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What makes a bass great?
- Thread starter Joe Nerve
- Start date
In-Ear Monitors. Depending how the FOH (front of house) gets your signal and how the monitors are setup/eq'd, your bass can sound different than you perceive it at home or in front of the speaker cab.
A couple of things...
First - I don't have a closet big enough for all my basses. That said, I do have a few I'm looking to part with. But by and large I like playing the ones I own. It took decades to get to this place, though. Also took a lot of modding and tweaking. It's worth it to me. I try to play all of them in the course of a year and luckily my gigs vary enough to allow it. Every time I play one that's been out of circulation for a while I'm reminded why I got it in the first place. Also, each one makes me approach playing a little differently. It's as if the instrument tells me how it wants to be played.
I think you are very fortunate to find one bass that's a perfect fit. It took me years to learn that price and brand have no bearing on whether a bass is good. I play basses that cost between $200 and several thousand dollars and I enjoy playing them all!
First - I don't have a closet big enough for all my basses. That said, I do have a few I'm looking to part with. But by and large I like playing the ones I own. It took decades to get to this place, though. Also took a lot of modding and tweaking. It's worth it to me. I try to play all of them in the course of a year and luckily my gigs vary enough to allow it. Every time I play one that's been out of circulation for a while I'm reminded why I got it in the first place. Also, each one makes me approach playing a little differently. It's as if the instrument tells me how it wants to be played.
I think you are very fortunate to find one bass that's a perfect fit. It took me years to learn that price and brand have no bearing on whether a bass is good. I play basses that cost between $200 and several thousand dollars and I enjoy playing them all!
@Joe Nerve... Congrats on having as many choices as you do. What I find will help is record the band and hear what everyone else is hearing. I am sure that your basses do not all sound alike. In-ears are great for many reasons but don't give you the complete picture. I am a devotee of PBasses, until I wasn't. I love my Stingray for most rock with overdrive guitars, but it would not be my first choice on a soul tune. I change my mind all the time... I am nuts. My wife has 100 pairs of shoes; she insists she wears them all and needs them all... I think it's not that different from having a heard of basses to choose from. BTW, I just bought an SR5 Special, I take back what I wrote about not selecting a Stingray for a soul tune. The new pickups and preamp in the 2018 Stingrays let you go right there and back to nasty with the twist of the treble control, great sounding bass. Have you checked these out yet?
You have come to the truth. You don't need a lot of expensive gear to sound good you need lots of time playing what gear you have. Hell, I got a major label deal back in the day playing a shaged up Guild with a broken truss rod and I didn't even own an Amp. I did at one point let a few basses pile up but realized most of my peers played one or two basses and that's all you need. Recently my bass didn't arrive at luggage and I played a Squire at a pretty big festival and a few of my bass playing buddies came up and razed me a little bit but then said it sounded great. So find something you dig and maybe a backup if you want and be done with it. Are you a bass collector or a bass player?
i have used 1 bass for almost 30 years, after the first one i owned was ok. Until i played this one or at least this brand, i loved it and ordered me-self a fresh one, and here we are. i always wanted to add to my 1 unit, but at this point it really is unnecessary, as i am not playing much these days.
as far as not having decent gear, i disagree. It doesn't necessarily need to be expensive but has to be good quality. I'm sorry, you cannot sound good if you have a casio amp and some crap speakers. But saying that i never really had the opportunity to use IEM, so my opinion is dated. Quality amp and quality speakers that will handle the bottom end. i bought a new GK head and added it to my existing Peavey 1820 cab, and fried the 18" driver same night, replaced it with a 'quality' driver and ended the problem. ironically ended up getting tired of the 18 and replaced it with 2 solid 15s. and stuck with that almost as long as the bass, with minor head repairs along the way.
as far as not having decent gear, i disagree. It doesn't necessarily need to be expensive but has to be good quality. I'm sorry, you cannot sound good if you have a casio amp and some crap speakers. But saying that i never really had the opportunity to use IEM, so my opinion is dated. Quality amp and quality speakers that will handle the bottom end. i bought a new GK head and added it to my existing Peavey 1820 cab, and fried the 18" driver same night, replaced it with a 'quality' driver and ended the problem. ironically ended up getting tired of the 18 and replaced it with 2 solid 15s. and stuck with that almost as long as the bass, with minor head repairs along the way.
