I have been playing for 52.years mostly on various 5 strings. What you're doing is great. I prefer 2 pickup basses and rely on right-hand techniques to get close to P tone. I'm still gigging at age 72. Keep going!
Cici I consider myself a guitarist who could fill in on bass in a pinch. I am most certainly not a bass player. But I’ve subscribed. Love the stuff you do with Dave on the Anderton’s channel. You are likable, knowledgeable and kind.
Nobody in the comments is being straight up with you. The volume of your bass is lower than the volume of your voice, so the bass is difficult to hear at the volume I normally have things. I am listening on studio monitors, and it's much quieter than other demo videos etc. P.S. I have seen you on Andertons vids. You have an infectious smile, which always helps when making content enjoyable to watch (I am a guitar player, but sometimes think about getting a bass).
I think this is one of Cici’s best videos that show cases just how good her playing is; good left & right hand technique; great feel & superb tones ; plus the cool factor 😎 +++
I've owned (and still own) various P basses. They are all very different. In my experience, a P bass is very sensitive to how you play it. Your hand position, attack, picked vs finger style, etc. Pickup height is also a big factor in tone on a P bass. The thing I love about a good ole P bass is that it's simple and it works in nearly every genre.
❤Dear CiCi excuse me but I hear the same problem that I wrote you of. So, if the ground connected to your gear isn't ok , or the problem is the p. u. bad or badly connected to the jack. Hey wait a minute the old p.bass seems more quiet. I heard a criticism about a Sire JB active and I tought the pre was no good but now I don't what to say. I would be there and find the problem . I'm sorry , you don't deserve this fact. I wish you luck to solve it. Forgive my English but I live in Italy .❤️❤️❤️✌️
I’m realising how much guitarists can learn a lot from bass players - like hitting the back beat and harmony but most important for me is leaving space - McCartney, Carol Kaye and Andy Fraser! Keep inspiring us Cici:)
The roadworn sounds very "motowny", I reckon that would sound great with flatwounds, definitely more thumpy especially when you dug in with a pick. The Sire was surprisingly zingy with rounds for a P, almost like my SB-2 which I've had to tame a bit with flats. My theory with basses is that you can mold their character a bit with string choice, figure out where their strengths and weaknesses are and compensate a bit. The P4 has massive definition, it's very versatile. I noticed that all 3 basses weren't the standard P design, even the Sire was string-through, and they were all interesting details that you don't see if you stick with a standard. Be different, I say!
I love the schecter p bass because it really clear and stand out in the mix . It sounds really good in every genre music. Especially metal . I saw Chris David of majestica has a schecter session model t 4 strings with EMG pickup in metal united . It sounds so good
Thank you for making it possible to compare. I listened to it during watching something else. So i was more conzentrated to the sound. I like the Sire most. And I´m glad, that you don´t have to spend much Money for a good sounding Bass.
I very much appreciate that you play standing up with the basses on a strap. It's also interesting to see where your "picking" hand is when you play the different instruments. You treat them differently (in a good way). Those three all have individual sounds and tonal possibilites, and you add to that by treating them with equal amount of respect by adjusting how you wear them and where you place (both) your hands. You would probably make two "identical" P-4's sound different but isn't that exactly what the video is about? I find it absolutely amazing to see how you make all three basses sound good by adapting to them. That doesn't take skill to do but rather a sensitivity that seems to be rare these days. Nothing could demonstrate the performance of these instruments better than that. Thank you very much for posting.
Thank you so much for such a thoughtful comment, and attention to detail even I hadn’t (consciously) picked up on! I really appreciate the kind words as well! :)
The Schecter is definitely a bass with more tonal capabilities. It even sounded good when you played slap style. Being an active bass it is more “ in your face” than the other two. The Sire bass is definitely a warmer sounding bass but not in a bad way. Your vintage bass sounds like a classic P bass that we all know and love. You can tell you have played that bass a while, you look comfortable playing it. Are all three basses using round wounds? Or flat wounds? The Schector seems to be your new favourite 😎
I know exactly what you mean! :) And they’re all roundwound strings in this video! The strings on the C-Bass are older than the strings on the other two, but even with newer strings on that bass the tone remains the same!
After listening to the Sire, I struggled to hear the vintage version, without altering the volume setting on my TV. It also sounded a bit flat, without much charm. As for the Schecter, I thought it was a balance between the other two, with a bit of added boost from the controls. All around, I would certainly choose the Sire! Nice work!
