With what we read of folk's experience with the many well-regarded builders represented here on TB I felt comfortable looking to TB for much of the info I used in narrowing my choices..we are truly in a Golden Age.
The Bass as delivered: NS LaScala Hybrid Flatback with solo fingerboard extension, brushed brass tuners, leather bumpers, "medium-amber" finish and Realist pickup. I'll make more pix avail if folks are interested.
I had fully intended to create a well organized and detailed presentation of my new bass; maybe even it's own online album, but I'm just to dang busy playing it to put it down. I've had it 3 weeks already so it's time to just bash this out!
Wil was kind enough to meet me halfway in Boston to take delivery. Much of the northeastern US has been plagued by incessant rain and high humidity, and that weekend was no exception.
From the moment it came out of the bag and into my hands I just can't stop smiling..or playing it..
Much has been said about these instruments, so I'll attempt to confine this post to speaking of things possibly unique to my experience.
I had it supplied with strings that I was most familiar with; Spiro Orch Mittles (Red). The Mittles quickly revealed the effects of the humidity on this wooden sponge for my first couple gigs, which were outside but on covered stages. Another issue I had was distortion with the Gage into my Baggs Para-DI. Both challenges were quickly solved, however.
Spiro Orch Solo strings I've since installed really seem to let the bass "breathe" easier tho I have to be careful not to overplay. It also gives much more focus and definition to the initial attack along with that wonderful sustain. (hey, I like it..) I may get bitten with string-itis in the fall, but I'm ok for now.
A couple calls with Baggs Engineering proved helpful in solving the distortion problem with a simple internal mod to the preamp. It seems this latest iteration of the pickup is incredibly hot, and combined with the massive acoustic energy from the bass driving the pickup, levels of over 3+ volts RMS can be produced! Anyone with the new Gage/Baggs combo feel free to write for details.
Finally an indoor gig in a great hall w/engineer gave me the opportunity to have fewer un-managed variables. All I had hoped for, and more. I wrote Wil a silly letter telling him about how it felt as if my hands were directly connected to the air coming out of the bass..and that I've never felt more connected to a bass.. it still sounds pretty silly, but absolutely true.
I cannot speak well enough of not only the amazing detail to the fit, finish and rapidly evolving sound of the instrument, but also the ongoing dialog I continue to have with Wil and NS.
They take their relationship with their clients as seriously as their craft.
The Bass as delivered: NS LaScala Hybrid Flatback with solo fingerboard extension, brushed brass tuners, leather bumpers, "medium-amber" finish and Realist pickup. I'll make more pix avail if folks are interested.
I had fully intended to create a well organized and detailed presentation of my new bass; maybe even it's own online album, but I'm just to dang busy playing it to put it down. I've had it 3 weeks already so it's time to just bash this out!
Wil was kind enough to meet me halfway in Boston to take delivery. Much of the northeastern US has been plagued by incessant rain and high humidity, and that weekend was no exception.
From the moment it came out of the bag and into my hands I just can't stop smiling..or playing it..
Much has been said about these instruments, so I'll attempt to confine this post to speaking of things possibly unique to my experience.
I had it supplied with strings that I was most familiar with; Spiro Orch Mittles (Red). The Mittles quickly revealed the effects of the humidity on this wooden sponge for my first couple gigs, which were outside but on covered stages. Another issue I had was distortion with the Gage into my Baggs Para-DI. Both challenges were quickly solved, however.
Spiro Orch Solo strings I've since installed really seem to let the bass "breathe" easier tho I have to be careful not to overplay. It also gives much more focus and definition to the initial attack along with that wonderful sustain. (hey, I like it..) I may get bitten with string-itis in the fall, but I'm ok for now.
A couple calls with Baggs Engineering proved helpful in solving the distortion problem with a simple internal mod to the preamp. It seems this latest iteration of the pickup is incredibly hot, and combined with the massive acoustic energy from the bass driving the pickup, levels of over 3+ volts RMS can be produced! Anyone with the new Gage/Baggs combo feel free to write for details.
Finally an indoor gig in a great hall w/engineer gave me the opportunity to have fewer un-managed variables. All I had hoped for, and more. I wrote Wil a silly letter telling him about how it felt as if my hands were directly connected to the air coming out of the bass..and that I've never felt more connected to a bass.. it still sounds pretty silly, but absolutely true.
I cannot speak well enough of not only the amazing detail to the fit, finish and rapidly evolving sound of the instrument, but also the ongoing dialog I continue to have with Wil and NS.
They take their relationship with their clients as seriously as their craft.
). This bass knocks the socks, hat and overalls off 'em all.
