Recent content by Jeff Bean

I was nine. And that was an upright bass. Carried it home from school every weekend on my stingray bike, holding it with one hand. (I was a big kid.) I was twelve or thirteen when an older kid who fancied himself a rocker and played guitar needed a bass player, so I spent my orchard-working...

The ABG works absolutely fine in my amp, so I won't be having it looked-at again (a tech had just fixed the piezo anyway with an output discrepancy between strings and solved that problem nicely). I just won't plan to run it through my friend's amp unless I get this solved. His combo amp is so...

Man, now I need a Bogdon for the stable!

To be clear, this is all about electronics of which, I believe I have amply demonstrated, I know nothing. Exact same hardware - cable, jack, amp, power outlet, etc. - and the same "artist" and playing style - created completely different output/volume levels from the two basses. We're talking...

I have had an upright for years, and now have two slab/electrics, and one ABG: an Ibanez Exotic Wood ($250 with stand and Gator hard case.) When at home, it's the one I play most often. But not as long. Long practice sessions and gigs I'm on the upright or electrics. But I pick up the Ibby most...

I didn't know that was even possible. I have no idea what the impedance is of any bass and never heard anyone mention it. I thought impedance was something to manage between amp and speaker, not between instrument and amp. How can I determine what the impedance is of the bass?

When it comes to amps, I'm plug-and-play. I don't even know the language to ask this question or to search the forum to see if it's already been addressed. Sorry if this has been covered before. Playing my ABG through a friend's combo (old practice-size tube), I got very little volume output...

Always been intrigued by these Soviet basses. If I had ever bought one, I would not have been expecting so much of what you might call a musical instrument-like experience, but more of having faced an historical curiosity, and most importantly, then had the occasion to write about it. But in the...

Just bought a DeArmond Pilot Deluxe V that, as best as my research so far can tell, meets all your specs - 35", 19mm, ebony - plus walnut/maple neck through an ash body.

First one I've ever seen shows up on Portlandia's Craigslist today just before reading this. Coincidenza? [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I always thought a 5er was 25% better than a 4, but that a 4 was 20% worse than a 5er. But I was never good at math.

Someone posted this here on TB before me. Go there to join in the fun! Best. Rig. Ever.

Not my thing, but I know the work of a true artisan when I see it. Someone go to Portland and buy this setup. Keep it gigging. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I've got a four string ABG (Ibanez EWB20) with unbalanced amplified volume. The E string is I'd say about 60% of the volume of the other strings. The problem is only when amplified; it's fine unplugged. It's a problem only with the E string, not with the low frequencies, because the same...

Be sure to first read the full description and then check pic #2. I have no words. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]