taha_never Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 what's up BC? just for the sake of a topic (I'm bored), to my hand and ears I hear more overtones w/ this gold anodized pg on my alder body maple fingerboard P-bass compared to my 3-ply black pg! just saying! I imagine it's something that's barely noticeable in a mix. but solo it's there. not necessarily a brighter tone, just a bit more ring and maybe sustain I can feel. or is it just me? 🤔 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 😂 First things first, is that body tonealder or regular alder? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikel Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 2 hours ago, taha_never said: what's up BC? just for the sake of a topic (I'm bored), to my hand and ears I hear more overtones w/ this gold anodized pg on my alder body maple fingerboard P-bass compared to my 3-ply black pg! just saying! I imagine it's something that's barely noticeable in a mix. but solo it's there. not necessarily a brighter tone, just a bit more ring and maybe sustain I can feel. or is it just me? 🤔 Its just you. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inthedoghouse Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 Obviously we haven't heard what you have heard, but for my tuppence I'd vote for it being 'just you' 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 Thick conductive metal around a pickup can have a measurable effect on the pickup's response, it causes eddy currents which act much like adding extra windings which are shorted out. Though that would usually have the effect of reducing high frequencies, making things darker sounding. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taha_never Posted March 22, 2021 Author Share Posted March 22, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, Beer of the Bass said: Thick conductive metal around a pickup can have a measurable effect on the pickup's response, it causes eddy currents which act much like adding extra windings which are shorted out. Though that would usually have the effect of reducing high frequencies, making things darker sounding. more like a raised pickup height, soundwise? Edited March 22, 2021 by taha_never Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftyJ Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 It doesn't sound all too unlikely to me, after all the tone and resonance of an instrument is determined by the sum of all its parts. When I added a neck pickup cover to my Jazz Bass, I was also convinced I heard a tonal difference. It was as if it added some top end harmonics and a ringing sound to the instrument. When I recently removed it though, I didn't perceive any noticeable difference and now I'm not so sure any more 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taha_never Posted March 22, 2021 Author Share Posted March 22, 2021 actually it's the second time I'm putting the gold pg on the bass. the first time I thought i heard a difference but didn't take it seriously. but this second time I'm hearing it again. so... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewblack Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 I believe the colour is far more significant than the material the pickguard is made from. Red will give you an angry tone, blue a more serene top end and gold is best for pulling and thumping. Curiously, both black and white guards do not alter the tone at all. 3 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itu Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 (edited) 51 minutes ago, stewblack said: I believe the colour is far more significant than the material the pickguard is made from. There have been tests with hifi stuff. An amp with brushed aluminum sounds harsh compared to the same amp with a black face. A speaker with brown textile sounds dull, where the same speaker with white or black textile sounds neutral - especially the black one... Edited March 22, 2021 by itu 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 Obviously, a tortoiseshell scratchplate sounds better than any other colour. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewblack Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 1 hour ago, Skybone said: Obviously, a tortoiseshell scratchplate sounds better than any other colour. Bang on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taha_never Posted March 22, 2021 Author Share Posted March 22, 2021 yeah and pearloid for that late 80s/early 90s lush chorus sound, eh?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveXFR Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 Is the pick guard made from tone plastic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 On 22/03/2021 at 07:43, taha_never said: what's up BC? just for the sake of a topic (I'm bored), to my hand and ears I hear more overtones w/ this gold anodized pg on my alder body maple fingerboard P-bass compared to my 3-ply black pg! just saying! I imagine it's something that's barely noticeable in a mix. but solo it's there. not necessarily a brighter tone, just a bit more ring and maybe sustain I can feel. or is it just me? 🤔 I'd love to have as much time as you do 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacDaddy Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 Traben think it makes a difference with their large bridge to body contact thing going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 A metal pickguard would probably prevent you from hearing any toneworms that might be living in the wood 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted March 23, 2021 Share Posted March 23, 2021 Their random screams can be unsettling, so it's not all bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubit Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 I am a firm believer that strings and pick ups are all that matters with an electric guitar. Acoustics are different. I have built basses out of cheap parts from Ebay, bought decent pick ups and strings and they sound fantastic. I like to have decent basses but don't think wood or graphite make any difference to the sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleat Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 (edited) If you have been in isolation for the last 12 months with no company whatsoever, then that may be the reason you are hearing differences in tone and sustain from a scratch plate. If not then have you considered getting a family member to make notes while you use a stop watch to measure and compare sustain times? Edit: If you have access to several family members, let each take it in turn to place an ear against body of bass while you pluck a note. Ask if they hear a difference in tone. Compare number of "yes" to "no" answers to conclude tonal or non tonal differences. Edited March 24, 2021 by Bleat Added advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taha_never Posted March 24, 2021 Author Share Posted March 24, 2021 gentlemen, wtf? 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 I'm thinking of trying some different strap buttons to improve my tone. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleat Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 Not sure about the tonal advantages of strap buttons, though am wondering about the sonic advantage of actual guitar straps. For example would a 3.5 " studded real leather strap make me sound more appropriate for Metal, rather than say a 2.5 " nylon strap with holes in it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 1 hour ago, Dan Dare said: I'm thinking of trying some different strap buttons to improve my tone. Any suggestions? For the buttons, no, but for strap-lock tone, the new Basschat strap-locks cannot be beaten, and are excellent value for not much money. A brilliant touch of glorious BC colour, at just the right spot to set off any combination of strap, tone-paint or natural finish. Forget the old, worn-out clichés of beer-bottle washers and get the new Basschat strap-lock for maximum tonal quality. Don't hesitate, order 'em today (plus a few spares for those basses you're sure to acquire shortly...). Don't get caught out, get the new Basschat strap-locks fitted right away..! Here's a handy link, to save you searching ... Basschat Strap-locks ... You know it makes sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 Never mind the sceptics. They've read chapter 1 in Physics 101 and think they know it all. Similar to you with your pickguard, I hear clear differences with or without a tuner, and wonder: what's the best tonetuner? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.gif.9ad672bb8b84505709f76b39c8c256ec.gif)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.