BASS GUITAR SHOOTOUT - Fender, Warwick, Spector, ESP, Mayones

[@oggie6907]

This confirms Patrick Star’s theory that Mayones is indeed an instrument

[@aebious8886]

Okok

[@GigaJinGaming3711]

Ok boomer

[@usupim]

The Jinhyun LEGACY cant believe people still use ok boomer in 2020

[@michaelthemediocre4809]

@@GigaJinGaming3711 "Your statement has been formally noted, Baby Boomer."

[@sluvarhedgehag]

Yousseff Imani yeah that meme is in purgatory

[@Libanass]

They all sound phenomenal with those hands!

[@playbassken]

Agreed!

[@mxg8149]

Agreed

[@JermZ_]

Agreed

[@zamkowicz]

Those riffs you come up with are too good for just gear demos. They deserve to become songs

[@NateNavarro]

Thanks, man! I've been thinking about compiling them into a bass riff book or something. I have music on Spotify/iTunes/all digital outlets too if you interested. :)

[@TheCabbageMan]

@@NateNavarro please do this, ill buy 8 copies myself RIGHT THIS MOMENT

[@DaDaHorst]

@@NateNavarro I second this. Please do so!

[@Jesse-my4sk]

@@NateNavarro hell yeah I’d buy all day!

[@NateNavarro]

​@@Jesse-my4sk Guys, I finally did it! The bass book is here. :D kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4C5YpSjpNCUoZY

[@RobMLyon]

I’m a Spector guy, but the ESP blew me away

[@leedemkiw6085]

I'm a Spector user every time but I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised by the tone of that ESP/LTD.

[@ChrisSmith-bz1gl]

I love my ESP/Ltd and am really surprised they don't get more love.

[@enaidealukal9203]

Yeah same, never thought too much of their basses but I really liked the tone here. Also have had a Spector as my main for my years, fwiw.

[@enaidealukal9203]

*many years

[@leedemkiw6085]

@@enaidealukal9203 yeah Spector basses are quite possibly the best built basses around. I have the Euro 5XL with the EMG pickups. It's the best sounding, best playing & best built bass I've ever had the privilege of owning. Spector's attention to detail is simply fantastic.

[@enaidealukal9203]

@@leedemkiw6085 yeah I've had my NS 4-string for about 20 years now, such a great all-around bass. Looks good, sounds good, plays good. Especially crazy how its plays so fast and smooth even though its just this beastly, thick, heavy, physically solid bass. I'm not sure you could break one if you tried, or at the very least it would take a serious effort.

[@Staniel42]

Am I the only one that loved the tone of that Spector? Warwick was also gorgeous

[@TroublesomeOwl]

personally i was expecting more from it... different strokes i guess! i was super surprised by the ESP

[@sikinmettugi]

Been using Spector since 2007!

[@Mad-v3d0n]

@@TroublesomeOwl I recently recorded with this esp just the multiscale model, our sound technician was quite amazed how almost no post processing was needed to make it sit in the mix well.

[@roberthunt4376]

I'm always a Warwick and Spector fan. Fender for me is somehow cannot stand in the mix well enough

[@playbassken]

My personal favorite of all of them because the crispness of those highs, those punchy mids and the most balanced lows of any bass I've ever recorded with.

[@NamikazeKyuuga]

Nathan, I can't get tired of saying this: you're an amazing player! Everytime I watch your videos I stop thinking about which basses sound better and I'm just delighted to see you play. That neck pick-up playing was beautiful and the in the pick part that "percussive" upstroke with harmonics was beautiful, had never seen that done before. You deserve way more views than you get but thank you for your service! Rock on brother. :)

[@andy_stinson]

There's a reason he's touring with Devin Townsend!

[@Astral_Wave]

He's the jack Griffiths (peach boutique guitar demos) of bass in my book.

