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Vintage basses: Could it Be?

#81
No, my '68 definitely sounds better. It's the sweetest P I've ever played. Why? Who knows, it's just lumber with magnetic pickups stuck on it. The lumber makes no difference! And it's CBS era, even! I wish that one of my 20 year old American Standards sounded that good.
 
#82
mongo2 said:
I thought the real reason was obvious and didn't require stating but since you asked so nicely...I'd say the difference in the tone you perceive was more due to your regularly playing in that area and listening critically to what you were playing. Seems obvious that you learned to hear it better.
Click to expand...

Definitely a factor as I stated earlier, but this change has been commented on by more people than myself (who have all been around the instrument) and observed with different people playing the same bass. My conclusion is that the bass has somehow changed with age in a way that was less accidental than a particularly humid summer or something similar.
 
#84
Dogbertday said:
Definitely a factor as I stated earlier, but this change has been commented on by more people than myself (who have all been around the instrument) and observed with different people playing the same bass. My conclusion is that the bass has somehow changed with age in a way that was less accidental than a particularly humid summer or something similar.
Click to expand...

My conclusion is that you're playing it better.
 
#87
A bass is a tool. Some tools are better than others. Some tools can inspire you. Some tools make the work easier. But they are still just tools.

Mojo is cool, I have a very old washburn parlor guitar. It has an ebony nut and a VERY mismatched brazilian rosewood back and sides. I got it for 40.00 and it needs a lot of work and one day it will get it. It has a boat load of mojo. But if it sounds like crap, off it goes.
 
#88
Rob S said:
As some of you know, I have been an active collector of Fender Precision basses over the past couple of years. I fell in love with '60s basses and then in 2014 I felt I had learned enough to start in on '50s P basses.

I recently acquired a grail bass: a '58 sunburst in near mint condition and was just playing it until a few minutes ago.

I wonder, and it's a spiritual question, but could the combined musical knowledge and skill of all the bassists who owned and played a bass for decades, be ingrained and embedded in these old basses? I ask because, when I am playing these 1950's basses, I play so much better both technically and rhythmically than I usually play. There is just so much inspiration and soul in the wood of these magical instruments.

All I know is that these basses are not only iconic objects, but also hallowed musical machines.
Click to expand...

Yes, yes, and HELL YEAH on all accounts. There's a reason why some of these beauties are called "holy grail".
 
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#89
Mojo? I have a Kay bass built in'51, saxophones dating from 1928, 1946, and 1967. They're just trying to become big piles of wood, glue and brass, mostly. I don't believe in mojo. I don't believe that the wood in a solid body electric bass influences its sound significantly, either. BUT, the fact remains that my '68 P sounds much better than my other Ps.

Must be a ghost, it HAS to be.
 
#92
Speaking of mojo...


Did someone say "mojo"?

Say kids, what time is it?

It's Moj-O-Matic time!

OK kids, it's time once again for a word from our sponsor:

Announcing another fine product from MongCo® Enterprises a division of YouCantGetAwayWiddat Industries,LLC.

Presenting the new and improved Moj-O-Matic™ with the revolutionary Mojo-In-A-Minute® technology. Now with the new and amazingly ineffective Funk-O-Riffic® String Dip™ for lubricating the strings and enhancing their Phunk-O-Phonic® quotient.

A 5 second dip in the Funk-O-Riffic® String Dip™ using the patented Saf-T-Matic™ tongs while wearing the included No-See-Um™ goggles is all it takes to renew, refresh, revitalize, rejuvenate, and otherwise make your strings sound like they've been dipped in it.

After the dip simply microwave the patented Mucho-Mojo® packet now with extra What's-That-Smell™ Black Cat Bone for one minute. Slather it on your instrument with the patented Ten-Foot-Pole™ applicator and prepare to be amazed at your PhunkySelf™.

Be the envy of your friends. Call 1-000-GET-MOJO right now. Some real operators are standing by.

"It's Mojo, Mofo."®™©


Offer void in Perpetuity. Close cover before striking. If condition persists consult a physician. Not available in states, countries, or planets with consonants or vowels in their name. Any resemblence to any product living or dead is purely coincidental and if you think the MongCo® Moj-O-Matic™ is real you're crazier than I am.
 
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#95
You actually made me laugh out loud. Thanks. That's an awesome post. Now where do I mail my check?

mongo2 said:
Speaking of mojo...


Did someone say "mojo"?

Say kids, what time is it?

It's Moj-O-Matic time!

OK kids, it's time once again for a word from our sponsor:

Announcing another fine product from MongCo® Enterprises a division of YouCantGetAwayWiddat Industries,LLC.

Presenting the new and improved Moj-O-Matic™ with the revolutionary Mojo-In-A-Minute® technology. Now with the new and amazingly ineffective Funk-O-Riffic® String Dip™ for lubricating the strings and enhancing their Phunk-O-Phonic® quotient.

A 5 second dip in the Funk-O-Riffic® String Dip™ using the patented Saf-T-Matic™ tongs while wearing the included No-See-Um™ goggles is all it takes to renew, refresh, revitalize, rejuvenate, and otherwise make your strings sound like they've been dipped in it.

After the dip simply microwave the patented Mucho-Mojo® packet now with extra What's-That-Smell™ Black Cat Bone for one minute. Slather it on your instrument with the patented Ten-Foot-Pole™ applicator and prepare to be amazed at your PhunkySelf™.

Be the envy of your friends. Call 1-000-GET-MOJO right now. Some real operators are standing by.

"It's Mojo, Mofo."®™©


Offer void in Perpetuity. Close cover before striking. If condition persists consult a physician. Not available in states, countries, or planets with consonants or vowels in their name. Any resemblence to any product living or dead is purely coincidental and if you think the MongCo® Moj-O-Matic™ is real you're crazier than I am.
Click to expand...
 
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#98
Rob S said:
As some of you know, I have been an active collector of Fender Precision basses over the past couple of years. I fell in love with '60s basses and then in 2014 I felt I had learned enough to start in on '50s P basses.

I recently acquired a grail bass: a '58 sunburst in near mint condition and was just playing it until a few minutes ago.

I wonder, and it's a spiritual question, but could the combined musical knowledge and skill of all the bassists who owned and played a bass for decades, be ingrained and embedded in these old basses? I ask because, when I am playing these 1950's basses, I play so much better both technically and rhythmically than I usually play. There is just so much inspiration and soul in the wood of these magical instruments.

All I know is that these basses are not only iconic objects, but also hallowed musical machines.
Click to expand...

Same thing is said about old violins that have passed though the hands of decades' worth of master-players. Can you say "mojo".

Similar to walking into the Abbey Road Studios...
 

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