Need Forumites to calm me down!

[ptg]

Still have my fretless SR4 on order. Should be here in a few weeks.

When I bought it I was not aware of this forum and have recently read on a thread that a fretless without piezos is, well...lacking. (Obviously, mine is ordered without...)

I bought the bass because I played a '91 in a store and loved it. I have no idea if it had piezos. How can you tell?

Now I'm worried that the growl that I loved on that bass won't be present on mine. Help!!!!

 

[Psycho Ward]

Calm down, my Sterling fretless has no piezo's and sounds great! So there, now calm down, it'll be alright.

 

[mdc]

You will love it. It will growl, and everything.

 

[bovinehost]

The piezos add a natural sort of airiness to the tone, which could also be interpreted as calming down the growl.

So you'll have plenty of growl.

(And now you have an excuse to buy another bass.)

Jack

 

[ptg]

Thanks so much!! You guys are the best!! I feel much better. Wish I had a little face for a sense of relief. But for now

 

[Big Poppa]

woof

 

[adouglas]

I have no idea if it had piezos. How can you tell?

On the back of the bass, there's an extra access plate where the bridge is located.

Also, the bridge saddles are different. Piezo saddles are little rectangular blocks. Plain saddles are round.

The knobs are laid out differently. The piezo version has an extra knob (blend between the piezo and the magnetic pickup).

You can see all of these except the bridge saddles in this pic:

More pics here, including one that shows the bridge a bit more clearly:

MusicMan Basses 4 String Piezo Models

I'm a confirmed piezo addict, but worry not. It'll sound great even without 'em.

 

[ptg]

Thanks for the pics; they really helped! From my memory it did not have the extra knob or backplate.

You say you love the piezos and I'm sure they're great, but for my first EB I was working off what I heard and was hoping to replicate that sound.

Jack, I'll let my wife know about wanting another bass as soon as she starts talking to me again after buying this one! lol

 

[Dr Stankface]

My buttercream fretless SR5 has plenty of growl.

 

[prickly_pete]

I don't know what year the piezo was introduced, but I'm almost certain it wasn't as early as 1991.

 

[Caca de Kick]

ptg,

Piezos came out in the last few years, they were never around back then, so don't worry, it will sound great.

 

[Caca de Kick]

I'll let my wife know about wanting another bass as soon as she starts talking to me again after buying this one! lol

Just buy it!
It's easier to ask for forgiveness, than for permission.

-Mike

 

[bovinehost]

Jack, I'll let my wife know about wanting another bass as soon as she starts talking to me again after buying this one! lol

You consult her about buying basses?

Does she ask you about lipstick? Shoes? Panty liners? Hmmm?

 

[ptg]

It's easier to ask for forgiveness, than for permission.

-Mike

Ohhhh, I like that!

Thanks everyone for all of the info!!

 

[tkarter]

Are you calm now or just in more trouble with the wife?


tk

 

[ptg]

You consult her about buying basses?

Does she ask you about lipstick? Shoes? Panty liners? Hmmm?

You're right! A bass is an essential part of everyday life. I need to take charge! I need to be in control of my...What? Yes, dear. Right now, dear....

Mike, not only am I calmer now, thank you very much, but your words of wisdom will be with me always as you can tell by my new signature. Hope you don't mind that I tweaked it. Still, one of the funniest things I've read