P Bass blind test

[TheGreek]

I've posted something in the "Events" thread but recognise that I'll probably get a bigger audience here so...

As part of the Herts Bash 2 I'd like to put on a blind test for P basses, testing different brands in different price brackets to see how different they are and whether people can tell the difference.

If you're planning on coming to the Herts Bash and own a P Bass please bring it along. Might be helpful if I know in advance what you're bringing so we can prepare some paperwork for those who choose to get involved...

Hopefully see you there..

[gary mac]

Good idea Mick. It should be interesting, so many variables, string choice, set up, pups etc.

[TheGreek]

Just a reminder for those attending to let us know if you're planning on bringing a P Bass. The more variants the better...

[TheGreek]

Moving this forward..can anybody planning on bringing a P Bass for the test put the following details on this thread in preparation for the day.

Name/Brand of bass
Country of origin
Estimated original cost
Fretboard - RW/M/other
Strings - flats-v-rounds-v-other and steel-v-nickel (should we also consider brand?)
Type of p/ups

We may ask for more info later depending...

Thanks

Edited May 29, 2014 by TheGreek

[bigd1]

What would you be testing for, is the idea to look at good value, great playability,feel or sound ?
Or are you looking to test like for like eg. Squire v Yamaha etc.

Edited May 30, 2014 by bigd1

[TheGreek]

Blind test - can people tell the difference between high end-v- low end, rosewood-v-maple, nickel-v-stainless steel, etc.

[barkin]

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1401391995' post='2463255']
Moving this forward..can anybody planning on bringing a P Bass for the test put the following details on this thread in preparation for the day.

Name/Brand of bass
Country of origin
Estimated original cost
Fretboard - RW/M/other
Strings - flats-v-rounds-v-other and steel-v-nickel (should we also consider brand?)
Type of p/ups

We may ask for more info later depending...

Thanks
[/quote]

I could bring a Westone Thunder 1 along (is this allowed? It's not really a P, but it's like a P)
Japan (1982, Matsumoku)
RW fretboard
Rotosound steel rounds
Original single passive split P-style pickup - possibly a Di-Marzio knock-off...not sure.

Will there be a prize for the heaviest bass known to man?

Edited May 30, 2014 by barkin

[seashell]

I'll post the details of my Mexican Fender P in a day or two. Will have to do a bit of research first. Not sure of what the original price would have been.

Also don't know what kind of p/ups it has.
D'you mean there's more than one sort?!

[JamesBass]

Looking forward to the results of this!

String brand is something many people will want to know about also, well I would want to know anyway aha!

[spacey]

If someone turns up with a 76-78 maple board USA and plugs it in I think everyone else will just go home to avoid the embarrsment.

[Lozz196]

[quote name='spacey' timestamp='1401485153' post='2464223']
If someone turns up with a 76-78 maple board USA and plugs it in I think everyone else will just go home to avoid the embarrassment.
[/quote]

That would be me, I`m presenting the session, and my trusty black/black/maple `78 is going to make an appearance.

Edited May 30, 2014 by Lozz196

[lowdown]

This sounds like a very interesting little exercise, and it will be fun to find out the results.

I was trying to visualise how you would go about the blind test.

Would people be led off to a small room one by one and then sat on a stool in front of a camera,
Someone (possibly a mod) places a black hood over their head,
followed by a version of a P Bass slung around their neck,
Then unison screaming demands that they play Moondance?

I suppose after relatives have been informed,
the resulting outcome would then be posted up on Basschat like one of those terrorist hostage videos?

[spacey]

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1401485475' post='2464226']
That would be me, I`m presenting the session, and my trusty black/black/maple `78 is going to make an appearance.
[/quote]

Set of New Rotosound swing bass, 100w valve head and thats that won then.

[pete.young]

[quote name='bigd1' timestamp='1401436665' post='2463513']
Or are you looking to test like for like eg. Squire v Yamaha etc.
[/quote]

BB2024 owners form an orderly queue please!

[Jonnyboy Rotten]

Name/Brand of bass - Squier P Affinity
Country of origin - China
Estimated original cost- £120ish new. I bought it second hand for £50 and spent another £120ish on parts.
Fretboard - RW/M/other - Rosewood
Strings - DR Black Beauties
Type of p/ups - Seymour Duncan SPB-3 Quarter Pounders

[hertsbass]

Name/brand - Fender Precision
Country of origin - USA, 2012
Est original cost - £1k (new)
Fretboard - Maple
Strings - D'Addario Flatwound Chromes
P/ups - Custom Shop 60s
Neck reshaped to a Jazz profile by Jon Shuker

I'll also bring along my 2001 Fender Mustang MIJ reissue. Like a short scale P. Don't know if it'll qualify for the test but it's there if you want it!

Edited June 4, 2014 by hertsbass

[Grand Wazoo]

Are Dingwall Super P basses allowed?

if so

Dingwall Super P/J 5 string
Fiesta Red body / Alder
Hand Made in Saskatoon, Canada by Sheldon Dingwall
Freetboard Maple with block mop inlays
Strings: Dingwall Nickel
Pickups Dingwall own
Neck: Maple
Glockenklang Two band preamp with active / passive switch.

[lemmywinks]

Would it not be better to keep the variables down to the bare minimum? It would be better as a test if you were actually testing for specific things rather than having a million different P basses all with different components, setups and strings, might not be as much fun as an event though!

At the moment every bass is different so nothing is really comparable, the results might not mean a whole much if there is no control.

[charic]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Name/brand - Fender Precision[/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Country of origin - Mexico, 2006 (I think)[/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Est original cost - £350[/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Fretboard - Gloss Maple[/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Strings - D'Addario ProSteels(.110)[/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]P/ups - 1/4lb Seymour Duncan[/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Bridge : BAII[/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Neck replaced by Jon Shuker[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Hehehe yeah it's a bit modded [/font][/color]

[TheGreek]

In principle we're looking to compare as many different basses which fit the P bass "model" - obviously they'll all be tested in passive mode (if you're bringing an active P bass) - however we may have to be flexible on the day. For now we're looking at variety to test whether people can/can't tell the difference. I'll discuss it with Lozz who's running the test.

[seashell]

OK, stupid question but how can I tell what sort of p/ups my bass has? They are just the ones that were on there when I got it.

[Dad3353]

[quote name='seashell' timestamp='1401980708' post='2468875']...They are just the ones that were on there when I got it.
[/quote]

It doesn't matter what they are, as in that case they need changing, as everyone seems to swap out original stuff, whatever it is. Put a set of [[i]insert here whatever's fashionable at the time of reading[/i]...] on it and improve your bass no end.

[Grand Wazoo]

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1401976611' post='2468835']
In principle we're looking to compare as many different basses which fit the P bass "model" - obviously they'll all be tested in passive mode (if you're bringing an active P bass) - however we may have to be flexible on the day. For now we're looking at variety to test whether people can/can't tell the difference. I'll discuss it with Lozz who's running the test.
[/quote]

Ok never mind then, I'll pass. Cheers You lot are frettists.... (prejudiced againt fanned frets) so ram it up your ..... I ain't coming.

Edited June 5, 2014 by Grand Wazoo

[BigRedX]

Is this a test to see if playing a P-Bass will make you go blind? ;-)

[TheGreek]

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1401983818' post='2468919']
Is this a test to see if playing a P-Bass will make you go blind? ;-)
[/quote]

No, that's something that your mother should have warned you about...