The 17 Most Classic Vintage Basses Comparison - ORIGINALS

[@kijekuyo9494]

It's so interesting how different everyone's opinion is. It seems like each bass is a favorite of someone. It shows how subjective our tastes are.

[@Leiria65]

The video that literally every bass player wanted! Thanks! And for me the Tbird easily wins in both tone and looks

[@JohanSegeborn]

+Leiria65 Thanks, glad to hear that!

[@gustavomendes1746]

Rickenbecker

[@Os0911]

Yeah the thunderbird is the best

[@ferox965]

That 69 Telecaster really surprised me on how hot and full it was...

[@LycorisSound]

The big surprise for me was the Thunderbird. For passive pickups, that's a very loud, clear sound.

[@MrThaumaturgist]

Same here. Very surprising, in a good way.

[@horusfalcon]

Yeah, the Explorers and Thunderbirds all have a nice froggy sound to 'em.

[@silaslangsyd]

Love playing mine , really sounds different I think . So many gems in there too .

[@smcgov]

i've never even tried one because they just look like a boat anchor but wow great tone, i think Squire may have used on on Tormato by Yes but drenched with effects so I had no idea

[@oman3809]

Squire did indeed use a T-bird (a non-reverse IV) on the song "Release, Release" and it's about the only song on the album that has no effects on.

[@paulhiggins2410]

Love the sound of that EB-3. The tone is complex with a slight fretless characteristic to it. Great video.

[@JohanSegeborn]

+Paul Higgins Thanks Paul!

[@JimDragonBass]

Paul Higgins yeah it's awesome! It's probably because it's a short scale bass. I love that sound

[@raystevens2900]

Makes me feel good that I play an EB-3 with my ministry now! I have even been trying to imitate the Jaco Pastorious tone!

[@RickMcCargar]

Naturally, love the Jazz and Precision and the Rickenbacker, but the big surprise to me was the Stingray. Loved it! Thanks Johan and Sven!

[@JohanSegeborn]

+Rick McCargar Thanks Rick!

[@StealthParrot]

Agree Rick, that Stingray had a lot of dynamics & tonal contrast .. very open and snappy too.

[@pat8437]

I like the stingray. Sounds rumble-y on low end, growly with the mid and higher parts.

[@TheTradge]

Stingrays are glorious sounding instruments, I would rather get one of those than a Rickenbacker or Fender Jazz, though if offered one or the other I wouldn't say no haha!

[@reiniervanzwieten7092]

I would rather have a j or pj then a stingray because they or versatile but the stingray sound is amazing

[@LennySugiono]

I really liked the eb1 sound even though it wasn’t necessarily the bass with most clarity it just had this very nice warm wooly sound to it

[@wordreet]

Hehe, I just got an Epiphone EB-0 as my first ever instrument, and it has that warm woolly sound too!

[@montys8th]

Outstanding collection of basses there. They would pay off my mortgage easily :)

[@JohanSegeborn]

+TimB4305 ;-) Cheers Tim

[@Astropearl]

Love Jazz Bass sounds

[@JohanSegeborn]

+Astropearl Cheers

[@kingslaphappy1533]

The EB-1 sounded like it was being played from the apartment upstairs. Thanks for the great vid!👍

[@Chris66JTM45]

Great video comparison Johan. To my ear that 1965 Precision really has an edge over the competition. Sounds like it could handle any genre.

[@JohanSegeborn]

+ChrisBuck66JTM45 Thanks Chris!

[@blakethekid4332]

Finally a bass comparasion that's not drowned by the backing track

[@Hamerguy68]

I liked the 1969 Telecaster and the Thunderbird. The Fender Bass V and VI were also cool somehow. I don't have any of these basses and am happy with the ones I have. The 73 Telecaster, Gibson EB3 and EB1 weren't my thing, but I didn't expect them to be.

[@bentyreman5769]

this is incredible, I really appreciate the work gone into this, I liked the 1960 fender jazz, 65' Fender Bass V and the 76' stingray the most.

[@JohanSegeborn]

+Ben Tyreman Thanks Ben, glad to hear it!

[@jeremiasdrumond7457]

That Gibson EB-3 sounds magical :)

[@BLUBOY92]

Because it reminds me of Jack Bruce, Andy Frazer, Glenn Cornick...

