4003S/8 horseshoe vs high gain

[gearHed289]

This is a little medley of classic rock riffs played on my 4003S/8. First with a new, reissue horseshoe, then with the stock '93 high gain. I never solo the treble pickup, but for the sake of this comparison, I did. Pretty damn close in tone. What do you guys think? Bonus points to name all the tunes!

http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_12333986

[Dave W]

The horseshoe is a little bit brighter to my ears, but they are very close.

[gearHed289]

I agree. Just a little more clear, but the high gain has it's own little characteristics that I like too. I don't think one is better than the other sound-wise, just different. The horseshoe adds noticeable weight that I can do without. For a bass that's 1-1/4'' thick, it's a pretty heavy beast already!

[Lightyear]

The Horseshoe sounds like dog kaka!    Plus it's too heavy!  Save youself and send it to me - it'll be better for your back

I like the horseshoe better myself - the hi gain is not bad but the horseshoe seems to ring better.

Nice playing BTW

[Dave W]

...
I like the horseshoe better myself - the hi gain is not bad but the horseshoe seems to ring better.

Nice playing BTW

Agreed. I like that extra touch of clarity. Nothing at all wrong with the high gain though.

[Denis]

Do I hear Rush in there, and maybe "Jumpin' Jack Flash"?

[uwe]

The hi gain sounds more like a bass to me. Make no mistake, it is not the lack treble that makes these beasts hard to detect in a band sound but the lack of low mids and bass.

[gearHed289]

Tone-wise, I think the 'shoe has a slight edge over the high gain, but, the output level across all four pairs of strings is way more consistent with the high gain, so that's what I've settled on. I had the same results on a V63 I owned for a while. Horsie is headed out to pasture! Thankfully, the one on my Chris Squire LTD is perfect.

The tunes are - Brontosaurus - the Move (by way of Cheap Trick), Nobody's Fault but Mine - Zep, Hots on For Nowhere - Zep, Roundabout - Yes, and Auf Weidersehen - Cheap Trick.

[hieronymous]

Finally got to listen! Both sound great. Makes me wish I had an 8-string handy!

[jumbodbassman]

The hi gain sounds more like a bass to me. Make no mistake, it is not the lack treble that makes these beasts hard to detect in a band sound but the lack of low mids and bass.

+1.  horseshoe sounds like a baritone guitar that would get lost in the mix.

[ilan]

Well, the RIHS in my '73 is phaaaat. I wish it had more Squire-ish clank.

[gearHed289]

Does it have the cap?

[ilan]

No no no no no! No cap for me. Hate the cap. Evil cap.

[SeanS]

As standard, Chris's bass didn't have the cap fitted.

[gearHed289]

As standard, Chris's bass didn't have the cap fitted.

Yeah, but his bass has a true horseshoe on it, which is a totally different sounding pickup than the re-issue. I figured a cap would get one closer to that sound if using a modern pickup. I just put the one in the above clip on a meter last night and it measured 11.10. Hot!