Thanks for you patience! Things have been very busy on my end. Sorry for the delay
I almost bought the same six string! Almost because the seller blew me off and never showed up to our meeting.
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I almost bought the same six string! Almost because the seller blew me off and never showed up to our meeting.
You are member #17. Welcome!
Found a Carlo Robelli UBD-410 Bass on fakebook a few days ago and went and checked it out and decided I'd better snatch it up. I never knew these existed until now. Just finished taking it apart, fixed the output jack, cleaned the pots, soldered a loose wire on the 3 band active pre-amp, new battery, polished the frets, oiled the fretboard, new strings and a complete set up. Either no one ever played it or it has expensive hard frets in it. Neck/fretboard is amazingly straight/level and it sounds and plays great.
Welcome EdBo! It sure cleaned up nice!
I'm really glad you picked it up. The frets are actually good quality, as is the rest of the bass. You will be surprised at not only how well it plays, but how well it stays that way!
The preamp on these rocks (same one is in the 8 string version), and the build quality is excellent, especially for an inexpensive bass.
If you want one, your member is #18!
Hi all, I'm a new member to the forum and the CR club - which is why I joined. I just picked up a USB895 (I think - I can't find any numbers on it) from eBay. I've only plugged it in for a minute or two to test it, but so far I'm really enjoying it. The nut seems a little low, lotsa string buzz on the first few frets, so I'll probably raise it a bit, and the neck needs relief set and bridge height needs adjustment, all simple enough. I have a question - what are the four controls? I've figured out the volume, and the upper and rear-most seem to be some kind of tone control; the bottom one (when held in playing position) doesn't seem to do anything. The volume seems to be a pull type, which I found out as it seemed loose, and a gentle tug pulled it right out. A litle work to do there as well...
Hi zkurtb. Welcome to the club! you are #19!
Very nice looking bass. I'm sorry, but I don't know anything about that particular knob setup. I'm sure someone here has to.
I hope you get it sorted out.
Very nice looking bass. I'm sorry, but I don't know anything about that particular knob setup. I'm sure someone here has to.
I hope you get it sorted out.
That looks Sweet ! Did you have to actually do anything with the nut after you added relief to the neck ?
Did you get the Electronics figured out and fixed up yet ? If not, I may be able to help.
Sorry I didn't reply sooner, I got busy and forgot about you.
Eddie
Hey, thanks for the replies. Woo Hoo, #19!
I have not yet started on the adjustments. The volume control is a push-pull 500K audio taper pot - the original has A500K stamped on it. Plenty of replacements on the web, I ordered a Bours brand from Amazon for $7, it just arrived. May yet be a week or two before I get around to working on it.
Eddie, thanks for the offer. I've done a fair amount of axe work, will see how this goes, I may take you up on your offer. The nut is going to have to be raised a bit. I looked for replacement on the web but haven't run across one with the same dimensions. I'll probably put a small shim under it for now. After that's done I'll be able to set the relief -- it currently has way too much relief curve -- and then set the bridge saddles and intonation.
Anyone know for sure if this is a model USB895?
And, any recommendation on strings? I know this is a personal taste question, but thoughts still appreciated. I'm mostly a guitar player but play some bass as well, so not as familiar with the gazillion string choices. I put flat wound on my Yamaha BX-1 to get a little deeper tone as it seemed a bit bright. The BX-1 is a fun bass, short scale and headless. Picked it up probably in the mid 90's. Guitar players like short scale basses... ;-)
Kurt
I have not yet started on the adjustments. The volume control is a push-pull 500K audio taper pot - the original has A500K stamped on it. Plenty of replacements on the web, I ordered a Bours brand from Amazon for $7, it just arrived. May yet be a week or two before I get around to working on it.
Eddie, thanks for the offer. I've done a fair amount of axe work, will see how this goes, I may take you up on your offer. The nut is going to have to be raised a bit. I looked for replacement on the web but haven't run across one with the same dimensions. I'll probably put a small shim under it for now. After that's done I'll be able to set the relief -- it currently has way too much relief curve -- and then set the bridge saddles and intonation.
Anyone know for sure if this is a model USB895?
And, any recommendation on strings? I know this is a personal taste question, but thoughts still appreciated. I'm mostly a guitar player but play some bass as well, so not as familiar with the gazillion string choices. I put flat wound on my Yamaha BX-1 to get a little deeper tone as it seemed a bit bright. The BX-1 is a fun bass, short scale and headless. Picked it up probably in the mid 90's. Guitar players like short scale basses... ;-)
Kurt
Please keep us updated on your progress. 
