joel406

I'm just getting started on my comparison of the Killer B V and Classic V. But on a softer note, the Growler. I spent all of 30 minutes with it so it's not very in depth. Sonically it does sound cool. Multiple coil adjustments make for quite the tonal palette. It was so light. But the neck has all the weight (you already see where this is going). Yep! Neck dive. Holy crap on a cracker neck dive. A good strap may help but IMO it's a deal breaker. But do not dismiss it. For studio work sure. Live, I would pass. As of right now I'm toying with the Killer B. Figuring out the EQ. This bass wants metal. I should have gone with my tried-and-true D'Addario Half Rounds. I opted for nickel round D'Addario's since they worked so well with my G&Ls. But I also know these strings are barley 24 hours old and some break in should mellow things. Also, I get regular interruptions from the construction crew. That tends to cause track changes. What they're doing will be for another post hopefully soon.

Well, the Classic 5 arrived this morning. I immediately took it to my trusted setup guy. New strings and a setup and it was perfect. My luthier works out of the shop where my buddy works. They have a very righteous bass department. They also have a new Growler and Killer B. While my Classic was being sorted, I had a run with them. That Growler was so light. I've never held a 6lb full scale bass. The tones were cool. But probably really not gig worthy. Too light. Felt like was gonna break it. But for a studio bass there are a lot of sounds in there. Then I tried the Killer B. Oh my... Tone. Feel! It's all there. So! I wanted a real case for the classic and of course Gator cases are everywhere there. So I got me a nice hardshell case for the Classic. Then I turned around and bought the Killer B. Crazy day too say the least. 2 new Tobias Basses in one day. And yes, I bought a second Gator case for it. Gonna be spending the night switching from Classic to Killer B. I will post pictures and a NBD later. Been a busy day. Time to chill.

I get you're a Cort fan. There is more than one shop close to me that stocks em. Tried them I have. And my response is "very" subjective. Didn't care for them. Sound wise they were ok at best. But seem cheaply made. Of course, people complain about Fender in the same way. I feel differently about that. And while a monster player I am not a big fan of their primary endorser Mr. Jeff Berlin. He was my neighbor at one point. His views are solid enough but his message to abrasive for me. He stands his ground firmly. As for Mark bass products... REALLY not a fan. I feel even more so when it comes to Hartke. Fender, G&L, Mesa Boogie and Epifani are the kinda stuff that gets me outa bed in the morning. I even don't care for Dingwalls. Yeah, I'm that old school. I'm hoping that this Classic 5 that's due to arrive here within the next 5 hours impresses me. There is a Growler and a killer B at my buddies shop that I haven't had the chance to go see. But he's a hopeless MTD freak and he says he's considering taking a Growler home. That says a lot being as he owns 9 535s.

Well, I should have an idea about that in just under 6 hours. Tracking shows mine is now within driving distance. Just waiting for FedEx.

I owned 2 Mike Lulls that had the full US Bart setup. Oddly enough both were 9v. While great instruments I couldn't get along with the 35" scale. I have seen Lulls in 34" since moving both of those on. But again at $5k usd I chose to pass. Now the Classic I now wait for seems to have the full USA Bart and pre, lets hope the neck and balance pan out. Tracking says it will arrive in the next 6 hours. Kinda excited. I was an old Toby fan from back in the day. Big Chris Squire fan. Remember "On the silent wings of freedom"? Still love that song. Coming from a hopeless Fender freak. I have 13. This is a big change.

Another note to be added. Of the 3 retailers I've spoken too, all have said that Gibson is making only one run of these. After that they are discontinued. So, get now while you can or forever hold your peace.

I have seen one. The $6k usd price was somewhat restrictive.

Looks like the Cort has different electronics than the Toby. Different body, neck and fret board woods as well. Plus, I'm sure being made by Gibson license adds a tick.

I have high hopes. I could have just gotten myself a MTD 534 and been happy. But they all seem to have wide string spacing. Wide necks. I prefer Fender-ish spacing. These look like their close. I will find out tomorrow.

Well. Personally, I like em. So I'm trying one. A classic 5. I wanted Neck thru. Arrives tomorrow. Photos from the seller.

Mesa Boogie. I tried all the new Subway line. I loved the D-800+. So, I keep 2 on hand. For cabs I have a pair of Subway 212s. And a pair of Subway 410s. I also have a custom built Epifani UL 901. I was a GK junkie for decades, but their new line was terrible. So, I tried Mesa. Now I'm good.

Yeah... I guess CS is nice and all. But I have never seen the point. A MIA Fender will always get you there. Even if you do change pickups. Speaking from experience, adding a preamp to an instrument is counterproductive. I own 4 active basses and 9 passive. A QuadCortex will always get you the sound you want. And you can set it up for every bass you have. Just step on the button.

