Its all true (about New Standards that is)!

Ben Rolston · #1 10-23-2006, 10:08 PM

Yes, yes it is. Anyway, I went down to Cincinnati this past weekend to Nick Lloyd's shop to get my New Standard Cleveland. A huge amount of material has already been posted on this topic so I'll try to keep it brief. First of all, like many other people have said, when I got home I found it impossible to put down (I did have dinner quickly though). I ordered the bass with Spiro Mittels (red tops and bottoms right?) because they are the string I have the most experience with.
Although the bass still has the new string sound, the tone is just as deep and full as the 10-year old Englehardt I have been playing on (this is really only surprising because it's a brand new bass with brand new strings), in truth actually surpassing the Englehardt. Now, the Englehardt I have had is actually quite nice for an Englehardt. Numerous people have complemented me on its sound while playing and my teacher insists that it's easily the nicest Englehardt he has ever seen, heard or played. The sound I get out of the open D string on the Englehardt is the sound of my dreams; the cannon type sound.
What do I discover when I get my New Standard home but that every note up and down the fingerboard has that punch and clarity I only got to taste every so often on the Englehardt.

I really feel like I couldn't possibly have spent my money any better. Also, I did a recording session today for some auditions and it sounded great (not like a new bass at all). I may post some clips when I figure out how to reduce the file size of the songs-because they're too big at the moment.

Thanks to all who made this bass happen. Especially, Arnold Schnitzer, Wil DeSola, and Nick Lloyd.

Ben

Pictures are attached:

BassGreaser · #2 10-24-2006, 08:30 AM

agreed very lovely bass!

pjwolf · #3 10-24-2006, 12:53 PM

That is one beautiful bass! Congrats!!

Jim Henderson · #4 10-24-2006, 04:30 PM

Geeeezzzz Ben,
That Cleve is beautiful, what is the finish on that rascal. It appears to be a bit more shiney than mine and I really like the way yours turned out. Yeah, it's an amazing bass ain't it? Enjoy it brother.
Jim

mchildree · #5 10-24-2006, 05:15 PM

As I heard Marcus or somebody else say: "Welcome to the big sh*t-eatin' grin club!"

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #6 10-24-2006, 05:20 PM

oh.

You mean about the basses...

That's true, too. Congrats!

Ben Rolston · #7 10-24-2006, 09:59 PM

Thanks all,

Man I really need to see Blazing Saddles again, its been too long.

Jeff Bollbach · #8 10-25-2006, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Henderson

Geeeezzzz Ben,
That Cleve is beautiful, what is the finish on that rascal. It appears to be a bit more shiney than mine and I really like the way yours turned out. Yeah, it's an amazing bass ain't it? Enjoy it brother.
Jim

It's probably Nick Lloyd paint.

Ben Rolston · #9 10-30-2006, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Bollbach

It's probably Nick Lloyd paint.

Yes, Sir

Jason Sypher · #10 12-26-2006, 05:12 PM

Ok, I'm sure we are all a little sick of hearing how great these basses are but...

I went to Arnolds shop today to try one and must say that I've never played a plywood bass with a bigger or more musical sound. It was strung up with brand new spiros (a real deal breaker for many basses hoping to sound like anything other than a giant sitar) and I found it to be completely playable and even, gasp, bowable. I actually spent more time bowing it than plucking it. It was a real pleasure. I was impressed that, though it is big and I am not, I had no problem getting around the instrument comfortably. The fit and finish were top notch and the whole instrument had a balanced, solid feel that is completely absent in so many plywood basses. Take my word for it, it doesn't get any better.

rdwhit · #11 12-29-2006, 08:29 PM

WELCOME TO THE NEW STANDARD CLUB. I HAVE A LA SCALA HYBRID, ALSO VIA NICK LLOYD. I LIKE THE CLEVELAND TOO, BUT LA SCALA WORKS A LITTLE BETTER FOR ME. IF I HAD THE MONEY I'D GET ONE OF EACH, AND MAYBE EVEN A FULLY CARVED LA SCALA!!--OK I'M GOING OVERBOARD, IT'S A FUN IDEA THOUGH. I'VE BECOME A NEW STANDARD JUNKIE. EVERY HOME SHOULD OWN AT LEAST ONE.

PatrickC · #12 01-27-2007, 04:50 PM

Just got my LaScala ply yesterday. I'm amazed a ply can sound so good. The bottom end is especially impressive. And this thing has some volume!

I bought this as a backup bass for when my carved bass is in the shop, and for outdoor gigs and the like, but I can't seem to keep my hands off it.

Was gonna try it at the gig tonight, but ended up subbing it out to go see Edgar Meyer.

Special thanks to Chris F, rdwhit and Nick Lloyd for answering all my questions. And Arnold and Wil couldn't be more pleasant to do business with.

rdwhit · #13 01-28-2007, 02:54 PM

congrats on the LS Mr PC. I know your gonna love it. Rob

PatrickC · #14 01-28-2007, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdwhit

congrats on the LS Mr PC. I know your gonna love it. Rob

Thanks, Rob. Inspired by Edgar's performance last night (

!), I pulled out the bow and have been working on some Bach for the last couple of hours. I know plywoods aren't supposed to sound good under the bow -- and I'm certainly no expert on the subject -- but this thing sounds pretty **** good to my ears...