51 P vs 57 P (reissues) - Blind Test

[EmaTheMirror]

I was thinking about opening a thread in the pickups section, but in the end I think here is better, as we are in fact talking about two different instruments which happen to bear the same name. Plus, I think this section gets more views, rofl

BaSsically, I played the exact same things on a single-coil 51p reissue (slab body - maple neck) and a split-coil 57p reissue (maple neck)

Both instruments have had their pickup changed. I'm not going to disclose any further details on that as it might influence or create a placebo effect. They are both scatter-wound, BTW

Both instruments mount the same roundwound Elixirs - though one has them a bit more played in than the other

Both were played using the same plugin as virtual amp, kept as flat as possible (same settings) yet retaining a simulation of "instrument being heard through an amp" rather than a bone dry sample. Both have been normalised to level possible output unbalances

Nothing inspiring or artistic on purpose: with both instruments I played open strings with a pick, first long notes with a softer attack, then hard-plucking pedal notes. For fingers, there's a slow C major scale (soft touch) and a simple riff (heavy finger plucking, digging in)

SAMPLE A

SAMPLE B

They do sound different. Is it clear to anyone which is which? Can you post your guess?
Do they sound like you expect each one to sound in terms of cliches or timbrical features?

What is your favourite one? Answers on the poll for that...

I have to say (as it's usually the case) the difference is more prominent while playing than listening back to recordings, but they do have their own flavour...

... I wanted to then comment a bit on each, but first I was wondering if it's damn easy for everyone to spot their tonal DNA

 

[rwkeating]

I'll play. I think sample B is the single-coil 51p because I think I can hear the split coil in sample A. Now that I've said that, I am probably wrong.

 

[EmaTheMirror]

I'll play. I think sample B is the single-coil 51p because I think I can hear the split coil in sample A. Now that I've said that, I am probably wrong.

Interesting.

What do you mean by "I can hear the split coil"?

(I'm not saying you're right or wrong, anyway, for now... )

 

[Iofflight]

I think the same thing A is the 57 and B is the 51.

 

[rwkeating]

What do you mean by "I can hear the split coil"?

I think I perceive a difference in tone across the string. Sample B just sounds more consistent an even to me (not by very much though.)

 

[LivingRoomBass]

I was thinking about opening a thread in the pickups section, but in the end I think here is better, as we are in fact talking about two different instruments which happen to bear the same name. Plus, I think this section gets more views, rofl

BaSsically, I played the exact same things on a single-coil 51p reissue (slab body - maple neck) and a split-coil 57p reissue (maple neck)

Both instruments have had their pickup changed. I'm not going to disclose any further details on that as it might influence or create a placebo effect. They are both scatter-wound, BTW

Both instruments mount the same roundwound Elixirs - though one has them a bit more played in than the other

Both were played using the same plugin as virtual amp, kept as flat as possible (same settings) yet retaining a simulation of "instrument being heard through an amp" rather than a bone dry sample. Both have been normalised to level possible output unbalances

Nothing inspiring or artistic on purpose: with both instruments I played open strings with a pick, first long notes with a softer attack, then hard-plucking pedal notes. For fingers, there's a slow C major scale (soft touch) and a simple riff (heavy finger plucking, digging in)

SAMPLE A

SAMPLE B

They do sound different. Is it clear to anyone which is which? Can you post your guess?
Do they sound like you expect each one to sound in terms of cliches or timbrical features?

What is your favourite one? Answers on the poll for that...

I have to say (as it's usually the case) the difference is more prominent while playing than listening back to recordings, but they do have their own flavour...

... I wanted to then comment a bit on each, but first I was wondering if it's damn easy for everyone to spot their tonal DNA

My gut is that A is the 51, but I’ll now read the rest of this thread to find out.

 

[LivingRoomBass]

By the way I said A is the 51 as it seemed like B had a bit more treble. My understanding is that the pre-split coil (pre-57 pickup) is a bit darker.

