Show Us Your Rob Allen Basses Part III

[nostatic]

Yup - 500 is the one to get. Unless you feel the need for 900

[tedw]

Yeah, 900... right. ;-)

Since I typically use an amp only in my practice room (since I always end up going direct to the sound board), I probably only need 100. Actually, I bought a shuttle 3.0 for a good price and it has more than enough power for practice (and no fan). Sounds pretty good and it has great features. But I also get a great tone for P-basses through the Clarus if I also use a Paradriver.

I do some recording, so having a great sounding amp is important to me that works for the Mouse as well as P basses. I probably already have enough amps, pre-amps, direct boxes, etc, etc, etc to suit all my needs and more, but this has not stopped me from trying new things so far.

So let me know if you want to give me a good deal on your Puma, Nostatic :-)

Originally Posted by nostatic

Yup - 500 is the one to get. Unless you feel the need for 900

[morebassbaby]

Originally Posted by JxBass

I bought my Puma 500 from Donovan at Fretspot. Glenn at Austin Bass Traders is an equally good choice.

I bought my Puma from Dr. Bass when he was a dealer before all of his business issues. I'm surprised I came out of the whole deal unscathed. It took about 3 months of emails and phone calls to get it. If I had known I would've just gone to Austin Bass Traders or something! Oh well, no more worries just good fretless tone!

[nostatic]

I prefer the Deep. I find them to be the ultimate RA tone. A bit more woody and air while still having a huge low end. I've owned multiple Deeps, MB-2s and Mice, the Deep 4 is a "never sell" bass (knock on wood). Not to say the MB-2 and Mouse aren't great instruments - I just think the Deep is better. Some prefer the ergos on the MB-2 though (thinner body). I actually like the thicker Deep body - ymmv

[Ukiah Bass]

My Deep 4 is fretless, and while that aspect makes it a bit trickier to play with correct intonation, it's a key variable in making this bass sound more like an upright than a fretted instrument.

P.S. The black nylon tapewounds from Status also help.

[LeonD]

Is the low end of the Deep 4 bigger than the MB-2?

And assuming that it is, is there more to the difference than just a bigger low end?

[Hou]

Originally Posted by Ukiah Bass

My Deep 4 is fretless, and while that aspect makes it a bit trickier to play with correct intonation, it's the key variable in making this bass sound more like an upright than a fretted instrument.

Wow! Looks great. If you ever sell this let me know

[Hou]

If you listen to the song Bela
You can hear my MB-2. Amazing sound
http://audioscapers.bandcamp.com/album/after-am

[spade2you]

Originally Posted by Ukiah Bass

My Deep 4 is fretless, and while that aspect makes it a bit trickier to play with correct intonation, it's a key variable in making this bass sound more like an upright than a fretted instrument.

P.S. The black nylon tapewounds from Status also help.

Any reason you switched to the Status strings?

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by LeonD

Is the low end of the Deep 4 bigger than the MB-2?

And assuming that it is, is there more to the difference than just a bigger low end?

The low end isn't really bigger, just a different character. Not talking night and day - to my ear just a bit more woody/airy. Plus you have a 2-band eq at your disposal if need be but that won't matter to some. If you're switching between RA and a regular electric and find that you like different amp eq settings then having the onboard on the RA can be helpful.

[fish slapper]

Re: Deep 4 v. MB2. I have owned neither so take my input for what it is, second hand information from my own decision quest.

Have you talked to Rob? I called him and he is very well versed in verbalizing the differences in his basses. When I told him I wanted "upright tone with more definition," he said an MB2 would be more to my liking. As fate would have it, just before placing my order a second-hand Mouse popped up on BassNW that allowed me some upgrades for my budget. It turned out to be fate. Couldn't be happier. Well, okay, my one knock is I like to solo in the upper registers and you don't get above high C on the G string, but that's about it. Defiantly, filled my requirements tone-wise.

