Blind date. Bass, £1200

[Brave Sir Robin]

Hi guys,

The GAS is killing me, and I'm looking to buy a new bass to relieve the pain. I've got some spare dough on the side just for the occasion (a fool and his money, hey) and looking for something not 'the usual'.

I've had a cool Warwick Thumb BO 5, wenge neck. Fat, growly and punchy, a real metal warrior that could cut through a wall of guitars, but just unbearably uncomfortable so I had to let it go. I'm looking for something with some edge like that, something in a J/MM configuration, I like the stingray snarl, and want a bit of versatility (hate that word).

I was looking at some cool german made basses, 5 strings, but I have no clue how they would fare, and don't know where I could testdrive them. They all in the same price range, 1400, 1800 euros.

So, a shameless occasion for teutonic bass porn, here are the contenders.

[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/sandberg_bullet_jm4_rw_bk.htm"]SANDBERG BULLET JM4 RW BK.[/url](5 string of course).


[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/sandberg_basic_ken_taylor_5_ash_bb.htm"]SANDBERG BASIC KEN TAYLOR 5 RW BK[/url]


[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/sandberg_basic_ken_taylor_5_imbuia_nt.htm"]SANDBERG BASIC KEN TAYLOR 5 RW IMB.[/url]


[url="http://www.musik-schmidt.de/osc-schmidt/catalog/clover-xpression-155-mahogany-walnut-p-22086.html"]Clover Xpression XP 15.5 Mahogany / Walnut[/url]



[url="http://www.musik-schmidt.de/osc-schmidt/catalog/marleaux-consat-straight-5string-dibetou-orange-p-13088.html"]Marleaux Consat Straight II 5.[/url]


I'm a sucker for nice exotic woods (mahogany, walnut), and looks. I'm not really a traditionalist, so not really interested in the Fender / Musicman / Warwick. I want to try something different, with some character, and a with a MM at the bridge.

My personal favorites are the Clover (I like the whole package. mahogany, walnut, zero fret, delano J/MM, three band EQ, cutaway), and the Marleaux (heard so many good things about those, wooden pickup covers, pau ferro fingerboard, small funky but practical shape). And the 'exotic' Ken Taylor as well, although I am wondering about a double buck and a mahogany body (I think the 30th anniversary Stingray is like that, and they seem to have pulled it off).

Now, an exotic Marleaux with mahogany / macassar ebony, still retaining the J/MM, that would really push all my happy buttons. Would also cost a fair bit.

[16Again]

i'm not a fan of 5 stringers but that clover looks real smart.

D.

[Dood]

I like the look of the Sandberg 5. I have played a couple of 'bergs but not enough of the others to make a choice really. If you fancy something 'not the usual' as you have mentioned, here's a disgusting plug for a bass I have up for sale.. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=18"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=18[/url] .. I have a chap coming over next week to check the bass out. If for any reason it's not for him it will be available.

If a 6er is a bit too much.. at least take a look at Shukerguitars.co.uk anyway .. disclaimer: or any of the other fine Luthiers we have in the UK that carry stock.

On a side note, I was listening to the MP3 samples on Ped's website . He has a Japanese made Baccus 24 and a Bossa Jazz bass. They sounded sooooo nice! Mebbe another 2 to add to your list?

[Hamster]

A tricky puzzle Sir Robin All could be good, but a test drive is imperative as you might find one or more just as uncomfortable as the Warwick.
A +1 for Dood's suggestion about having a good look at UK luthier's stock.

Hamster

[The Burpster]

Not played a Sandberg but have played a Clover, and played with a Marleaux.....

definately the Clover for me, if I wasnt emotionally attached to PRSs it'd be Clovers... Beautifully crafted and play very nicley.....

