Double Bass Blast cult

[unbrokenchain]

The thing is, if you took the time to listen to those dudes - you might actually learn something (reading book emoji).

I always learn something from TalkBass threads. Sometimes it has to do with basses or playing the bass.

When I was 18 I had a kitchen job working for a manager who would throw tantrums (and objects) if someone didn't cut tomatoes perfectly or were moving too slow. I learned how to cook, but more importantly I learned the importance of keeping my cool when things got hot. Did he mean to teach me that? Can't say for sure..

All I'm sayin is, sometimes the best teachers impart lessons by being an example of the opposite, or something...

 

[damonsmith]

I don't think anyone in here is ripping on anyone's music or how these basses are serving them. I for one have not said anything I wouldn't say in front a student. I've taught students with these basses and Kings. They didn't come to me to validate their basses - they came to learn how to get around the instrument better in a more traditional sense and they did.

The thread is called Blast Cult and honestly most of the posts are about that. These are not traditional basses and that has made a ton of people VERY happy with them - there is a reason you dropped 5k on one of these and not a decent carved bass.
Pointing out those differences shouldn't offend anyone. Be confident about your decisions, but, be aware of what you bought and why.

 

[Steve Swan]

When did this thread turn into the Damon Smith grumpy old man blog? Seriously ...

 

[Matt B]

When did this thread turn into the Damon Smith grumpy old man blog? Seriously ...

Post number 311 on page 16 of the thread was the turning point i think.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Post number 311 on page 16 of the thread was the turning point i think.

^^^Beat me to it.

 

[VictorW126]

Post number 311 on page 16 of the thread was the turning point i think.

#81 (p.5)

 

[DonaldFraser]

Does anyone else feel like we’re beating a dead horse??

 

[Space Pickle]

HORSE IS DEAD WHEN I SAY ITS DEAD :MAD:

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Ain’t nobody took your $4500 and didn’t deliver.

 

[DonaldFraser]

Ain’t nobody took your $4500 and didn’t deliver.

I was referring to the @damonsmith debacle

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

That’s nice. What about the substance?

 

[Red Brown]

I don't think anyone in here is ripping on anyone's music or how these basses are serving them. I for one have not said anything I wouldn't say in front a student. I've taught students with these basses and Kings. They didn't come to me to validate their basses - they came to learn how to get around the instrument better in a more traditional sense and they did.

The thread is called Blast Cult and honestly most of the posts are about that. These are not traditional
basses and that has made a ton of people VERY happy with them - there is a reason you dropped 5k on one of these and not a decent carved bass.
Pointing out those differences shouldn't offend anyone. Be confident about your decisions, but, be aware of what you bought and why.

Those are nice basses, and ply great for plys. Not worth 5k.

The construction is unique. The entire bass is made in Orange County CA. American made. It has features that you cannot get anywhere, and I know a lot about how to make a bass sound and play as well as it can. Will the market reward this? We'll see.

 

[DonaldFraser]

Well right, in that regard we are not beating a dead horse.

That’s nice. What about the substance?

 

[Red Brown]

Welcome to the wider world of the DB side. OT is how it goes here and it is usually when things get good. If you haven't noticed, the thread moved to a new luthier taking control of the situation who also hopes to maintain a reputation outside of these basses, therefore the frank opinions of experienced bassists using more traditional instruments should be valuable.

Valuable to whom?

 

[Matt B]

Welcome to the wider world of the DB side. OT is how it goes here and it is usually when things get good. If you haven't noticed, the thread moved to a new luthier taking control of the situation who also hopes to maintain a reputation outside of these basses, therefore the frank opinions of experienced bassists using more traditional instruments should be valuable.

Good to see you have backed down from everything you are saying as ‘fact’ and acknowledging they are only ‘frank opinions’ which are inherently a lot less ‘valuable’ Especially given the opinions of other experienced bassists and luthiers in here too.

 

[TwentyHz]

A few years from now, if BC goes where it seems it may, this thread (like some others on TB) may well be an academically significant historical document, transferable beyond the DB world. Thanks to everyone for the discourse.

 

[damonsmith]

Good to see you have backed down from everything you are saying as ‘fact’ and acknowledging they are only ‘frank opinions’ which are inherently a lot less ‘valuable’ Especially given the opinions of other experienced bassists and luthiers in here too.

Without trying to get back into it, I stated a mix of facts and opinions. The current construction drastically reduces the acoustic sound at a number of junctures in exchange for durability and to fight feedback. Those are facts.

 

[VictorW126]

Hey, I only understand what Damon writes?

2 years and 20 pages of the discussion of unfulfilled orders make me wait when the deceived buyers really get their bass, and not praise the prospects. And the quality of these basses should be so high that their expectations will be met. At the moment, their quality is zero, since there are none at all.

All we can do while Red Brown saves this brand (I believe in it!) is to talk about general characteristics. The design of the DB is defined 300 years ago. The greatest improvement in this time is the appearance of metal strings, and this innovation is also almost a century. I do not know of any other improvement that would allow to get the best sound. Therefore, the words about the unique design should be a disadvantage, not an advantage!

I know that everyone pays for what they want. I sympathize with the men who have spent the money and have not received the bass, but I do not understand why we should only talk about this? In other branches, basses are scolded for a thin neck, quality or sound. And that's fine. Why not discuss the Blast Cult in terms of its price and design?

 

[Don Hergert]

Damon, just out of curiosity, how much does your favorite acoustic (if possible carved) double bass weigh?

I just weighed my Alcoa and it (with it's current array of Deuce bridge, Deuce taipiece, quiver, bow & Pops, Vic's Model C, K&K Dual Channel Pro ST pre-amp, dual mono channel splitter, adjustable 4-footed sound post, hinged trap door) weighs in at 28 pounds, which I'm guessing is at least little heavy.

I'd also be interested in what a good BC double bass weighs... Any volunteers?

 

[VictorW126]

I just weighed my Alcoa

There is a separate topic for Alcoa.




p.s. I understand correctly that the NAMM-2019 was a double bass Blast Cult? I know that this is a business, but why did he end up at the exhibition, and not at one of the customers, that he had already paid for it a couple of years ago???