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Post subject: Does feel matter?
Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 4:40 am
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Its an interesting that's been on my mind for a while. Basically, to each and everyone of you, does the overall feel of the given instrument, in this case a P-Bass, matter more than the sound?

The reason I ask this is because I was at a shop recently and tried out an American Standard P-Bass. While I thought the tone was great, I didn't exactly feel comfortable with the back of the neck, the finish on it. I don't want it to cloud my judgment, but I don't know. To me, feel is just as an important part as sound, so I really don't know what to think of it. I'm comparing it to a Mike Dirnt model and while I'm not exactly a fan of Dirnt or the particular type of music he plays, I felt that the sig. model felt great in all aspect. Only issue here is that I've always said that I would invest in a US-made bass one day, yet the only one I considered, mainly because its passive, didn't feel too great.

What about you?

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Post subject: Re: Does feel matter?
Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 10:02 am
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Playability matter, you want to be able to play the hell out of it no just have a great tone. That's why we have different neck profiles, finish, action set up, bodies, style, etc. What can be an amazing neck for me can be a chunky piece of wood for you, I can say this neck plays like butta but you may say this neck is sticky. I would never buy a bass I dont feel comfortable with and that include body color.


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Post subject: Re: Does feel matter?
Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 10:32 am
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of course feel matters!

you have to connect with the instrument on all levels for it to be yours. otherwise you wont be as creative or as comfortable. i personally don't like heavy gloss finish on necks. id rather them be satin. and i need to love the way a guitar looks for me to own it. if i dont love it completely, i pass.

now, buying a guitar for investment or for value-holding purposes is different....


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Post subject: Re: Does feel matter?
Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 1:26 pm
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sound is most important. I don't care what it feels like-- I'll still play the heck out of it if it sounds like a gift from the Gods. My hands hurt sometimes anyway so who cares? Well someone does I guess. I'm going to go Sgt. Rock on it this time. Just play the darn thing and don't overthink it. HA!!!!


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Post subject: Re: Does feel matter?
Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 2:59 pm
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Hi Garf, That is a great question! My opinion is that a good player can play anything, even a Squier Affinity or worse and the audience will never know the difference. So the main person to please is yourself! I have two junky old basses that I love to play. Neither are Fender nor prestige models...one is Ibanez TRB70 from like 1994 and one is a Jay Turser 401 from 2005.

Scotchbrite pads stroked with the grain work wonders on sticky necks.

You and I agree that Dirnt (to us) is not exactly a bass god, but the Mike Dirnt signature bass is probably the tastiest stock passive Mexican Fenders I ever played and that includes the 50's Roadworn. So I can understand your impression of it.

The thing to be aware of with them is that much of the Dirnt model hardware is not interchangeable with the Japanese Sting or 51 RI models. The Dirnt is one of those basses that out of the box needs no upgrades at all. It is a blast to play. The chrome covers go a long way toward disguising what it is if you want to mystify people even further. I frankly am amazed that more touring pros are using the 50's Roadworn in Fiesta Red over of the Dirnt. The only possible answers to the why of that is because they didn't play a Dirnt and they liked the Fiesta Red. Along with the P-Bass Special it is one of the biggest bargains in the Fender Mexican lineup.

Dirnt's usually sell quickly and it is somewhat rare to run across one at a dealer. I found a vintage white one I liked a lot, came back a week later and it was gone.


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Post subject: Re: Does feel matter?
Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 3:23 pm
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Garf,


I feel that feel is paramount (you like that)?! Appearance is low on the totem pole. Sound and feel are tied at first. It has to sound great. But if it feels bad, or just not right for me, it will weigh on my mind, ruining the experience.

Thats my take on the subject.


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Post subject: Re: Does feel matter?
Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 12:05 pm
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I also tested it against a Highway One and an American Special, as well as a Squier Mustang, and all felt better.

But really, thanks for all the input guys. It really makes me see things differently in terms of acquisitions and the like. I guess I just felt a bit disappointed after all the hype, but maybe the hype doesn't do much.

I like how there's a variation in terms of neck feel, including the size, the finish and whatnot. I personally like a gloss finish, whether light or think, but none of that heavily sticky stuff. I tried a Steve Harris P last year and that was just a brilliant instrument. To me, a lot of the interest is pointed at how the neck feels in my hands. They aren't that big but I happen to like me some fair sized necks, and the chunky ones too, like my 51RI.