[Brave Sir Robin]

[quote name='dood' post='36344' date='Jul 24 2007, 12:49 PM']I like the look of the Sandberg 5. I have played a couple of 'bergs but not enough of the others to make a choice really. If you fancy something 'not the usual' as you have mentioned, here's a disgusting plug for a bass I have up for sale.. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=18"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=18[/url] .. I have a chap coming over next week to check the bass out. If for any reason it's not for him it will be available.

If a 6er is a bit too much.. at least take a look at Shukerguitars.co.uk anyway .. disclaimer: or any of the other fine Luthiers we have in the UK that carry stock.

On a side note, I was listening to the MP3 samples on Ped's website . He has a Japanese made Baccus 24 and a Bossa Jazz bass. They sounded sooooo nice! Mebbe another 2 to add to your list?[/quote]

That Shuker is amazing! What's a beauty. And yep, you're mad! It's a sixer though, a bit out of my realm. I'm no pro bass player, more like a diletante, but that would be a great opportunity to crank up my bass skills. And I mean, seriously! Learn it all over again (I can play a fair bit, red hots and metal stuff, but not really hot on the theory and musicianship, and my slap technique is embarrasing).

I've heard of bacchus, but I'm trying to steer away from the Fender clones. I know, stupid, ... Shukers have spiked my interest for sure. I've heard of them before, but I would have though proper boutique basses would be a lot more than that, but they seem affordable, even the neckthroughs (I like the Elite, and the Deluxe+).

Keep me posted, I'm really interested. I'm pretty sure it's gonna be gone though

[Alpha-Dave]

+1 for UK Custom if you want something full of Woody goodness that isn't a fender clone (unless you ask!).

You won't get a Sei or Overwater (new) for that price range (as they employ multiple people, so have way higher costs), but Shuker, ACG, RIM and the other lone builders can put you together something for around that cost.

Check out the Build Diaries section, then send a few emails, it'll cost you nothing.

The major down side is that despite most holding 'stock' for immediate purchase, to get something truly custom, you'll have a several-month build time.

[Brave Sir Robin]

All righty. I'll check out the local builders (I'm not english BTW, but I plan on staying in the country for a while).

Man, an eye-popping neckthrough boutique for £1200. Even second hand, still amazes me. That, or a MM, Fender Deluxe or a Warwick... No contest I think! I've got some shopping to do now.

[bassboy115]

that marleaux looks pretty!

[The Funk]

Do all those basses have Delano pickups in them? Interesting. I always vote walnut. It is the sex.

[baixo]

The Clover Xpression XP 15.5 for me...

[Lfalex v1.1]

Custom probably [i]is[/i] the way to go.

Failing that, I'd have mentioned (in addition to your choices)

Fender Roscoe Beck V
Warwick Streamer Jazzman V
Musicman Bongo HS V
Warwick $$ V Thru-neck (Bubinga)

They're all in your price range.

I know you said you don't favour any of these brands, but I'd try them out in the name of [i]"research"[/i]!

At least then you'll know what you do and don't like about each, right down to the Nth degree.
You may even find the tone to die for in there, too.

With that kind of money to spend, I'd try EVERYTHING, just to make sure a killer bass hasn't slipped through the net, as it were.

Ultimately, if none fit your tonal and aesthetic needs, at least you'll have a wealth of knowledge to help you through your discussions with any luthiers.
The more you can brief them, the more accurately the end product will fit your requirements.

[eubassix]

Based my Vote on the ones you listed to avoid clouding or complicating the issue.

I would go for the Marleaux - I've used their basses for years and have always found them to be exceptional in terms of build quality, feel and sound. Small Company,so they have excellent follow-up (although virtually nothing has gone wrong with them).

Is the photo model still available - I thought this was something produced only for a short time which had been dropped (.. although they would probably build one if you really wanted it).

[Brave Sir Robin]

Thanks for the input.

I've thought about it for a while. I'm pretty overworked, so I haven't been able to commit to a new purchase, but I've been looking around and trying things.

