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Acoustic bass fetish club Part 2

#7,221
Karl Kaminski said:
thanks @HaphAsSard

@Richard Lindsey, depending on what your looking for I think the Flats on the Balor are warm, full, but not punchy or very strong acoustically (presence but not volume). They feel and sound great (especially with a piezo pickup) but acoustic or live (mic'd) not optimal (for me).

I'll post a 'Rounds' sample sometime—hopefully it'll be a good comparison with the flats on a Balor.

I have yet to try the Aquila Spiral's High Cs
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Thanks, Karl. I'm not overly concerned about acoustic volume, but I am trying to avoid the "big guitar" kind of sound (which I tend to associate with roundwounds on ABGs in general). On my ABGs, I look for a sound that, though not mimicking an upright or expecting to, calls that vibe to mind. So far, that's been the T-I JFs for me, but I'm certainly open to alternatives that aren't as pricy. Though the Flat Spirals are clearly pricier than the Round Spirals, being more complicated and expensive to make per Mimmo, I don't think they're in JF territory ... yet, anyway.
 
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#7,222
just as a experiment, have you tried the Labella Gold Flats (not the Gold-White tapes) or Galli Synthesis? —both are in that TIJF territory and each has ± for feel and tone. (I've been trying to find the time to test both on the Balor)

Spiral flats have a great feel and (IMO/IME) theyre right at the nexus of the 'upright/thumpy and the 'big guitar' sound.
 
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#7,223
Karl Kaminski said:
just as a experiment, have you tried the Labella Gold Flats (not the Gold-White tapes) or Galli Synthesis? —both are in that TIJF territory and each has ± for feel and tone. (I've been trying to find the time to test both on the Balor)

Spiral flats have a great feel and (IMO/IME) theyre right at the nexus of the 'upright/thumpy and the 'big guitar' sound.
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Haven't tried the LB Gold Flats. The gauges look like they might be a bit higher than I'd ideally like through the middle, but of course it's hard to be sure until you actually put them on. Also, they say this set isn't suitable for basses where you string through the body. That isn't quite the case for the Balor, but there is a pretty sharp bend over the saddle (at least, with the adjustable piezo bridge mine has), similar to what you get with string-through-body. Though now that I think of it, I'm not sure whether that warning was because of the bend or because of the string length. I have tried the LB LTFs and wasn't impressed enough to change horses.

Also no experience with the Galli Synthesis flats. The idea does look intriguing, but again, the tensions are probably a little higher than I'd ideally prefer.

If you do find the time to test those sets, though, I'd be quite interested to hear what you think.
 
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#7,224
Richard Lindsey said:
Also no experience with the Galli Synthesis flats. The idea does look intriguing, but again, the tensions are probably a little higher than I'd ideally prefer.
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Definitely, I did a Galli demo on the Furch -they were stiffer than I like, but there is something very intriguing about their attack. And with their short sustain they capture more of an 'upright vibe'. The Furch has a traditional acoustic pin/keyhole mount (similar break angle to string thru-body), I found adding a spacer to the ball end helped avoid the 'ball mount bulge' and the strings worked fine with the bend over the traditional piezo saddle. (It also helps set the witness points at the bridge)

1725044252430.png
 
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#7,225
Wanted to bring this thread back to talking about the Big Johnson Bass.

Brian Ritchie is using it now exclusively as his go to Acoustic bass for the Violent Femms. The Ernie Ball Earthwood is now his back up.

I played his acoustically after the show, I was astounded on how good it sounded ajnd how comfortable it was to play. You can also play it upright. And no I do not have any videos of he or I playing the bass, there are definitely videos on Youtube of it being played at a Violent Femms show.

IMG_6254.JPG



As my previous post, Stu Ham has ordered one with three drone strings.

1725045959655.png


He also made another variation of this Bass that with a tailpiece like a traditional upright, and can be bowed. What say you(s) guys?

1725046390128.png
1725046267872.png
 
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#7,226
rawdge said:
Wanted to bring this thread back to talking about the Big Johnson Bass.

Brian Ritchie is using it now exclusively as his go to Acoustic bass for the Violent Femms. The Ernie Ball Earthwood is now his back up.