[@richsackett3423]

You mean marginal?

[@Viper-dz2kw]

God that eb1, you could shake the ground with that thing

[@ZaneDalton]

I know... that rumble... holy shit.

[@ActionJotaPe]

‘52 Precision and ‘62 Jazz are my favorite sounding ones

[@StealthParrot]

There are just no videos as great as these!!! Just WOW! Thanks. Great playing Sven.

[@JohanSegeborn]

+StealthParrot Thanks! :-)

[@southsilicondan1776]

Most of the strings are vintage too...!

[@edwardmonsariste4050]

Great video! In this setup, to my subjective ears I was totally shocked by that 1976 Stingray. To me, that's what a bass tone should be. Firm bottom, meaty midrange, and treble presence. All without any annoying overtones or weak notes. Bravo for this video! Thank you!

[@JohanSegeborn]

+Derik Henderson Thanks!

[@HenrikHanssonMusic]

The Fenders are my favorites, especially the 1960 Jazz... Beautiful sound. Kanonbra video! :)

[@JohanSegeborn]

+Henrik Hansson Tackar så mycket!

[@patrickhayden1977]

Great vid. You gotta love Fender Jazz basses!!

[@JohanSegeborn]

+Patrick Hayden Thanks Patrick, no other bass sits in a mix like a jazz!

[@rayk9598]

Make the same video, but compare the vintage basses to their modern counterparts! See, if the sound character has stayed the same

[@ZaneDalton]

I agree! This is a great idea!

[@conterber]

All Fenders, specially the 60' ones, rocks! The big surprise for me was the 69' Telecaster bass.... just amazing

[@snörre23]

haha the EB1 with the stand

[@kaedeschulz5422]

And VERY muddy sound... It doesn't even have mids...

[@SonicXRage]

12:05 🤣🤣🤣

[@rickenbacker40011]

Oh man! This video is perfect It's everything I ever wanted

[@JohanSegeborn]

+rickenbacker40011 Glad to gear that! :-)

[@perrysar5954]

Its incredible how some basses sound better for fingerstyle and some for plectrum!

[@KInoue-it6kg]

Thanks for this great video. Great basses. I love the sounds of 1965 P-Bass, 1960 J-Bass and 1976 Music Man. Amazing what Mr. Fender invented.

[@2121toso]

Great video. Just confirms there is nothing like that Fender tone. Leo hit it out of the park.

[@JohanSegeborn]

+2121toso Thanks, Yeah I loved that 53 P bass

[@cinesilenziosa8750]

A lot of people just called the electric bass guitar the Fender Bass in the 50s and 60s, some older guys into the 70s. By the time Stevie Ray Vaughan was introducing "Tommy Shannon on the Fendabass" in the 80s it was already a nostalgic term.

[@musikus7092]

Yes

[@mushroomlasers7470]

This video is awesome! Sound recorded nicely. I like that 65 Precision. That Rickenbacker had some serious fret buzz going on.

[@bumblesnowmonster]

Just discovered this tonight. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! 😀 Encore!!! Encore!!! 👏 👏 👏

[@roeybenuri3707]

Just love that 74 ripper! I would like to see more of this bass in your videos. Really great video!

[@cristhianlisboa7196]

'65 precision, '71 Jazz, MusicMan and Thunderbird (both with picking) and Hofner's violin bass were my calls. I'm a P-bass guy, have a Washburn Lyon Series customized, it's really nice, but I can enjoy a few other models out of this collection.

[@juzek1958]

In this and other comparison videos it's usually the Music Man (various models) and the Gibson Thunderbird that surprises many including me. Of course, ​Fender rules them all especially the Jazz Bass.

[@mikelitisore7456]

Another fab vid Johan. 15 thumbs down? Maybe that was because of the choice of socks? The Jazz basses and Thunderbird sound like a dream - thanks ;)

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Mike ;-)

[@zyenathalous]

awesome comparison guys! much appreciated. the p-bass tapewound is my fav, but i was really digging the sound from the tbird, stingray and the longhorn. thanks guys!

