First bass a NS Cleveland

[Charles Wilson]

Greetings. This is my first post but I've enjoyed reading the collective wisdom of the forum. Just ordered my first bass, a NS Cleveland plywood. Now the waiting is the hardest part. I've played BG guitar for many years but I've always desired a big bull fiddle so I took the plunge. Looking forward to many years of thumping out the root and five. Cheers, Chuck

[Steve Clark]

I'm new to this side of the board. I picked up a Shen Willow a couple of weeks ago. Also tried a Cleveland as well. I have barely played my electric basses since I got the bass. I feel like I'm home although there is a lot of house work to do.

Cheers

[Marcus Johnson]

Excellent choice, Charles!

[CamMcIntyre]

Great Choice man.

I did the same thing. For graduation, birthday, & Christmas-my Dad paid for a bass/initial stuff. Thankfully, I was able to convince him of the value of a Cleveland vs. a more typical first bass.

The wait will be worth it. I remember the day that it arrived, I had it shipped to my Mom's work as they have a dock and it'd be easier to get the timing worked out. I showed up with my Cargo Van so that I could guarantee that it'd fit. Taking it out of the shipping case for the first time-holy crap man. That's a memory that will stick with me.

Playing it instead of the school owned Kay was a trip. The Kay needed some work-namely an adjustable bridge and new strings. It sounded good but was a bear to play. The Cleveland was like butter and sounded amazing.

Right about 4 years later, I am stoked to have gotten this bass. I use a Realist pickup with Spirocore Weichs. Great sound amped or acoustic. Arnold & Wil have made a truly awesome product. I've started doing a Sunday night gig at The Green Mill [leading the house band for the Slam] and I've gotten compliments on my sound consistently.

I've played it on folk records, jazz sessions, and theater shows with great success. If i start doing shows that are more arco heavy [and pay accordingly]-I'll look into buying a carved bass, but until then-this is it for me. At that point, it'll be a financial decision between a fully carved New Standard or saving up more and going for one of Arnold's shop basses. I think a fully carved NS would be fine/great, but the idea of buying a bass made in his shop is mind blowing. So, as you can tell from this post and every other post I've made in NS threads, they've got a customer for life.

[tomshepp]

I had the pleasure of meeting Arnold two weeks ago. I went to his shop specifically to try the carved LaScala. He let me play several basses including a Cleveland. I have not stopped thinking about the New Standard basses. What great sounding instruments that are a joy to play. Unfortunately for me, the economy is slowing me down in raising the funds. I hope to purchase the carved LaScala. If he doesn't sell it first.

[Bass Barrister]

I also played that carved LaScala and would have bought it on the spot if I had the $$. Arnold also showed me the body for another fully carved model, but one with a plainer finish.

While there, I aslo tried a hybrid Cleveland and was most impressed with the sound. If I remember correctly, the Cleveland was strung with Spiros, not the ideal arco string. Nonetheless, this hybrid Cleveland can give a few carved basses a run for the money.

Now . . . if someone would be kind enough to buy a certain bass that can be found in the "For Sale" section . . .

[tomshepp]

I feel the same way. I still hope to buy it. I need to sell off some stuff first and it seems people are not buying.

I think if the LaScala sells, I may put in an order for one.

[MingusAmongUs]

Good choice. I've got one too. $pendy but worth every penny.

When you get it, go ahead and play a 3rd now and then too. Live a little!

[chadshorebird]

CLEVELAND IS AWESOME

[Marcus Johnson]

And the crowd goes mild.

[Jason Hollar]

Man - that's a heckuva first upright!

You mean you're not gonna buy a piece-o-crap beater and get tendonitis first like most of us did?! You should have played some of my school basses. Ouch.

Seriously - I can't wait to visit the shop. My hope is to get something smaller and more compact like the LaScala. However, I bet when I thump on that big brown Cleveland...it's gonna be all over...even for a black & gold Steelers fan!

[Uncletoad]

My poor Cleveland is sitting on the bench these days unless the gig really sucks. Not a fun fate for the bruiser.

Lately I use it for my home practice bass when I'm to lazy to pull the Alsatian Queen from her bag. It's better really as Baby V tends to hang on the FFs when I do. That's a much milder things to do on a Ply top than a 150 year old irreplaceable hunk of spruce.

Love that Cleveland.

[Charles Wilson]

Thanks for all the encouragement. Looks like the Cleveland is an excellent choice. Now I just need to decide on strings but I know that's a whole nother kettle of fish. Chuck

[MT Spaces]

Originally Posted by Charles Wilson

Greetings. This is my first post but I've enjoyed reading the collective wisdom of the forum. Just ordered my first bass, a NS Cleveland plywood. Now the waiting is the hardest part ...

Greetings to you too Chuck . I don't own a Cleveland yet but it is real-high on my GAS List. Yikes .... That would be bass #3 . I see from your profile that you are a bluegrasser / old-timey player. Root-5 on a BIG-Sounding Cleve oughtta do the trick . You might want to visit and/or join BlueGrassBassPlace sometime and show off pix of your new bass when you get it. There are a number of happy Cleveland thumpers over there.