[@hipstercoffee1856]

Woof. That warwick sounds incredible. My other favorites were the mayones and spector. I love the way you showcase the different play styles. Lots of reviewers just do pentatonic phonky jams, and although it sounds good, it's not that great at highlighting what the bass will sound like jamming with your friends or practicing a lick by yourself. It would be nice to see how these basses sound in the mix during a live show or studio setting.

[@ochsenfroschdeluxe]

Listen to it with closed eyes. People are always biased by brands and the look of an instrument.

[@SerginhoFilho]

Excellent job. But Warwick has a magnificent timbre.

[@IgnisIban]

Those open growly mids from the wenge neck are the warwick trademark

[@eclipse3406]

It's so interesting to see the difference in what tones people prefer. My favorite was actually the B-1004. Especially with drive.

[@MrMapacheco]

am I the only one who liked ESP better? (except Mayones for drive settings)

[@facemash]

I like both the ESP and the Mayones. The Mayones is a more unique tone that I love while the ESP is exactly what I tend to gravitate towards when tone hunting on whatever bass.

[@metalhuevo]

You are not alone

[@dannychane]

ESP for me! More focused on the lower mids, which is my personal sweet spot

[@kahwigulum]

ESP was easily the best of the bunch.

[@emobloom]

Yep, that then the Fender.

[@pbass6811]

Dude, you are so amazing that you could make any bass sound good! Lemme start this part by saying that I don't currently own any of the brands you demo'd. I have owned Spectors, Warwicks, & Fenders in the past, but I have no bias towards any of these brands, as I'm playing Dingwall basses. Slap sound: 1. Spector- It was full, rich, bright, articulate, everything you'd want out of a good slap sound! 2. Mayones- Not quite as rich as the Spector, but it has everything else. Multi-scale is legit and works on 4-strings! 3. Fender- I'm really NOT a Fender fan, but that bass sounds good slapped. That's, probably, all you. 4. ESP- I'm a bit surprised how good the ESP showed! Good slap sound. Mostly because of you. 5. Warwick- Honestly, it was really close between the Warwick & the ESP. Just no real projection of the lower notes. Bridge pickup: 1. Spector-The combo of Bartolini Pickups & Darkglass Tone Capsule seems to work really well. Punchy and clear. 2. Fender- Starting to sound like, maybe, Fender got this one right. 3. Warwick- Good clarity. Nice fullness. 4. Mayones. It's a solid bridge pup sound 5. ESP- This bass sounded good. It's just the others sounded a bit better Neck Pickup: 1. Fender- It sounds like a P bass. 2. Spector- It sounds like a P bass that's been working out 3. Warwick- It sounds like a P bass that worked out a long time ago, but quit 4. ESP- It sounds like a P bass that went to a gym, but didn't stick with it. 5. Mayones- It sounds like a P bass that's never been to a gym, don't care about no gym, pass me a beer... Drive: As someone else mentioned, once you start adding drive, especially Darkglass drive, things start to get blurry... 1. Warwick- The natural Warwick compressed sound works well with DG drive. 2. ESP- Same as the Warwick. The Wenge in the neck is distinctive. 3. Spector- Even the DGTC in the Spector couldn't overcome the Wenge in the Warwick and the ESP. Sounded good though. 4. Mayones- Sounded ok. 5. Fender- It sounded ok, too. Drive w/pick: 1. Mayones- Surprise! I was not expecting that. 2. Spector- Not a surprise. I was expecting it to be that good 3. Fender- It sounded pretty good. 4. Warwick- I think the Wenge actually held it back with a pick. It could be the strings that bass has on it. 5. ESP- Same issue as the Warwick, but I don't think it's the strings. Overall: 1. Spector- This bass just does everything really well. It's a Jack-Of-All-Trades, Master-Of-Some! 2. Fender- Not a Fender fan, but not gonna lie, this bass sounds pretty good. 3. Mayones- Similar to the Spector, this bass is good. Not a master of anything, it's just good all-around. 4. Warwick- Beautiful bass, but that baked-in Warwick sound can, sometimes, hold it back. Cool bass overall. 5. ESP- Finishing 5th in this group isn't a bad thing. It has some of the same issues as the Warwick. It's still a good bass.