[@brenthooton3412]

So hard to decide!! I am always partial to the Rickenbacker but some other good sounds in there too. The EB1 was a real surprise, I have never seen an electric upright like that. The only one that was really a "no" was the Longhorn, although it would have been interesting to hear the finger picking one in a mix with guitars and drums.

[@windows-into-spaces]

THANK YOU FOR THIS! What a great video!!!

[@johnetone]

Dude these videos are a major gift! Thank You!

[@johnetone]

BTW the Gibson EB1 was my favorite every time it came on. I guess that's my dubby tendencies when it comes to bass sounds!

[@JohanSegeborn]

+john tone Thanks man!

[@mez5590]

Good video! Hard one to make because of the many variables like strings and how new they are…thanks! Nice collection!

[@jackbassII]

For me it's a toss up between the '71 Jazz and the T-bird, and I had a special love for the 73 Tele. Great video!

[@peterg.bassist]

Fantastic video! Compliments on the great tones from those vintage basses!

[@danpeabody5687]

you really do the some of the best videos I've seen. keep up the excellent work please

[@JohanSegeborn]

+dan peabody Thanks Dan, I'm so glad to hear that! Cheers

[@anirudhbhalekar]

For me the stingray was probably my favourite, sounded quite snappy and the notes were beautifully brought on with a brighter more prominent tone.

[@Leo_Berger]

Super!! Tack för inspelning och uppladdning!!

[@bol7]

An amazing comparison! I love black ‘72 JB and original PB. Thunderbird and Bass V sounded surprisingly cool. EB-1 must need a some mod in the circuit I suppose. I love Beatles, but nowadays it was found that not a few songs were recorded with Jazz Bass in their later days

[@BLUBOY92]

I had a 69 Telecaster at that time and then many others like these after but your video makes me remind how I enjoyed and good was that tone and I should have kept it, even if two basses of the same model would not sound the same because of strings, setting etc but the essential remains. Tack hej.

[@ifgwelf]

1960 Fender Jazz sounded perfect fingerstyle. The 1965 Fender V is so ahead of its time and slept on imo

[@RobCabreraCh]

That Danelectro though...epic! The Fender Jazzes were great too. Great video Johan and Sven!

[@JohanSegeborn]

+Roberto Cabrera Thanks Roberto!

[@MuhaSore]

nice, but I missed a drum beat as your old bass videos. but FINALLY A BASS VIDEO hahahaha

[@georgefromgreece4119]

I loved all. Fender Precisions, Teles and Jazzes being my favourites. Plus the Music Man Stingray.

[@6AM_YT]

If you've ever wondered why the Precision and the Jazz basses are the most ubiquitous electric basses on the planet, just watch this video. Leo really just got it right with those two.

[@la196]

They are all incredible instruments in their own rite but I have to agree, my ears really love that 76 MM Stingray too, nice and punchy and growly! Really interesting demo, thanks for all the your work!

[@crazylegslife]

16 freaking minutes on basses? this is long over due.... i really liked the danelectro with the fingers. thanks for another great video mr. vintage. :)

[@JohanSegeborn]

+STEVE LEITNER Thanks Steve! This one was indeed long overdue!

[@BradMaestas]

Many of them could've benefitted GREATLY from a setup. I was expecting some pick action on that Fender VI! Very cool to hear some for the first time. I have a 2013 reissue Korean Dano that plays and sounds like duck fat...smooth! If this example is any indication of what you could expect back then, I can see why a lot of the session players hated them.

[@Dante_Eydel]

The thunderbird, stingray, hofner 500/1, and all the P basses sounded amazing.

[@mmratmm]

This is my version of the best basses in this comparison: Fingering - 1965 Fender P, 1969 Fender T, 1971 Fender J, 1976 MM, Rick. Picking - 1976 MM, Gibson Ripper, !965 Fender P, 1969 Fender T, 1971 Fender J, Rick. 1.1971 Fender Jazz Bass 2.1969 Fender Telecaster 3-4. MM 3-4. Rick Thank you, Johan! It's a great battle!

[@tonyrayjames3526]

I like passive Fenders but that '76 Stingray sounded amazing.

