concentric and one which was push/pull for a total of 8 parameters to monkey with). I found that many knobular options to be counterproductive for my modus operandi.

I wasn’t really talking about Talkbass but if I post the following pic while stating that I really enjoy it, why is it necessary to respond with “too many knobs”? Again, if I was saying to a person that they should get one I might understand that response better.

 

[ebozzz]

This a forum for people to express and discuss their opinions, thats why people do it. there will disagreements and agreements

I am going to put this question in the category of gratuitous sharing of pet peeves. IMHO of course so YMMV.

TB is an internet forum. The whole idea is we get to express our opinion. So I don't see the problem with anyone writing: “Too many knobs for me.” In fact, I would be surprised if the response was not posted, since we all have different ideas of perfection.

For the record my #1 has 5 knobs and a switch. My #2 has 4 knobs and a switch. If you think that is not enough knobs, great! If you think that is too many knobs, great! Your entitled to your opinion, but don't expect it to have any bearing on what I think about my basses.

See my post above….

 

[Akiyama]

Room for all, at least in guitarland:

One knob:


One 3, but used as a 5-way, switch, 3 knobs and lots of pedals:


Switches, knobs, wheels galore, pedals too:

Plus vibrato/tremelo bars…

 

[Pings Bass]

the right number of knobs is the number of knobs on a bass that plays pretty good

 

[Swerve]

For me it’s about aesthetics. Too many knobs ruin the look of most basses.

I’m even more picky about the way the headstock looks. There’s lots of boutique and high end basses I wouldn’t buy for that reason.

 

[Swamp_Ronin]

It’s takes a lot of mental bandwidth to match socks w/sandals, cargo shorts, and a Harley Davidson du-rag with skulls and flames. Not much left for knobs.

 

[salmon256]

I rather 10 knobs than 10 basses.

 

[FretRiff]

I used to post a Guitar Pic of the Day thread on another forum. "Too many knobs" was the most common response. Same as it ever was.

Cool story bro.

 

[ebozzz]

The user interface of a device matters more than some folks appreciate. While I can mix FOH on a console with hundreds of knobs, playing a bass with 5 knobs is more than I care to have for that task - there is a fundamental difference between those tasks, one being more technical, and the other more artistic - where you really don't want to have to think "which knob does this.....?" Anything that takes you out of your flow state is a problem as a musician; a techie really doesn't operate with the same mindset.

I find nothing wrong with your sentiments but why would there frequently be a need for someone to make the “too many knobs for me” statement if no one is asked no them to use more than their preferred number of knobs?

 

[Wasnex]

if I post the following pic while stating that I really enjoy it, why is it necessary to respond with “too many knobs”?

It's generally not necessary, but it is human nature to express opinions. I think a more important question for you figure out is why do you have a problem with it.

 

[ebozzz]

For me it’s about aesthetics. Too many knobs ruin the look of most basses.

I’m even more picky about the way the headstock looks. There’s lots of boutique and high end basses I wouldn’t buy for that reason.

Key words in your statement? “For me….” & “I wouldn’t buy….”

 

[Akiyama]

It's generally not necessary, but it is human nature to express opinions. I think a more important question for you figure out is why do you have a problem with it.

I see your point as, “if you can’t take criticism then don’t post”. But, I am mainly in agreement with @ebozzz.
Constructive discussion/debate vs. mean-spirited s**t posting…

 

[ebozzz]

It's generally not necessary, but it is human nature to express opinions. I think a more important question for you figure out is why do you have a problem with it.

I’ve explained my problem with it in this very thread. Perhaps you missed it?

 

[FretRiff]

$hitposting is opinions you don’t want to see.

 

[Akiyama]

$hitposting is opinions you don’t want to see.

No. Mindless posted reactions with no regard to the original poster’s context is s**tposting. Thoughtful disagreement is not.