After much research here...

syciprider · #1 09-26-2006, 11:54 PM

Pulled the trigger on this one. Nice, clear but tubby sound. I will have to set it up better this weekend when I get it home (it's stuck in my office because it won't fit in the vanpool LOL).

In the meantime, I'm humbled by the 41" scale and the effort it demands from me when I play it.

Yes, this is my office in the Navy

TheSuzie · #2 09-27-2006, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syciprider

in the Navy

Now you've gone and done it, given me a Village People ear-bug. I may have to go and buy a Bass or something to cure it.

Congratulations,
S

JimmyM · #3 09-28-2006, 10:17 PM

What is that bass? Is it made out of a space age polymer or is that just a very dark natural finish?

mpoppitt · #4 09-30-2006, 03:57 AM

It looks like one of those Prima CCB's that 'Fantastic musical Instruments' (gotofmi) sells?

JimmyM · #5 09-30-2006, 12:13 PM

FMI, huh? People actually buy from that a-hole?

syciprider · #6 09-30-2006, 02:41 PM

This is indeed a Prima. I bought it from a local store in San Diego which also happens to be an eBay seller.

Took heed of the advise here to never buy a cheap DB from someone I can't punch in the face. While I was at the store I picked the one that needed the least amount of work to be brought up to snuff action wise and in a low key color. Not implying that the store had a bunch of bad basses but it appeared that they just pull basses out of the box and string them up.

Speaking of set up, with patience, restraint and the confidence brought by the adjustable bridge I was able to get the action down to 7-8mm on the D,A and G. I couldn't get the E lower than 12mm because it turned out that the nut is lower on that side (it looks like the string will touch the board at "F" if I went lower) and replacing a nut is beyond my capabilities. Anyway, it feels good to me now!

Here it is (finally) at home with a toybass. Whew! Much respect to those of you who earned their chops on these things! It's very demanding to play.

My wife just shakes her head.

TheSuzie · #7 09-30-2006, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syciprider

Speaking of set up, with patience, restraint and the confidence brought by the adjustable bridge I was able to get the action down to 7-8mm on the D,A and G. I couldn't get the E lower than 12mm because it turned out that the nut is lower on that side (it looks like the string will touch the board at "F" if I went lower) and replacing a nut is beyond my capabilities. Anyway, it feels good to me now!

Actually it sounds like the fingerboard probably eventually needs a bit of planing/rehsaping to make things ideal. Of course we have no idea how well aged or stable your fingerboard is at this point, so you may want to wait. The action at the nut should be really low, 1-2 business cards or so. Otherwise the bass will be murder to play at the first couple of finger stops. If it does happen to be too low at the nut, don't be afraid to temporarily put a tiny bit of paper or thin cardboard in the string slot at the nut. Cheap, dirty and frowned upon by many but if it allows you to lower the bridge and saves you from destroying your hands while you are learning, it is well worth it. BTW I think many well set up basses will have a little bit of buzz at and below G on the E string if you don't restrain your right hand pizz a bit. It is a compromise required in order to make the E string play easily with the left hand. It takes a while to get the feel and get a nice loud E, F F# and G on some basses I have played without the dreaded buzz. I am in no way an expert but these are some things I have noticed after playing a Bunch o' Basses recently. Of course a lot depends on strings and musical style.

Peace,
S

clink · #8 09-30-2006, 06:35 PM

I'm with Suzie on the fingerboard and of course you'll need a set up. I would imagine that will run you a few hundred bucks.
The string height is still high IMO. At least you probably didn't spend much on the bass, but you could have bought an Engie and a few cans of black paint and saved money in the long run.

WillBuckingham · #9 09-30-2006, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syciprider

Speaking of set up, with patience, restraint and the confidence brought by the adjustable bridge I was able to get the action down to 7-8mm on the D,A and G. I couldn't get the E lower than 12mm because it turned out that the nut is lower on that side (it looks like the string will touch the board at "F" if I went lower) and replacing a nut is beyond my capabilities.

My guess is you can lower it as much as you want without worrying about that. You will lose tone and volume, however.

And what's the deal with the color? Is it painted black? Fiberglass?

syciprider · #10 09-30-2006, 08:56 PM

Well I unstrung, got my jeweler files out and worked on the E side of the bridge some more and am now down to just a hair over 10mm. I think I'll stop there. It's really very easy to play pizz on it now and the tubby and satisfying sound just affirms my decision not to take the EUB path and instead embrace a different challenge.

Will, the bass is painted black. The other choices were blue and flames...

syciprider · #11 10-02-2006, 06:01 PM

Revolution Solo II incoming

Thanks to the Upton folks!