[@rightfromleft6071]

62 Jazz. I know how easily that tone lays into the mix.

[@alecav574]

The Ripper!😍

[@loku8511]

Thanks guys. My favorite was the 65 pbass. Nicest to my ears

[@PureToneAmps]

I love fliptops Johan. Great video my friend..... Sweet tones and a good reference for bass sounds.....

[@JohanSegeborn]

+PureToneAmps Thanks my friend! The Fliptop is the ultimate recording amp to me :-)

[@PureToneAmps]

yeah I know. It's a tweed style amp....... I have the Jewel and Cosmonaut for bass in that direction but still want a great looking one Portaflex to add to my collection

[@jaysonc9690]

My favorite was the thunderbird

[@theyil]

SkatePunk9

[@MelloSav]

Yesss bass videooossss. Keep it comin! That Rick sounds so smooth

[@JohanSegeborn]

+MelloSav Thanks! We will! :-)

[@ireneruthfox]

It's easy to love the 1960 Jazz. The 1969 Tele-Bass was huge. ( Dug the nylon string with a pick ) Musicman rocked hard. But the big surprise was the EB-1. I want that tone for recording.

[@paulsimmons5726]

The '60 Sunburst Jazz won the contest, period! I'll volunteer to let it stay with me, just to keep it safe... 😎

[@JohanSegeborn]

+Paul Simmons That's very generous of you ;-)

[@pat8437]

Stingray

[@pat8437]

Or thunderbird. At least for me.

[@formula73]

Some of those sound like they need a truss rod or action adjustment

[@Violetcas97]

The Danelectro especially... they usually sound sorta thin but not nearly that clanky

[@jkf9167]

@@Violetcas97 they don't have truss rods, do they?

[@Violetcas97]

@@jkf9167 they do, but to adjust it you have to actually unbolt the neck and it’s in that spot where the seat of the neck meets the body. It’s a real bastard to adjust and half the reason I really don’t care for them.

[@TheChadPad]

@@Violetcas97 oh I know. I took the neck off mine 3/4 times to adjust the truss rod. Worth it

[@ac81017]

I loved the tone of that 69 tele bass!!! Very nice indeed!! Great demo!!

[@JohanSegeborn]

+William Turner Thanks William!

[@Hawiianlion67]

I love this video

[@Bottomdweller]

I liked '71 Jazz Bass most. Very punchy and clear. Bridge pickup is closer to the bridge when compared to other Fender Jazz Basses and it really makes a change.

[@StudioBrock1337]

Video was cool AF! Thank you for doing such a simple, neat, and great video. I really liked the 65 P, 69 Tele, and the 71 Jazz. The other J basses were alright, same with the 4003 but Gibsons and stuff just didn't really do it for me sound wise. Stingrays are alright too, I have owned one though and don't want another.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks, I’m glad to hear that!

[@Mamo878]

Great job guys! But why are all the best vintage amps, guitars and basses in _Sweden_ of all places? haha

[@JohanSegeborn]

+Mamo Thanks! Sweden has a great music tradition and community

[@WindsweptWheelers]

Now do them all again through an SVT with only a mic'd 810 😎

[@Dark_Star98]

Great video as always Johan!

[@JohanSegeborn]

+DarkStar Wizard Thanks man, glad to hear from you!

[@wszystkojedno696]

Danelectro- how bass guitar shouldn't sound.

[@McDoinky]

i actually played one on a gig yesterday its tone doesn't fit everything. it's pretty niche, but when it does suit the music, it works perfectly. this vid isn't an example of how good it can sound.

[@wszystkojedno696]

@@McDoinky Ok, so this example is not the only one, which is poorly sound representated in this video...

[@McDoinky]

@@wszystkojedno696 Absolutely. Just because a bass has two pickups doesn’t mean that they should both always be on

[@TheChadPad]

I love my Dano! :c

[@Ian-qs3fz]

or look

[@nicolasthys1751]

Hey there, great clip! Being a fan of those vintage instrument, it was super helpful to hear them back to back. for instance, my main axe is a 68 Telecaster and I always wondered about the later Humbucker Tele's, well now I know. I own a few pre cbs Fender JB myself . Nice also to hear the Maple 73 right after the 60 and 62. Super helpful video and nice playing by the way. Thanx !! In my very own and personnal opinion, they all sound amazing except the Danelectro which, in comparison, sounds very medium and nasal. But hey , to each his own ;-) The old 53 Gibson sounds.. interesting ;-)

[@jackyyick5962]

Many model never seen before, 1954 Gibson EB1 look funny, I vote the best sound is 1962 Fender Jazz.