Check out the G&L M-2500 (if you can find one). Those necks and electronics are crazy good. So good I ended up with 3 of em. The L-2500 is good. Easier to find. I have one. But the M-2500 is so much better.

Hard to tell. Blue with tort. My favorite of 13.

This is the way...

Finally got me some G&Ls. Really loving em. Nice specimen you have there.

Probably 25 years old and they want 6k usd. Hard pass.

Finger hovering over trigger.

O

Funny story. I haven't even plugged it in yet. I started construction on a 2000 square foot studio last year. Other than a mock practice setup most all my equipment is packed away. My POG3 is with its pedal board. But not hooked up yet. Construction should be done in 4~6 weeks. In the meantime, I've picked up what I could store until its finished. Storage is a problem since I'm also re-modeling the home the studio is attached to. But as soon as I can, I will post a review. So yeah... $250k usd is going into it.

Well, I play nothing but 5 string. When I was searching for "that bass" I tried a lot. More brands and models than I care to remember or list. I live within a reasonable driving distance of "Bass Central". They have pretty much everything. Even a full line of Alembics and Dingwalls. So, between here and there I compared. And what I found is this. Ever heard the term, it's all in the fingers? It really is. If your hands don't like it, it's the wrong one. It has to fit you. If it fits, the B string will be perfect. Because it fits your fingers. All my 5 strings have a perfect B string. So, what worked for me? American Fenders. I really wanted to love another brand. Bought and sold 2 Lulls because they couldn't compare in sound or feel. But I have started a torrid love affair with 3 G&Ls. Picked up a USA L2500. Loved it so much I went hunting for a M2500. Found 2 on the internet. 1 tribute. 1 USA. I grabbed both. I love em both, but the USA M2500 is a beast. And the poster that said 35" scale wasn't the "be all, end all". Was right! I don't get along with 35" scale. Why? I wish I knew. Moral of the story. Play as many different 5's as you can. If you can't find one on a shelve, make use of return policies and buy online. I have had zero issues with online bass shopping. ZERO! Plenty of horror stories out there. But I have had nothing but great luck. Probably because don't buy used. I've only bought used twice. Both my M2500s are used. But in new condition. I was shocked when I received them. But gift horse and all, I considered myself lucky. I bought 2 lottery tickets afterwards. I guess I blew all my luck on those G&Ls.

Well... If anyone is interested, I have one of these. So, here's where I'm at with it. When it arrived, it had no case. I ordered a hard-shell case which arrived the following day. Out of the box it sounded and played just fine. But the tuners struck me as cheap and untrust worthy. So, I've had a set of Hipshots put on. The pickups are surprisingly clean and Jazz Bass sounding. The neck solid and sound. Plenty of truss rod there. The radius is comfortable. And the weight is manageable. Once I had my tuners, I had my wizard work his stuff with a new Nickel Wound D'Addario six string set. 40~130? Not sure... Now with neck set and aligned, intonated and properly nutted, it's home. Action is great. But the neck is a bit of a workout once you get going. The string spacing has got to be just on 17mm. I would not be shocked to find out it's tighter. You gotta be careful or you'll wind up a string over. As a result, you concentrate a little more. It's resulting in stiffer playing. On a 5 I have a more fluid movement. I hope time will make this easier. The neck has some beef to it. But again manageable. Every 6 I've played has a neck width I couldn't get along with. And to be honest. This will likely end up as a studio bass. Use it for the workout. Then go back to the comfort of my 5's. Long story a little longer. It's an amazing instrument for the Pesos. I'm sure someone will gig one. Will I? Probably not. But I'm impressed enough to be happy owning one.

I would go full QC. Don't worry about the preamp. There is a Noble pre on the Cortex cloud. Along with tons of other amps, Preamps and cabs. The possibilities are literally endless. I do recommend the Keely compressor pro. There are some good ones in the QC, but I've really taken a shine to the Keely pro.

I recall a story about the stones. Richards coming into the studio and saying. Ok lads, everyone tune to this (striking a note on his guitar) and let's get going. Their tunning ending up somewhere between A and G#.

A lot of bands tune down a half step. Van Halen, Kiss, Guns & Roses. I think all their albums are that way. We tune down a half step. For no other reason I think then to make it a little easier for our vocals. As to what's right. Best guess. Whatever works. I was playing with a group of guys who would tune down a half step. Then we would still play the songs as they were on the original recording. So, stuff that was tuned down to start with ended up a whole step down. Another band found us rekeying some songs as much as a fifth, always this was to accommodate vocalist.