Happy Jack Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 This guy is clearly a pretty decent player, is trying to help other DB players, and has made the effort to put together a careful and informative comparison of three types of strings. https://youtu.be/vIrKfQ33E2w I am absolutely NOT having a pop at him or taking the p***, far from it. But by the time his comparison has passed through his recording device, up to his YouTube, down my broadband, and through my soundcard into my sound system, in truth I can hear no difference worth mentioning. I should point out that I am using a decent PC, an upmarket sound-card, and running everything through a very good hi-fi system. I have no doubt that in reality there is a substantial difference to be heard ... he would hardly have bothered to upload it otherwise. Other views? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 (edited) Not really, I totally agree. Basing a decision about purchasing an electric bass (for example) on a YouTube performance is equally a waste of time for exactly the same reasons - too many parameters and too many differences or deficiencies in audio equipment to make an informed decision. Though I do understand that some people have little else to go on if impractical to compare instruments/gear in meatspace. Edited April 19, 2015 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowregisterhead Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1429451815' post='2751463'] Not really, I totally agree. Basing a decision about purchasing an electric bass (for example) on a YouTube performance is equally a waste of time for exactly the same reasons - too many parameters and too many differences or deficiencies in audio equipment to make an informed decision. Though I do understand that some people have little else to go on if impractical to compare instruments/gear in meatspace. [/quote] Very good point. I don't play DB, but I was wavering about going to see a bass I fancied the look of purely because the few 'demos' available on YouTube were seriously underwhelming tonally. I'm also pretty sure electric bass strings wouldn't sound that different squeezed through t'interweb if they were all, say, roundwounds. The difference for me is the feel, the continuity of tone up, down and across the neck, reliability and longevity. I think I'm going to go and see that bass tomorrow... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero9 Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 Listening through £4 headphones I noticed the difference with the Rotosounds, but the weedwackers and guts were indistinguishable. I think he may need a better kitchen to record in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twincam Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Im not sure ive heard plenty of good video's. I think the main problem for that video was it was the actual slapping noise in that kitchen made it probably harder to hear the difference, if he was just plucking away there would of been a more audible difference. Everyone sounds slightly different in playing anyhow so in a comparison i like to also hear there spoken opinions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianrendall Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Slightly off topic here, but what really grinds my gears with many online comparisons is the demonstrators belief that bass players only slap and play with plectrums... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 (edited) [quote name='ianrendall' timestamp='1429535151' post='2752327'] Slightly off topic here, but what really grinds my gears with many online comparisons is the demonstrators belief that bass players only slap and play with plectrums... [/quote] And also that it's necessary to play a dozen notes a second. I'd prefer to hear some sustained, fingerstyle notes so you can actually get some bearing on what the bass actually sounds like... I suppose really a better demonstration would be to record the bass being played in a band situation so you could get an idea of it [i]in concert.[/i] Edited April 20, 2015 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianrendall Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 (edited) [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1429535277' post='2752329'] And also that it's necessary to play a dozen notes a second. I'd prefer to hear some sustained, fingerstyle notes so you can actually get some bearing on what the bass actually sounds like... I suppose really a better demonstration would be to record the bass being played in a band situation so you could get an idea of it [i]in concert.[/i] [/quote] That and the protracted chordplay and tapping beyond the 12 fret. Edited April 20, 2015 by ianrendall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 [quote name='ianrendall' timestamp='1429535489' post='2752334'] That and the protracted chordplay and tapping beyond the 12 fret. [/quote] There's a [i]twelfth[/i] fret?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianrendall Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1429535880' post='2752343'] There's a [i]twelfth[/i] fret?? [/quote] Rumour has it there could be as many as 24. I still think they are meant as spares for the first five frets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 [quote name='ianrendall' timestamp='1429536246' post='2752348'] I still think they are meant as spares for the first five frets. [/quote] There's a [i]fifth [/i]fret?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianrendall Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1429536699' post='2752355'] There's a [i]fifth [/i]fret?? [/quote] It's at the dusty end of the neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ras52 Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 [quote name='ianrendall' timestamp='1429536246' post='2752348'] Rumour has it there could be as many as 24. I still think they are meant as spares for the first five frets. [/quote] Ibanez do a [b]30[/b]-fret [b]fretless[/b]!! http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/eb_page15.php?year=2015&area_id=3&cat_id=2&series_id=51&data_id=57&color=CL01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No lust in Jazz Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 [quote name='ianrendall' timestamp='1429535151' post='2752327'] Slightly off topic here, but what really grinds my gears with many online comparisons is the demonstrators belief that bass players only slap and play with plectrums... [/quote] Which bass demos show a bass played with slap and plectrums...? Slap and its many forms I accept is overdoene, but plectrum. Could you show me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianrendall Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 [quote name='No lust in Jazz' timestamp='1429539412' post='2752390'] Which bass demos show a bass played with slap and plectrums...? Slap and its many forms I accept is overdoene, but plectrum. Could you show me? [/quote] No I can't because my claim was unsubstantiated in the heat of the moment in order to add weight to my argument and have a cheap dig at pick players because I can neither slap nor use a pick properly and am just envious. 😎 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Badderer Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 [quote] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Ibanez do a [/font][/color][b]30[/b][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]-fret [/font][/color][b]fretless[/b][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]!![/font][/color] [/quote] so they just uproot a tree and screw it onto a bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No lust in Jazz Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 [quote name='ianrendall' timestamp='1429540227' post='2752409'] No I can't because my claim was unsubstantiated in the heat of the moment in order to add weight to my argument and have a cheap dig at pick players because I can neither slap nor use a pick properly and am just envious. [/quote] That's ok, I've re read my post and feel that the tone came across as a bit arrogant - so sorry if it did. I was hoping that there are some demo videos where the bass player plays with a plectrum and doesn't just play four bars of dunk, dunk, dunk before defining a new epoch in bass playing with his or her fingerstyle / slap chops. I'll have to keep watching Does Homour belong in Music..LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianrendall Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 [quote name='No lust in Jazz' timestamp='1429609912' post='2753056'] That's ok, I've re read my post and feel that the tone came across as a bit arrogant - so sorry if it did. I was hoping that there are some demo videos where the bass player plays with a plectrum and doesn't just play four bars of dunk, dunk, dunk before defining a new epoch in bass playing with his or her fingerstyle / slap chops. I'll have to keep watching Does Homour belong in Music..LOL [/quote] It's fine 😊 I think I misread it also. Let's hug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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