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Post subject: Re: Does feel matter?
Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 1:05 pm
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It matters a lot to me and in some ways more so than sound because if I can't get into the feel of a bass I won't be able to make the sound of it work. I've played Warwicks that sounded great but had action a mile high, same goes for Fender American Precisions and Jazzes and I've found that when they don't play the way I want them to I can't get into them. As for neck shapes, thickness and so on I've never picked up one guitar or bass with a neck on it that I didn't like until recently with a Fender Baja Telecaster guitar which had a V shaped neck... which I've come to realize are not for me. :wink:

Keep in mind every guitar/bass is different and one coming off the line will play slightly or significantly differently than the next and this can be to you favor only thing is you have to look for the right one.


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Post subject: Re: Does feel matter?
Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 8:14 am
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Both qualities are equally important to me. It's also important to realize that feel and tone often differ from one instrument to the next, even if they're the same make, model, and year. There are subtle differences that make one bass the one I want while another I wouldn't play even if it was free. Keep trying them until you find the one you want. Now that I think of it, this is also good dating advice. ;)

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Post subject: Re: Does feel matter?
Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 7:00 pm
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Any time I give advice, it's always the same. Play every bass you can, each one is unique and has it's own personality and quirks. As brotherdave said, it's the player, not the instrument. You will make the magic. When you finally pick up the "right" bass you'll know it.

How many of us have fallen into the trap of thinking we "need" to upgrade to get better?

You're a bass player and are subject to G.A.S., don't let it control you! :D


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Post subject: Re: Does feel matter?
Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 7:40 pm
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For me feel is important. The sound of the bass is shared with the amp it's going through. There are some things that can be changed to alter the feel of it. Just as there are parts etc. that can be changed to alter the sound.
I would go for the feel first, then deal with any sound issues after that.


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Post subject: Re: Does feel matter?
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 7:50 pm
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Well I'm the opposite on that. I go for sound then deal with the feel later. By "feel" I think most people are referring to-- first- the way the neck feels in their hand. Is it too fat? Too skinny? Sticky because it's glossy? Neck dive? Too long or too short? Next is the weight of the body and how it effects the "feel". Then there is the comfort of the body against their body. Right? Actual physical "feel" of the bass is what I'm thinking is the "feel". How much of the "feel" is really bad or good? How much of the feel is real or perceived as being something wrong or right that makes one not like the bass or love it?? Then now am I over thinking? I want to be comfortable playing a bass too.,,, and for me the biggest things are ( outside of sound): Is the bass too heavy? Does the bass have "neck dive". Other than that I don't give much thought about it. Is "feel" the same as "playability"?


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Post subject: Re: Does feel matter?
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 3:27 pm
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When I say, "You'll know it when you hold it.", the "feel" is more than just the physical touch. The sound is part of it, the sight of it factors.

When I saw my FSR Precision, after playing it. i had to have it. It's just what I want in a bass. Swapped out the pups for SPB-3's. now it growls. Not exactly the "Fender' Sound, but with all my toys i can emulate almost any tone I desire.

While we're talking about the five senses, on "Strange Addictions", one show talked about Emilio Shwartz. He was an unemployed ice cream truck driver who was obsessed with sniffing guitar cases. He was eventually arrested and charged in Ogden, Utah and sentenced to community service.


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Post subject: Re: Does feel matter?
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 10:25 am
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oxfan wrote:
When I say, "You'll know it when you hold it.", the "feel" is more than just the physical touch. The sound is part of it, the sight of it factors.

When I saw my FSR Precision, after playing it. i had to have it. It's just what I want in a bass. Swapped out the pups for SPB-3's. now it growls. Not exactly the "Fender' Sound, but with all my toys i can emulate almost any tone I desire.

While we're talking about the five senses, on "Strange Addictions", one show talked about Emilio Shwartz. He was an unemployed ice cream truck driver who was obsessed with sniffing guitar cases. He was eventually arrested and charged in Ogden, Utah and sentenced to community service.

I, too, like that new case smell for some reason. I also happen to live in Utah. Coincidence?

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Post subject: Re: Does feel matter?
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 5:37 pm
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Feel matters a great deal to me. If it doesn't feel right, I won't enjoy playing it. You can always change the sound by installing different pickups, strings, etc but it is difficult if not impossible to change the feel. Personally, I go for both. If I don't like the feel and the sound I won't buy it.


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