[@NateNavarro]

That Mayones neck pickup comment. haha Thanks for your detailed feedback!

[@pbass6811]

@@NateNavarro -I'm such a huge fan of you and your playing! You really can make any bass sound amazing! I'm way older than you, but you are an inspiration to me. I gotta get to shedding...thanks for the great playing!

[@enaidealukal9203]

have had a Spector as my main for many years, and its versatility is probably its strongest selling-point. Not much that it can't do reasonably well, so if you want a bass that you can use for lots of different styles/techniques/genres/settings its a good one to consider.

[@diegomino9939]

i liked SPECTOR Euro 4 LT a lot! This one, MAYONES Jabba Custom EP VF 4, sounds good with drive!

[@joshua_cassidy]

The Spector had warmth and low end sustain that really stood out over the others but lets face it they're all amazing bass's, dialled in with good ears and played with great hands ✌

[@TheWonderer7]

Interesting. I thought the total opposite. The Spector was my least favorite of this group. Not very warm, and didn't hear as much low end...

[@Highrollinhunter]

Rex Brown uses Spector basses and the low end gets the speakers in his hartke cabs moving air.

[@respiromedia]

Fender Ultra • The most well-balanced tone award + Best in the mix award

[@abelpod5764]

yes sir

[@cliffords2315]

I Bought one because of this Video its amazing

[@Drone453]

Indeed

[@DarthMalcolm]

Love these videos. The ESP was definitely my favorite of this group followed by the Mayones.

[@littleblackcloud86]

For me, the best sounding bass was the one I was least expecting, the ESP by far and away sounded the nicest to my ears!

[@MagicPumpkin]

ESP sounds best with distortion, as always.

[@figeon]

By far.

[@Zawmbbeh]

perfect growl:treble ratio, I might have to look into it someday

[@Highrollinhunter]

Yeah ESP basses are good for Stoner Metal so are Thunderbirds and Rickenbackers.

[@brianjenks1]

Cant believe how good that ESP sounds. right up there with the P-bass and Mayones

[@t.j.meechan682]

The Fender and the Warwick were my favorite. Amazing riffage my man. I always look forward to the bass comparison videos.

[@NateNavarro]

Thanks, T.J.! :)

[@enaidealukal9203]

Same here, thought the Fender and Warwick sounded the best, but the Mayones and Spector also sounded great and was pleasantly surprised by the ESP. Very good comparison video.

[@peinmilan]

That Mayones has a unique taste, it just stands out. I also liked the Warwick a lot. LTD was a pleasant surprise... All the rest was just overall amazingly played by you. :)

[@groovydjs]

Fender for me and I'm ALWAYS looking for something different than the typical Fender stuff. It simply had body and the rest were very scooped in the mid area.

[@nategin9009]

The esp sounds the best to my ears

[@nategin9009]

But I bet the Warwick feels the best

[@ferox965]

Yep. I went with a Rickenbacker 4003, a Lado studio custom fretless and a 1980 BC Rich Eagle. The best Fender I ever played was a Lakland. No Fender, no problem.

[@ChrisBevanBass]

That first slap riff is SO GOOD! Really surprised at how well the ESP held up here against the others, but I'd take the Warwick all day

[@constant3273]

most people including myself seem to prefer the ESP sound over all of them

[@funkmasterblaster5921]

That Spec Bass rumbles nicely..

[@dthdancer]

Definitely the best comparison video I've seen in ages!

[@enaidealukal9203]

I like the format of comparing each bass in a particular style or technique before moving to the next one, makes it easier to compare/contrast

[@edgeIord]

I like the apples-to-apples comparison setup but I feel it's also important to highlight the standouts of certain models. The ESP and the Mayones have onboard tone control that puts them leagues ahead. Also, anything sounds good played through a Darkglass.

[@davidleonreyes]

That Spector sounds so nice. I love the wide frequency response.

[@costas3953]

3:05 - 3:14. That's the end game right there. Amazing riff and that tone!!! This is probably the least expensive of all these basses as well. Unbeatable.