I played his acoustically after the show, I was astounded on how good it sounded ajnd how comfortable it was to play. You can also play it upright. And no I do not have any videos of he or I playing the bass, there are definitely videos on Youtube of it being played at a Violent Femms show.

View attachment 7017770


As my previous post, Stu Ham has ordered one with three drone strings.

View attachment 7017776

He also made another variation of this Bass that with a tailpiece like a traditional upright, and can be bowed. What say you(s) guys?

View attachment 7017784View attachment 7017781
Click to expand...

The designer and builder are local here in the Omaha area, so I've had a chance to try a few out. I'm sure the looks and ergonomics are not for everyone, but they are certainly an interesting approach to building an ABG!
 
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#7,227
mikezimmerman said:
The designer and builder are local here in the Omaha area, so I've had a chance to try a few out. I'm sure the looks and ergonomics are not for everyone, but they are certainly an interesting approach to building an ABG!
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That's very true. As long as you can get over the "hump" it can work. For a traditional Americana music bluegrass/old time etc this would be a nice option to an upright. At least for me. I played it upright and it played fine--don't see much of a learning curve.
 
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#7,229
Karl Kaminski said:
def, im always more interested in what things sound-like verses their looks. boy I wanna hear it

But being an Upright player for the past 35+ yrs, the last thing I want is to carry something big again :roflmao:
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There are videos of this on his Facebook page but their are of crappy quality. When I played Brian’s I was in his tour bus and he was there with his wife, so I did just want to ask them to take a video for me.

All I can offer you is my experience as an acoustic bass player and an upright Americana player. That instrument sounded really great. Acoordinv to Brian, because of the sound holes in the upper horn, it does jut feed back when plugged in.


If I would get this, I would get rid of my upright.
 
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#7,230
rawdge said:
Wanted to bring this thread back to talking about the Big Johnson Bass.

Brian Ritchie is using it now exclusively as his go to Acoustic bass for the Violent Femms. The Ernie Ball Earthwood is now his back up.

I played his acoustically after the show, I was astounded on how good it sounded ajnd how comfortable it was to play. You can also play it upright. And no I do not have any videos of he or I playing the bass, there are definitely videos on Youtube of it being played at a Violent Femms show.

View attachment 7017770


As my previous post, Stu Ham has ordered one with three drone strings.

View attachment 7017776

He also made another variation of this Bass that with a tailpiece like a traditional upright, and can be bowed. What say you(s) guys?

View attachment 7017784View attachment 7017781
Click to expand...
Cool!:thumbsup:

That one laying down on its side is gorgeous.

But, pray do tell, where are the ergonomic police? ;)
 
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#7,231
B-Mac said:
Cool!:thumbsup:

That one laying down on its side is gorgeous.

But, pray do tell, where are the ergonomic police? ;)
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The upper horn is really the only ergonomic “hurdle” I could see playing horizontally. Depending on your the players build, that could be challenging. I am 5’ 10” and it was fine. I did not notice any difficulties reaching the notes on the fretboard.

The extra sound holes on the upper horn allowed me to hear everything coming out of the bass.

Playing it upright was quite easy. Being that it was a 34” scale it is not the same as an upright but quite manageable. The one I played had frets which was different. That body shape did not bother me too much however I believe the fretless brown one that with the tail piece looks seems to be better suited for upright playing.

1725056366954.png
 
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#7,232
rawdge said:
The upper horn is really the only ergonomic “hurdle” I could see playing horizontally. Depending on your the players build, that could be challenging. I am 5’ 10” and it was fine. I did not notice any difficulties reaching the notes on the fretboard.

The extra sound holes on the upper horn allowed me to hear everything coming out of the bass.

Playing it upright was quite easy. Being that it was a 34” scale it is not the same as an upright but quite manageable. The one I played had frets which was different. That body shape did not bother me too much however I believe the fretless brown one that with the tail piece looks seems to be better suited for upright playing.

View attachment 7017911
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Oh, I can see someone complaining about the thickness of the body easy peazy.

Common complaint from slab o’wood players.

