Wow... my first real bass (and it's a KAY)

[RobertUI]

I started a thread back in March where I was soliciting advice about repairing a borrowed instrument vs. purchasing one of my own. I got some WONDERFUL advice on what path to take, and I thanked everyone at the time, and I want to thank you again... with all of the sage advice, I went the impetuous route

**edit** I should clarify for this post, that the borrowed instrument that I've been playing has been "mine" for about 2 years now, so I do have some experience in the DB world, but felt like I was only partially engaged... now I'm ALL IN! The borrowed bass has been good for me, but needs a good setup (last one was about 10 years ago) and a few badly needed repairs that made playing it difficult and certainly hindered the sound.

I just picked up Kay #16529 from a local Jazz Musician who could no longer justify his "outdoor" player. I say "real" bass b/c I'm speaking of the DB world here, as I've owned about 45 electric basses, but this is my first REAL bass!

I know it's not pretty, but MAN it SINGS! Oh, and I was kidding about the impetuous as I had ultimately decided to start looking for a new instrument in the fall, most likely some sort of Engelhardt from Fretwell, when this came up in the same ballpark pricewise, I figured I should take a look. I had NO idea that I would instantly fall in love with it.

I plan to have a proper photo shoot tonight (these are from the seller), but I'm too excited so I thought I'd share with you all.

[Tumbao]

Congrats, Get a pro-Luthier to fit a new endpin and overall setup.

[Gary Lynch]

I say play a bass with your eyes closed. The tone will speak for it's beauty, not the physical looks of the bass.

[RobertUI]

Originally Posted by Tumbao

Congrats, Get a pro-Luthier to fit a new endpin and overall setup.

That end pin was designed that way, and it was professionally set-up recently. I forget the details of the endpin, but that's what the player I bought it from prefers. It's actually just the "rod" part that was replaced, I'll be putting the traditional rod back in.

I jumped on this one b/c other than the bumps and bruises, there's not a thing wrong w/ it.

Oh, and I wanted to also point out that the bass came with the realist pickup and an almost new Mooradian bag. The player I got it from played a gig with it very recently. I can already feel and hear that it's a huge upgrade from the bass I was borrowing, even if it doesn't look as pretty. (That's all in the eye of the beholder though)

[Tumbao]

Originally Posted by RobertUI

That end pin was designed that way, and it was professionally set-up recently.

Sorry, I've never seen that before. Congratulation anyway!

[RobertUI]

Originally Posted by Tumbao

Sorry, I've never seen that before. Congratulation anyway!

No worries... there's a good bit that's written about it here on TB... do a search for "leaning endpin" or "angled endpin". You can also see the master approach by François Rabbath and Horst Grünert. I personally don't think I'm going to be able to stick with it.

[Tumbao]

Originally Posted by RobertUI

No worries... there's a good bit that's written about it here on TB... do a search for...

Ok! angled endpin - drill endblock at an angle ?

[AMJBASS]

Great find! Definitely a really good pickup especially for a first bass. A lot of those Kays can sound fantastic. It looks good too!

[TroyK]

Congrats on the bass. Most of the good, working basses have some road wear. No shame in that at all. Play the crap out of it!

The Laborie and Rabbath endpins are a bit different than that, though a similar idea. If you were going to stick with that one, you need to understand exactly where is should be pointing. It seems it could spin 360 degrees and change the position dramatically every 10 degrees or so. Not saying it's bad, but it's a lot to think about with your first bass unless you've got some very specific help. I suggest keeping it, but putting the straight on back for a while. Or see if you can find a drumstick that size. Wood is good!

[Bassman316]

In my eyes that is one fine looking bass. I bet it sounds great. Congrats!

[RobertUI]

Originally Posted by Tumbao

Ok! angled endpin - drill endblock at an angle ?

That's interesting... with this one, it's the endpin that's angled (the original shaft was pulled, and this one inserted) but that's a really interesting read.

Originally Posted by Adrian Juras

Great find! Definitely a really good pickup especially for a first bass. A lot of those Kays can sound fantastic. It looks good too!

Yeah, I suppose that technically it's not my first, as I've been borrowing a bass for a couple years. I own the Fishman BP-100 (and model B preamp) so I'm curious to see how it compares.

Originally Posted by TroyK

Congrats on the bass. Most of the good, working basses have some road wear. No shame in that at all. Play the crap out of it!

The Laborie and Rabbath endpins are a bit different than that, though a similar idea. If you were going to stick with that one, you need to understand exactly where is should be pointing. It seems it could spin 360 degrees and change the position dramatically every 10 degrees or so. Not saying it's bad, but it's a lot to think about with your first bass unless you've got some very specific help. I suggest keeping it, but putting the straight on back for a while. Or see if you can find a drumstick that size. Wood is good!

Thanks for the notes! I'll take some pics, but this endpin can't be inserted wrong as it's got a flat side that lines up with the set screw, but yeah, I'd imagine that a "slightly" wrong angle would otherwise be a terrible thing!

Originally Posted by Bassman316

In my eyes that is one fine looking bass. I bet it sounds great. Congrats!

Thanks, everyone's validation here has helped... Even though I'm closing in on 40, I'm feeling like a kid today, all I can think about is running home and playing with my new toy!

[AMJBASS]

I actually meant good pick up for a first bass! But pickup wise, the Realist blows the BP-100 out of the water. There are few basses that the BP100 sounds good on(although they are out there). The Realist is very natural sounding.

[CamMcIntyre]

Originally Posted by Adrian Juras

I actually meant good pick up for a first bass! But pickup wise, the Realist blows the BP-100 out of the water. There are few basses that the BP100 sounds good on(although they are out there). The Realist is very natural sounding.

I'm with Adrian. I've played using a BP-100 on a school owned Kay bass in high school. It took some pretty radical EQing to get it sound good through any of my amps. The Realist? Mostly plug and play, sometimes I have to turn down the treble a bit.

Congrats on the bass! It will serve you well for quite some time. If the bass I played in high school would have had an adjustable bridge, I would have been much happier. The action was so high that i could fit my pinky finger under the strings. I had really strong hands upon leaving high school.

Getting the Realist & a Mooradian bag in good condition is a nice bonus! I'm a big fan of Mooradian cases.

[RobertUI]

Great to know... all around! Thanks guys!