[@Luca_505]

The spector tone just got inside my ears, what was that tone my guy, amazing!!

[@markmaister5427]

That first riff is simply amazing! You should write an entire song around it, damnly amazing

[@NateNavarro]

Hey! :) Which bass was your favorite?! FENDER American Ultra Precision Bass WARWICK Custom Shop Masterbuilt Streamer SPECTOR Euro 4 LT ESP B-1004 MAYONES Jabba Custom EP VF 4

[@melocotoing3343]

The Warwick bass was my favorite!!

[@GuyNamedSean]

The P-bass was definitely the best for slap, but I think the Warwick was best across the board. I honestly didn't like the Spector in any of the examples. The ESP and Mayones both sounded great for distorted stuff. They seemed a bit more clear and distinct, especially on the Big Muff. Compared to them, the others sounded muddy when distorted.

[@RRubenAzo]

Fender in clean, warwick in distortion

[@alexocimad8990]

Warwick and ltd have the most tonal range in my opinion but its all really just preference

[@Sweetnuglyproductions]

Fender was the best

[@KaiDown]

That Mayones sounds phenomenal. Only other one I liked was the Warwick. The rest didn't have the kind of clarity I like to hear in a bass

[@bobbyfields7359]

The Fender and Spector sounded sooo good! They both cut through better than the other three to me!

[@lincoln-wav]

Fender: Reliable tone with enough overtones to know they're there. Old-school sound, but works well. Warwick: Has a sassy mid-range. Best sounding bass for solos. Spector: Very scooped frequencies. Lot's of high-end overtones. Almost synth-like? ESP: Sounds solid, but nothing is distinctive. Maybe a bit more treble than the fender but that's it :/ Mayones: 1-800-WARMTH with a pinch of lower high-end bite

[@playbassken]

Nate, you just blow me away with your monster bass chops, bro. Phenomenal playing and IMO the best bassist I've personally followed anywhere.

[@funkbassboom]

I watch this everyday. Need to try and learn all of these bad ass riffs!

[@D20band]

Spector FTW! They Mayones sounded pretty cool too, but Spector basses are just the best!

[@nsturge11]

Wow, awesome video Nathan! Love the Spector

[@jor2416]

i have been looking for a video like this for a very long time, thx!

[@tadasstrazdas]

What is that bass slap line, it sounds so GOD, it deserves to be in a song, nice work!

[@pauladuwu]

Dude, your technique is truly amazing

[@brimphemus]

I love that Spector tone (mostly cause mike starr played one)

[@a_yden16]

yessssss! another Mike Starr/AIC fan! great to find more!

[@jimmymcmullen133]

Nate you make me smile every time I hear and watch you play! Amazing slap riff to start the shootout brother!

[@JBirdBobbyJ]

Thank you for posting another comparison video, Nathan. These are my favorite of all times videos on KZbin and this one in particular at the forefront. Which one of these basses is your favorite?

[@quin.em.harris]

You make quite possibly the coolest riffs ever.

[@thebassrogue]

That precision ultra is a beaut

[@bmeds413]

I'm not even here for the basses... I'm not even a bass player.... I just love seeing your incredible skills Nathan haha !!!!

[@walt1a]

The Spector had more, shall I say clarity and low end. That's what I 💘 I'm with the Spector on this one.

[@abowla7187]

I love Warwicks but I'm not a fan of the pj setup. Especially the p bass pickups. I've always hated them. Tone and looks would have to go to the Esp for me. It's funny because it's probably the cheapest. Great video as always Nathan!

[@NateNavarro]

Thanks, man! Yeah, the ESP is the least expensive here at $1,400. Fender: $1,900; Warwick: $7,000; Spector: $2,600; Mayones: $3,400. The B-1004 is a strong contender!

[@cd0u50c9]

@@NateNavarro $7000 for the Warwick?!?

