Differences between BO and NT?

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Hi! Can anyone help me with a link or some info about the differences between BO and NT? I could only find a video on youtube but that's all.
 
I was asking a general question, I am not talking about a specific bass guitar.

Which of them go better with slaps? (I like slap sound to be with very metallic, clean) What about double hand tapping?
 
personally I prefer BO basses especially for slap (I don't tap so no comment on that). As Woody said, they do have a bit more attack of which I prefer. It really boils down to what you think sounds great in your head when you hear it.

LR
 
I'd say different kind of attack rather than better...
 
BOs have more aggression in their mids, NTs have more of an organic and note sustaining sound. Personally, I like the sound of NTs over BOs.
 
Is there any difference regarding how you feel the grif in your hands? Is it more comfortable to play one than the other?

Any weight difference? I have a bad back...
 
Weight isn't much different, when comparing my old BO Thumb to it's NT counterpart. But... if you have a bad back, get a bass with a lighter body, like Swamp Ash or Alder.

I can tell a difference between a BO and NT, especially going up the neck. I find NTs have a nicer feeling when reaching the highest octave.
 
Rocco, why don't you give me a call tomorrow, and we can talk about this :-)

About your question, I think all you need to do is use the "search" function, on the forum, as this subject was very discussed.
But really, call me, because it is not about NT vs BO here, is about finding the right bass for you.
 
Personally I stick to BO because I'm afraid of having a broken NT neck and just having a ruined bass because of it. Not because I'm careless with my gear, I'm actually extremely protective of it, but because I don't trust people around me.
 
Hahaha I have the 2009 LTD $$ and its a BO. That isn't the same thing at all my friend. Even my guitarist who has a great endorsement with Jackson even fells the same way and a bunch of others I know. He can get a $1900 guitar for $200 including shipping from Arizona to Canada and only gets BO necks because if the neck gets damaged all he has to replace the neck. You may see differently, that's fine but thats what I and lots of others see as well.
 
I prefere BO. I like slapping and, in my opinion, slap sounds much better if you use BO.
 
i just have no idie and just cannot imagine how the neck can break in bass?
Never under estimate the stupidity of people my friend. I've seen some a person break an A string on a bass. Can't image that? I've seen it. If you think it's idiot proof, somebody will create a better idiot.
 
Ha ha, interesting opinion Marko :)

But firstly I will say how neck can be broken: Easily !
1. Bassist which play in Neverne Bebe, Serbia had broken neck on his Thumb Bolt-On in 2001 or 2002.. His drummer (if I remember) had wanted to pass near bass but striked it slightly, nonintentionally.. Bass fell from non secured stand and neck had brokened.
2. Bassist playing in Emir Kusturica & Non Smoking Orchestra had broken neck on his Thumb. Do not know how but I saw that bass. It is repaired and very good repaired indeed ! And it is neckthrough ! He likes that bass so much that he is playing it even nowadays.

About idiotic thing :) No hard feelings, I will not get angry, but do choose your words :) I have learned that on job. See, I like slap and pop/pluck. And I used to slap and pop through almost whole gig. I pop/pluck on all strings, even A string, even E string. I use GHS strings which are not bad at all and I had broken about 17 strings among tham about 3 or 4 A strings. I had broken A string even playing fingerstyle. I may say that my attack is too strong but it affects tone and I like that hard attack.

If you like RHCP Flea or Primus Less Claypool you will see that they pop/pluck almost every string. If you read Enthony Kiddis book you will find that Flea used to beak some string almost every gig. So, do not think that breaking A string is idiotic becouse there are some of us on Forum and some real good bassist abroad that are non idiots and have done this several times :)

Of course, I understand that you had only good intentions so no hard feelings at all :)
 
I didn't mean anything bad just trying to use an example that anything can break even if you think it can't happen. I've never thought that somebody could break an A string but I've seen it so I know it can happen. Some people might not believe it but it is possible. Nothing is invincible. I could have said something like even if you have a Ferrari nicely parked and safe in your driveway that doesn't mean somebody driving a used Honda recklessly into your car could f'up your car.
 
Marko is right, one of my techs tuned my low B one octave higher. We used to start our concert with a loud low C, so imagine my surprise.

Anyway, my neck survived to that (the tuner didn't)
I don't think it is a big difference if you break a NT or BO neck, the repair should be pretty much the same, and the same costs. I can understand your reasons, but I think here you worry for nothing :-) And a NT is a nice bass to have :-)
 
Your tech is my hero. Can' imagine how could he made THAT big mistake.
I know that one hero/king/genious (in my city) switched E string (0,105) on 4 string StingRay with H string (0,130). And neck survived !

If you like everything about neckthrough and the only thing that troubles you is possible neck problems - I think you should stop thinking that pesimistic.. Nothing will happen, buy bass that sounds the best in your opinion.
 
well, if you are gonna let the replacement/repair cost dictate the instrument you play, then get an SX ...

I know I won't be happy with that
but I also know that somebody will be perfectly fine
 
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