I use roundwound strings and this is my rant. If you like Stainless Roundwound's - Rotos, Boomers. EB's ect. Do yourself a favor and try DR Hi-Beams, They keep their fresh/bright tone so, so, so much longer than the others. I tried them 4 years ago on the advice of dUg Pinnick and I've been blown away by their tone, consistency and longevity. I just wish I'd have known 30 years sooner. Even DR's Coated Nickel Plated strings are bright and last even longer.
I have a vintage little headless Short Scale Bass that don't get much love anymore since I started playing in a ZZTop Tribute Band. It's a Kramer Duke Bass from the 80's. I installed a EMG 35TW pickup and it's a lot of fun to play. This is the 2nd one I've owned. I had the same Bass back in the late 80's and used the neck off of it to make a 5 string. I built my own body, machined a new bridge and nut. I played it exclusively up until I purchased a 5 string Peavey Cirrus in 2001. The low B string on the 35" scale sounded so much better on the longer scale it forced me to move away from the short scale. I started out as a Guitar player but switched to Bass out of necessity for a Bass Player in a Band I was playing Drums in. I just love to Rock and I really love playing Bass.
I use roundwound strings and this is my rant. If you like Stainless Roundwound's - Rotos, Boomers. EB's ect. Do yourself a favor and try DR Hi-Beams, They keep their fresh/bright tone so, so, so much longer than the others. I tried them 4 years ago on the advice of dUg Pinnick and I've been blown away by their tone, consistency and longevity. I just wish I'd have known 30 years sooner. Even DR's Coated Nickel Plated strings are bright and last even longer.
I have a vintage little headless Short Scale Bass that don't get much love anymore since I started playing in a ZZTop Tribute Band. It's a Kramer Duke Bass from the 80's. I installed a EMG 35TW pickup and it's a lot of fun to play. This is the 2nd one I've owned. I had the same Bass back in the late 80's and used the neck off of it to make a 5 string. I built my own body, machined a new bridge and nut. I played it exclusively up until I purchased a 5 string Peavey Cirrus in 2001. The low B string on the 35" scale sounded so much better on the longer scale it forced me to move away from the short scale. I started out as a Guitar player but switched to Bass out of necessity for a Bass Player in a Band I was playing Drums in. I just love to Rock and I really love playing Bass.
Eddie -
I can relate to switching to bass, I have to admit I'm having a lot of fun on it. And my guitar jamming buddy, who like me has oddle years on the guitar, is also feeling the Jones as well. Interesting!
I will post on the progress of the setup and tweaking. I'm a shop/tinkerer by temperament, so like doing this stuff... I can dig that on a 5 string the longer scale is needed for the low B string. Very cool that you made the mods on the Kramer Duke. I could go on about my guitar mods, but hey, this is a bass forum. Maybe someday I'll have bass mods to post about.
By the way, from your avatar, perfect for a ZZ tribute band. They were just here - north Idaho - last summer, I hadn't seen them in years. Some (dare I say "old") blues/rocker just carry on, which is awesome.
Thanks for the string thoughts.
Kurt
I can relate to switching to bass, I have to admit I'm having a lot of fun on it. And my guitar jamming buddy, who like me has oddle years on the guitar, is also feeling the Jones as well. Interesting!
I will post on the progress of the setup and tweaking. I'm a shop/tinkerer by temperament, so like doing this stuff... I can dig that on a 5 string the longer scale is needed for the low B string. Very cool that you made the mods on the Kramer Duke. I could go on about my guitar mods, but hey, this is a bass forum. Maybe someday I'll have bass mods to post about.
By the way, from your avatar, perfect for a ZZ tribute band. They were just here - north Idaho - last summer, I hadn't seen them in years. Some (dare I say "old") blues/rocker just carry on, which is awesome.
Thanks for the string thoughts.