All of them sound great. The round vintage tone of the cici bass 😉sounds great. For your next Motown record choose the cici bass👍🏻. And I also like the sound of the Schecter. Its got a massive low end.
Beautiful!!! I love it!!! Every bass has own soul. It lives when you play on. You play what you really feel and what comes from your mind. Bass is the way for your thoughts in music. Every, really every single bass is different. That's the magic of this amazing music instrument. Thanks Carina for your opinion and video. I like it, I love it. 🎸🎼
They're all different although they have the p-bass shape and pickup layout. I found the road worn cici bass too soft and woolly but still a pleasant sound. The Sire sounds great to me with more cut but still with warmth and more clarity in its depth. The Schecter not only looks fantastic but also has the greatest frequency range and has more sonic versatility. Money no object I would buy the Schecter all day long. As it happens, having been inspired by you, I am going to buy my first bass guitar when funds permit. It will be a very humble Harley Benton JB-75 (jazz bass) and I'm leaning towards the black one with maple neck/fretboard over the natural finish body one (both ash bodied). Going for a Laney RB1 bass amp too. Can't wait to get started! My bass heroes, apart from someone known as CiCi Bass, are: JJ Burnell, John Entwistle, John Deacon, Geddy Lee, Flea and John Paul Jones. Thanks for vid demo - very good :-0)
Great comparison! They sound great, but there’s something about the Schecter. My P-4 Exotic is finally on its way! I’ve had it invoiced since last year. They said only one came in and it was mine if I still wanted it. Can’t wait!!
dear Cici, once it was also said "Precision is not suitable for those with small hands or for women" :))) I see that this legend is also categorically denied by you! I was thinking about buying a P from G&L again, I fell in love with it. I know it will be heavier and thicker necked than the Jazz, but who cares, "that sound" is everything!
For a long time the basses I prefered just got more and more. At first, built in EQs of different kinds and as many pickups as practical, then shortly after 5-strings with 24 frets, 3 band EQ and boost (though I belive 5-string basses to be very practical). Then while I was thinking about if my next bass should be a 6-string or a fretless 5-string, I got a very standard P bass, just classic, the one pickup, tone and volume and it was all over. I instantly realized how I could do more with this one, good P bass than most og my other basses. I still really like extended range basses, but nothing compares to a good P bass.
YAY!!! I was tracking guitars all day (just put up the video in fact) and how wonderful it is to come home to THIS!!! Totally loving this. I love all the basses, though I am pretty in love with the looks of the Schecter. Hope you and Dave are well and great video per usual.
I couldn't even make up my mind between getting a P or J bass so I got a Yamaha PJ bass. Active. I'm playing it with flats, use the J pickup way more than the P. Easy to play, thumpy vintagey sound. Good for jazzstuff. To be honest I have never been disappointed with a Yamaha product of any kind, they make so many things.
Hi Cici, just discovered your videos, loving what you do, so in my opinion, your Schecter sounds great as it's active, you get a punchier sound while still maintaining the P sound, I truly love the Sire for the warm and clear sound with great sustain on the notes 👍🏽 and last the Roadworn C-Bass to me has a very dark sound, doesn't sustain much . I heard a lot of hum noises on all 3 basses, the Schecter and Sire wasn't so bad but the C bass was most present.. It would've been nice if you had a Fender, I know they are expensive now. Thank you for the videos, will definitely follow you..
The worn sunburst one is the one that sounds closest to a Fender. Which was no surprise, given that it's essencially a replica of a 1960s Fender... I bet it could do the whole James Jamerson bit with aplomb with a set of flatwounds on it... But that active Schecter is a great, modern take on a Precision. And the versatility that the EMG circuit brings, makes it a compelling proposition for a lot of players, I think.
I also got 3 p basses. A Fender road worn in fiesta red and a maple fretboard. The other ist the road worn Nate Mendel signature bass with a rosewood fretboard. And last but not least a Sandberg VM with a maple fretboard. All sound different and great.
Nice 3-way demo. The middle “C” bass (What make is it?) has a certain “crunch” to it that the others don’t , to my ears. By the way, I’d like to know what brand & gauge of strings you use. Thanks. CC (My initials!!) ❤
A really great illustration of “no bass tones are the same , I heard exactly what you explained. Also I level my tv 2 speakers to match level my 4 speaker tv sound-bar and then I get super quad tv volume from my wall for all my tv music apps or music programming. So again.. yes your basses are different like you explain..
