TheMaartian Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 (edited) So, how do I justify spending another $350? Here's how I do it. Fall in love with one of its expensive big brothers, and then go "What the heck. That one's only $350". 😂 Here's the one I'm lusting after at the moment. Apologies for the knuckleheads in the video. Edited May 23, 2020 by TheMaartian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sykilz Posted May 24, 2020 Share Posted May 24, 2020 The surf and black ones are great, but when they do the five string in red.....will definitely get one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMaartian Posted May 24, 2020 Share Posted May 24, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, sykilz said: The surf and black ones are great, but when they do the five string in red.....will definitely get one. I've seen the red in person at our local music store (Arizona Music Pro; yes, fortunate to still have one!). It's a stunner, for sure! Edited May 24, 2020 by TheMaartian 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sykilz Posted May 24, 2020 Share Posted May 24, 2020 Under 'normal' circumstances I'm quite lucky too, there's two PMT Stores and the dv247 store within 30 minutes drive, will def check one of these out when they reopen the physical shops 👍🎸 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted May 26, 2020 Author Share Posted May 26, 2020 I'm really liking this colour too! Maybe I'll need a 4 string as well! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarshallBTB Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 Just ordered one of these, the same black 5! Been after a nice short 5 for ages and this was too tempting for the price. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted May 29, 2020 Author Share Posted May 29, 2020 On 27/05/2020 at 22:52, MarshallBTB said: Just ordered one of these, the same black 5! Been after a nice short 5 for ages and this was too tempting for the price. Nice! I've been doing a bit of digging for string options as low B medium scale strings are rare. La Bella medium scales look like they will fit - including their lovely but expensive White Nylons (might need the nut slots a little wider) Warwick Black Label rounds mediums will fit. The B is tapered on them Newtone will make any scale you like to order, so they fit as well - just specify 860mm length to the "past the nut" taper excluding the Ball end. Rounds only. There's only 1 set of medium scale 5 string flats I can find - Dunlops. I've emailed them to ask for their speaking length measurements to make sure that bit wouldn't be wrapping the post. I'll update if I get a reply. I've just received a couple of the Black Label sets (Shipping was a flat fee from Germany so I got 2) but I haven't fitted them yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarshallBTB Posted May 29, 2020 Share Posted May 29, 2020 Its here! Glad I bought this, flippin awesome. Plays really great straight out the box, it was almost in tune too. Not plugged it in yet but finish and feel seem spot on, even more so at this price. Winner 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMaartian Posted May 29, 2020 Share Posted May 29, 2020 2 hours ago, MarshallBTB said: Its here! Glad I bought this, flippin awesome. Plays really great straight out the box, it was almost in tune too. Not plugged it in yet but finish and feel seem spot on, even more so at this price. Winner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarshallBTB Posted May 29, 2020 Share Posted May 29, 2020 Fair comment! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMaartian Posted May 29, 2020 Share Posted May 29, 2020 OK, now we're talkin'! Loverly. How's it playing? One of my dogs is named Sparky. Almost thought you got me there, and then saw Puppy. Only then did I realize it was Snarky and not Sparky. 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarshallBTB Posted May 29, 2020 Share Posted May 29, 2020 (edited) So after playing it for a couple of hours.... Feel and finish of it is excellent. Frets are spot on, I haven't done anything with the set up other than raise the bridge pickup ever so slightly. Intonation needs adjusting but it's only slightly off. Sounds good too! Very bright, I think I'll end up making it passive and replacing the wiring, not that I've looked inside at what's in there already mind you! Its probably perfectly fine. Just not keen on the preamp. I think it's the best value bass I've bought new. Already considering a second one for a fretless project 🙄 Edited May 29, 2020 by MarshallBTB 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted May 29, 2020 Author Share Posted May 29, 2020 I’ve just put the medium scale Warwick Black Labels on it. Nice Strings! Never used them before. I went for a lighter gauge and as with all Black Labels the B is tapered. They fit perfectly and sound very nice. Bit rougher than the stock nickels as the BL are steels, but still good. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted May 29, 2020 Author Share Posted May 29, 2020 4 minutes ago, MarshallBTB said: So after playing it for a couple of hours.... Feel and finish of it is excellent. Frets are spot on, I haven't done anything with the set up other than raise the bridge pickup ever so slightly. Intonation needs adjusting but it's only slightly off. Sounds good too! Very bright, I think I'll end up making it passive and replacing the wiring, not that I've looked inside at what's in there already mind you! Its probably perfectly fine. Just not keen on the preamp. I think it's the best value bass I've bought new. Already considering a second one for a fretless project 🙄 I reckon the secret with the preamp is to turn both knobs down just a little, and leave it there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMaartian Posted May 29, 2020 Share Posted May 29, 2020 I've been leaving the bass and treble controls in their detent center position (I'm hoping that's truly neutral) on my 4 string. One other thing. The battery. It fits snuggly. Took me a bit of time to carefully wiggle it out. This is my first active bass, and when the battery got low, it started emitting a low tone every so often. Took me a second or a hundred to figure out what the "problem" was. Of course, the battery was the last thing I checked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarshallBTB Posted May 29, 2020 Share Posted May 29, 2020 Just noticed the quick access truss rod cover too. Nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardH Posted June 4, 2020 Share Posted June 4, 2020 Can one of you kind people who own one of these do a couple of measurements please? I'd like to know what the string spacing at the nut is like, and also an idea of the string spacing over the neck pickup. I'd go out and try one, but that's not possible at the moment really!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted June 4, 2020 Author Share Posted June 4, 2020 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardH Posted June 4, 2020 Share Posted June 4, 2020 Thanks! That's really helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewblack Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 On 23/05/2020 at 22:54, TheMaartian said: The Sea Foam Green Pearl is even better looking in person than in the photos. And the photos are gorgeous. Also, the body contouring makes it very pleasant to play, standing or sitting. The 5er wasn't available when I bought mine. That's the colour I'm toying with for my birthday treat. To me. From me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted July 3, 2020 Share Posted July 3, 2020 (edited) I keep looking at these a lot over the past few months... I've had a strong lust for shorter scale basses, but I'm 100% a 5 string player, and these look like a great option without too much outlay. I'd probably rip the preamp out and install a passive loom tbh though. I don't need one, but..... Very tempted! Edited July 3, 2020 by TRBboy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealting Posted July 3, 2020 Share Posted July 3, 2020 16 minutes ago, TRBboy said: I keep looking at these a lot over the past few months... I've had a string list for shorter scale basses, but I'm 100% a 5 string player, and these look like a great option without too much outlay. I'd probably rip the preamp out and install a passive loom tbh though. I don't need one, but..... Very tempted! Me too. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sykilz Posted July 12, 2020 Share Posted July 12, 2020 Finally succumbed to the lure of one of these. Enjoying it a lot, balances beautifully, plays nicely and (IMO) looks the business. Pros.....fit and finish is awesome. The neck pocket is the best I think I've seen. Some don't like the bridge and tuners but I see nothing wrong with either, in fact I love the bridge it's like a slightly modernised fender bbot bridge ( which I like). Nice size, nice weight, balances perfectly. Neck is Lovely and thin but feels solid. Sounds punchy and open. Roadster Orange baby!!!!!! Cons.....the single coil pup hums like anything, I know they all do but this one seems very sensitive. Luckily the P pup is great. The frets ( all very well fitted and no sharp edges) feel a little 'scratchy' , or could be the strings. Hopefully this will disappear as it gets played in a bit. The active electronics are very sensitive, a little movement makes a lot of difference. The bass is naturally zingy so careful on the treble!! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sykilz Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Just a little update for anyone who experiences the scratchy frets if they buy one of these...a few weeks in and it's all good, I spent some time just rubbing each string on each fret ( bending the fretted note up and down) which didn't sound nice , but smoothed the frets off nicely. I guess there was some production / shipping residue, or maybe just cheap fretwire, but whatever they're smooth as anything now and bass plays lovely. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 I STILL keep looking at these, but still can't really justify it... And I'm a little scared it would become my main bass! 😂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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