Kurt
Carlo Robelli Bass Club. I want in
I just purchased this USB896 Modern Six String by Carlo Robelli tonight at an area Trade It store in North Carolina for $90.00. The only thing I can even find wrong with it is that it's dirty as sin and it needs a setup. Still fairly playable as is with just a bit of buzzing. Put a fresh 9 volt in it when I got home and plug it in my rig. Very nice with a lot of possibilities. Figured I might have to change the pickups for a better tone but man these are rich and full sounding and this pre-amp sounds as good as a lot of more expensive basses I own and have played. This is the first six stringed bass I've ever owned in my more than 30 years of playing and for it to be one of Sam Ash's "House Brand" pieces, it's actually really good. ( I've heard that Samick made these in the early 2000's and branded them for Sam Ash. They were also making a similar product for Ibanez's "Soundgear" Models) I know this is an old thread but I seriously want to join the club. Here are some pic of my new-2-me bass. After a thorough cleaning and setup, I'll update you guys. I you can find this bass in good shape at a low price, I'm telling you BUY IT!!!:
I just purchased this USB896 Modern Six String by Carlo Robelli tonight at an area Trade It store in North Carolina for $90.00. The only thing I can even find wrong with it is that it's dirty as sin and it needs a setup. Still fairly playable as is with just a bit of buzzing. Put a fresh 9 volt in it when I got home and plug it in my rig. Very nice with a lot of possibilities. Figured I might have to change the pickups for a better tone but man these are rich and full sounding and this pre-amp sounds as good as a lot of more expensive basses I own and have played. This is the first six stringed bass I've ever owned in my more than 30 years of playing and for it to be one of Sam Ash's "House Brand" pieces, it's actually really good. ( I've heard that Samick made these in the early 2000's and branded them for Sam Ash. They were also making a similar product for Ibanez's "Soundgear" Models) I know this is an old thread but I seriously want to join the club. Here are some pic of my new-2-me bass. After a thorough cleaning and setup, I'll update you guys. I you can find this bass in good shape at a low price, I'm telling you BUY IT!!!:
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Awesome find/deal
! Nice Top. I had an Ibenez Soundgear years ago that looked very similar. My little hands just couldn't get use to that wide of a neck. I gave it to my son and went and got me a new Peavy Cirrus 5 that I really liked. I've regressed and have been playing 4 strings exclusively over the last few years. I have 1 5 string left but, my youngest Son has ran off with it. 
Good Luck
**Peace**
Eddie
The Mods to my Carlo Robelli UBD-410 Bass are almost complete, except the Chrome tuners and knobs. They are scheduled to be here Friday. I couldn't wait and threw the Gold Tuners back on it to hear how it sounds. I'm contemplating fabricating a Red Pearl Pickguard and I may add a Babicz bridge eventually also.
I made the MM pickup disappear but, added almost a pound of lead in the rout for balance , routed for an EMG Active J near the sweet spot, replaced Solorails with a vintage/Fender style bridge and covered the body/headstock front face wit Black Carbon Fiber Vinyl Wrap.
I really like the way it sounds now, way different tone and simplified, compared to the Passive MM w/ active 3 band EQ. I've never really liked the sound of Humbucking pickups on a Bass. I definitely like the looks of it, now that the flames are gone.
Here's what it looks like so far.
Someone used the back as a Dart Board so I covered it with random stickers. I may wrap the whole body some day.
Before
I made the MM pickup disappear but, added almost a pound of lead in the rout for balance , routed for an EMG Active J near the sweet spot, replaced Solorails with a vintage/Fender style bridge and covered the body/headstock front face wit Black Carbon Fiber Vinyl Wrap.
I really like the way it sounds now, way different tone and simplified, compared to the Passive MM w/ active 3 band EQ. I've never really liked the sound of Humbucking pickups on a Bass. I definitely like the looks of it, now that the flames are gone.
Here's what it looks like so far.
Someone used the back as a Dart Board so I covered it with random stickers. I may wrap the whole body some day.
Before
I love to see other people that are as excited about their Carlo Robelli basses as I am!
Definitely do keep us updated!
Congrats on the AWESOME find and killer price! I tell people over and over again just how great these basses play and sound, and about the killer preamp that rivals much more expensive units. It's wonderful that you've gotten to see this first hand. Definitely enjoy that bass!
I've never owned a six either, but almost bought one that I believe is the same as yours, but the seller flaked out and never showed up.
Let us know how things progress. You are officially #20!
Wow! You sure did do some work to it!
I'm happy to see that your decision to buy it has turned out well!
Sweet mods - the carbon fiber vinyl looks great. To my eye those flames were a bit overmuch. I'll bet the repositioning of the P/U really helped with the tone. Adding lead is a great idea, I may do so if I find there is a lot of neck dive - but I still need to get the pot replaced and do the setup first, so I can start playing it...soon, hopefully. A red pearl pick guard would really stand out, 'though it looks really good as is...
Thanks.
The pickguard is started and hopefully the Chrome tuners and knobs get here on schedule Friday. I'll post more photo's when completed.
Here's a photo of my Guitar players Double-Cut and matching Mike Dirnt P Bass I modded with Carbon Fiber wrap and pickguards over a year ago.
I finished it up this evening, fabricated a Pickguard, added New Chrome Tuners and Knobs. Don't have much over a $100 in this old re-built/modded Carlo Robelli Bass. Plays great and sounds fantastic.