If the road-worn sunburst Ci bass is a passive bass the switch is not boosting anything, there is no boost with a passive bass. The tone control will roll off the highs, not sure what the switch will do.
Well done. I've played two brand new Fender p basses that had different sound and feel. If you're new and shopping for a new bass, it pays to go to a store where you can try out different ones.
Great video Queenie, made perfect sense and not only did you prove that all P basses aren’t the same, you presented the differences beautifully. As always, your playing is inspiring. I’m about 0.5% as good as you but I’m still going to pick up my P bass now. Thank you for the video and the inspiration.
I like the first bass and the last one. BTW, your slap bass playing is excellent! My father is a bass player, he plays a lot like you. He has a Specter bass from the early 80's. Have you ever played a specter?
That Sire p4 is spectackular! I am building my own P bass now. Got a big piece of ash of a friend. Thinking a pale daphine blue should be nice. Anyhoo, Therese is so many good female bass players out there now. Like Tal Wilkenfeldt, YOU, and a yong polish lady, Juliaplaysgroove. Does not say mutch, but omg! She can play. But again, Cici bring another side of the hole thing. Keep on doing what you do.
The ground hum was least noticeable on the Schecter and was as you say well balanced. The Sire was my clear favorite. That said, I probably could make a few adjustments to get that vintage bass to sound about better balanced. But so much in life is subjective and these basses are no exception. After I set these basses up to suit me they'll sound different yet again. But it was interesting to here what you've done here, and for that I thank you for that!
I own 3 P basses, Fender, G&L and Sire. For me the G&L sounds the best, Sire a close second. Thanks for the review. Of the ones you’ve played I like the Sire.
Much as the pre-owned Lakland DJ4 that I've got is sonically the most versatile bass I've ever played and a quality instrument (especially with the John East pre-amp), I first started playing on a P bass, namely an old 70s/80's Ibanez/Pearl copy.... and I wish I'd never let it slip through my fingers. I've been GAS'ing for a P bass for ages. And the Sire does look and sound great. If I do end up with another one, its almost odds on gonna be the Sire. The Schecter was very versatile sounding, tonally and so it should be at that price point (competing against Lakland directly?).... but in terms of the character of the sound.... has to be the Sire
Great bass comparison job. I'm not a musician nor expert on tones. Hearing from these basses makes me like them anyway, as you keep playing those lovely tunes. And so I loose the sense if they are that different from each other. As I told, not that good on hearing and perceiving and memorizing tunes. But then by the end of the video, putting some parts of each closer, yeah, it makes easier to understand the differences. Thanks for the vid. Regards from Brazil!
The green bass has a really lovely tone, warm with just enough high/mids, best suited to this composition of yours… the vintage sounds a bit muffled to my ear… but the P4 is the star of the show… I’m definitely going to have to trade for that P4! Thanks for the great comparison video.
Well I ordered my bass from Thomann, and yes it is a cheap Harley Benton MB4 sunburst (MM Stingray clone) - cheap as chips but will get me started on the bass road. Thanks to you for inspiring me to take up bass playing. All the best with your musical career with the Trio, Andertons etc - you are a fab bass player and I enjoy what you and Dave put out on RU-vid very much - thanks :-0)
@@CiciVonStrangelove you know i appreciate your jokes! after all, you laughed at my ditto x2 ditto x2 looper joke, which was quite terrible! you deserve my appreciation just for that but it did actually make me laugh🤣love me a good pun, so i do.. nice one anyway, take care :)
Amazing video yeah I could hear slight differences in each bass, so yeah each p bass as its own style and sound, love the sound of your slap too, great video cici 😀🤘
Great comparison. I thought the Sire was clear and made a warm mellow sound. I thought the Roadworn C was not quite as clear as the other 2 but that made the bass sound better when slapped. The Schecter was very clear when slapped and I was not a fan of that sound but it sounded sleepy with the treble off. You make all the basses sound fantastic when you play.
Nice comparison vid. They all sound great and they all look great also. I think the Schecter offers more, but that could be because it costs more. You sure love that Sire P5, I feel sorry for anyone that tries to come between you and it!!!!! The Sire does sound remarkably well for what?, half the price? Seriously considering picking up a red Sire P5. You play very well, especially those soft melodies. They're so dreamy
The pickup in the Sire D5 is also really lovely, I chose the D5 (even tho the P5 is quite something.) Both are so close to the instrument, the D5 has this certain kind of almost ragged detail, you can hear lots of wood. I also have a Schecter Model T with EMG PJXs which is a breathtaking instrument, I don't know what they did but they really locked the mojo into it. Your CC sounds like it has less sustain bloom than the Sire, very compressed, old strings maybe?
