When I see these custom made basses with a dozen knobs and switches, I just think "that looks like trouble, you knock one and you lose your sound". I know there's got to be some people on here that like all that extra trim and i was curious as to why?
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Why do people like complicated basses?
- Thread starter mittens89
- Start date
Computers have lots of buttons and people figure those out. A bass might have 5 knobs and a couple switches. It's not that hard.
Versatility of tonal options.
I've never personally every damaged a knob, switch or such on active basses playing live, or otherwise.
Just depends how you use the instrument I guess.
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I've never personally every damaged a knob, switch or such on active basses playing live, or otherwise.
Just depends how you use the instrument I guess.
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I actually agree. Your amp has an EQ - - why does a bass need it too?
That said, I'm fine with a three band EQ on a bass... but more than that seems overkill. Heck, 3 bands seems like overkill to me, but like I said...
That said, I'm fine with a three band EQ on a bass... but more than that seems overkill. Heck, 3 bands seems like overkill to me, but like I said...
Rickett Customs
Commercial User
3 band with variable mids is ok with me. Allows me to leave the head alone and tweak from the bass, while playing live.
Why not? People's taste changes, and they want to be able to shape and bend tone to what they like at that moment. People also seek to be unique, and it's sometimes fun to able to say that your bass can do what others can't. Put that together, and you get your 5 knob 3 switch basses.
Personally, I like as short a signal path as possible between the bass and the amp. Volume, Tone, good to go.
Personally, I like as short a signal path as possible between the bass and the amp. Volume, Tone, good to go.
My 6 has a boatload of knobs & switches- I like to use it for home-studio wanking & composing, as it allows a lot of tonal variety w/o needing to grab a different ax. Live I usually play a P, fiddle w/the tone knob a bit, & get all the tones I need.
Bah! You fancy-shmansy city slicker types with your amps with EQ. Back in my day we were lucky to have a volume knob. In fact, we had to wind the amps up so they'd work. But you tell that to youngins today and they just wouldn't believe you...
Most times in small club gigs theres a backline setup...so bass players use the house amp. Without explaining myself...im sure you can see why some of us need controls on our bass instead. Not to mention...if a quick tweak during a song is needed to fill out the mix better...your hand (and maybe feet even) have to travel a lot farther to get to your amp rather than your bass in between notes. also....turning away from the crowd? In some gigs...thats just not ok.
And no...i dont bring my own because those small backline gigs dont usually pay enough. =P
- Dec 21, 2007
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Heck, why do people even need a bass at all?
Strings can get knocked out of tune. Volume knobs could get knocked too.
You can just sing those bass parts. If you can't sing loud enough, you lose the gig - survival of the loudest!
I prefer just a basic 3 band eq and maybe a pickup selector/blend (if there are multiple pickups), I also understand the value to having more options. I had a warwick corvette $$, and the variety of tones available on that bass is amazing. Being able to run single/parallel/series with each pickup independently and blend the two together, you can mimic a lot of different styles, which means you could theoretically play a whole set without changing basses and just stick with the one. To some, that may be the best option, especially if it's a bass they find particularly comfortable and easy to play.
I went out a bought a P for the sheer uncomplicated nature of it. We were playing some festivals and I know from experience that the sound chappies hate active instruments and have a hell of a time trying to eq them.
The J-Retro on my Jazz is like mission control in comparison!
The J-Retro on my Jazz is like mission control in comparison!
If the "sound chappies" can't handle my active bass, they need to find another line of work. I like the active 3 band with switchable mids. I don't change it much, but I like to know I can if the situation requires it.
I tried a simple P bass and hated it. I might be talked into a passive jazz...maybe.
I am waiting to receive a Rob Allen MB-2 but that's a little different animal. It only has a volume knob so it even trumps your P bass.
All good answers, I can see why some people like an onboard EQ, I was more talking about those custom shop beasts with the phase switches and pole selectors etc. etc.
As you've probably guessed, I like the old "volume, tone, plug in and go" approach, no twiddling around.
ps. I didn't mean to upset anyone, my close mindedness just got the better of me again, haha.
As you've probably guessed, I like the old "volume, tone, plug in and go" approach, no twiddling around.
ps. I didn't mean to upset anyone, my close mindedness just got the better of me again, haha.
I think its nice to have 1 bass that can sound similar to 5..................and its easier to carry to gigs.
I think it's a great question.
Depending on my needs, I will sometimes pick up the simple volume-tone-plug-and go bass.
Other times, I'm looking for a tone that has to be more carefully shaped.
There's an old sound reinforcement creedo that applies to the studio and the stage: "Start with the source." In other words, if you want to get a great vocal, start with a great vocal mic that is a good match for the singer. If you want a great snare sound, start with a great snare properly tuned.
What players are doing when they load up their basses with tone shaping options is trying to enhance the source: The bass itself. They don't want to rely on pedals or EQs or their amp. They might use those things later in the chain, but only to augment the tone they're trying to get from the source, the bass itself.
This is what happens when your taste in tone gets very discriminating and the old "plug and play" configuration isn't satisfying any longer.
I have a few basses that let me carefully sculpt the tone that come out the jack. But I still loves me some simple-azz P-Bass skankiness too.
I have an adult contemporary house gig..
We'll go from driving 1/8ths to a long legato line.. song to song.. dial in the bass (di) to the room.. use the volume and blend to tweek for songs.
It's more like studio playing than barrrom gigging.
When going DI it's another dumb box removed from the chain.
We'll go from driving 1/8ths to a long legato line.. song to song.. dial in the bass (di) to the room.. use the volume and blend to tweek for songs.
It's more like studio playing than barrrom gigging.
When going DI it's another dumb box removed from the chain.
I tend to set my amp at the start of the gig as near to my "go to" sound as I can, pretty much flat with just maybe a few minor adjustments to accommodate the stage/room.
Then during the set, I'll tweak the bass a bit from song to song to get the tone I want for each number. Usually, not very much at all, but it's nice to have some flexibility on the bass itself. Of all the basses I own or have owned, the best onboard system I have yet to use (for me, anyway) is the J-Retro. The options, including the EQ, are really well thought out and I find I can dial just what I want really quickly and easily. Been using it for 5 years or so now and I still think it's just great. Mucho thanks to John East for a very well considered design.
Er, where were we again...?
Then during the set, I'll tweak the bass a bit from song to song to get the tone I want for each number. Usually, not very much at all, but it's nice to have some flexibility on the bass itself. Of all the basses I own or have owned, the best onboard system I have yet to use (for me, anyway) is the J-Retro. The options, including the EQ, are really well thought out and I find I can dial just what I want really quickly and easily. Been using it for 5 years or so now and I still think it's just great. Mucho thanks to John East for a very well considered design.
Er, where were we again...?