- Corvette $$ NT. I've considered it. I like the Corvette $$ BO enough, but they didn't grabbed me. As per usual, it seems that the electronics in the warwicks just lets down the whole package. Especially on the $$ 5 string I tried. It was quite muddy in the lows. It's like the MECs give warwicks a bad cold. I'm gonna have to leave warwicks aside. My old Thumb was nice though, quite clear and clean. They sounded a bit like EMGs.

- Not a fan of the bongo. The looks, the design. Really not big on pickguards and opaque finishes. Form before function maybe, but I'm not a pro looking for a work tool. I like coffee table woods, and not a fan of basses where the sound mostly comes from the electronics.

- I considered spectors. I like them ok. String spacing is tight though. Tried a NS5 and it was good. But again, I mostly heard the electronics. Sounded a bit synthetic.

- Not really looking for Fender or musicmans. I tried some, yeah, they are ok, nothing special. I like the musicman vibe, but like Fenders, they practically grow on trees. I want something a bit special, and if I can give a local luthier some reason to work then why not. Plus, they are still expensive when you compare to the local production. If I can spend an extra £200 on something really banging, I can and I will.

I'm just curious I guess.

[Dood]

[quote name='Brave Sir Robin' post='36505' date='Jul 24 2007, 06:21 PM']and not a fan of basses where the sound mostly comes from the electronics.[/quote]


If it's pickups you are refering to, in an electric bass, a large percentage of the tone comes from the electronics/ pups. More so than the woods used. What I mean is that you can make a more noticeable difference to the voice of a bass by changing its electronics than you can by changing the wood alone.

Sounds unlikely doesn't it?

[ari]

I used to own a Marleaux Straight II a few years ago - I really loved this bass. Playability was excellent and it sounded great. I've tried Sandbergs also and IMHO the Marleaux are superior instruments in playabilty, fit and finish, and sound.

[jwbassman]

From that list, I think the Clover gets my vote - not played any of them so based on nothing more than the way they look

[Brave Sir Robin]

[quote name='dood' post='36520' date='Jul 24 2007, 07:22 PM']If it's pickups you are refering to, in an electric bass, a large percentage of the tone comes from the electronics/ pups. More so than the woods used. What I mean is that you can make a more noticeable difference to the voice of a bass by changing its electronics than you can by changing the wood alone.

Sounds unlikely doesn't it?[/quote]

One part of me wants to agree, the other part is in denial

An all maple bass would sound different than a wenge/bubinga bass, but a bass with two active humbuckers would sound equally or more different than a bass with two passive jazz pups, and the pickup placement would alter the sound even more, that's for sure.

But I like woods. Dark woods especially. And lots of them! I like the look of them, the sound of them, the feel of them, and if the bass design allows the sound characteristics of the wood (yes! I believe!) to shine though, I'm all up for it. I found spectors, status and bongos don't really work like that, where as warwicks do. It's more towards what I want, but more open and practical .

It would be a very boring world if you could make a bass made out of plastic bits sound every bit like a corvette passive (I tried one, it was really sweet and woody and mellow) or a Fender Jazz (Jaco burp) or a P bass. Which I'm sure you can if you really wanted to (Variax?). Hence my quest for a nice looking, nice sounding bass and great looks. Active electronics seem to blure the edges a lot more as well. It's quite interesting, everywhere I read about guys investing in boutique bass, they tend to prefer the passive sound than the active sound. Or with just a slight tweak of active to shape the sound according to the environment or the type of music. I like that.

For custom and exotic stuff, I believe everyone chooses a bass and it's wood / electronics combination in equal terms. And the luthier brings his skills and knowledge to make everything stick. It's all a package.

my 2 cents. After all that incoherent rambling, I feel like on a merry-go-round!

Edited July 24, 2007 by Brave Sir Robin

[Bigwan]

You seem to like the sound of your thumb bolt-on, so definately go custom. Jon Shuker can do the whole wenge thing with no problems. He's actually carried out an identical project before - taking the sound of the thumb and making something more playable and comfortable out of it!