Not me though.
 
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#7,234
rawdge said:
Wanted to bring this thread back to talking about the Big Johnson Bass.
Click to expand...
The more I look at it the more I like it. Especially the blue one held horizontally. It's like you've got a baby sea-monster in your lap. You follow the contour with your eyes and it would already be a big, good-looking instrument if the top of the upper bout just went down to the neck join, but no, it swooshes up and makes this giant wave over the entire neck. So unexpected! At first glance it's unsettling. Knee-jerk reaction is to think it's silly or weird. Then you keep looking and pretty quickly it looks natural and sensible, but also a little badass like a bazooka. This baby sea-monster in my arms sings basslines when I carress it, but if you mess with us it'll bite your head off.
 
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#7,236
HvyBlvy said:
The more I look at it the more I like it. Especially the blue one held horizontally. It's like you've got a baby sea-monster in your lap. You follow the contour with your eyes and it would already be a big, good-looking instrument if the top of the upper bout just went down to the neck join, but no, it swooshes up and makes this giant wave over the entire neck. So unexpected! At first glance it's unsettling. Knee-jerk reaction is to think it's silly or weird. Then you keep looking and pretty quickly it looks natural and sensible, but also a little badass like a bazooka. This baby sea-monster in my arms sings basslines when I carress it, but if you mess with us it'll bite your head off.
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Totally agree that it is unsettling at first glance. The build quality is actually exceptional. It also sounds well through an amp. It is for sure a "Bass Bazooka".
 
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#7,237
HvyBlvy said:
The more I look at it the more I like it. Especially the blue one held horizontally. It's like you've got a baby sea-monster in your lap. You follow the contour with your eyes and it would already be a big, good-looking instrument if the top of the upper bout just went down to the neck join, but no, it swooshes up and makes this giant wave over the entire neck. So unexpected! At first glance it's unsettling. Knee-jerk reaction is to think it's silly or weird. Then you keep looking and pretty quickly it looks natural and sensible, but also a little badass like a bazooka. This baby sea-monster in my arms sings basslines when I carress it, but if you mess with us it'll bite your head off.
Click to expand...

FWIW, I've always seen Troy, the designer, playing his an upright position, and it's always been set up that way when I've come across one in shops, so I have no idea how comfortable (or not!) it may be to play it horizontally...
 
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#7,238
mikezimmerman said:
FWIW, I've always seen Troy, the designer, playing his an upright position, and it's always been set up that way when I've come across one in shops, so I have no idea how comfortable (or not!) it may be to play it horizontally...
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Good Point. Troy always plays it as an upright. The only person whom I say play it horizontally was Brian Ritchie. Here is a facebook video of Mohini Dey playing a BJ bass horizontally at NAMM '24.
 
#7,239


Not sure about this but hopefully it is a link to a tiktok video

Guys don’t think I’m promoting a tiktok account or anything. The last thing I want is attention (I have a dormant tiktok account because I used to do duets with a couple songwriters). But I really want to show you what I’m talking about regarding playing the ABG with banjo picks to accompany myself singing. Can’t upload videos here directly as far as I can tell, only links.

I’m not saying it sounds great, and I know I am not particularly gifted, but it is a lot of fun for self-entertainment and I would like to connect with others who are doing it or interested in it. Obviously this Fetish Club Part 2 is the place to find my people. If they aren’t already here they’ll wind up here.
 
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#7,240
HvyBlvy said:


Not sure about this but hopefully it is a link to a tiktok video

Guys don’t think I’m promoting a tiktok account or anything. The last thing I want is attention (I have a dormant tiktok account because I used to do duets with a couple songwriters). But I really want to show you what I’m talking about regarding playing the ABG with banjo picks to accompany myself singing. Can’t upload videos here directly as far as I can tell, only links.

I’m not saying it sounds great, and I know I am not particularly gifted, but it is a lot of fun for self-entertainment and I would like to connect with others who are doing it or interested in it. Obviously this Fetish Club Part 2 is the place to find my people. If they aren’t already here they’ll wind up here.
Click to expand...

The link works. Well played, that man. 👍
 

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