Vibrating G String

[quote name='Johnston' timestamp='1318622089' post='1404616'] within the same model and range though. It's not going to be the species of the wood making the difference as they should all be the same. But rather to me anyway re enforces that predicting what a lump of wood will do is going to be near impossible as there are that many differences between two alike instruments never mind between two different species. And if the range between the alike ones can be wide then there is going to be some cross over with other species. If that makes sense. [/quote] I followed you

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1318621842' post='1404610']The other example was with guitars, so opens a whole new can of worms, but again, one US Strat plus two Highway One Strats, again, one of the Highway Ones was miles in front of the other two. So, yes, I do think the wood has an important bearing on the bass, even if we can't always hear it when recorded. [/quote] I do like the even if we can't hear it part This anecdote to me strongly suggests that wood has no predictable or consistent control over tone. If it did the 2 H1's would be more similar. Not miles apart. Also that the difference between examples of the same model can be greater than the differences between different model, also going against the concept of predictibility.

[quote name='tauzero' timestamp='1318598181' post='1404160'] Indeed, it's quite obvious from your experiment that wood has nothing to do with it, otherwise they'd sound the same. [/quote] Only logically. Looked at in other ways the statement makes perfect sense.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1318593112' post='1404072'] Fascinating! Maple is Acer Saccharum, Rosewood is Dalbergia and Alder is Alnus Rubra! Every day's a school day. Fender used ash until 1956 when alder was also used. According to George Fullerton, the decision was motivated by cost and ease of finishing rather than any effect the change had on tone, which Fender did not consider a factor... [/quote]Back in the day the obvious ruler of tone was the finish, whether it breathed or not was a big factor in which nebulous adjectives would be obvious. The change to woods being the source of tone is more recent than the Fender decisions. I've seen people who can hear the difference between gold and silver hardware. Also a lot of people hear different gods and demons. All I ask is that someone can show this without requiring me to blindly have faith to see it. One Maple is Acer Saccharum, there are many kinds. Though they sound the same unless you know the difference ahead of time. Why don't we see wood experts who can hear more than a genus, and why don't we see wood whisperers who know the difference between genus and species? Over a hundred different maples and they all sound the same? They wouldn't if we could see the difference.

[quote name='bassman7755' timestamp='1318589932' post='1404003'] Quality of budget instruments is way higher today than when I first played 30 odd years ago. A £170 chinese bass/guitar is probably as good as a £3/400 instrument then, and that without allowing for inflation. [/quote] I'll take that concept into blasphemous range. Many Asian cheapies are much better than pre CBS Fenders by a long shot. Maybe not as cool to post on the internet but better to play music with. Also a new Honda outperforms a vintage Ferrari. Maybe not as cool to post on the internet...

My old Tokai Fender copy was like that. Many different sets of strings and the D was always quieter. Not a dead spot but a dead string. Never figured it out.

It's environmental because instead of clear cutting forests to sell cheap lumber they cut more slowly and make products for export. This provides much more money for the trees and the local people and slows the forests demise greatly. As humans we will still destroy everything but it will be much farther in the future when it happens. Bad things for those that believe in eminent domain and the rapture, good for those who like monkeys.

[quote name='Crazykiwi' timestamp='1318570547' post='1403796'] It's a no-brainer for me. [/quote] You said it I didn't

[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1318543849' post='1403686'] Damn, while I agree with your general view about the effects of woods I was hoping to agree with what you actually say. Oh well. [/quote] I don't believe you What a silly position to hold anyway. Why would you hope to agree with me instead of whatever reality is?

[quote name='risingson' timestamp='1318543789' post='1403684'] I'm all for posting up whatever really, no matter how many times its been covered, but the contentious issue of this subject tends to divide people into two camps: those who believe that the wood makes a difference, and those who think the difference is minimal. [/quote] Science vs. faith, never a pretty discussion But one that will always bring anger after the utterance of the phrase "can you demonstrate that to someone who doesn't already believe?". I never argue that people believe they can hear a difference, I just point out that none has ever demonstrated it outside the realm of self evaluations.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1318542670' post='1403675'] Or maybe [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/scrap-lumber-bass-vs-alder-bass-can-you-tell-difference-743932/"]this is everything you need to know about wood[/url]. [/quote] This link should be dismissed because it contains testing and not just boasting and blind faith and tonal decisions based on the color of the wood.

More pseudo science based on egos. IMO of course

Some love them, some hate them. Many will agree it comes down to the particular example you're looking at and how it fits you. Personally, for that money I think they're overpriced.

[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1318230247' post='1399311'] You're right, the number of people bothered to argue with your faith in your own limited experience and wisdom is reducing. [/quote] Good argument

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1316875628' post='1383959']im rapidly becoming a big fan of Tom Barney...[/quote] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeXPmj0ZT80

[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1317995552' post='1397095'] Thanks for your wise and valuable contribution to what would have been an interesting discussion. [/quote] Arguing with faith always ends like this, someone has to cry.

[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1317914631' post='1396197'] Yep, you're right and everyone else is wrong, the wood makes no difference and I was lying. Why wood, indeed? I lose. [/quote] The sarcasm seems childish but the conclusion is correct

[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1317831601' post='1395158'] >>I have a Harkte amp that sounds scooped, that must be "plywood" too. [/quote] See how silly that sounds? Just like all these other tone myths.

I haven't gotten one since the changeover. I looked at my settings and many of the notifications have been set to mobile app and not email. I changed that but it didn't help.

[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1317769731' post='1394492']Why would you suggest that all middly sounds result from a plywood body?[/quote]I was mocking the plywood sounds middly comment Is that your Jaydee in your avatar? They're often plywood. I have one "plywood" bass. It sounds scooped

I remember reading that they were dropped by the Asian builder. Shortly after that it became Sterling dumped them and that seems to be the current story. Once they ended they were discounted heavily in the US and I got my MM3 for $115 delivered to my door.

[quote name='Spaced' timestamp='1317072495' post='1386505']I would offer advice, but I'm not exactly a Peavey expert =/ [/quote] But this is the internet, we're all experts Grinds were also made in Vietnam.

[quote name='lemmywinks' timestamp='1317159413' post='1387595']it's surprising how similar cheap-mid price pickups are compared to the pricey ones...... [/quote] Aint that the truth! Tonally at least.

[quote name='cfmusic01' timestamp='1317151374' post='1387434']I have been talking to some bass player friends who have said the bass would really benefit from a new set of Bartolini Pickups. I am also under the impression that there are a variety of Bartolini pickups - does anyone know which specifically are most suitable for fretless basses? [/quote] I love Barts, they're in my fretless. But anyone who recommends a brand of pickup without discussing the many highly varied choices they have is simply a fan boy. Bart makes many variations, none are more suited for fretless. Some may be more suited for a particular fretless sound but they all work. I wouldn't change pickups until you can articulate a specific change you are going for and have already tried to get that change by using the knobs you have now.

[quote name='Spaced' timestamp='1317055299' post='1386101'] Chromatic Fantasy- Jaco =] [/quote] Bach actually But it's a good example of finding new stuff outside the bass world. If you want to stick to something that's already been done on bass this one's tough. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX8rOWMeiME