Lowender

Not sure if it's virtuosity, but the bass player sounded more like a rock / funk player with some chops. Nice, but it actually takes away from the "authenticity" a bit.

It's just seems dumb and dumb ideas tend not to last. I guess if you're obsessed with balance and structure and never play beyond the 12th fret it may have appeal, but there's also the dorkiness factor to consider.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1380385657' post='2224619'] Scientifically speaking ( and I've got a Grade 3 C.S.E in Biology , so I know what I'm talking about ) , older wood usually has a lower moisture content and the resin contained within the grain of the wood crystallises over time , supposedly giving it a different resonance [/quote] Also, there is something called "metal fatigue." When metal vibrates over time it actually changes molecular structure. This is why old saxophones sound more mellow and cymbals go dead. (No, it isn't from a build up of dirt as many believe). It's the same with strings -- you can clean them, but they just lose high end after being played over time. As far as that is a factor in a guitar is arguable.

One year shiny chrome is in fashion, the next year it's brushed chrome. One year it's pastel colors, the next year it's muted colors. White brick. Aged brick. High gloss finishes / Satin finishes, etc, etc, etc. Once people realized, that worn out nitro finishes looked cool, they became fashionable. I think it's fine, though it does hint of being disingenuous if the person is trying to pretend that wear comes from actually being on the road for years. And yeah, when people talk about the sound of "aged instruments" they forget that all of those classic recordings were done on new instruments. (Though some will claim the wood was older -- though I'm not so sure).

Johann Sebastian Bach. Because he not only realized the bass was equally as important as the upper register (and wrote parts as such) ,the genius of his sense of voice leading has never been surpassed. He wrote the book... and we all just quote from it.

That's awesome! Thanks so much.

I think basses and guitars can be beautiful, but curiously, the ones that try hard to be special looking tend to do nothing for me.

Here's a statement. Seems to work pretty well. Mostly swing, mostly electric. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vE4FoJ4Cr4

In the U.S. The finish is poly. Not sure if they ship overseas. They also run sales. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/sterling-by-music-man-s.u.b.-ray4-bass-guitar

[quote name='spencer.b' timestamp='1380054597' post='2220299'] On the whole I find EB doesn't really swing ( although I love swallow, jaco, jeff andrews etc ) in a straight ahead setting and for me it's something to do with the right hand. Not really sure why exactly but maybe it's to with the amount of flesh on the string and the weight of the arm and the sense of momentum this generates with the crotchet feel ? [/quote] I think it's also the "upright" direction. I find that if I play an electric in the upright position (on a stool) it seems to swing better. There's no logic behind that reasoning, it just is.

Really nice work! I've done similar comparisons but not as extensive. The immediate response is -- there isn't as big of a difference as one might think between any of them -- which proposes the argument "Is a $3000 Sadowsky really that much better than a $300 Squier?" I felt the 62 J had a wee bit more character than the others. The MM is obviously hotter and it's own thing. Not surprising-- Fodera's sound thin. No offense to Fodera owners (of which I was one) they play great but don't sound like anything special. To me. And they look exotic when new but since they don't finish them, they wear quickly -- and not in a nitro way, they just look like worn wood. NOT what I want from a $7000 instrument.

[quote name='brensabre79' timestamp='1380116501' post='2221027'] Or if you want 'Fender like' as opposed to 'Fake Fender' you could try [url="http://shop.rothkoandfrost.co.uk/custom-headstock-waterslide-decal-p/sf118.htm"]here[/url]. (see, I read the OP before resorting to sarcasm) [/quote] I find it's best to never pass up an opportunity for sarcasm. But I did try to help. : /

There is no better P bass than a pre CBS P bass. The early 62 reissues made in the 80's come close. Other than that, they're all a pale copy.

There is this amazing thing called the internet. You can do what is called a "search" and it helps find what you;re looking for. I'm pretty computer savvy and have already figured out how to do it, so here you go -- just this once though. : ) (link removed)

[quote name='Greggo' timestamp='1380045238' post='2220086'] It is really confusing the line up - musicman subs, sterling subs, sterling ray 34s etc. [/quote] I have an old Sterling and have to explain that it isn't the new budget line Sterlings. It's so stupid. How tough is it to come up with different names? lol

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1380049503' post='2220166'] Stop it, the pair of you, or I'll start deleting posts [/quote] I'm not the one doing the attacking -- only responding to it. But I stopped. : )

[quote name='Greggo' timestamp='1380029637' post='2219761'] Is that not the newer sterling SUB ? [/quote] Yeah, I didn't realize the topic was about the older US models. The new ones are indonesian, amazingly good and ridiculously priced.

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1380015019' post='2219412'] Reel it in guys. Swallow is a master musician who cannot be easily defined by one track. Try Shoe Dog, Alfie or Away, 3 tracks he has done with John Scofield. The secret is not to be able PLAY the solos but to be able to CONCEIVE them. There are few as musical as Good Citizen Swallow. [/quote] That's the wonderful thing about music! If you play the right notes in the right place, it can sound glorious. And it's all subjective. Ace Frehley plays the right notes in the right place so who's to say his solos aren't as great as Pat Metheny's? It's all taste. Steve's playing just doesn't hit me for the reasons stated. He's a fine musician. I just hear it as rather generic and a tad dull. To ME. It's funny though that you thought I was making that judgement from that one clip. lol As for PLAYING and CONCEIVING a solo -- it's really the same thing, unless you're talking about copying something. Anyone can disagree with this...but save the personal attacks.

[quote name='LeftyJ' timestamp='1380009424' post='2219308'] Actually, the USA SUBs were made in the same facility in San Luis Obispo, USA as the regular Music Man instruments [/quote] Mine says "Made in Indonesia." : /

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1380028150' post='2219721'] Oh it's a message board alright. It's just that some messages are totally irrelevant and aren't worth reading but thanks for reminding me pal. [/quote] What you really mean to say is you think anything you disagree with is irrelevant. I think posts that make such comments are irrelevant. To each his own.

They're Stingrays made in a place where the labor is a tenth of the U.S. I already have a MM and I had to buy one because it's just too good of a deal.

For some reason, I find heavier basses sound better than light ones and lighter guitars sound better than heavy ones. Go figure.

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1379978854' post='2219188'] I was simply answering a request from someone who asked whether anyone could recommend any Steve Swallow recordings. I really couldn't care less what you think at all. [/quote] And I don't care what you think. What a coincidence. It's a message board pal. People give their opinions. It creates discussion. No need to be an arse about it.

Describing sound is like describing taste. You really have to experience it yourself. However... The basic difference in humbucker and single coil (in bass and guitar) is that humbuckers obviously have no hum (which seems like a huge advantage) are fuller and usually have more output. Single coils are grittier but prettier. They usually require more of a signal boost but when matching humbuckers output they have a very unique tonality that many prefer. But again, you have to experience to know what that is.

P's are humbucking and J's are single coil.