[@luisbernheimgutierrez7025]

Slap: spector ,Bridge pickup : Warwick , Neck pickup: Jabba, Drive: ESP, Drive pick: Warwick

[@tameromari2102]

All sound amazing in their own right. I personally always have a soft spot for the sound of the P bass.

[@marcoesposito8753]

The neck pickup on that spector is really meaty/big sounding, i would really love having one

[@MrRungi]

The P sounded great on the Muff, the Maones using slap. But I'll have the ESP please. Something about the bottom end just strikes a chord. ;)

[@MikeTaffet]

They all start to sound the same when the drive is engaged, but I’m really shocked how much I’m really liking the Fender’s clean tone. It just “feels” right to me.

[@maidros]

Killer bass playing. They all sound good with those skills.

[@steveluth3139]

Never thought I would prefer the ESP above all others in the overall sound.

[@hakanakbulut7315]

You should definitely try a Japanese ESP at some point.

[@ghxst-note9808]

One of the only youtubers i know of that can actually reveiw some instruments properly,same song going through all of them, no distortion or stupid effects,just the natural sound of the bass

[@EdgarSolorzanoBass]

Spector and Fender! Loved it!

[@Halfpastseven]

Sounded awesome on all bass guitars! Def got skills for me I loved the Warwick for the natural clean tone and for the distorted tone I dug the Spector!

[@alessandroborghese8148]

The fender and the mayones to me are the best in the clean sound and fender and ESP in the dirty sound Overall i think that the fender P was the best, it has such a rich and tremendous tone, and the mayones is in second place. Man i'd give everithing to have even half of your skills Fun fact: i just bought a spector...

[@Pepper-cd9yr]

I think what this video, and all your other comparison videos, show, is that the player is much more important than the instrument. I mean, I'm sure if I played all these, I'd know which one I liked the best. But in the hands of a great player, such as yourself, they all sound incredible, and I just can't choose!

[@NateNavarro]

Much appreciated! :) I also feel that playing them in person is key - The dimensions of each bass are quite different. Not a one size fits all in my opinion.

[@broondjongen]

That slap riff sounded amazing

[@MarcG7424]

That riff you used to check the neck pick ups was sick

[@Ben2346v]

WOW that SLAP RIFF its SO SATISFYING i love it!

[@MeatballCereal]

In every style, I thought the Spector had it...until that LTD. My god that one blew me away!

[@facemash]

It's probably less than half the price too. LTD's are crazy good value.

[@Yamabi_Kaze]

@@facemash Yeah, LTDs are somehow good in that quality-price relation, I'm still searching for a B-204 in red finish like crazy, but it's discontinued sadly :/

[@matevizhanyo7604]

I think you're an insane bass player.

[@bullyinspace]

I loved my basses. Trace Elliot rig too. My favourite was an ashdown 300. Favourite bass was ESP. Alembic and Spector

[@markbass354]

sounds good Nathan I like the Fender and the LTD but all basses sound good when you play

[@matthewthomas1704]

Love your playing. Keep the videos comin!

[@joaquimneto5773]

Amazing. The ESP is the most beautiful one. Fender was the best, though.

[@sethnicholls7861]

They all sounded amazing, but the Spector and Fender stood out, as well as the very surprising ESP Bass. Great bass player kinda made these killer basses sound similar in a good way haha!

[@Windingspirals]

All gorgeous in their own way. Fender holds its own. ESP and Mayones are tied for first. Incredible opening rif. Can you write it out and post it, Nate Navarro? Please.

[@thatmetaldad5286]

Slap: Fender Bridge: Warwick Neck: spector Drive: Esp Pick: none that were played (epiphone imo)

[@petebishop1603]

First things first, phenomenal playing. A top quality demo. To my ears the Fender provided the most pleasing tone in nearly all categories. More musical, particularly the bridge pickup segment where I thought it really shone. The ESP surprised me a lot and was also consistently great sounding - especially during the slap segment. Of the other more 'hi-fi' sounding instruments, I was a little underwhelmed by the Spector -- the harshness of the top end was a bit grating. It was as though the string-to-string balance was a bit off and the transients overwhelmed. The Warwick had a similar 'cut glass' tone to the Spector, but the fundamental was a bit stronger and that signature growly tone was nice to hear on the lower notes. The Mayones was neither stunning nor lacking for me; it probably did the best job as things got heavier. Overall I'd say it was a victory for Fender and ESP. Just my 2ps. ...but then it all sounds totally different in the mix.