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It's what feels right first. Does the neck fit your hand in a comfortable way? Can the action be adjusted to exactly the height that feels right for your style? We can make any bass sound just the way we want by changing electronics until we find the sweet spot for that bass. I have several favorite basses, and for the most part, they aren't the most expensive. I have a Frankenstein P/J Fender with Seymor Duncan quarter pounders that I love for anything blues/rock and it works pretty well for jazz - I think I have maybe $500 total in it. I have an old Ibanez BTB premium neck-through six string with EMG's that is dead on perfect all around for a six string - makes my Fodera feel and sound like junk when played back to back because it fits my hands better and I enjoy playing it enough that I spend more intimate practice time with it, learning the sweet spots and exact techniques that make it sing. My favorite fretless and my favorite 5 string are also Ibanez premiums and I have a 4 string ESP Ltd neck-through ultra long scale that I also love for fusion, funk and heavy rock gigs. It was originally a heavy metal bass with idiotic spikes which I had to take into the woodshop to remove and reshape the body so I didn't look like an old man playing a childs instrument, but the way it plays and sounds is amazing - as a side not, it looks really cool with all the spikey garbage off. Other musicians assume it's some freakishly expensive custom bass - it feels and looks like one with ebony top and neck-through, they freak out when I tell them it was a seven hundred dollar bass I modified. In all - a great bass is what fits you and you enjoy playing.
So true, the right strings make all the difference. Can be an elusive, and costly quest tho.
As the years go by and the basses pile up in my closet, I have to humbly admit that I no longer have a clue regarding this.
I think I finally get it when I see someone playing an OLD, no name POS and being completely content with it. While sounding great at the same time.
When I first started playing bass, all basses sounded the same to me, and I'm starting to feel the same way again. Admittedly, that might have a lot to do with the fact that for the past 2 years I've been using IEMs... and well, all basses are pretty much sounding the same. Or that I'm going deaf
I own far too many basses and I'm reluctant to sell because I feel like I'm going through some sort of temporary insanity here. I therefore thought I'd open the topic up to conversation. And to add a little to what inspired this post...
The last bass I fell head over heels in love with was my Rickenbacker. I can't put a D-tuner on it, so I don't use it with my current band. Since then I've purchased TMB 30, A Caprice, a Jazz, a Mustang, and most recently dropped a big fat chunk of dough on a Huntington 3.
I play all these basses at my gigs, and whenever I'm not playing my Mustang, I wish I was playing my Mustang. And this is going on for a while now.
I paid $400 for that Mustang, new.
I can't lie to myself anymore and felt I needed to make that admission openly.
What's going on here?
Help me please to understand
As the years go by and the basses pile up in my closet, I have to humbly admit that I no longer have a clue regarding this.
I think I finally get it when I see someone playing an OLD, no name POS and being completely content with it. While sounding great at the same time.
When I first started playing bass, all basses sounded the same to me, and I'm starting to feel the same way again. Admittedly, that might have a lot to do with the fact that for the past 2 years I've been using IEMs... and well, all basses are pretty much sounding the same
I own far too many basses and I'm reluctant to sell because I feel like I'm going through some sort of temporary insanity here. I therefore thought I'd open the topic up to conversation. And to add a little to what inspired this post...
The last bass I fell head over heels in love with was my Rickenbacker. I can't put a D-tuner on it, so I don't use it with my current band. Since then I've purchased TMB 30, A Caprice, a Jazz, a Mustang, and most recently dropped a big fat chunk of dough on a Huntington 3.
I play all these basses at my gigs, and whenever I'm not playing my Mustang, I wish I was playing my Mustang. And this is going on for a while now.
I paid $400 for that Mustang, new.
I can't lie to myself anymore and felt I needed to make that admission openly.
What's going on here?
Help me please to understand
The music ability of the person playing it! not to be a smart a$$.