I just really enjoy listening to you play, very nice! I like the Schecter for tone clarity, the CiCi Fender sounds like it would need shielding to have a more clean sound, but I love it! I’m not as impressed with the P5 as you are (you really should here it with a Dimarzio pickup (Bee Knees), but if you enjoy it I’m sure you will play just a spot more fantastic, thank you!
Great comparison....I'm in the market for a second bass, I've got a 2012 MM Stingray 3EQ but for the stuff I'm doing at the minute it's like trying to rein a wild horse in! Loving the Sire, I think you've made my mind up. Superb playing BTW, wonderfully fluid. Best wishes from Bromsgrove, just up the A38 :)
They all definitely have they're own sound and personality and i like all 3 but the schecter is really nice and the sire is a close second ! Cool video Cici !
Looking closely at the sire P5. Sounds great. I currently have a fender p standard and a sire V5 jbass. I was very impressed with my Sire Jazz and sadly cannot get the neck to my liking on the fender. Even shimmed and leveled, I still get fret buzz high on the neck. Giving more thought now to unloading it for a P5.
Great video, one of the best one on p bass I saw, thanks a lot. The vintage has a nice sound. I like the sire too. The 3 basses sounds good, maybe because of your fingers
Just recently started to learn bass. Guitar before. My in house comparison is SG Bass and yesterday my Duff (all black one) arrived. Was interested in the red Vintera P bass, but thought two pickups would be more because I would want to play oldies to hard rock (basically Beach Boys to GNR). Was I wrong? Still interested in a Bass VI because it was on a lot of 60s stuff.
OH < HIDIE HI > Cool to see a Babe do a Bass review demo . Im intrigued that after several years of watching Bass reviews , today the algorythems sent you along my way..Heres a "bone" to throw at you today ,( no rude pun intended ) Its a review of the Harley Benton P Bass that comes in a Candy Apple REd or Sunburst , both at 119.£/129$Euros. Do a review and comparison with your favourites . Chao..I shall see more as a new sub. Nice one dawlin ..
Like your reviews and your Anderton's work. Bassist just got an esp b 10. She fell in love with it. It's $200 with active pickups, 24 frets, satin finish and so lightweight. Do a review of it sometime?
Hi Queenie! Great playing on this post. Your so versatile & seem equally at home with slap , using a pick or finger-style.. Impressive! I’ve owned a couple of lovely P-Basses(sold now,regrettably..) Have you tried flat-woundstrings yet? New realms of SMOOTH groove! 🙏🏻💐🎶❤️
Nice review For my taste the Schecter wins hands down. I have a PJ with EMGs and a two band active preamp. I dial in a tiny bit of the J bass pickup barely noticeable but better than if it wasn't there
The roasted neck on the sire make it that warmer, I much prefer the tone of the non roasted maple, even the roaddestroyed C bass is more midrangey, the active eq on the shecter make it a different ballpark, very modern sterile sound
Sire = Fattest C Bass = Traditional Schecter = About as modern as a p can sound If I were to build my dream instrument I'd take the schecter's electronics, the sire's colour sceheme, and the C bass's wear & tear.
There's so much that affects the tone of a p bass. Wood, Pick ups, pick up placement, electonics, bridge, nut, tuners, string through, fretless, finish, fingers, etc. You can literally have 3 Fender Pbasses that all sound different. A 60s P bass, A Player and an American Professional II all sound noticeably different
The basses are al different and grate in there own way. But to me the biggest difference in sound are the different strings. The strings on the vintage looking Bass sounded a lot like the strings I have on my favorite bass (I haven't changed the strings on it ever. They have been on there for almost 10 years). There is also a big difference between active and passive.
The Sire sounds the best by far , the second one ( road worn ) definitely sounds muted as you say , like you have a big thick comforter thrown over the speaker cabinet. Compared to the Sire and Schecter anyway. The second comes in second IMO it’s preferred to the C bass but man that Sire tone kicked ass. Schecter was quality too though. Maybe a new set of pickups would give that roadworn a new life. Love all your playing especially the one you always played first. Was that something you made up or where does it come from ?
For me, the Schecter is head and shoulders above the other two. I have a Schecter Banshee ( guitar ) and i love it, so maybe I might have a bias here, but audially the Schecter just has the warmth, but with all the extra dynamics that the other two don't match.
