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Updates at BassTasters

#21
Originally posted by DaDo
Are you guys going to focus entirely on pre's or will you expand to cover some of the more common heads that are out there? Head suggestions just in case: :D

Ampeg SVT-CL
SVT-4 PRO
GK 800RB + 1001RB
Peavey Pro 500
SWR SM-500
Aguilar DB 359
Fender Bassman 300

That should keep you guys busy for a few days :)
Click to expand...


Well, the Aggie DB359 is already up there, and the SM-500 probably sounds a lot like the 3 SWR preamps... but like I always say, if I can get my hands on the gear, i'll put it up. I don't exactly have the fundage to buy all these and then resell them :)

There's a LOT of updates lately - and lots more to come, especially with different strings. I picked up a Fender "60's Jazz" to tinker with, and Invalid Link Removed supplied strings, and www.bestbassgear.com has supplied some onboard preamps to swap out. Should be interesting.

Also check out the Sadowsky P/J4 clips, and the iAMP 800 - very interesting! Side note, the iAMP 800 is my gigging amp of choice currently, with two Epifani T112's.

Anyway, thanks for checking it out!

Invalid Link Removed
 
#22
Originally posted by bgavin
I must be deaf.

I can't hear any difference at all between various samples. Especially so in the preamp comparisons.

Vanselus, what is the recording setup used between the preamps and the recording device? Is there perhaps an insufficient quality A/D, software, etc, that is not capturing the nuances of the equipment?
Click to expand...

Well B, I know you're not deaf, and I KNOW you have lots of critical listening experience (and I assume your ears work well :). However, maybe you're just focusing on the overall sound of the bass, and not really noticing the change in preamp. It's pretty easy to do - the changes are fairly subtle, but there is definitely significant tonal differences between clips. (and it's not just ME that thinks so!)

The recording setup was bass->preamp->korg/d16 but lately it's bass->preamp->mAudio/Duo->computer. Now granted, it's definitely not audiophile, but I think the amount of people that CAN hear a difference speaks for itself. Have you tried listening through headphones instead?
 
#25
Van, Great site! I agree about the subtleties...preamps that I thought I'd go for (SVP Pro...remember I have the III Pro) I didn't care for as much after listening to the Demeter and F-1X (which is my main pre now). The Trace V sounded much better than I would have thought...I've never even seen one here in N. FL. The Aggies sounded good, but not my style. Felt the Kern would be right up my alley, but it seemed less distinct than either the Demeter or Alembic(!). Not that I can afford one, but I'm dyin' to hear the Read Purity! Thanks again for all of your hard work...I've never seen such a useful compilation of tones. The EQ settings are priceless...knowing in advance how the rig was biased, tonewise.

kim
 
#28
Todd,

One thing I noticed with the clips was some level differences (which can cause a judgement of a difference in tone quality where there actually is none -- for instance using the same bass through the same preamp at two different levels).
Another is the variation of quality of the bass playing on different clips (I sort of understand how difficult that must have been to get each clip as close as possible -- hence the suggestion below).

It is probably a bit late for this type of suggestion (I wish I lived close enough to volunteer some of my time).

My thought for the preamp comparisons is to record the signal directly from one of the more articulate and harmonically rich basses direct to whatever recorder you're using and then use that as the input to each of the different preamps. Do a short test to level the preamp output to some reference level and go for it.

The fingerstyle clip would probably be more illuminating if it was either a scale or arpeggio that ran the full range of the bass' fingerboard.

The EQ'ing of each preamp for the EQ'ed clips is going to be way subjective and I guess there's no way around that.

I have no suggestions for how to compare the different basses; maybe someone else might have a suggestion.

Anyway, this might be something to consider for future clips even if you don't have the time to redo the earlier clips (hint, hint).

Thanks again guys for the great work you've done! [I hope the preceeding doesn't sound critical of what you've done; I don't mean it that way at all.]

[Several days late, I know.]
 
#30
Originally posted by bgavin
I'll have to try it with headphones next. I can borrow a set of Sony engineering phones from my daughter's drummer.
Click to expand...
Another suggestion is to pick one bass (I picked the Fodera) and listen to all of them one after the other. I downloaded all the clips into a MediaPlayer "Basstasters" Playlist to make listening to them in rapid-fire order easier.
 
#31
Originally posted by KingOfAmps
Another suggestion is to pick one bass (I picked the Fodera) and listen to all of them one after the other. I downloaded all the clips into a MediaPlayer "Basstasters" Playlist to make listening to them in rapid-fire order easier.
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I did. I downloaded all of the ones using the Sadowsky and put them in the same folder. Then made a playlist in winamp for all of them, organizing and reorganizing them and playing them in different orders till I could make a decision. It's really easy to compare and contrast this way.

I'd have to agree with a lot of people here in that I really like the tone of the Trace Elliot. However, I'm having a really hard time trying to find places that have it for sale. It's discontinued, right? I'd definitely get one used for $150. Too bad I can't find one. :(
 
#33
Originally posted by KingOfAmps
Another suggestion is to pick one bass (I picked the Fodera) and listen to all of them one after the other. I downloaded all the clips into a MediaPlayer "Basstasters" Playlist to make listening to them in rapid-fire order easier.
Click to expand...

Yes and listen to the 'groove' clips together, then the 'slap' together, etc...

If you listen to (for instance) the SansAmp then the Ampeg back to back and don't hear a difference, something is wrong somewhere...
 

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