By the way, both sounded pretty sweet to me

 

[EmaTheMirror]

It's also interesting to see the preferences from the poll... It'd be nice to know why one prefers a sample over the other, in hindsight

The next blind test is gonna feature the opening of Continuum by Pastorius with the harmonics

(inside joke from a 51p owner...)

 

[TN WOODMAN]

Before reading any responses I thought the 51 was B. It seems a little brighter but could be the newer strings on that one making me think that.

Precisions are my favorite basses and I have 2 51 style (one with an original single coil and the other with a Fralin Split ‘51) 2 split coil and 5 split coil p/j s. I love em all. To me they are more similar than different.

 

[bobyoung53]

Sample B sounded more open to me but the strings sounded newer, they both sounded best to me when pounded fingerstyle. Sample A sounded more like a traditional P to me, it sounded a little more middy to me. If I had to choose between the two basses based on those little clips, I'd have to take sample B, and if I had to guess I would guess B was the 51.
The newer strings may have colored my perception too.

 

[Laklandfan]

Hard to say what the favorite is when it's not in a mix with other instruments competing with it. They are close enough that in a live band, I'm not sure how much difference it would make for the audience.

 

[kodiakblair]

I'm with @Laklandfan .

An audience will neither notice nor care

 

[LivingRoomBass]

Hard to say what the favorite is when it's not in a mix with other instruments competing with it. They are close enough that in a live band, I'm not sure how much difference it would make for the audience.

Who cares about the audience?!? This is my living room bassist OCD that needs to be validated.....ha ha ha

 

[Rabidhamster]

I was thinking about opening a thread in the pickups section, but in the end I think here is better, as we are in fact talking about two different instruments which happen to bear the same name. Plus, I think this section gets more views, rofl

BaSsically, I played the exact same things on a single-coil 51p reissue (slab body - maple neck) and a split-coil 57p reissue (maple neck)

Both instruments have had their pickup changed. I'm not going to disclose any further details on that as it might influence or create a placebo effect. They are both scatter-wound, BTW

Both instruments mount the same roundwound Elixirs - though one has them a bit more played in than the other

Both were played using the same plugin as virtual amp, kept as flat as possible (same settings) yet retaining a simulation of "instrument being heard through an amp" rather than a bone dry sample. Both have been normalised to level possible output unbalances

Nothing inspiring or artistic on purpose: with both instruments I played open strings with a pick, first long notes with a softer attack, then hard-plucking pedal notes. For fingers, there's a slow C major scale (soft touch) and a simple riff (heavy finger plucking, digging in)

SAMPLE A

SAMPLE B

They do sound different. Is it clear to anyone which is which? Can you post your guess?
Do they sound like you expect each one to sound in terms of cliches or timbrical features?

What is your favourite one? Answers on the poll for that...

I have to say (as it's usually the case) the difference is more prominent while playing than listening back to recordings, but they do have their own flavour...

... I wanted to then comment a bit on each, but first I was wondering if it's damn easy for everyone to spot their tonal DNA

I dont know if I have a preference, but I do think sample B is the 51 - listening on a cell phone speaker.

 

[bobyoung53]

I dont know if I have a preference, but I do think sample B is the 51 - listening on a cell phone speaker.

I thought the same and I was listening on good headphones. The new strings threw me a little though.

 

[TheGreatSealof]

Sample A was beefier. Sample B was much brighter. I could use both in different situations.

 

[Iofflight]

Sample A was beefier. Sample B was much brighter. I could use both in different situations.

That is what made me guess that A was the split coil and that B was the 51.

 

[SJan3]

A sounds fatter like a split coil.
B a bit purer with swell but thinner.
A 57
B 51

 

[scuzzy]

I preferred B with the hard attack and A with the softer finger style.

I like variety.

 

[Dark Horse]

I think A is the 51, but it’s hard to tell with a cell phone speaker