[@sunrah4469]

The EB -1 SOUNDED LIKE A WOOLY MAMMOTH'S MATING CALL ...JUST GIANT JAGGED NOTES ROLLING DOWN A MOUNTAIN SIDE...WHAT A BEAST

[@ninodjuras]

sun rah 44 hahaha love this description ❤️

[@JohnsDough1918]

It just so happens that the EB-1 was used to hunt mammoths back in the day too. The cavemen didn't have any amp to plug it into, so they just used it as a spear.

[@lukedabassman7001]

I’m pretty sure u got that from Mark Agnesi from Norms Rare Guitars! Lol love it

[@wordreet]

Hehey! That '53 Tele Bass is the same age as me! But My preference runs towards the Gibson EB-3 and the Rick. But then I'm partly deaf, so what do I know? 😉😁 Thanks for making this video man, it's big fun for a start, and I love listening to all basses.

[@mushroomlasers7470]

Nice collection! That 54 Gibson is sweet.

[@johanneshej4940]

Excellent comparison! I love the Hofner the most.

[@franinsanox666]

6. 1962 Fender Jazz and 12. 1976 Music Man Stingray the best

[@ttropbo]

Exactly the same to me

[@johnmoser2689]

Really liked the Jazz Bass most of them sounded really good Music man was really good too

[@TheTradge]

My favourites were the '69 Tele Bass, '60 Jazz, Stingray and the '74 Ripper, the last one in particular I was pleasantly surprised at. Slightly disappointed by the sound of the Rickenbacker, but then that might have been due to the amp setup, I have heard Rics sounding great through an Ashdown or Aguilar amp.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks!

[@billtrieshmann5979]

Drool.... amazing collection!

[@michaelbuter6112]

Great video. Thanks for making it! The good: That '53 Precision sounds amazing! The strings probably help though. That '62 JB sounds great, it easily beats the '60 JB for me. I'd also take the '71 JB over the '60 JB though. Maybe it's got something to do with the wiring/pots? It's definitely not as simple as the older, the better with Fender. Surprised by how much I like the Thunderbird, the Ripper and the Stingray. And I think a Bass VI can definitely hold its own among "real" basses, it's just not very finger-pick friendly. The bad: I don't know what pickup is in that Gibson EB1, but it's absolutely dreadful. The EB3 sounds horribly nasal to me, as does the '73 Tele. I find it hard to judge the Rickenbacker and Danelectro, as it sounds like they both needed a setup really badly. more fret buzz than I can take.

[@ObraBass]

'53 Fender Precision and '63 Höfner 500/1 makes me smile :)

[@Mathcartney]

The b15 with the ric is a beast, great video johan!

[@JohanSegeborn]

+Mathcartney Thanks, it is indeed!

[@Bitterstone3849]

The 1960 Jazz and the EB s and this is coming from a RIC owner for 40 yrs . though that 4001 didn't sound as good as my 1980 4001 LH. THANKS Good video.

[@ER-yq1lc]

Got to watch with my daughter, she liked the '60 jazz the best and also liked the fender V, I liked the '69 tele. I gave her my old franken-bass and have to steal it back whenever I record; an ash jazz style body with a P neck PU, Jazz bridge PU, and a maple jazz neck with a tele style headstock. I rarely like new bands, but most of my favorite modern era bands seem to come from Sweden and sound like old bands such as Black Bonzo and more recently, The Night Flight Orchestra. Also Roine Stolt is one of my favorite guitar players. Maybe you could do a video and turn us on to some of your favorite Swedish bands/players we might not have been exposed to here in the states from a classic rock perspective?

[@JohanSegeborn]

+Erik Ross Thanks Erik! Have you heard about Hellacopters and Sound Track of our Lives?

[@ER-yq1lc]

Love Hellacopters! Didn't realize they were Swedish! I have a bunch of their stuff off I-tunes so I never checked the album art/liner-notes. I'll have to check out Sound Track of our Lives, not familiar with them. Thanks for the recommendations!

