Tone Comparison: Fender Jazz Elite vs. Custom Music Man (Solid Rosewood Neck) | Avalon U5 & Kemper

[IgorBassplayer]

I’m a session bassist with 20 years of experience, currently based in Da Nang, Vietnam. I’ve decided to put my two main workhorses head-to-head to see how they handle different grooves.

In this video, I’m comparing:

1. Fender American Elite Jazz Bass (Ultra pickups).

2. Custom Made Music Man 5 HH (with a unique Solid Rosewood Neck).

Signal Chain:

Both basses were recorded through my Kemper Player using a legendary Avalon U5 profile for that pure studio DI sound.

Watch the comparison here: 

 

 

I’ve included on-screen TABS and Notation for both, so you can see exactly what's happening in the pocket.

I'm currently working towards my 4,000-hour goal on YouTube, so I’d love to hear your thoughts on which bass sits better in the mix for you. Does the rosewood neck on the MM give it that extra 'snap' you'd expect?

Cheers,

Igor"

Edited Friday at 08:15 by IgorBassplayer

[Paul vezzo]

For me:  Fender 2    MMan 0  ! 😃

Very well played,  only one thing:  a bit exagerate middle frequency on Elite slap: suppose its strings prbl; but   i don't like MM sound: too personal (when Mr Fender created it...wasn't like this).

Bravo !!

[IgorBassplayer]

Hi Paul! Thanks for the detailed feedback and the

'Bravo!', appreciate it!

Interesting point about the mids on the Elite slap tone. I'm using Elixir Nanowebs and the Avalon U5 profile on my Kemper, so it definitely has that modern 'bite' which can sometimes feel a bit mid-

heavy in a solo context. I'll try to dial the mids back a touch for the next recording to see if it rounds out the slap sound.

As for the Music Man - you nailed it. With that Solid Rosewood neck, it's a very 'personal' instrument and definitely deviates from Leo's original Stingray blueprint. It's a bit of a love-it-or-hate-it tone, for sure!

[itu]

MM. No doubt. I might cut highs just a bit, but other than that MM sounds better to my ears. 

 

I like the detailed test setup, and nice playing (even through YT). Well done.