phaty 3 Posted February 14, 2015 I was totally okay with my Mark Hoppus Fender until I stated to play through the PJB Bighead Headphone Amp and Beyerdynamic DT 770 Headphones ... that is all good stuff! But the sound of my bass now is horrible - to a point where it is annoying so I want to stop. If I play it through my Hughes & Kettner combo or through my bass teachers mixer in his studio it sounds just wonderful to me. So what do I get there? Is that headphone sound simply the naked truth of what the instrument sounds like? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cameronj279 4 Posted February 14, 2015 Does it sound good when in a mix, with your current band(s), on recordings? If yes to the above - why fix what isn't broken? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
3below 319 Posted February 14, 2015 (edited) The 'sound of truth' is what does it sound like live, then how does it record? You say "[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]If I play it through my Hughes & Kettner combo or through my bass teachers mixer in his studio it sounds just wonderful to me" which gives you the answer [/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Caneronj279 states it well, "[/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]why fix what isn't broken? " [/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Enjoy your Fender, otherwise it is a long expensive trail that can be never ending to find the tone.[/font][/color] Edited February 14, 2015 by 3below Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beedster 2,918 Posted February 14, 2015 Precisions don't sound good soloed, the magic is in the mix 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sibob 1,244 Posted February 14, 2015 Yup, unless you plan on having a successful music career playing through a headphone amp Into your headphones, I'd suggest you don't have a problem . Si Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CamdenRob 359 Posted February 14, 2015 They will never catch on those fender thingies... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gary mac 623 Posted February 14, 2015 [quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1423953207' post='2690933'] They will never catch on those fender thingies... [/quote] Good man. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brother Jones 36 Posted February 14, 2015 Basses very rarely sound good through headphones. Chris is right though - making a P sound good solo is tough. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cosmo Valdemar 736 Posted February 14, 2015 [quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1423952286' post='2690923'] Precisions don't sound good soloed, the magic is in the mix [/quote] Also: Rickenbackers have no low end. Ashdowns are ill-defined and muddy. Gibson have never made a decent bass. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
discreet 2,765 Posted February 14, 2015 [quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1423952286' post='2690923'] Precisions don't sound good soloed, the magic is in the mix [/quote] Absolutely. That's why Victor Wooten doesn't play one. [quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1423952587' post='2690926'] ...unless you plan on having a music career playing through a headphone amp Into your headphones, I'd suggest you don't have a problem. [/quote] A P bass needs to be played through an amp with a band. Air needs to be moved. Trousers need to be flapped. Wombs need to be vibrated. And quite possibly in that order. Playing solo bass through headphones is like having a hand shandy on a bus. No-one does it unless they [i]really [/i]have to. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
discreet 2,765 Posted February 14, 2015 [quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1423957658' post='2691000'] Rickenbackers have no low end. Ashdowns are ill-defined and muddy. Gibson have never made a decent bass. [/quote] All true, and I would add that as well as sounding muddy, Ashdowns will also spontaneously burst into flames - so be careful. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cameronj279 4 Posted February 14, 2015 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1423957774' post='2691002'] Playing solo bass through headphones is like having a hand shandy on a bus. No-one does it unless they [i]really [/i]have to. [/quote] Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lozz196 4,392 Posted February 15, 2015 [quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1423952286' post='2690923'] Precisions don't sound good soloed, the magic is in the mix [/quote] Yep, found this one out a while back. All my fave bassists played Precisions, yet when I first tried one I was distinctly underwhelmed. But then I played it with the band, and suddenly it all made sense. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neepheid 59 Posted February 15, 2015 [quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1423957658' post='2691000'] Also: Rickenbackers have no low end. Ashdowns are ill-defined and muddy. Gibson have never made a decent bass. [/quote] I'm going to assume this is a critique on the whole "opinion as fact" thing. If I'm wrong about that, shut your piehole Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyTravis 5,946 Posted February 15, 2015 [quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1423952286' post='2690923'] Precisions don't sound good soloed, the magic is in the mix [/quote] Mine sounds bloody lovely, sounds good on its own or in a band. The hoppus has the 1/4lb pickup which my nate mendel came with...I wasn't getting on with it, so I got an aguilar 60's one and it's perfect. With the kids in bed I use the GK amp emulator app through headphones, and it sounds alright. But I use Ashdown so what do I know 😂 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
discreet 2,765 Posted February 15, 2015 Didn't a Hoppus recently come out top in a P Bass comparison at a bass bash? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phaty 3 Posted February 15, 2015 I don't have a band and I don't mix it - I am a beginner who needs to practice this way because I am on the road a lot. When I am with my bass teacher it is something like "in the mix" because I play along songs or drum computers and it is okay there. Doesn't help me too much when I practice without any music and simply annoy myself with the noise I make But it seems like I have to live with that, which is okay ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lojo 103 Posted February 15, 2015 This might be obvious but when playing any bass solo at home it rarely sounds good with anything but tone off I've always found my P basses have a lovely tone through headphones , and my practice ones are fairly cheap Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lozz196 4,392 Posted February 15, 2015 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1423962226' post='2691049'] Didn't a Hoppus recently come out top in a P Bass comparison at a bass bash? [/quote] It did indeed, at the Herts Bass Bash, and it wasn`t a close call - it won by miles. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ubit 2,109 Posted February 15, 2015 [quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1423952587' post='2690926'] Yup, unless you plan on having a successful music career playing through a headphone amp Into your headphones, I'd suggest you don't have a problem . Si [/quote] Can't argue with this ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EssentialTension 398 Posted February 15, 2015 My P bass through Phil Jones Bass Buddy and Beyer DT250s sounds fine. But I agree it's in the mix that matters. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chiliwailer 725 Posted February 15, 2015 [quote name='phaty' timestamp='1423980453' post='2691081'] I don't have a band and I don't mix it - I am a beginner who needs to practice this way because I am on the road a lot. When I am with my bass teacher it is something like "in the mix" because I play along songs or drum computers and it is okay there. Doesn't help me too much when I practice without any music and simply annoy myself with the noise I make But it seems like I have to live with that, which is okay ... [/quote] I mostly play with headphones at home. I've been using the Panasonic ones in the link below for years now. That are well rated by what hi if and cost under £50. Last year I went to a hi fi shop with my bass set up and £250, hoping to come home with some better headphones. Though the mp3's I play along to sounded better on the expensive ones, the bass was massively better on the Panasonic, more depth, clarity and punch. The bass tone was most important for me,always nice to hear the tone of your bass. I came home with my original headphones and my cash. Nice. http://www.whathifi.com/panasonic/rp-htx7/review Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sibob 1,244 Posted February 15, 2015 Can I just add though, all my basses sound amazing on their own through the 3Leaf Enabler headphone amp! P-bass included (think mine came 3rd or 4th in the blind test ). Fantastic pedal that Enabler! Si Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pinball 144 Posted February 15, 2015 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1423957855' post='2691005'] All true, and I would add that as well as sounding muddy, Ashdowns will also spontaneously burst into flames - so be careful. [/quote] Sounds ideal for heavy rock and they don't charge extra for the pyrotechnics....bargain Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theyellowcar 23 Posted February 15, 2015 [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1423990261' post='2691120'] It did indeed, at the Herts Bass Bash, and it wasn`t a close call - it won by miles. [/quote] That's my bass! There was some stiff competition too! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