I also play a J Plus. Been my only one for the last 25 years. It is an active 5er that is very versatile. I don't play much slap stuff, so it covers everything I want to do. Nice narrow neck. Haven't played anything else that feels like it.
As the years go by and the basses pile up in my closet, I have to humbly admit that I no longer have a clue regarding this.
I think I finally get it when I see someone playing an OLD, no name POS and being completely content with it. While sounding great at the same time.
When I first started playing bass, all basses sounded the same to me, and I'm starting to feel the same way again. Admittedly, that might have a lot to do with the fact that for the past 2 years I've been using IEMs... and well, all basses are pretty much sounding the same
I own far too many basses and I'm reluctant to sell because I feel like I'm going through some sort of temporary insanity here. I therefore thought I'd open the topic up to conversation. And to add a little to what inspired this post...
The last bass I fell head over heels in love with was my Rickenbacker. I can't put a D-tuner on it, so I don't use it with my current band. Since then I've purchased TMB 30, A Caprice, a Jazz, a Mustang, and most recently dropped a big fat chunk of dough on a Huntington 3.
I play all these basses at my gigs, and whenever I'm not playing my Mustang, I wish I was playing my Mustang. And this is going on for a while now.
I paid $400 for that Mustang, new.
I can't lie to myself anymore and felt I needed to make that admission openly.
What's going on here?
Help me please to understand
You sound like someone who's looking for Legitimacy on and for what you have. Well, most Bass players know their limits. Financial that is. I have Two Basses and that's it. Finally got what l wanted and happy
As the years go by and the basses pile up in my closet, I have to humbly admit that I no longer have a clue regarding this.
I think I finally get it when I see someone playing an OLD, no name POS and being completely content with it. While sounding great at the same time.
When I first started playing bass, all basses sounded the same to me, and I'm starting to feel the same way again. Admittedly, that might have a lot to do with the fact that for the past 2 years I've been using IEMs... and well, all basses are pretty much sounding the same
I own far too many basses and I'm reluctant to sell because I feel like I'm going through some sort of temporary insanity here. I therefore thought I'd open the topic up to conversation. And to add a little to what inspired this post...
The last bass I fell head over heels in love with was my Rickenbacker. I can't put a D-tuner on it, so I don't use it with my current band. Since then I've purchased TMB 30, A Caprice, a Jazz, a Mustang, and most recently dropped a big fat chunk of dough on a Huntington 3.
I play all these basses at my gigs, and whenever I'm not playing my Mustang, I wish I was playing my Mustang. And this is going on for a while now.
I paid $400 for that Mustang, new.
I can't lie to myself anymore and felt I needed to make that admission openly.
What's going on here?
Help me please to understand
Well everyone knows that an instrument tends to be like a son it’s owner, even with a collection of hundreds of basses, you will always have your favorites.
I remember I had a crappy Jazz Bass copy that I used to learn how to work on the action, truss rod and other stuff like fret leveling and in the end it was horrendous looking but sounded awesome and felt amazing due to all the work I had done on it.
So the answer really is “it depends”.
No instrument is equal to another but most importantly, no instrument will feel and sound the same for everyone, I might like a bass that someone else would absolutely trash, it really depends by the person who’s playing and by result “judging” the instrument.
Hey there TB,was just talking about this with my guitarist last night,how there really isnt bad basses or guitars these days.I also have a room of basses, bc rich,g&l, peavey,etc wanted and bought a spector euro couple years back thinking "love it",I am done looking/ buying.Until I picked a spector coda pro pj "traditional look"discontinued new for $400 for country project,and cant put it down,love the feel and sound,so much I bought a 2nd one for back up, and in the end, keeping the $400 Pjs & selling everything else! Well not the euro,love me some spectors..haha
Fit. To you, and to the music you’re playing.
Having played now for 42 years, through a range of instruments from cheapo to high-end, it always comes down to an intangible feel of the instrument and the suitability of the dominant natural tone to the music.
The only exception is the new Benavente I just started playing. It is magical. I swear it can play itself.
Still love my old G&L Lynx and SB-2 fretless basses, both have great fit for me and punchy beautiful tone, but this new one is a standout. I literally CAN’T WAIT to play it again. Like owning a Ferrari with a custom tailored interior and wanting to drive it.
