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What's all this which is better????
- Thread starter keatz
- Start date
- Oct 18, 2012
- 6,683
- 5,538
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Fender, Spector, Ampeg, Curt Mangan, Nordstrand Pickups, Korg , Conquest Sound
I think a lot of the "Which is better" threads are from people who haven't been playing very long or have limited experience with different brands. They are usually just asking for opinions in order to make a buying decision. The problem with this is that what works for one person might not work for someone else. For example, I know a lot of people like Carvin and Peavey but I have never found anything in their product lines that I like. I don't criticize people for using those brands but they're not for me.
I have never purchased anything based on recommendations. I try it for myself and make a decision.
I have never purchased anything based on recommendations. I try it for myself and make a decision.
OP, I share your same thoughts. I think it really comes down to people not understanding what the word "best" actually means. Or fully understanding that a large chunk of the bass gear out there is perfectly usable and it's really up to the player to decide.
On a side note, when people ask "What order do I put these pedals in?", I usually roll my eyes and think to myself "Why can't you experiment? Did you know that's half the fun of it?". I wish people would come into any topic as "I am looking to create XYZ tone, I bought these pedals, but I am unsure of how to get there. I tried X and got Y, but I really wanted Z. What can I do to get closer to my goal?"
As others have eluded to - age and experience plays a factor in this too. I used to think certain gear was the "best". Playing that gear and buying gear I liked really changed me. I realized nothing was the "best".
On a side note, when people ask "What order do I put these pedals in?", I usually roll my eyes and think to myself "Why can't you experiment? Did you know that's half the fun of it?". I wish people would come into any topic as "I am looking to create XYZ tone, I bought these pedals, but I am unsure of how to get there. I tried X and got Y, but I really wanted Z. What can I do to get closer to my goal?"
As others have eluded to - age and experience plays a factor in this too. I used to think certain gear was the "best". Playing that gear and buying gear I liked really changed me. I realized nothing was the "best".
You're crazy. Triangles are much better than squares or circles.
What’s better? This thread about what’s better or the thread about maple vs. Rosewood ??
Oh I get it but after being on guitar and bass forums for years this is a never ending cycle. It's annoying but unavoidable. I don't fault you for a rant though, I've done my share of those too.
Triangles are better because ...
... they are musical instruments even if ...
... they are just percussion.
... they are musical instruments even if ...
... they are just percussion.
I don't think I've purchased a musical item based solely on a recommendation, but I have gone to try some products out based on recommendations and then decided to purchase them when I found that I liked them.
We could go into truth tables and logical equivalence theory where the law of the excluded middle is king...not!
I actually did purchase something based on recommendations, like a fool without trying it first:
Best thing I've done in a long time
It is kind of nice to be reminded that some folks do have the self-awareness god gave a cucumber, so if nothing else the thread was worth it to me just for the apology. Having said that, cucumbers beat the hell out of carrots any day so I hope all you dumb f$@king carrot eaters die in a horrible flaming car wreck and live just long enough to realize that you’ve pooped yourselves and the person who recovers your bodies is going to see it. Carrots suck!
Yep, I hear you. It reminds me of a thread a while back about why two bassists don't agree on dirt pedals. It kind of boils down to our unwritten assumptions.
1, Music style and what each of us is trying to achieve. Rock and metal dirt is way different to ambient solo dirt.
2, How we are playing - finger style, pick, slap, triggered synth etc
3, Cab choice - full range amps / cabs / PA. Dirt behaves very different in full range to vintage cabs.
4, Bass choice - pickups, active / passive...each bass has a different impedance, gain and tone.
5, String choice - flats behave totally different to rounds where dirt is concerned.
6, Fret board - fretless vs fretted. Stainless vs nickle frets.
7, Budget - for some cheap is everything (and there are some amazing cheapies out there), for others...exclusivity, for others...it's all about that Je-ne say que.
But it's all dirt right? Nope....
So I think when we are talking dirt, we really need to talk about context too. Personally I don't get on with the Darkglass dirt, I've tried several of their pedals over the years and they just don't float my boat. They have a massive baked in EQ that I don't like and I don't care for their grit structure. Their claimed overdrive sounds nothing like any valve amp I've ever played through....however...if I was after a doomy metal bass tone...then that's what I'd go and get. So basically...I don't play the type of music that these pedals are intended / famous for...so is it any wonder I don't like them?
Do I diss them? No...i think they are great products, beautifully made and hit their target audience perfectly...total respect.
So at the other end of the scale...I can't imagine a DG / doomy liking a Fender Amp sim clone like Tech 21 Blonde / Joyo American Sound even though it's an amazing overdrive. It's got Fender golden tones baked into it's EQ...just not the right EQ the Doomster is looking for. Bad pedal? No, a great pedal in it's right context.
