PaulKing

ooh I've been looking at the new range of MB58R Pure ... 2x10 is now smaller, lighter. VERY tempting. Save me...

Anyone use Rumble gear with upright? Thoughts? I've been a Markbass user for yonks. Use 1x12 cabs because they're so convenient, and kick ass. But recently I've had real GAS for a 2x10 ... for high-mid clarity. My rehearsal studio is kitted out with Fender Rumble 500 head and 4x10 cab. I have to say it's really easy to dial in a super clear tone, that cuts right through the mix, and isnt honky and boxy at all. I like it. I'm tempted to take my Markbass head down and plug it in to see if it's the sound of the cab that I like, or whether it's the head producing that tone. From what I've read Rumble kit has a reputation as budget rehearsal studio gear. It's certainly cheaper than MB, but most things are... Any of you got experience using it with upright in live situation? Fender 210 is similar size to MB 1x12 ... just 5cm wider. Fender is 20kg to MB 15kg, cos of ceramic speakers. (though I just saw the v3 is 17.7kg .. better). And it's got a compression tweeter rather than the nice HF horn in the Markbass... That puts me off a bit ... but I should trust my ears!

Great choice. Well built, smooth, quite dark-sounding basses. Probably built by the Strunal Factory in Luby, Czech Republic.

Welcome on board Jonny! A fine bass there...

I missed that day at stage school. 😁

You were indeed, and it may be Silvia's vid... though I seem to remember you two were pretty close to the front? I like to think I can trigger an early interest in bass... 😆

Hmmm, what can I say. I started at 21, still going 35 years later... though not always in tune.

Yeah I can't add much to what this lot of fine fellows have already said, just to confirm it's 100% NOT a Kay. I'd guess Czech, early Strunal. But impossible to say for sure. They still make basses that look very similar. Those external linings were put on 1960s Czech basses (like the pre-Strunal Aria Excelsior imported to UK by Boosey & Hawkes - I've got a blonde that looks very similar to yours). Yep that neck has come off at some point but it looks like a decent repair. The grain on the back is very sweet ... nice 'bookmatched' split veneer. Very pretty. As an owner of quite a few 60s East European ply basses over the years, I'd say that looks a good 'un, definitely a keeper. Hope it sounds as nice as it looks. The market seems pretty slow recently, but when times are good you might sell that for over £1k. A dealer would certainly aim a bit higher.

If you must, burn them off with gentle pass of lighter flame... can leave sooty deposits, but if they're small and fine they'll just vaporise leaving a smooth finish.

🙁

How do the 2 Aluminiums compare? I was in half a mind to chase that one just for the kicks but 4 is enough and I'm not sure how much I'd enjoy the sound!

What The Rev said, too.

We need to see a pic of the neck joint. from the side and from the back.

When you get round to changing the strings, don't take them all off at once. Change them one at a time. You won't regret it. (Whereas you will if you take them all off.) Just Google 'my sound post fell' to find out why. I agree that action is stupid high, can only be due to neck shifting, so that is a bit of a concern. You're going to end up with a very stunted bridge ... but you wouldn't be the first so go for it. Which reminds me ... when you decide to take the bridge off you have to ignore the above instruction... damn. So then, lay the bass down on its back and treat it very carefully, and leave it there (preferably with several very heavy books on top) while you're fiddling with the bridge. Just Google 'my sound post fell' to find out why. 🙂 There are plenty of instructions online about how to trim the top of the bridge without changing the curve. You have a proper old school 'Demented Are Go' sticker. Psychobilly kudos. That explains the knackered fingerboard.

What Jack said. An old beater ply bass is gonna do you a lot better, and you can always find one of them for under a grand. Boosey & Hawkes Excelsior or something like that. Scour ebay. Basses don't seem to be selling fast these days so I reckon you can haggle quite well. Markus Feldman has been trying to sell a nice old blonde cutaway on Facebook for a while - he might take a cheeky offer? The only gamble with ebay is you don't know what kind of set up you'll be getting ... but a bridge and new strings will always sort that out (though setting you back an extra couple hundred quid.) Evah Pirazzl slaps are fine strings for rockabilly, unless you're playing really authentic purely acoustic, and want to go for guts or really low tension nylon whackers. But I agree that Gewa wouldn't be top of my choice list (without playing it first). It might sound great, but I think more likely it'll be a bit of a cardboard box sound. Extra wide fingerboard??? WTF