Gretsch Broadkaster

[drbassman]

I forgot to mention the bass really well at practice.  With the original rounds on it, the bass sounded great with both pups full on.  Not mushy, nice and clear with a nice balance between the highs and lows.  I tried the neck only and the bridge pup only and the neck pup did really well.  Lots of bass without totally washing out the highs.

It's going back next week.  Going compare it with the ThunderJet.

[Dave W]

That's good. I'm thinking the Thunder Jet will win the comparison.

[drbassman]

That's good. I'm thinking the Thunder Jet will win the comparison.

We'll see.  It does have TV Jones pups and they are pretty beefy.

[Dave W]

We'll see.  It does have TV Jones pups and they are pretty beefy.

I'm really just guessing based on my preferences. 

Between the TV Jones and the solid or sem-solid body, I know it would work better for me.

[Pilgrim]

I suspect the answer will be chocolate and vanilla, liking both.

[drbassman]

Well, Dave and Al were correct.  Very different sounds from the two basses.  Even with new rounds, the BK was more tame, old school in its tone.  Pups are lower output and the overall sound using both pups was mellow, but distinct enough to be heard clearly.  I liked the sound and the output was very even across the strings.  The bass wasn't overly bassy, the mids and highs were equally represented.

The TJ was altogether different.  It has old TI rounds on it and the TVJ pups are way stronger than the Gretsch.   The output was clearer and the lows, mids and highs more defined.  It has more bite to it, not mellow for sure.  So, the TJ can definitely rock out better than the BK.  it's nice they don't sound the same!  I like them both and could see myself using the them alternately based on the songs I'm playing.

Side bar:  BK owners often put TVJ pups in after they hear the difference.  A very common mod for this bass.

[Dave W]

Even with TV Jones pickups, the Broadkaster isn't going to be as defined as the ThunderJet.

[drbassman]

Even with TV Jones pickups, the Broadkaster isn't going to be as defined as the ThunderJet.

Typical of the big body bass.  The bigger the hollow body the less defined it is.


Conversely, my Gibson EB 650 kicks butt as much as any of my solid bodies because of the TB pups and I suspect the 34" scale helps some as well.

[Pilgrim]

Very nice!  With chocolate and vanilla you can make a nice sundae! 

[Dave W]

In general, I find that hollowbodies lack a certain upper-mid punch that naturally comes with solid or semisolid bodies. You can compensate for it to some extent, of course, and it all depends on your own tonal preferences.

[Pilgrim]

Yes.  My 5123 is one of only two basses I have left the rounds on, to give it just a bit more initial attack.

[drbassman]

In general, I find that hollowbodies lack a certain upper-mid punch that naturally comes with solid or semisolid bodies. You can compensate for it to some extent, of course, and it all depends on your own tonal preferences.

My problem is I love the old school sound of a hollow body with flats but I can't get enough mid and high definition to be heard properly in my band.  It's just too sassy and indistinct.  Even with the tweaks on the EQ and tone controls, it usually isn't enough.