I'm about to start on a new bass quest. I currently have a Warwick NT Thumb 5 string and a Warmoth 5 string fretless. The Warwick is a great bass but it's heavy and the small body makes the neck feel very long. I've had it since 1993.
The Warmoth is a nice bass and holds a special place in my heart because it was the first bass I put together. Err, well, I did have someone else do the actual luthier work. Memories of Mr. Green, my 8th grade wood shop teacher, screaming at me that the lathe does not work on metal have caused me to shy away from anything having to do with carpentry. Anyway, I purchased everything - body, neck, pickups, pre-amp, bridge, tuners, jack - all from Warmoth. I then sent everything to HG Thor. He put it all together. He also did an epoxy treatment on the fretboard. He does a fantastic job (both in setup and epoxy) and really gets into each project.
Anyway, enough of the current stuff. I want something new. I want something that sounds like a double bass - without having to lug around a giant beast of a instrument. I also want a fretless. I'll post more on this topic another day but I find playing on a fretless has improved my playing.
Okok, onto the basses.......
My first thought is another Warmoth project. Their site is very easy to traverse and it makes picking and choosing the components easy.
I've also been looking at a Rob Allen bass. I like the Deep 5. I like the clean lines and simplicity. It's also passive. I kinda like that - I haven't had a passive bass in a very long time. There's always been a part of me frowning at having to be dependent on a 9-volt battery for my sound. I like the idea of just plugging in and going. However, my Warmoth is setup to run 18 volts (2 9 volt batteries) and the additional head room adds character and depth to the tone.
I've also looked into the Ned Steinberger EU Series double bass. Five string version of course. I've played a stand up before but not enough to feel comfy on the curved fretboard. The EU could be bowed so that would add an extra item in the "pro" side.
I found a few "list" sites and I've been going through them. My current favorite is Bas-Extravaganza. Its a few years old and some of the links are dead, but its quite extensive.
The quest has just started and I'm sure there will be twists and unforeseen turns. I hope I end up with a bass I can't put down.
The Warmoth is a nice bass and holds a special place in my heart because it was the first bass I put together. Err, well, I did have someone else do the actual luthier work. Memories of Mr. Green, my 8th grade wood shop teacher, screaming at me that the lathe does not work on metal have caused me to shy away from anything having to do with carpentry. Anyway, I purchased everything - body, neck, pickups, pre-amp, bridge, tuners, jack - all from Warmoth. I then sent everything to HG Thor. He put it all together. He also did an epoxy treatment on the fretboard. He does a fantastic job (both in setup and epoxy) and really gets into each project.
Anyway, enough of the current stuff. I want something new. I want something that sounds like a double bass - without having to lug around a giant beast of a instrument. I also want a fretless. I'll post more on this topic another day but I find playing on a fretless has improved my playing.
Okok, onto the basses.......
My first thought is another Warmoth project. Their site is very easy to traverse and it makes picking and choosing the components easy.
I've also been looking at a Rob Allen bass. I like the Deep 5. I like the clean lines and simplicity. It's also passive. I kinda like that - I haven't had a passive bass in a very long time. There's always been a part of me frowning at having to be dependent on a 9-volt battery for my sound. I like the idea of just plugging in and going. However, my Warmoth is setup to run 18 volts (2 9 volt batteries) and the additional head room adds character and depth to the tone.
I've also looked into the Ned Steinberger EU Series double bass. Five string version of course. I've played a stand up before but not enough to feel comfy on the curved fretboard. The EU could be bowed so that would add an extra item in the "pro" side.
I found a few "list" sites and I've been going through them. My current favorite is Bas-Extravaganza. Its a few years old and some of the links are dead, but its quite extensive.
The quest has just started and I'm sure there will be twists and unforeseen turns. I hope I end up with a bass I can't put down.
