Ashbory (Guild/DeArmond/Fender) Club

[BobRussell]

#24 BobRussell - Very good explanation of the Ashbory lines as references.

Thanks, TolerancEJ. I love that weird little thang! Especially once I got the stock strings off it and tried the RoadToad black set, then the NylGut Aquilas. No more talcum powder!

 

[plainman]

I brought my Ashbory to the blues jam last night. Really fast tempos can still be a bit challenging, but overall it went well. It got a lot of attention and folks liked the sound.

 

[Gorn]

Question for Ashbory players that have also played a ubass and prefer the ashbory:
What do you like about it over the ubass?

 

[TolerancEJ]

Question for Ashbory players that have also played a ubass and prefer the ashbory:
What do you like about it over the ubass?

I have both. No preference for me. For me, my Kala SUB Solidbody is fretted and the Ashbory is fretless. I guess I just choose whichever I feel like playing.

 

[TolerancEJ]

#1 TolerancEJ
#2 Kaiuk
#3 RobJ
#4 scotch
#5 makz
#6 DanAleks
#7 The EH Man
#8 mongo2
#9 jags
#10 froovs
#11 Luv2Pla4U
#12 uomocane
#13 Jazzbassman23
#14 spigmu
#15 C20Dog
#16 djetz
#17 Benjamin Strange
#18 chadds
#19 Flashback Bass
#20 Farmerboymusic
#21 nancyr
#22 widerberg
#23 heymelbs
#24 Plainman
#25 BobRussell

 

[scotch]

Question for Ashbory players that have also played a ubass and prefer the ashbory:
What do you like about it over the ubass?

I own and play both. I think they fill different sonic sub-niches. The Ashbory has a more synthy vibe & the U-Bass more woody. I definitely play the U-Bass more, but I'm keeping the old Ashbory!


Be sure to try some AQUILA Thunderguts on the Ashbory! Big improvement over the stock silicone rubber strings in tone and breakage issues!

 

[spigmu]

Me want in.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The Ashbory has been my main bass for about 15 years. I own and play a U Bass as well. The Kala definitely does not replace the Ashbory. They have overlaps but really are so different. I'm currently looking into a better live system than the stock pickup in the Kala because that's where it really needs help. The piezo is simply not a do-all-for-everything pickup. The biggest drawback for me using the U Bass live is that, with the Ashbory, I have my amp up loud, the pickups balanced for the room and dialed back to give me some headroom, but the key is the loud amp allows me to olay with a very light touch, which gives me the most control over vibration and the best sound. Huge dynamic range of tone and style. And I touch the volume knob about 40 times per song, though much is by now just habit.

The Kala, not having any controls, is tougher for me to be as 100% happy with my live sound. It's always a compromised 75% happy due to the lack of ability to make an adjustment nudge per song. Can't be reaching over to the amp except for occasionally, and I can't play with the "loud amp/light touch" feel, due to feedback if I get closer to the amp to make an adjustment (removing a hand from the bass to turn the knob doesn't help). It's obviously not an undoable feedback situation, but in some generally I can't play with the touch I want to because of stage volume issues as it relates to my preference, as I say of the loud amp/light touch and making on-bass knob adjustments to suit the song. Plus, I'm basically allergic to under saddle pickups. So I love the Kala but it's not a replacement for me for the Ashbory at all.


(BTW, the 3 string thing is basically a running gag, kind of like Minnie Pearl's price tag hanging off her hat. I would rarely use it, plus I always liked bassists who kept the pocket rollicking at all costs, no G string needed. So, sort of like the rule in metal bands for guitars and keyboards of "No thirds in the chords!", at my first change of strings I didn't put it on, as a tribute to bassists who never went there, as if their R & B band leaders would fine them $10 each time they used it. And that's the way it's stayed : ) )

 

[TolerancEJ]

@spigmu - You're already #14.

 

[spigmu]

@spigmu - You're already #14.

A ha ha ha. Thread bumped up and I thought it was a new club! Though, to paraphrase Woody, I'm a bit suspect of a club that would have me for a member.

 

[Bowe]

Better late in than never - so does this make me #26?? This FMIC DeArmond has stock silicones tuned B-E-A-D, awesome thunder from next to nothing!!!

My travel rig:


For some perspective - "My Three Basses"


I play bass ... all THREE kinds; double-bass, guitar style, and ASHBORY!

 

[TolerancEJ]

Bowe #26 - Cool. I really dig your double bass. I hope to pick one up someday.

 

[TolerancEJ]

Thanks for bumping the thread too. Last night I noticed the G string broke.

I'm ready to change string sets. Are people still preferring the Thundergut strings?

 

[scotch]

Thanks for bumping the thread too. Last night I noticed the G string broke.

I'm ready to change string sets. Are people still preferring the Thundergut strings?

Yup. The Thundergut is my #1 choice for the Ashbory!

 

[plainman]

Yup. The Thundergut is my #1 choice for the Ashbory!

I second that. I didn't really like playing the Ashbory until I got the Thunderguts.

Aquila came out with the Silver Rumblers for the U-Bass, I haven't heard whether they are okay for the Ashbory or if they offer any improvement.

 

[RockNRollAl]

I own and play one - no pic yet. Am I in?

 

[TolerancEJ]

#27 RockNRollAl - Sure, I think we all know what they look like by now. What finish is your model?

 

[TolerancEJ]

#1 TolerancEJ
#2 Kaiuk
#3 RobJ
#4 scotch
#5 makz
#6 DanAleks
#7 The EH Man
#8 mongo2
#9 jags
#10 froovs
#11 Luv2Pla4U
#12 uomocane
#13 Jazzbassman23
#14 spigmu
#15 C20Dog
#16 djetz
#17 Benjamin Strange
#18 chadds
#19 Flashback Bass
#20 Farmerboymusic
#21 nancyr
#22 widerberg
#23 heymelbs
#24 Plainman
#25 BobRussell
#26 Bowe
#27 RockNRollAl

 

[c10]

Ashbory in the middle (blue, kind of hard to see here).
Haven't played it much lately, maybe I'll try the Aquila strings someday...

Link Removed

 

[TolerancEJ]

Ashbory in the middle (blue, kind of hard to see here).
Haven't played it much lately, maybe I'll try the Aquila strings someday...

Link Removed

#28 c10 - Glad you directed me. I'd have difficulty determining which one was the Ashbory. lol

I literally just ordered my Aquila strings yesterday. (Yes, I realize I asked the question awhile ago & that's how long my poor Ashbory's been sitting with a broken G string.)

 

[nancyr]

Where are people getting their replacement G strings? I bought the only remaining factory one, and a set of Aquila Thunderguts, from Large Sound a couple weeks ago.