I have one of those Soundgear 5-Stings. I use the "flexible" neck as a manual whammy bar. lol
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What Bass Was The Biggest DISAPPOINTMENT?
- Thread starter plangentmusic
- Start date
I have one of those Soundgear 5-Stings. I use the "flexible" neck as a manual whammy bar. lol
It was the 4th just the other day so we are good.
Holycrap
That is an understatement.
Yep, bit there is just something cool about them anyway.
And I still have yet to play one.
seconded
The ones I have played did nothing for me.
For the most part yes but there are a few exceptions.
Another understatement.
======
I agree completely.
Alembic cough
pretty much all the mim jazz basses ive owned, i liked them all and never minded playing them,but they were always the first to go when gas struck.
Alembic=expensive boat anchor with poor balance and ergonomics IME. YMMV
Ditto for the ones I've played.
I dig setting up gear.. love it when someone sends their stuff for some love.. and then raves about it when they get it back.
There are simply some models that just dont' have as much potential.
On the flipside.. there are some obscure unkown basses that get TONS better after we figure them out and work with them.
Unlike Pbasses etc... they telegraph good AND bad technique etc... most of the legendary stuff kind of hides it.
Tim
My Rickenbacker 4003 was a huge disappointment. Bad neck angle, bridge pullup, and the sound of a Jazz with bad adenoids. Sold quick and never looked back.
Played an early Sadowsky that looked like it had worse tolerances that SX basses, but I can't call it a big disapointment because I didn't buy it.
Played an early Sadowsky that looked like it had worse tolerances that SX basses, but I can't call it a big disapointment because I didn't buy it.
Interesting replies -- both in the differences and the conformations.
I'll give a few "generalizations" I've found.
Every Warwick I ever played felt tight to me.
Sadowsky's are just hand made Fenders. No way would I pay $1500 for a custom built $600 guitar.
Yes, although the early ones were good, you could bend an ibanez neck up or down a whole step.
Ken Smiths and Alembics are heavy unbalanced monstrosities.
Ricks are Ricks -- I don't think anyone thinks they're brilliantly crafted instruments. They're just...cool.
I had a Steinberger, just to have one. Most "in-tune" instrument I ever owned. I couldn't stand looking at it.
I don't get why anyone loves the Early P's (Telecaster body). Crap pu and an uncomfortable body shape. They changed it for a reason.
In general, custom built basses are a disappointment. Great in theory, but never seem to work out quite right.
I'll give a few "generalizations" I've found.
Every Warwick I ever played felt tight to me.
Sadowsky's are just hand made Fenders. No way would I pay $1500 for a custom built $600 guitar.
Yes, although the early ones were good, you could bend an ibanez neck up or down a whole step.
Ken Smiths and Alembics are heavy unbalanced monstrosities.
Ricks are Ricks -- I don't think anyone thinks they're brilliantly crafted instruments. They're just...cool.
I had a Steinberger, just to have one. Most "in-tune" instrument I ever owned. I couldn't stand looking at it.
I don't get why anyone loves the Early P's (Telecaster body). Crap pu and an uncomfortable body shape. They changed it for a reason.
In general, custom built basses are a disappointment. Great in theory, but never seem to work out quite right.
My old G&L L2000. The neck warped big time, produced a bunch of 'meh' tones, and hummed like crazy.
Lets see:
2 Roscoes
Sadowsky RV5
I guess thats about it. These were all beautifully built basses but I just did not love the tones.
2 Roscoes
Sadowsky RV5
I guess thats about it. These were all beautifully built basses but I just did not love the tones.
- Jan 7, 2008
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I couldn't agree more with the OP....I've played nearly 10 Foderas now from the NYC empire basses, to the bolt ons, to the top level Emperors and Monarchs and I've been disappointed by EVERY ONE. I absolutely hated the preamp sound, and the playability (IMO) made me question the outrageous price tag on them....also, their passive modes were a joke....however, I have still yet to try the Foderas I would actually want which are the Imperial and AJ Contra and I have to imagine they're sick....
also, Sadowsky. I took a trip out to his shop in BK when I first moved out there and I was blown away when each bass I tried felt like an awkward "parts" j-bass and the preamp was just SO sizzly no matter how I EQ'd it....I was very confused as I left the shop and couldn't wait to get back home to my vintage Fenders!
But hey, this is all based on MY tastes of course....
also, Sadowsky. I took a trip out to his shop in BK when I first moved out there and I was blown away when each bass I tried felt like an awkward "parts" j-bass and the preamp was just SO sizzly no matter how I EQ'd it....I was very confused as I left the shop and couldn't wait to get back home to my vintage Fenders!
But hey, this is all based on MY tastes of course....
Fender Power Jazz Bass Special - the sound stunk no matter who was playing it. Since I was a newbie, I thought it was me until a REALLY good bassist tried it and said the same thing. And it was not the setup, either.
Dan K.
Dan K.
Epi EB-0.
Had been playing a fretless jazz for maybe 8 or 9 years and figured I should have a fretted as well. I was lusting over my Gibson SG at the time and wanted to get something cheap, but it just turned out to be cheaper than I expected. I loved the shape & size, neck dive didn't bother me much, but I just couldn't get that fret buzz out and the pickup just sounded like ****. Perhaps if I had gone that extra $100 for an EB-3 I would have kept it.
Had been playing a fretless jazz for maybe 8 or 9 years and figured I should have a fretted as well. I was lusting over my Gibson SG at the time and wanted to get something cheap, but it just turned out to be cheaper than I expected. I loved the shape & size, neck dive didn't bother me much, but I just couldn't get that fret buzz out and the pickup just sounded like ****. Perhaps if I had gone that extra $100 for an EB-3 I would have kept it.
I have to go with the L-series headless Steinberger bass friend of mine had one and I used it for a gig and it was uncomfortable to play. I thought I would love it and I just hated it
IME customs are great. Especially my Basslabs. 5 lbs each. Perfect balance. J shaped 5-stringers with full, hollowbody tone
.
MIA Fender Jazz V
Played a friend's and it was really nice......really really nice.
Got my own (online) and the low B was pure crap. tried different strings, gauges, and even a Audere preamp. Traded it for a SR5.
Spector Rebop 5
Loved the look, but couldn't stand anything about it.
Played a friend's and it was really nice......really really nice.
Got my own (online) and the low B was pure crap. tried different strings, gauges, and even a Audere preamp. Traded it for a SR5.
Spector Rebop 5
Loved the look, but couldn't stand anything about it.
I've got a thumb BO and i'm in the exact situation you were in. I've made some setup changes and lowered the action quite a bit, so it's much easier to play. I still cant get the sound i want of it though, how do you EQ it and what pre did you upgrade to?
Hello, new to tb, cruising the forums, and found this one interesting, my question is did you play the instrument before you bought it? I see that you said you went to look at it every week for 3 months wouldnt you notice what you didnt like about the bass before you bought it after 3 months of checking it out. I am a newbie to bass just curious.
Aloha
