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6string+fretless+piezo+growl=does it exsist?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by nbw, Jul 6, 2008.

  1. Jul 6, 2008 #1
    nbw

    nbw

    Nov 10, 2003
    Arlington Texas
    Current runaway GAS has me chasing what appears to be an illusive creator that I'm not sure exists out side of four thousand plus dollar one offs.
    What I'm looking for is:

    -6string
    -fretless
    -17mm+ string spacing at the bridge
    -piezo pickup
    -Thick sound, growl, wont get lost in the mix, ect

    Carvin's first came to mind but I rarely see the phrase growl go hand in hand with them, infact I've only read that they are quite mellow sounding. Also believe they have notably narrow string spacing.
    Yamaha TRB6p's, I've never had the chance to play one. Not sure what to expect tone wise. They have a big fanbase but I have seen it mentioned time and time again that they have a very soft smooth voice to them with not much in midrange power. Also don't even know if they even came in fretless.(though going used for a trb6p would give some room for a defret+epoxy job which I'm unaware of how much it would cost. now if it only had that unapologetic tone it would be heaven).
    Bongo6, still no word on if they will be developing a piezo option for as they have for pretty much every other MM instrument. *crosses fingers
    Warwick thumb6 BO broadneck, no piezo
    Peavey Cirrus(bubinga+walnut), again no piezo

    Am I overlooking an option?
     
  2. Jul 6, 2008 #2
    spade2you

    spade2you

    Jan 11, 2007
    somewhere in middle America
    DSC00707.jpg

    A little more than a thousand, but matches your description.
     
  3. Jul 6, 2008 #3
    moon-bass

    moon-bass They call me El Jefe Supporting Member

    May 10, 2004
    USA, New Orleans
    The TRB6P's are very nice, and could be what you are looking for. 19mm string spacing, great player, and I have seen a few fretless one's FS in the past few years - I don't know if they are factory fretless or not. Every once in awhile I see a green fretless pop up on eBay, if memory serves he was asking around $600-$700 for it.

    I don't own a fretless TRB, but do own the fretted model - it gets plenty of Jazz Bass growl, and is very flexible tone-wise. I think it's great, and a real steal at the prices that I have seen them going for ...
     
  4. Jul 6, 2008 #4
    nbw

    nbw

    Nov 10, 2003
    Arlington Texas
    Yeah the TRB6P is the top prospect, only thing that deters me is I haven't really heard one get used in growl mode. Infact I don't think I have even heard one taking advantage of the piezo.
    How would you say the TRBP's compare tone wise to the US Cirrus's?
     
  5. Jul 6, 2008 #5
    JehuJava

    JehuJava Bass Frequency Technician

    Oct 15, 2002
    Yorktown, VA
    Just add the RMC piezo bridge to whatever fretless 6 you buy. Mad bite!
     
  6. Jul 6, 2008 #6
    James Hart

    James Hart

    Feb 1, 2002
    Beemerville.nj.us
    Do you have one? Any sound clips? I'm thinking of adding a piezo bridge to my fretless 6.
     
  7. Jul 6, 2008 #7
    moon-bass

    moon-bass They call me El Jefe Supporting Member

    May 10, 2004
    USA, New Orleans
    I've never played any Cirrus bass, so I wouldn't know how the tone compares.

    I typically use just a little bit of the piezo when I use mine ... solo the bridge pickup and add just a tiny bit of bass boost ... I think it sounds great.
     
  8. Jul 6, 2008 #8
    JehuJava

    JehuJava Bass Frequency Technician

    Oct 15, 2002
    Yorktown, VA
    I do.

    No computer input worth mentioning though. Search for Lokire's post demoing the piezo's ...I have his bass now. To me, it sounds like a warmer Thumb sound. Could be some of the wood though.
     
  9. Jul 6, 2008 #9
    James Hart

    James Hart

    Feb 1, 2002
    Beemerville.nj.us
    very cool! Thanks for the info... I remember the clips and the youtube vids.
     
  10. Jul 6, 2008 #10
    Altitude

    Altitude An ounce of perception, a pound of obscure. Supporting Member

    Mar 9, 2005
    Denver, nee Austin
    Not. I don't think Yamaha has ever offered the TRB6 as a fretless; only the 5. Nice bass, though - I have a TRB5II. They can be a little heavy.

    How about the MTD Z line?
     
  11. Jul 6, 2008 #11
    nbw

    nbw

    Nov 10, 2003
    Arlington Texas
    MTD Z's have piezo's?
     
  12. Jul 7, 2008 #12
    Thunderthumbs73

    Thunderthumbs73 Supporting Member

    May 5, 2008
    For a price, you can have piezos put in any bass, and all told still come under a $4k ceiling.
     
  13. Jul 7, 2008 #13
    richnota

    richnota

    Jan 11, 2005
    Santa Cruz
    Tom Clement just built me a piezo fretless six string.

    Im quite thrilled by my five string mag+piezo bass and decided to push things.

    The six uses a hipshot/ghost piezo bridge with aguilar electronics.

    Show-grade figured walnut top and back, ash core, ebony fingerboard. A fantastic custom bass at a very good price.

    The five:

    tomclem4.jpg

    EDIT: The completed six

    R0010409.jpg
     
  14. Jul 7, 2008 #14
    ehque

    ehque

    Jan 8, 2006
    Singapore
    Tried speccing out a Zon yet?
     
  15. Jul 7, 2008 #15
    spade2you

    spade2you

    Jan 11, 2007
    somewhere in middle America
    Oh yeah, there's also a Rob Allen 6er coming my way.........:)