[@qdaveq6597]

Thanks for including a 70s Tele bass. This video demonstrates why "mudbucker" is a misnomer. It has more midrange cut than the previous 3 basses! (Which all sound amazing.)

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks!

[@jackhanley3309]

This is the only vintage bass comparison I've ever seen where a vintage Gibson bass gives a pre cbs fender a real run for it's money. That thunderbird sounded incredible and out performed all the fenders in my opinion along with the Ripper bass surprised me. I'm a vintage Rickenbacker 4001 guy myself but the slightly earlier version with the horseshoe pickup. That's my "holy grail" vintage bass tone. I have a beat up to hell ultra relic 1972 Jetglo 4001 with checkerboard binding, crushed pearl inlay, original toaster pickup etc same exact construction as the 60s 4001s. Rickenbacker didn't make any huge changes from the 60s until mid 1973. My 72 4001 was modded with a horseshoe pickup (original bridge pickup died) with all the proper 60s correct pots and caps. Greatest growl you'll ever here... Nails Chris Squire. A vintage Rickenbacker with a horseshoe pickup and a toaster blows away the later 70s ones in my opinion. That horseshoe bridge pickup is the magic.

[@THEQueeferSutherland]

Gibson - EB-1, wow, what a silly thing. Why have I never seen this?

[@JohanSegeborn]

+QueeferSutherland Yeah, not many frequencies there :-)

[@rainblaze.]

There is one on the normans rare guitars video.That thing has plenty of tone. Dont know if it was the way it was been played with the kick stand or maybe tierd pickup. But the one in norms was a floor rumbler i believe the only stoped becase they are so close to the san andreas fault and were afraid of giving that thing an excuse

[@Guitar5986]

Excellent video! Very useful stuff

[@JohanSegeborn]

+Guitar5986 Thanks, great to hear that!

[@MuhaSore]

Special love for the longhorn! I think I'll buy one eventually

[@JohanSegeborn]

+Marcos Gomes Thanks, Yeah that's a really unique tone

[@edumartins5208]

Thunderbird, Longhorn and Rickenbaker all the way! Big surprise with Gibson Ripper. I didn't knew that one and loved the tone too.

[@NPGANDERSSON]

Some very nice basses indeed! Sven did a really good job. I'd like to know what basses he preferred and why? I could do with almost any of these for different reasons but a Jazz always sounds like a proper bass should sound... Thanks for a great clip again!

[@JohanSegeborn]

+NPGANDERSSON Thanks man, I'm gonna ask Sven, I know he has used both P basses and J basses on records. Cheers

[@Sven_Lindvall]

+NPGANDERSSON The P53, P65, Jazz60, Jazz71, Hofner and the Thunderbird were my favourites. The Longhorn and Rickenbacker would have been better for me with higher string action. As a choice for recording, it really depends on how it sits in the mix with drums and everything. And that changes from time to time, it´s fun, you have to be awake:-) Best /Sven

[@NPGANDERSSON]

Sven Lindvall Thank you. Hope to see and hear some more bass playing soon!

[@johnwiksten6325]

great video. i owned a long time ago the höffner bass(copy of gibson) and a rickenbacker 4001( i think it was from around -67)and abaout the pedals, i dont have favorites, i tried many and still tries but i always come back to a cranked marshall for that sound, but pedals have also a sound, that sound is good to works. for me its only earblasting cranked up old Marshalls, but with that im not against other sounds, its ok but for me im a sucker for moving air and get old Marshalls or any brittish amp scream. fenders for an example sound great( i have a vibrolux reverb -74),but they dont cut that roughness and bite(i also had other vintage fender amps and Marshalls), and of coarse im just talkin for me,but this site is probably THE site on KZbin now and again thanks for showing all this knowledge with to us. tanx Johan and have a glad midsommar

[@JohanSegeborn]

+John Wiksten Thanks John, Glad midsommar!

[@nicoguyot]

You are my hero

[@JohanSegeborn]

+Nicolas Guyot Cheers my friend!

[@nicoguyot]

The kind of video comparison I've been waiting for a very long time

[@jaydub2971]

Might be the first time I have heard the Gibson Ripper