A / B Test

[cybersnyder]

Tonight at Guitar Center I was able to A/B a SR4 HH and a SR5 HH through a Markbass TA501 and Markbass 4x10. First off, I can see what BP means about wanting a Markbass amp with just a Gain, Volume, VLE and VPF. Those are the only knobs I used with the VLE and VPF in about the 12 o'clock position.

The SR4 HH produced some of the best sounds I've heard from a bass. My favorite was the neck position cut a little treble boost the mids and boost a little lows. It's the sound I hear in my head when I hum along with the radio or think of bass lines. Warm, deep and responsive. Perfect fingerstyle sound.

Then I set the SR5 HH the same and tried it. Not even close to the same sound. The SR5 HH had an upper mid "zing" to the sound and didn't sound as warm to me. (Not that it's a bad sound, just different.)

I think the SR4 HH uses Alnico while the SR5 HH uses ceramic magnets. Not sure if that's the difference or if the electronics differ between the two. Also saw some mention of one being wired in series and the other in parallel.

I'd love to have an SR5 HH wired like an SR4 HH, with the SR4 HH electronics (if they differ) and the Alnico pickups. That would be a killer bass. The SR4 HH is a killer bass, but I would miss the low B. Don't use it much, but I like throwing in a deep, deep not every now and then.

 

[adouglas]

I love hearing the sound in your head. That's the real criterion. Opinions, reviews...all of that is irrelevant. It's all about hearing what YOU want to hear.

I play a Bongo because it's the first bass I've found that makes the sound in my head. It's as simple as that...end of story.

I'm also a big fan of doing careful A/B comparisons of equipment and listening with a critical ear. Hooking up with the "flavor of the month" and going "ooh, aah" means absolutely nothing unless you take the time, effort and attention to determine if it really is better than what you're already using.

So bravo for making the effort to do a real comparison with controlled conditions.

I'd respectfully recommend, though, that you also try the basses in a band situation. I've found through experience that what you hear when you play solo does not necessarily translate into good tone when you start playing with other musicians.

Specifically, I've learned that a tone which at first seems thin/midrangey/honky when played solo is actually just about perfect when you're playing with others. That warm, rich, full tone we all groove on in the practice room has a habit of getting lost in the mix.

Just my $0.02. Try it and decide for yourself.

 

[cybersnyder]

Yeah, I know what you're saying. For example, I hate the sound of a P bass soloed. But I'll be damned if it doesn't sound good in a mix.

 

[bdgotoh]

I like the sound of the alnicos in the HH SR4 too.

I've heard that the 20th Anniversary SR5 will have alnico pickups next year.

 

[cybersnyder]

Thanks. Found the thread titled "Why?" and this post from BP:

http://ernieball.com/forums/showpost.php?p=283695&postcount=4

The SR5 20th will have the switching I want *and* alnico pickups. Damn!

 

[Rano Bass]

Just wait for the 20th SR5, is exactly what you want

 

[cybersnyder]

No details on the SR5 20th yet, after reading all 20 pages of the mega thread. Somehow I don't think it's going to be my dream bass black, white pickguard, rosewood and black headstock. I like the tuxedo look. I hate when the banner of the SR4 that's spec'ed like that show up on the top of the forum. If I could pleasure myself to a picture of a bass, that would be it. (But that would be too weird even for this forum. Heh.)

Just please, no gold hardware!

Patience, patience, I know.