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Why do people like complicated basses?

#181
Generally I'm in to streamlined controls on my guitars, but I prefer an active EQ on my bass. For me I use the amp to get "my sound" and use the onboard EQ to tailor the sound on the fly while playing since it's right there and I don't have to go back to my amp to tweak it.

I like a more modern sound I guess.
 
#182
I've told this story elsewhere on TB, but this thread makes me think it bears repeating:

Back when I was in grad school at the conservatory I got into a long conversation about aesthetics & values in our original music. Composer Arthor Weinstein made the claim "I value simplicity!" and he & I began arguing over which one of us valued simplicity more, pointing to specific examples from our works to try to back up this claim. After about 20 minutes of this we noticed that Steve Norton (also a composer) had not contributed anything to the conversation, and we said "What about you, Steve?"

Steve calmly replied "I value complexity."
 
#184
BigOldHarry said:
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...
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Ditto. In terms of the development of tones, its the amplifier industry that is is miles ahead in the guitar industry.
 
#185
Hoover said:
I've told this story elsewhere on TB, but this thread makes me think it bears repeating:

Back when I was in grad school at the conservatory I got into a long conversation about aesthetics & values in our original music. Composer Arthor Weinstein made the claim "I value simplicity!" and he & I began arguing over which one of us valued simplicity more, pointing to specific examples from our works to try to back up this claim. After about 20 minutes of this we noticed that Steve Norton (also a composer) had not contributed anything to the conversation, and we said "What about you, Steve?"

Steve calmly replied "I value complexity."
Click to expand...


Somehow that really sums up this thread, too. :atoz:
 
#191
lamarjones said:
I know. But your initial post and title calls all basses with a certain number of knobs 'complicated'. Im coming from the same angle you are, just the opposite direction. Think about how that feels.
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Uh, no. That's not it. For one thing it was the OP first used the term "complicated", I was merely echoing that. Second, how do you think it feels when you use the terms "technically inferior" referring to those who choose "simpler" instruments. That could be construed as an insult by some.
Let me just end by saying, for simplicity's sake (which I am a fan of:D) I like simpler basses, not because I can't figure out the more "complicated" basses, but because I choose not to, that's all.
 
#193
thebrain said:
I think if you need fancy electronics to make it sound the way you want, then it's just a crappy sounding instrument. I've found that when you try to get the sound you want from electronics, it's never quite right anyways because one bass simply can't do it all no matter how many more pickups, knobs, flux capacitors or whatever it has. You want growly? Ricky. Fat? P bass. Smooth and solid? Jazz. Punchy? Music Man. Thin and transparent? Warwick (haha kidding Warwick guys... but not really). That's my opinion, all those tone options are better left to the amp (like mentioned earlier) and I say choose the right guitar for the sound you want, not gizmos...complicated is dumb sometimes
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lol, though to some this mindset is a way of life :D glad it works for you

Raymeous said:
Generally I'm in to streamlined controls on my guitars, but I prefer an active EQ on my bass. For me I use the amp to get "my sound" and use the onboard EQ to tailor the sound on the fly while playing since it's right there and I don't have to go back to my amp to tweak it.

I like a more modern sound I guess.
Click to expand...

+1
over the years, i have found a wonderful option in having sweepable mids on board, regardless. 'tailoring' can resolve room/inherent instrument shortcomings, even with those fenders
:D
 
#196
thebrain said:
Except when the 9 volt dies while you're onstage. It would kill the volume altogether when that happened on my old Warwick. I stopped using active electronics after it happened to me twice and have never looked back.
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well, you would then need to pay attention to the fact the instrument you are playing has a battery that should be checked/replaced from time to time? surely this is a standard practice when using/owning active instruments? you do change your strings when they become 'dull', break, or whatnot?
 
#198
m.oreilly said:
well, you would then need to pay attention to the fact the instrument you are playing has a battery that should be checked/replaced from time to time? surely this is a standard practice when using/owning active instruments? you do change your strings when they become 'dull', break, or whatnot?
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I don't care to think of every little thing everyday. Those batteries would last a year and then all of a sudden in a matter of seconds - 90% volume drop. Anyone who gigs a lot knows there will be times when stuff happens that you should have thought about but didn't. I replace my strings when they go dull, but it doesn't happen in seconds, it takes days or weeks. How many fuses for your amp do you have? Because I think I have yet to meet anyone that carries spares to every gig, but they do blow once in a while.
 

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