dombass Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 Hi All, just wondered what thoughts you may have of King Double Basses. If anyone has played one, if it was a favourable experience or not. I'm looking at getting my first DB (want to play R&R) & wanted some idea of what they're like, sound build quality etc. all input gratefully received. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbie Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 King Moretone Basses are vintage pearls of the 50s.. They are no longer made and they have street cred +++++. You are not likely to find one easily. King double basses were rockabilly basses made in the US a few years back. They are also no longer made but the guy who made them, Jason Burns, now makes Blast Cult basses, similar concept but improved design: excellent basses. Both options will be very expensive as well as very good. I think Blast Cults retail for around $4500 plus lot of dosh to import them from the US. If you find a used King (of either kind) buy it!... But it ain't gonna be cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keeponehandloose Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 there was a King Slapking on fleabay just a couple of weeks ago , dont know if its gone or not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dombass Posted November 18, 2013 Author Share Posted November 18, 2013 Thanks gents, much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarah thomas Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/King-Double-Bass-Slap-King-3-4-True-Blonde-Stand-Up-Bass-Rockabilly-/321247133119"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/King-Double-Bass-Slap-King-3-4-True-Blonde-Stand-Up-Bass-Rockabilly-/321247133119[/url] and a gig bag with a furry leopard print interior! Please buy it to stop me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 [quote name='sarah thomas' timestamp='1384943514' post='2282502'] [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/King-Double-Bass-Slap-King-3-4-True-Blonde-Stand-Up-Bass-Rockabilly-/321247133119"]http://www.ebay.co.u...y-/321247133119[/url] and a gig bag with a furry leopard print interior! Please buy it to stop me. [/quote] Good job London is some distance away from Liverpool - that is a rather fabulous looking beastie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbie Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 Buy it. I would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddy109 Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Did any of,you guys buy it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dombass Posted November 21, 2013 Author Share Posted November 21, 2013 I tried, but got snipered with a second to go! :-( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddy109 Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 I was expecting it to go for more than it did. I was banned from putting in a bid - couldn't help watching it though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbie Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Good deal for whoever got it. The shiny finish and colour wouldn't be to my taste but the quality is great. I hope that whoever got it is going to put it to good use, might catch it round in the circuit hopefully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubassman Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Rabbie whats the deal with the tailpiece? Looks to be an composite alloy that has been chromed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbie Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 I'm not sure actually but it may well be that. I think Blast Cult uses a new ebony substitute which is still hard wearing wood, but I don't know what King used to do. Looks way too shiny for me though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 The advert mentioned that the seller had had the chromed tailpiece as some sort of upgrade, I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubassman Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1385110469' post='2284497'] The advert mentioned that the seller had had the chromed tailpiece as some sort of upgrade, I think. [/quote] ...pimpin' da King ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassman43 Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 Hi all I bought the King slapking bass on ebay, have changed the steel strings for gut which has given it a much deeper tone. Gigging this weekend so will let you know how it goes. If you follow the rockabilly circuit you will see it with the Infernos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbie Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 Good for you mate, you got a great deal there! All the best with it and I hope to see you gigging around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fabbabass Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 I was lucky enough to win a KDB Slap Bass a couple years ago. The guy who ordered it had a record deal and while they would give him a bass on endorsement, they did give the bass a custom midnight blue-burst finish, which was only available to special order, (it also had the upgraded chrome tailpiece. I ordered the Dolls Head pick-up and pre-amp and got caugth up in the King DoubleBass debarcle that finished the company and thought I had lost my money and the pre-amp........it didn't end there though....the fabulous bloke (Jason Burns, now of Blast Cult), took the reponsibility to build me the pre-amp that I had paid for and ship it to me many months later, even when KDB were dead and gone. The basses are fabulous for the money as has been said. I put Silver Slaps on it and have been very happy. I go through the pre-amp sand into a DTar parametric then into my little EA 350 Combo or my Eden/QSC/Bag End rig. If you can find one buy with confidence, they are always well finished. Alternatively if you can raise the money and can get a Blast Cult I cannot recommend Jason Burns service highly enough (a REAL gentleman) and am certain that those basses will be superb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbie Posted December 19, 2013 Share Posted December 19, 2013 +1 on what fabbabass says. I have bought stuff from Blast Cult from the UK and I too have found that both Jason and Miguel are great: deal with confidence there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubassman Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 Theres one on ebay at the mo - dont see them come up for sale that often http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/King-Double-Bass-Slap-King-Relic-KnK-Cordes-Lambert-Rockabilly-Country-Jazz-/261425332492?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item3cde2a010c Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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