Harryburke14 Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 (edited) So basically I went into the local music shop this morning for the usual expendables (strings, picks, cables, etc) and while I was there picked up a Rickenbacker 4003 in Walnut with maple through neck and some push-pull vintage voicing switch. I don't know if it was just in my head, but this bass made me feel as though I was a better bassist. It was so easy to play and sounded so brilliant I am now sad I don't have the £2000 to have left with it. Usually, I feel like a blagger, with that I felt just like Bruce Foxton, as if the 25 people in the shop were actually 250,000 people in a big arena. So my question is does anyone have an experience of playing a bass that made them play bass better? Or is it just a psychological thing? Edited March 11, 2017 by Harryburke14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 Modulus Flea, I can play stuff I those I can't play on any other bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 [quote]. . . . Ever played a bass that made you think you played better?. . . . [/quote] All the time. IMO sounding and playing better is the only reason for buying the next one. Is it a psychological thing? Not if you do it properly and assess the new gear with your head and not your heart. If you do it like that then you probably are playing better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harryburke14 Posted March 11, 2017 Author Share Posted March 11, 2017 [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1489236045' post='3255361'] All the time. IMO sounding and playing better is the only reason for buying the next one. Is it a psychological thing? Not if you do it properly and assess the new gear with your head and not your heart. If you do it like that then you probably are playing better. [/quote] It was strange. I have never been able to slap, but that rick (while I know ricks aren't the choice of slap basses) had me thinking that slap really isn't an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinball Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 That happens to me even when I swap beween nice instruments. They inspire you to play better and to enjoy the listening experience more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mastodon2 Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 I've only started playing bass recently but in my experience of 15 years on guitar, there are those instruments that just have the perfect setup and make everything seem so easy. I've played some expensive guitars that had terrible setups - we're talking £2000+ "prestige" instruments from various American and European manufacturers who seem to ship guitars set up by the work experience kid. The best playing guitar I ever owned was a mid-range Indonesian built Ibanez that literally had the perfect setup for me - I could play cleaner and with less effort, the net result I can cleanly play things at speeds I just couldn't manage on other guitars. There have been times I've picked something up and found it pretty much exactly to my liking, or fiddled with the setup myself to get it there and I've found them very inspiring instruments to use. The ideas just seem to flow so freely when it feels like there are no barriers between my hands and the music in my head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 My Wal had the reverse effect...made me think I played worse! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonEdward Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 Yes - it was many years' ago at The Gallery in Camden. Martin P had a Jaydee Custom 4, which was possibly a slightly shorter scale (33"??) than what I'm used to, and the action was quite low which made it ultra-playable. Add a David Eden World Tour amp + cab ~ and it was just one of the best 1/2 hour I've had testing a Bass whilst in a shop. I didn't want to put it down. I think it is slightly psychological ~ the solution is (possibly) to make sure that your Basses are set up properly in the first place! :+) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowla Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 When I got out my old Ric after maybe 10 years and used a plectrum, I suddenly thought "Crikey - that's good!". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 Kramer DMZ4401 aluminium neck bass, TI flats. Hard to explain but the notes almost play themselves off the frets. They 'resonate' with energy, liveliness and a 'rubbery' feel. I have no other bass that does this, even with same TI flats on. The bass just says 'play me and I will make you sound good'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 9 times out of 10 its the setup, but yes absolutely, Funnily enough, though, a walnut 4003 I tried at guitarguitar had the opposite effect for me.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 (edited) Yes a jap 62 reissue P that I stupidly sold on Partner said "keep it if you like it" but we were a bit strapped and I passed the chance up Edited March 12, 2017 by Geek99 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister RLP Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 A green p bass by Lakland at Guitar Guitar in Epsom a few years ago was rather nice. Great tone. Light weight. I could slap - haven't been able to do it since! Should have taken that one home with me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ Spicer Posted March 12, 2017 Share Posted March 12, 2017 When I picked up my Sadowsky UV70 I immediately felt I played better. It made me try things there in the shop that I didn't think I could play, and it gave me the confidence to do so and seemingly execute them. More recently my Fodera YYS (I guess this should be expected!) is the bass that makes me play without having to think about the bass itself. I was fortunate enough to be able to take both home with me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defo Posted March 12, 2017 Share Posted March 12, 2017 First time I tried a Dingwall I thought the fact the fanned frets didn't bother me was because i was so good- I should be so lucky... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Posted March 12, 2017 Share Posted March 12, 2017 [quote name='Pinball' timestamp='1489237077' post='3255368'] That happens to me even when I swap beween nice instruments. They inspire you to play better and to enjoy the listening experience more. [/quote] ^^ This! I've currently got the following sat behind my in my study/practise room: They all play and sound very different and I get inspiration from each. Currently getting a massive amount of payback from the Thumb fretless and the Sandberg (it's on fresh strings!!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted March 12, 2017 Share Posted March 12, 2017 My playing notably improved when I bought my first really good bass - an Overwater Original in 1993, because that was the point when I realised that I could no longer blame any short comings in my playing on the instrument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krispn Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 Dingwall Super PZ5 maple neck and flats. Effortless!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyctes Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 I don't think so. Flatwounds do though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krispn Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 [quote name='alyctes' timestamp='1489366589' post='3256428'] I don't think so. Flatwounds do though. [/quote] +1 They do really make a difference. I just always feel more comfortable on a bass with flats. A guy I'm starting to work with tried out my bass last week and fell in love with the feel immediately! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
planer Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 I've played a few that made me [i]wish [/i]I played better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 It's most likely the setup and strings being different to what you are used to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 Not really. I've never found a bass where [b][i]everything[/i][/b] was perfect. Plenty with [b][i]some[/i][/b] outstanding features, but then always something else that made me move on... The quest continues! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost_Bass Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 Of course! that's why i kept upgrading my main bass until i've found "the one" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted March 18, 2017 Share Posted March 18, 2017 I used to have a Status Series II that gave me this feeling. It was one of those instruments that just felt incredible to play, so effortless. It was so easy to play, with such low, clean action that it did make me sound better than usual. Essentially, it gave the feeling of the absolute minimum impedance to my playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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