The Mike Lull Club Part 3

[Ron Plichta]

Continuing from the previous thread:

The Mike Lull Club Part 2

[smperry]

Thanks. Send us a note if you start a continuation thread so one of us can close the previous club thread.

[LeonD]

I'd like to get a nice, passive P bass and I'm seriously considering a Lull.

My questions have to do with comparing Lull's P4 vs. UP4. Per Lull's web site, I understand what the differences are. And the UP4 cost $300 more than the P4.

Can anyone comment on what they felt either the tone or tactile differences are?

[kai_ski]

I think the only difference is the Brazilian Rosewood board as standard on the ultra vintage series, thus the price difference. I'm not sure you would notice the difference in tone or feel.

Here's a shot of me playing my PJ5 at a Sundance Film Festival gig this week, through my GB Streamliner and GK NEO 212. Sorry for the filter, but my girlfriend was playing with my iphone and this is actually the best angle that she got.

[LeonD]

Thanks for the reply.

Agreed on the Brazilian but the UP4 also has one less fret and a different fretboard radius.

That said, I wonder if you can feel or more importantly hear the difference.

[pauliebass]

Originally Posted by LeonD

I'd like to get a nice, passive P bass and I'm seriously considering a Lull.

My questions have to do with comparing Lull's P4 vs. UP4. Per Lull's web site, I understand what the differences are. And the UP4 cost $300 more than the P4.

Can anyone comment on what they felt either the tone or tactile differences are?

The rounder radius of the fingerboard is where you will feel the biggest difference on the ultra.

[pauliebass]

Originally Posted by LeonD

Thanks for the reply.

Agreed on the Brazilian but the UP4 also has one less fret and a different fretboard radius.

That said, I wonder if you can feel or more importantly hear the difference.

Feel, yes. Hear, I don't think so.

[JGintheHam]

Originally Posted by kai_ski

I think the only difference is the Brazilian Rosewood board as standard on the ultra vintage series, thus the price difference. I'm not sure you would notice the difference in tone or feel.

Here's a shot of me playing my PJ5 at a Sundance Film Festival gig this week, through my GB Streamliner and GK NEO 212. Sorry for the filter, but my girlfriend was playing with my iphone and this is actually the best angle that she got.

Are you running passive or active? If passive, do you ever miss active? Trying to brainstorm my next build. Thx.

Jeff

[RocketMusic]

The UP4 has 1 less fret than the P4, and the fretboards are different radii. I thought the bodies might be different sizes, but I just spoke with Mike and he says they both have a full size P body.

[LeonD]

Hey Greg, thanks for the chat today.

Originally Posted by RocketMusic

The UP4 has 1 less fret than the P4, and the fretboards are different radii. I thought the bodies might be different sizes, but I just spoke with Mike and he says they both have a full size P body.

[RocketMusic]

My pleasure, Leon. Good luck in your hunt!

[kai_ski]

Originally Posted by JGintheHam

Are you running passive or active? If passive, do you ever miss active?

Passive. This was my first Lull. I had an M5V (Bart 3-band and Duncans) for about 9 months. They're both fantastic instruments, but I prefer the PJ to the JJ. My biggest issue with the active was that it sounded so different in passive mode. So I guess the answer is "no" I don't miss having an active preamp, but the bar was set by the PJ and the active bass failed to live up to it. At times I do miss the bass though. Someday I'd like to find a replacement JJ with a great passive tone.

I've played it in a lot of different indie/rock/pop/blues/soul/r&b settings, and with VVT I can achieve pretty much any sound I want. I'm not much of a slap/pop guy, even though it's fun to do in the basement, I rarely go that route at a gig. Even when I do, the PJ5 pulls it off just fine. I should give some credit to the Streamliner 900 + 2xNEO212 rig as well. It is a killer combination and has cured my amp gas for now. If I ever need eq for a specific sound, I have a paradriver on my board that I can use to get whatever i need. Usually, I just set the gain/eq on the amp and play the gig.

[jerry]

Tagged!

[JGintheHam]

Originally Posted by kai_ski

Passive. This was my first Lull...

Right on. Great answer.

[vates]

subscribing

[Saluki]

In with a new order. Waiting begins.

[chris_b]

Hi from the UK. I've been playing my Lull PJ5 for 9 months and currently I'm making the best noise I've made in years.

[bdgotoh]

Originally Posted by LeonD

I'd like to get a nice, passive P bass and I'm seriously considering a Lull.

My questions have to do with comparing Lull's P4 vs. UP4. Per Lull's web site, I understand what the differences are. And the UP4 cost $300 more than the P4.

Can anyone comment on what they felt either the tone or tactile differences are?

I've been playing Mike's basses for years and love the feel and tone. When he released the UVP4 I immediately went to his shop to check one out. I have always loved vintage radius basses and figured I'd want to order one. I went back and forth playing a P4 and a UVP4 at his shop and ended up liking the P4 with the 12" radius much more. Just my experience, but I think his stock P4 and V4 necks are the most comfortable and easiest to play of any bass I've ever had.

Besides, that's what Mike himself plays - a P4 with alder body in Aztec Gold, P width neck with 12" radius brazilian rosewood board.

[pauliebass]

Originally Posted by bdgotoh

I've been playing Mike's basses for years and love the feel and tone. When he released the UVP4 I immediately went to his shop to check one out. I have always loved vintage radius basses and figured I'd want to order one. I went back and forth playing a P4 and a UVP4 at his shop and ended up liking the P4 with the 12" radius much more. Just my experience, but I think his stock P4 and V4 necks are the most comfortable and easiest to play of any bass I've ever had.

Besides, that's what Mike himself plays - a P4 with alder body in Aztec Gold, P width neck with 12" radius brazilian rosewood board.

Mike's personal P is absurd. I thought about running out of his shop with it! Right after I grabbed his 2 pre CBS fenders!

[Gr8tbass]

Here' s some pics of my baby. I love this thing