Help! How can I try a Rob Allen MB2 in the UK?

[Basilpea]

I'm thinking about buying an MB2 5 string fretless but really need to try it first, California is a long way to go.  Any suggestions as to where I can try one somewhere in the UK?  I'm down south (Surrey) but could travel for a few hours to find one.  Also looking at Jon Shuker's Artist bass.

[Frank Blank]

Calling @ezbass

[charic]

Go with the Shuker

[Basilpea]

2 minutes ago, Frank Blank said:

Calling @ezbass

Thanks Frank, great to meet up today - thank you so much for taking the trouble to come over with the Mouse - I am deeply in your debt.

[Mykesbass]

Just now, charic said:

Go with the Shuker

Jon posted pictures of a new one today - stunning!

[Frank Blank]

Just now, Basilpea said:

Thanks Frank, great to meet up today - thank you so much for taking the trouble to come over with the Mouse - I am deeply in your debt.

Not at all, my pleasure, thanks for the chat and coffee Sir.

[Basilpea]

3 minutes ago, charic said:

Go with the Shuker

The voice of experience?

 

2 minutes ago, Mykesbass said:

Jon posted pictures of a new one today - stunning!

I know, it was love at first sight.

[Frank Blank]

Try everything you can before deciding.

[ezbass]

1 hour ago, Basilpea said:

I'm thinking about buying an MB2 5 string fretless but really need to try it first, California is a long way to go.  Any suggestions as to where I can try one somewhere in the UK?  I'm down south (Surrey) but could travel for a few hours to find one.  Also looking at Jon Shuker's Artist bass.

I’m in Purley and you’re welcome to try mine.

Thanks @Frank Blank for tagging me.

[charic]

16 hours ago, Basilpea said:

The voice of experience?

 

I know, it was love at first sight.

..ish

I've not played both

I've played plenty of Shukers and never found a bad one

[Storky]

I’ve got a fretted one and a fretted mouse. I’m in Redhill if you wanted to try?

[chris_b]

The Overwater Expression and Hollowbody series might be worth a look.

[BigRedX]

I don't either a Rob Allen MB2 or a Shuker Artist, but I have tried both, and I would go for the Rob Allen every time.

Shuker make some very nice looking basses, but I have yet to play one (and I've played a fair few) that I even remotely liked the feel of. It could be just me because everyone else seems to think they are great, but as someone who has tried them and cannot got on with them at all, I ought to point out that they are not for everyone, and you should most definitely try before you buy.

 

[Owen]

Shukers are not for everyone. But neither are Fenders. Or Foderas. Or Wals. 

[charic]

Yeah, BRX you're such a fender fanboi!

[Basilpea]

6 hours ago, chris_b said:

The Overwater Expression and Hollowbody series might be worth a look.

Thanks, looks a nice bass, a good possibility but a little on the pricey side.

[Basilpea]

7 hours ago, Storky said:

I’ve got a fretted one and a fretted mouse. I’m in Redhill if you wanted to try?

That's really good of you Storky, but I'm like a fish out of water on a fretted bass now.  Luckily EZBASS has offered me a try of his fretless 5 which is right up my street so I'm going to him soon.  Thanks for your very kind offer though.

[Frank Blank]

@Basilpea I gave you the wrong user name yesterday, it’s @Andyjr1515 who builds stupendous basses.

[Andyjr1515]

1 hour ago, Frank Blank said:

@Basilpea I gave you the wrong user name yesterday, it’s @Andyjr1515 who builds stupendous basses.

You say the nicest things, you old flatterer, you 

[Basilpea]

23 hours ago, BigRedX said:

I don't either a Rob Allen MB2 or a Shuker Artist, but I have tried both, and I would go for the Rob Allen every time.

Shuker make some very nice looking basses, but I have yet to play one (and I've played a fair few) that I even remotely liked the feel of. It could be just me because everyone else seems to think they are great, but as someone who has tried them and cannot got on with them at all, I ought to point out that they are not for everyone, and you should most definitely try before you buy.

 

That's interesting - can you remember what it was about the Shuker that didn't work for you?  I ask because I'm going to try one, and I might need to focus on whatever you found problematic.  Thanks

[Basilpea]

16 hours ago, Frank Blank said:

@Basilpea I gave you the wrong user name yesterday, it’s @Andyjr1515 who builds stupendous basses.

Thanks Frank, I did look it up and I thought that might be the case.

[Frank Blank]

2 hours ago, Basilpea said:

Thanks Frank, I did look it up and I thought that might be the case.

No worries, definitely try some of @Andyjr1515’s wares before you make your decision. Another builder who could maybe make you something to your own spec.