Thompson basses

MIKMAN · #1 12-11-2009, 04:42 AM

Dear friends one of my students is considering to order a Thompson plywood or a Thompson hybrid bass from String Emporium. He played with an oil varnished hybrid last month during a visit in the States and says that he is impressed by the construction quality, the volume and the warm piz sound.
The competitive price is a very strong motive for him, as far as i understood, but buying a bass unseen, well... is something with a risk, isn't it?
I watched some videos in the String Emporium's site and the sound seems to be more than decent but i can't say for sure any opinion.
Has anyone any idea or experience about these basses?
Any info is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Mike

EBMatt · #2 12-11-2009, 09:18 AM

I just got my RM-200 hybrid last week. I also took the risk of buying it sight unseen. The bass is really, really good. It is constructed really well and plays great. What I really can't get over is how good it sounds. I have it strung up with EP Weichs and it really sings. I think my bass sounds better than the one in the videos!

longfinger · #3 12-11-2009, 11:07 AM

Hey EBMatt,

What's the bass like on the insides? Is it finished neatly, everything in it's place, wood sanded nicely, globs or drips of glue not present... etc?

Details like that, help people infer how much time and care was put into the bass before the top was sealed on.

Oh and Congratulations on your new bass!

EBMatt · #4 12-11-2009, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longfinger

Hey EBMatt,

What's the bass like on the insides? Is it finished neatly, everything in it's place, wood sanded nicely, globs or drips of glue not present... etc?

Details like that, help people infer how much time and care was put into the bass before the top was sealed on.

Oh and Congratulations on your new bass!

Thanks! The insides of the RM-200 look pretty darn neat. I can't really see any globs of glue. There is a small film of glue around the inner edge where the back meets the side, but no globbyness or drippyness. The only finish flaw I have noticed is a small clearcoat drip on the top of the headstock. Either way this bass is the bee's knees so I'm not complaining.

Paul derrik · #5 12-21-2009, 02:46 AM

Hello everyone,I'm an Italian Bass Player.
I want to express my happiness in having to buy a Thompson Plywood upright bass to the String Emporium.
We have a great tradition of Italian violin makers, but what struck me was the thompson plywood sound.
I asked before buying information to Steve Koscica, the owner and great bass player.
His professionalism and kindness made me decide to buy a Bass from 7,000 km away.
The upright bass arrived in perfect condition and when I saw up close the color and finish of the details I was incredulous.
With that money I could not get any better.
And not to mention the sound!
I've tried different basses in Italy of plywood, but Thompson beat some solid wood.
Its sound and warm, enveloping and sustain is remarkable.
I'm glad I did this madness.
Buy a bass without touching it first, but it was worth it.
I will always speak well of Steve and his String Emporium.
Thanks Steve!

Ciao
Paolo

drurb · #6 12-21-2009, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longfinger

Hey EBMatt,

What's the bass like on the insides? Is it finished neatly, everything in it's place, wood sanded nicely, globs or drips of glue not present... etc?

Details like that, help people infer how much time and care was put into the bass before the top was sealed on.

Oh and Congratulations on your new bass!

Quote:

Originally Posted by EBMatt

Thanks! The insides of the RM-200 look pretty darn neat. I can't really see any globs of glue. There is a small film of glue around the inner edge where the back meets the side, but no globbyness or drippyness. The only finish flaw I have noticed is a small clearcoat drip on the top of the headstock. Either way this bass is the bee's knees so I'm not complaining.

An evaluation of the build via a look inside is, of course, very useful information and something that should be done by someone highly experienced, preferably a luthier.

BassBeamer · #7 12-26-2009, 09:04 AM

I just got my RM-200 today. The DB looks and sounds great. I am new on the DB so I have no references to any other DB but I can tell you I had an excellent experience with Steve at String Emporium. Very good communications. The DB was shipped to Phila. and it was excellently packed. I am tickled to death to begin playing the DB having an electric bass backround.

bamba22 · #8 12-29-2009, 07:48 AM

Thompson have great basses, I'm happy for you man

mstott25 · #9 12-29-2009, 10:15 AM

I did as much research on the DB forums about making the transition from bass guitar to bass until I felt like I had a good understanding of what I needed to do. My main concern was finding a bass good enough to grow on for the first two years or so without hindering my progress.

Steve set aside three basses for me to check out and when I arrived he had me sit down to watch him play all three so that I could pick the one I felt had the nicest sound. I picked the bass that I preferred; it sounded best to me when Steve played it and it felt best when I played it.

My first two weeks with the instrument I thought "My God is it this hard for everybody?!" but things are coming together nicely and I get a joy from this instrument that has surpassed my expectations. Steve also got me in touch with a great teacher that he recommended specifically based on my goals and experience.

I really want to thank guys like hdiddy, drurb and Marcus Johnson. The recommendations and feedback they gave to others was extremely helpful in allowing me to establish my priorities and get through the first step of finding and purchasing a bass quickly so I could get it home and begin playing sooner.

A relationship with this instrument has developed that I can't quite explain. I feel the more I give to the instrument and the music the more it gives back. Steve and his Thompson basses certainly provided a means to that end and made the transition as smooth as possible. The real magic began once I got the bass home though, I'm glad I didn't spend any amount of unnecessary energy or time worrying about all of the details of a bass purchase (I think those concerns are more valid as the experience of the player grows) but I'm certainly pleased with the instrument and look forward to growing with this bass and sharing many joys and frustrations over the coming seasons.