Musicman sound comparison vs other basses

[pringlw]

Guys I was finding it frustrating that I couldn't get a clear comparison of the sound of different basses. You can go to youtube easily enough to get an idea of the sound of a bass, but of course you have different players, different songs, different amps, etc.

So I decided to try an experiment. I posted a youtube video which is basically a cover of Freewill. But I switch between 7 different basses in the video.

EBMM Sterling
Pre-EB Stingray (82 - not one of the really sweet years, but I still love the bass)
Fender Custom Shop Deluxe Jazz
Rickenbacker 4003
Rickenbacker 4001FL
Fodera NYC
Lakland 4-94

All the basses have both pickups on, and either flat eq (if its active) or open tone (if its passive). For the Sterling I used switch position number 4.

Anyway it turned out to be a pretty interesting project. I posted this at talkbass already and got a lot of responses so if you saw it there - here it is again. The Musicman basses were well liked at talkbass (as was the Rick)

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YVp8oaQZ0Y]YouTube - Free Will Bass Cover with comparison of 7 famous basses[/ame]

 

[five7]

Great job!

 

[Manfloozy]

Thanks for putting this together. I've seen a small handful like this but far too few... Major props and thanks for your work on this!

 

[Holdsg]

excellent job, you play great.

each bass has its distinct voice, and the MMs sound the best. Glad you threw in that fretless for some real variety. I have to say that Fender sounds like Fran Fine (The Nanny) with even more nasal congestion.

 

[oli@bass]

Thanks!

 

[Mabongohogany]

Well, to be Honest...(Why Not!)

I'm not sure what it proves, if anything. On a Ric Forum, you'll hear kudos to the Rics, etc etc.

Plus- You're playing a note-for-note version gives me no reference (nor should it) to what would happen if I picked up each of those basses- string choices etc. nonwithstanding-

I have a 4003, I have a H Sterling, I have a Lakland,... I have a whole lotta other fine basses.
Your tone on the Ric and the MM don't sound anything like I do when I play-
My attack and approach are completely different; let alone my rig(s) let alone my signal chain; and let alone your recording.

Not meant to bite your head off; really, good on you for posting your playing and showing your bass arsenal.

But no vid defines the tone of any bass, whether it's you or Ed Friedland or me...

And the endless rounds of forum argumentation about which Basses and Amps sound "Best" is always best not broached
We're all the determinant of that, but anyhow-

Thanks for posting that.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Nice playing. I think the Sterling HS sounds really good.

 

[rizzo9247]

Great playing!

I listened to the video as I was cleaning up around the room and honestly could barely tell the difference when you switched basses. You sound like you quite honestly. I know these basses sound different, maybe the song was a bad example to showcase that because the hard attack made them blend together. Perhaps a slower tempo song with a softer touch would give us a better sample.

 

[adouglas]

The contrast between the Sterling and that 7ender is quite astonishing.

 

[Infidelity]

Great playing!

I listened to the video as I was cleaning up around the room and honestly could barely tell the difference when you switched basses. You sound like you quite honestly. I know these basses sound different, maybe the song was a bad example to showcase that because the hard attack made them blend together. Perhaps a slower tempo song with a softer touch would give us a better sample.

I agree..

 

[MrMusashi]

headphones.. does wonders for fine details

no way your computer speakers get anywhere near a good set of headphones

MrM

 

[Alex001]

Removing all other variables and just taking THIS PARTICULAR video into account, the Lakland takes it for me.

 

[Road Pop]

Wow

 

[paranoid70]

Nice dude. You sure have some killer basses.

 

[Chuck B]

Thanky for doing this, great job!
I've been surprised how that 7ender sounds compared to those great other basses. Liked the Sterling, yeah!
But as mentioned above - I don't know how those basses will sound played by me through my rig...

 

[keko]

Great enthusiasm, well done!

I'm whole different bass player, more bridge finger style, so it was very interesting to see/hear how does it sounds playing this way, more centered to neck pup finger style!

I have only one thing to add, I think it would be better that You have been used position 3 (H & S/Phantom) for Sterling HS, 'cause Lakland have H & S in center position, so it' was not equal pickup config when You used coils 2+3 for Sterling, but never mind, well done anyway!

Anyway, 7ender sounded most complete in Your hands!
(my personal impression)

 

[BassMent]

Nicely done... you play very well.

I was listening through headphones but not watching the vid (doing some real work at my office). The two that made me click back to the vid based on their sound were the Sterling and the Fodera. The Lakland did not suck.

But then I wondered, where was the vintage 'Ray? So I replayed it, and I really didn't care for it! No offense to you fans of the pre-EBs, but I had the same reaction when I played a gorgeous mint green Classic 5 at GC... loved the look, loved the feel, but couldn't get the tone I like out of it. Guess I'm a junkie for the 3-band multi-pickup configurations.

 

[rizzo9247]

Now heard with headphones...

Listening blindly and just numbering when the bass changes, then going back to see what instrument was what, I've ranked the top three accordingly:

1-Pre EB Stingray
2-Sterling
3-Fodera

The contrast between the Sterling and that 7ender is quite astonishing.

I think that goes without saying ...

 

[T Alan]

The fender was the biggest standout...in a negative way. Much too smooth in comparison. I liked the Stingray a hair more than the Sterling for this style. But I like the Sterling better otherwise with the s/h pups. The Lakland was similar to my ears to the Sterling with more richness. The Fodera was my overall fave.

 

[oli@bass]

Funny. I dug Ricky.

And I had the impression that StingRay was not set to "neutral" but to bass and treble completely rolled off, which means they were cut.