New Standard Cleveland Basses

[dkziemann]

Hey everyone,


I'm considering purchasing a New Standard Bass, and was wondering if anyone had any input they could offer on Hybrid vs Laminate models. Which is better and why?

[drurb]

Wow-- do a search for old threads and you'll find a wealth of information. As far as "better" goes, the hybrid can be expected to sound better (in terms of the greater complexity of tone that most DBers desire in most situations) because it has the carved top. Check out this thread for more details.

[Uncletoad]

Depends on what you're doing. If you play arco primarily the carved top Cleveland may give you some advantage however for pizz I think the ply is punchier and more responsive. The top is light and moves very quickly compared to the hybrid. They sound similar. I've played all four of those basses, I have a Cleveland ply.

That's for the Cleveland anyhow. Comparing the Hybrid Cleveland to the Hybrid LaScala I kinda like the Lascala Hybrid better. The Lascala is a fantastic Jazz bass, its upper register is easier to reach for soloing and it has a nice middle of the road jack of all trades working mans bass vibe. Not as poofy or deep as the Cleveland but balanced and clean in all the registers. For 50/50 arco/pizz players in a pit or a club or an orchestra the Hybrid LaScala can really work well in any setting.

The Cleveland Ply is the pizz powerhouse. I think it's a great Jazz bass too, quicker and more powerfull than the Lascala hybrid or ply, but hard to reach in thumb position and missing that round fat arco thing you need a carved top to get at. The Cleveland sounds better than any ply bass I've heard under the bow especially the E string...but it's still a plywood bass.

I play pizz mostly, and usually 80% Country, Pop, and Rock gigs with 20% Jazz and other gigs that require only occasional arco. I wanted a durable bass with a big sound that would amplify great and take a beating. So for the price the Cleveland is hard to beat.

[MingusAmongUs]

Prefacing this post with the usual YMMVs, FWIWs, a la Chris Fitzgerald, I had the chance to play an all ply Cleveland and a hybrid Cleveland next to each other. I could barely tell the difference. BUT, keep in mind that they were both brand new, and I imagine the carved will have improved with age much more so than the ply.

I played a La Scala briefly but didn't give it much mind because I had my eyes on the Cleveland (I have always been a gamba man). I eventually went with the all-ply because I don't really do any bowing on gigs (worth mentioning), and I didn't want to worry about babying the thing, since a lot of the time I'm playing in bad weather outdoors, or seedy bars, or small cramped restaurants.

[MingusAmongUs]

Here's a thought:

If you haven't already, make plans to visit Arnold down in Brewster, when he has one (or preferably both) of these basses in the shop for you to try. If you can, bring a bass-playing friend to play while you listen -- though this is not critical because Arnold can play a mean bass himself.

But if, when you go, there is no ply Cleveland for you to try in the shop (the odds may be slim you'll catch them all there at once), then swing by here -- I live 30 minutes away and you can try mine.

[Uncletoad]

Originally Posted by MingusAmongUs

Here's a thought:

If you haven't already, make plans to visit Arnold down in Brewster, when he has one (or preferably both) of these basses in the shop for you to try. If you can, bring a bass-playing friend to play while you listen -- though this is not critical because Arnold can play a mean bass himself.

But if, when you go, there is no ply Cleveland for you to try in the shop (the odds may be slim you'll catch them all there at once), then swing by here -- I live 30 minutes away and you can try mine.

There you go!

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by MingusAmongUs

Prefacing this post with the usual YMMVs, FWIWs, a la Chris Fitzgerald....

You forgot my all time favorite, "YMWCB".

[MingusAmongUs]

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

You forgot my all time favorite, "YMWCB".

heh, had to look that one up.