NBD - 2001 Basslab L-Bow

[Chris2112]

I decided to get the PJB Bighead out last night to see how this thing sounds through a DI. Absolutely mint, I'm pleased to say. 

 

 

[alittlebitrobot]

gizza listen

[Chris2112]

I will definitely get round to that when I get a new laptop. I could do with a useful home recording medium.

 

[alembic1989]

I love your bass.

I'd love to sit down & try some bass lab basses.

[Hellzero]

On 16/09/2022 at 21:53, LukeFRC said:

what’s the deal - he’s got his own preamps but the stepabout is also on the Richter EE website - and I have a bass with one of their pres in it - is there a link?

 

The Basslab preamps have always been made by Andreas Richter, just like the StepAbout (I owned one and it's a very versatile dual preamp, and expensive).

 

There's a collaboration between the two since the beginning.

 

That said Richter preamps are simply, to date, the most transparent preamp you can find.

 

You can find Richter products here (only official retailer for Europe) : https://www.bassparts.de/epages/61038859.mobile/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/61038859/Categories/Richter-Elektroniken

[Hellzero]

On 18/09/2022 at 20:19, itu said:

Who was the first to use the bow? Jerry Auerswald? Roland G-77 synth bass?

 

Roland started the G-707 (synth guitar) in 1983 and the G-77 (synth bass) in 1984, both with the Stabilisation Arm aka Bow.

 

Jerry Auerswald only started building instruments a decade later.

 

So definitely Roland, @itu. 😉

[Hellzero]

And I had the opportunity to play a BassLab fretless sixer in the early 2000's as Music Store in Köln was an official retailer.

 

It's a bit strange at first, but then you understand the ideas behind the conception quite quickly.

 

It sounded huge with some kind of inherent reverb, but was way out of my league money wise...

[LukeFRC]

55 minutes ago, Hellzero said:

 

Roland started the G-707 (synth guitar) in 1983 and the G-77 (synth bass) in 1984, both with the Stabilisation Arm aka Bow.

 

Jerry Auerswald only started building instruments a decade later.

 

So definitely Roland, @itu. 😉

I'm sure that I've seen similar in something from the Middle Ages  

[Chris2112]

6 hours ago, Hellzero said:

 

It sounded huge with some kind of inherent reverb, but was way out of my league money wise...

 

You've hit the nail on the head there about that inherent reverb. I was playing it when it I read your post and it struck me then that you are quite right, there is a resonant 'air' in the tone that is quite unlike anything else I've played. The other bass in my collection closest in 'spirit' and materials to the Basslab is my Bogart Blackstone. That has none of the 'airy' quality of the L-Bow. Well, I suppose with it being hollow all the way through, it will vibrate in a different way to a solid slab of material. 

[EMG456]

That's a cracker!

[Hellzero]

Ressurrecting this thread, here is mine.

 

[msb]

Looks like the proper rig for a gig at Mos Eisley Cantina.

[Hellzero]

Just cruising on my YT-1300, next stop is Tatooine.

[itu]

There are even slap frets up there.

[Chris2112]

I still have my L-Bow and it remains one of the basses I'll never sell. There is just nothing else that feels or sounds quite like it. Everyone that has tried it thought it looked strange or novel at first but then agrees that it is a remarkable instrument and a great bit of design. 

 

 

[LukeFRC]

years back when I first started playing and was starting to realise that there were basses beyond fender I went on a bit of a "cool German basses I'ld like to own" phase - Warwicks I ended up owning but the L-bow was the one I remember seeing and wanting to try - just the whole concept of it is amazing - this is back before most gear would have multiple YouTube videos, and to be honest I still don't know if they sound as good as they look, and in reality if I'ld have the balls to play one at a gig - but wow they look good!

[Hellzero]

My L-Bow V is now, since this morning, with Heiko for a complete check-up, some repairs as there have been some modifications made over the years, and the fitting of the new preamp version.

 

According to him it's one of the very first ever made from 1998 or 99, he's checking his database to find it, but needs to find out some other clues than the obvious lack of truss rod; the fact that the paint is not original is not helping, but I'm confident.