• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

What does this mean?

M

metallist

Apr 23, 2007
203
3
42
Victoria, Australia
#1
I tried out a few basses last night (Schector Custom 6 string & Music Man Sterling 5) and dis-liked both.

I know the Schetor is not as 'up-there' as the Music Man, but the Music Man sounded and played horrible. The Shector sounded and played 10 times better.

Now, to the topic heading.

I currently own a Cort Elrick 5 string. I know this is not of the same build quality as the above mentioned basses; but I would choose this over the above.

Am I strange, or does it just come down to personal taste?

I am done.
 
#2
metallist said:
I tried out a few basses last night (Schector Custom 6 string & Music Man Sterling 5) and dis-liked both.

I know the Schetor is not as 'up-there' as the Music Man, but the Music Man sounded and played horrible. The Shector sounded and played 10 times better.

Now, to the topic heading.

I currently own a Cort Elrick 5 string. I know this is not of the same build quality as the above mentioned basses; but I would choose this over the above.

Am I strange, or does it just come down to personal taste?
I am done.
Click to expand...

It all boils down to what bass sounds good to YOU. If you like the Schecter better then that's the bass for you. FWIW, I have played a few Musicmans in stores and I have not been tempted to buy one. Others love them, so the personal taste rule is what I go by.

Rick B.
 
#5
metallist said:
That brings me to the next point - are some basses horrible over priced?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I think so. But again, it's a matter of individual taste. I happen to think Music Man basses are worth the money, others don't think so.

By the way, the Music Man and/or Schector you tried may not have been set up to your taste, and that might have had a lot of influence on your initial impressions of these basses. This may have been particularly true if you were at a Guitar Center. They have been bashed in these forums often for hanging basses on the wall which are not set up well.
 
#6
I dunno, some basses fit me better and some fit other guys better. That's life. Cost doesn't necessarily mean it's better.

The Ernie Ball basses never really appealed to me. I thought the low B on my Cirri were better than anything I've tried and my Sterling could never compete with the ultra low action I have on other basses.

If the shoe fits, wear it!
 
#7
it's all taste. Stingrays have a massive neck if you're not used to if and can feel awkward. If you can't play comfortably you'll have trouble sounding good.

Everyone has their personal taste. that's why the market is so broad.

as for the price tag. find the bass you want then visit perfectbass or ebay (usa) or something and import in. you'll pay half as much
 
#8
metallist said:
Yeah, the Music Man sounded good - but I would not have paided $3500AUD for it.

That brings me to the next point - are some basses horrible over priced?
Click to expand...

As a rule, in Australia, most music gear is overpriced but most shops will let you talk them down by 15-20%. If not ring around and other shops will. And mm's are greatly over priced over here.
 
#11
A Sterling that plays like crap? I don't buy it for a minute. They probably sounded and played like crap because they needed a good setup and adjusting and a new set of quality strings.

It kills me when people complain that a bass "plays like crap" at the store right off the shelf. Action changes during shipping and when entering different climates. EVERY bass needs a setup when purchased, unless the shop does it upon arrival and after acclimation.

I can get ANY bass, regardless of price, to play like butter if I spend enough effort on it. Truss rod tweaking, bridge adjustment, fret levelling/recrowning, etc. There is no such thing as a bolt-on neck bass that can't be adjusted to play well.
 
#12
Eric Moesle said:
A Sterling that plays like crap? I don't buy it for a minute. They probably sounded and played like crap because they needed a good setup and adjusting and a new set of quality strings.

It kills me when people complain that a bass "plays like crap" at the store right off the shelf. Action changes during shipping and when entering different climates. EVERY bass needs a setup when purchased, unless the shop does it upon arrival and after acclimation.

I can get ANY bass, regardless of price, to play like butter if I spend enough effort on it. Truss rod tweaking, bridge adjustment, fret levelling/recrowning, etc. There is no such thing as a bolt-on neck bass that can't be adjusted to play well.
Click to expand...

I did my best to set it up, but my other gear kicked the snot out of it. Not all fretjobs are created equal. My Cirrus basses play like a touch bass as does my Conklin.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back