[@LunatiqueRob]

I guess I have very different taste from others, because I liked the Mayones the least due to the lack of mids. I prefer a more balanced tone in general.

[@samlelowitch]

This is my first time hearing you play! Fantastic, my man!!!

[@adamdixon6326]

The Spector has always been great for recording but the tone sounds so good in this vid

[@josephjimenez5137]

have you done a video comparing 5 string basses at different scale lengths? i think having on with a 35" sounds better. but so many are 34". wondering if there really is a noticeable difference! cheers and hope to see you at namm again!

[@miloo___]

That Warwick was gorgeous!! I love it

[@systolic410]

Generally i found the Warwick to be the winner. Also confirmed some things for me. 1) There is far less tonal nuance/variation in slap tone between basses compared to other styles. 2) Darkglass pedals just make all basses sound like Darkglass, not that that's bad a sound, (I definitely dig it,) but everything just kinda sounds the same with a DG pedal nowadays. Killer playing though!

[@systolic410]

@Toxic Potato Opinions. We all have them.

[@angelmarrerochunkybass]

The ESP with the Nordstrand Big Singles killed it.

[@nimrodescojedo1408]

Awesome bass performance and demo sound, sir Nathan. You rock and roll, man! Anyway, I like the mayones bass. Sounds cool! Keep it up! 😊

[@radZspacely]

Nathan,great demo!the ESP, surprised me,it sounds better than expected..😊

[@benoitdufresne3288]

A monster player from another planet. A joy to listen to.

[@zombieno1]

That ESP B-1004 looks amazing. Wood worker biased.

[@btrapp37]

Can’t believe I’ve only stumbled on this guy. I mean... I just... I have no words for the effortless ability of this playing. I rarely comment in anything but I’m just at a loss for how special this player is.

[@NateNavarro]

Welcome. Much appreciated! :)

[@willieelliott352]

Dude that Spector is off the rector...you are a talent,,,sure any bass in your hands will sound great

[@jiwonpark2844]

His demos are always a good music to hear for me. Helpful, but sometimes just enough to enjoy the sounds.

[@07.lorenzorunor11]

00:01 Character customization theme song be like:

[@balgus82]

I've been wanting a Spector, but I have to admit, I love the tone on that ESP.

[@Ben__S]

Awesome comparison 👏👏 perfect video. I think these 5 basses are tested in the correct order. From the most displayed character to the most low-fi. I really like the more assertive personalities of the Streamer (all round), Euro4 (modern), and B1004 (athletic). The Bartolini on the Streamer for me...

[@asteagueche1613]

Nate, it is so good to hear you playing, versatile, on the spot, cool lines, sophisticated technique mix and BASS all through. I really love that first bass line. *Petition to have a fully grown song of it* On a side note, am I the only one that is thinking that perhaps in this setting the Fender sounds best in almost all styles and sounds....? Or is it time to admit that I am old(school😱)

[@joenettsalleh3579]

He's a talented bassist.. I just can't miss the way he's played.

[@vincentplohn2804]

can you do a vintage bass comparison?

[@mackymaca]

Im surprised by what I heard from the ESP. The Fender performed as expected. The 'Wick, ESP, Spector and Jabba sounded best for overdriven tones, in my opinion. Nice test!

[@victorimanpandiwidjaja1600]

I love Spector so much, but surprised with ESP

[@MrJohnnyorange]

Which one was the best from a playability standpoint?

[@bernardi5919]

Liked them all equally clean but the esp and mayones really shined while overdriven

[@405Lenny]

Warwick has a unique sound that I really like. ESP sounded very nice. Great playing! 👍👍