A Deep 4 is on my bucket list and when I talked to Rob, he indicated this was the "cry once" choice. Sure, a bigger investment, but a bit more versatility and a notch above in tone quality in general. However, we just spent a good chunk of our savings on a home remodel so that'll have to wait.

I would also have to consider the ergonomics of the deeper body. As a more "experienced" player with right shoulder issues that have kept me away from my DB, the Mouse being compact and feather light wins.

Good Luck in your quest!

[Ukiah Bass]

Originally Posted by spade2you

Any reason you switched to the Status strings?

I've tried several brands and prefer how the Status strings feel and sound. Funny - I first looked into Status years ago when I was on a Steinberger kick and there weren't many vendors offering double-ball strings. Status came recommended by several Steinberger players so I checked it out really liked their feel and sound. Since then I've continued keeping an open perspective on strings, have tried many brands, and keep coming back to Status. They're easy to order online as Status is UK-based and ships anywhere in the world. Cost is slightly more but not a deal breaker. FWIW, I use Status ground wounds on my Fender Jazz bass. I've tried flats and rounds too (Status and other brands). Have come to prefer the black nylon tapewounds on the Deep 4 and ground wounds on the fretted Jazz.

[spade2you]

Originally Posted by Ukiah Bass

I've tried several brands and prefer how the Status strings feel and sound. Funny - I first looked into Status years ago when I was on a Steinberger kick and there weren't many vendors offering double-ball strings. Status came recommended by several Steinberger players so I checked it out really liked their feel and sound. Since then I've continued keeping an open perspective on strings, have tried many brands, and keep coming back to Status. They're easy to order online as Status is UK-based and ships anywhere in the world. Cost is slightly more but not a deal breaker. FWIW, I use Status ground wounds on my Fender Jazz bass. I've tried flats and rounds too (Status and other brands). Have come to prefer the black nylon tapewounds on the Deep 4 and ground wounds on the fretted Jazz.

Good to know.

I'm satisfied with the LaBellas through the piezo, but the D string is very weak through the magnetic pickups my custom basses. I don't use the mags that much, but maybe I'll give them a try.

Edit: Crap, not available as a 6 string set.

[richnota]

Originally Posted by nostatic

The low end isn't really bigger, just a different character. Not talking night and day - to my ear just a bit more woody/airy. Plus you have a 2-band eq at your disposal if need be but that won't matter to some. If you're switching between RA and a regular electric and find that you like different amp eq settings then having the onboard on the RA can be helpful.

In my experience the difference between my Deeps and MB2s are pretty subtle. The Deeps are a bit more articulate--a bit more definition. Counter-intuitive as it may seem, my mouse has the biggest "bottom" of all my Rob Allen bases.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by richnota

In my experience the difference between my Deeps and MB2s are pretty subtle. The Deeps are a bit more articulate--a bit more definition. Counter-intuitive as it may seem, my mouse has the biggest "bottom" of all my Rob Allen bases.

+1 that the Mouse is the instrument that most vibes the big, bloomy low end of a DB. Amazing instrument.

[kai_ski]

I just found this video of an old recording I did with my former fretted Mouse. That was a fantastic instrument, I wish I could afford to be a collector!

http://vimeo.com/45229543

[Groove Doctor]

^ such a great tone!!

[tedw]

Yes, of the three Rob Allens that I own, the Mouse is my favorite

Originally Posted by KJung

+1 that the Mouse is the instrument that most vibes the big, bloomy low end of a DB. Amazing instrument.

[Quackhead]

Great recording. The tone of the bass comes through really well. It sounds complex and full. Amazing. As if my G.A.S. wasn't bad enough.

Originally Posted by kai_ski

I just found this video of an old recording I did with my former fretted Mouse. That was a fantastic instrument, I wish I could afford to be a collector!

http://vimeo.com/45229543

[kai_ski]

Thanks! I don't remember what the engineer used for eq or compression, but it was running through the Streamliner because we were playing live. That combo led me to sell of that UL2-410 soon after. WAYYY too much of a good thing there.

And now back to your regularly scheduled programming...