Thinking about a NS Cleveland

[anonymous12251111]

I had the pleasure of hearing a wonderful NS Cleveland the other day being played (it was tuned in fifths.)

I'm considering getting one of these basses for my pit and jazz gigs, the sound was truly wonderful!

Any comments on what people think of these basses vs the la scala?

Thanks!

[mattfong]

You could just save your money and give me all your jazz gigs...

[MingusAmongUs]

There's no shortage of info already posted on this topic. Perhaps a search is in order. But, if you want my opinion, if the sound was truly wonderful (and I agree, it is) then save yourself a lot of hand wringing and just get one.

Did you get the chance to play it?
I haven't had much opportunity to compare the two models but I know Chris Fitz has sound clips of his La Scala. I'd put out the feelers to see if anyone in your area has one (of each preferably) that you can try out.

[Eric Hochberg]

The Cleveland is a great bass, but is quite large feeling to me, which is one reason I passed on a fully carved one. It is the opposite of a smaller upper bout bass, which I am under the impression, you prefer. I played a fully carved La Scala recently and it is also a great bass, but much easier to get around on for me. I could see owning one of those.

[salcott]

Whether you like a big bass or a smaller bass, the New Standards are instruments of high quality and playability. I've had my LaScala for almost a year, and am totally satisfied with it.

[Steve Clark]

Originally Posted by mattfong

You could just save your money and give me all your jazz gigs...

[D McCartney]

I have a Cleveland. It is quite large but not at all heavy.

[anonymous12251111]

Originally Posted by mattfong

You could just save your money and give me all your jazz gigs...

I offered you to sub for me for the pit gig!

[mattfong]

Originally Posted by Calvin Marks

I offered you to sub for me for the pit gig!

That you did!

I don't think I'd have had the time to learn the music anyways. I'll stick to reading lead sheets lol.

[CamMcIntyre]

Originally Posted by ehochberg

The Cleveland is a great bass, but is quite large feeling to me, which is one reason I passed on a fully carved one. It is the opposite of a smaller upper bout bass, which I am under the impression, you prefer.

Eric worded it pretty spot on. If you want a bass with smaller upper bouts-get the La Scala. I've got a Cleveland and I love it.

[hdiddy]

Be a man, play with big bouts. :P

[marvin spangles]

I have a hybrid la scala and I love it. whatever one you choose you won't be disappointed. I am 5.6" so the la scala is much easier to get around for me. there are lots of post on this topic if you search. good luck whatever you choose.

[bejoyous]

I'm sure your new Gorman (the fat bottomed girl) would sound just fine in the pit or in a jazz bar.

I used to take my old bass (150 yr old Italian - I think it was a Marcolongo) to various gigs in Toronto including the El Macombo, rehearsals in Kensington market and busking in the subway, with no worries. Plus, I didn't have to drag an amp around because it sounded so much louder and better than a ply ever could.

[CamMcIntyre]

Originally Posted by Calvin Marks

I'm considering getting one of these basses for my pit and jazz gigs, the sound was truly wonderful!

Ok, I just noticed this part of the post. I'm using my ply Cleveland in those exact settings. I closed 'Damn Yankees' (Arlington Heights) about a week ago. I'm now working on 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' (Forest Park). 2 different suburbs, but it's been a blast.

The past 4 Sundays, I've been playing a Sunday evening gig at the Green Mill here in Chicago in a trio. The first Sunday was subbing in with 'The Weird Sisters' and then the other 3 were leading the house band for the Uptown Poetry Slam. The sound fits. If any of the Chicago area guys are free-my trio's last confirmed night is today. $6 cover, 6:45PM we start w/preshow music.

I just got a Goetz endpin installed by A440 because I had broken the set screw of my end pin...and the botched a repair on the screw trying to do it on the cheap. I like the pin & A440 was great. While they were working on my bass, they showed me a variety of basses they had in stock.

After the hour playing a variety of basses-all instruments made from 1950 or later [to my knowledge]. Some of them I wanted to explore a bit more thoroughly, but they didn't feel like 'my bass' at all. Once my bass came out of the back, I got all giddy and excited. When I played it after playing the others for an hour-I was extremely happy that it was the one that was going home with me. Nothing against the basses I played-I'd like to spend more time with a few of them, but none of them made me go 'Wow' or were closer to the sound I hear in my head. However, my Cleveland-did make me go 'Wow' and it is the sound I hear in my head.