Having played now for 42 years, through a range of instruments from cheapo to high-end, it always comes down to an intangible feel of the instrument and the suitability of the dominant natural tone to the music.
The only exception is the new Benavente I just started playing. It is magical. I swear it can play itself.
Still love my old G&L Lynx and SB-2 fretless basses, both have great fit for me and punchy beautiful tone, but this new one is a standout. I literally CAN’T WAIT to play it again. Like owning a Ferrari with a custom tailored interior and wanting to drive it.
I think one element that makes a bass great is versatility. I think that's why the Fender P and the Fender J are so popular. They are appropriate in so many situations and engineers know how to record them.As the years go by and the basses pile up in my closet, I have to humbly admit that I no longer have a clue regarding this.
I think I finally get it when I see someone playing an OLD, no name POS and being completely content with it. While sounding great at the same time.
When I first started playing bass, all basses sounded the same to me, and I'm starting to feel the same way again. Admittedly, that might have a lot to do with the fact that for the past 2 years I've been using IEMs... and well, all basses are pretty much sounding the same
I own far too many basses and I'm reluctant to sell because I feel like I'm going through some sort of temporary insanity here. I therefore thought I'd open the topic up to conversation. And to add a little to what inspired this post...
The last bass I fell head over heels in love with was my Rickenbacker. I can't put a D-tuner on it, so I don't use it with my current band. Since then I've purchased TMB 30, A Caprice, a Jazz, a Mustang, and most recently dropped a big fat chunk of dough on a Huntington 3.
I play all these basses at my gigs, and whenever I'm not playing my Mustang, I wish I was playing my Mustang. And this is going on for a while now.
I paid $400 for that Mustang, new.
I can't lie to myself anymore and felt I needed to make that admission openly.
What's going on here?
Help me please to understand
The short scale always has that deep thud punchy factor that you feel
in your body and its such a breeze to fly on the slightly shorter scale neck
I always feel like I'm playing in the perfect real bass range... The old Mustang would be my choice or the Jason Mendel
whats his name reissue looks nice $999....
in your body and its such a breeze to fly on the slightly shorter scale neck
I always feel like I'm playing in the perfect real bass range... The old Mustang would be my choice or the Jason Mendel
whats his name reissue looks nice $999....
Here is what I have to offer, this is only my experience, others mileage may differ
My first let's say real bass guitar was my 75 Ripper. I couldn't be happier with it, even today.
But I felt I needed something to use as a backup for it, so I purchased another bass. Not a Gibson, but another well known brand. At that point I discovered they felt different and the tones coming from them were different, they each had their own voice. That was an epiphany for me, because before that I thought all well known name brand basses, would sound like the Ripper. It took off from that point, my personality being one who likes variety the end result is quantity. I have stopped at 15 recently and am trying not to drop any more coin on the next one that catches my eye. The only thing I do do is gig them all, nothing is collecting dust. This may be my only justification for owning 15 basses. If I wasn't gigging them all, I may feel differently Now that being said to answer your question "what makes a bass great"? I think for me it is just that they all have something to give the player, whether it be the tone or the playability. It doesn't have to cost as much as your house to be great, it is all about how you feel when you play it that makes it a great bass imo. RTS
My first let's say real bass guitar was my 75 Ripper. I couldn't be happier with it, even today.
But I felt I needed something to use as a backup for it, so I purchased another bass. Not a Gibson, but another well known brand. At that point I discovered they felt different and the tones coming from them were different, they each had their own voice. That was an epiphany for me, because before that I thought all well known name brand basses, would sound like the Ripper. It took off from that point, my personality being one who likes variety the end result is quantity.
I have stopped at 15 recently and am trying not to drop any more coin on the next one that catches my eye. The only thing I do do is gig them all, nothing is collecting dust. This may be my only justification for owning 15 basses. If I wasn't gigging them all, I may feel differently Now that being said to answer your question "what makes a bass great"? I think for me it is just that they all have something to give the player, whether it be the tone or the playability. It doesn't have to cost as much as your house to be great, it is all about how you feel when you play it that makes it a great bass imo. RTS
