We had a nice get together at MItch's yesterday. Mitch, Ivan, one of MItch's non talk bass bass playing buddies and myself. Great time, a good bunch of guys. And it's always fun to nerd out and chat about the bass, plus play some really good equipment.
I am sure Ivan will post some pics of all the stuff there. What I had never played before was an RA5, so I was very excited to see what the bass is all about. Owning a 73 for many years it is not a foreign combination to me. Jimmy does not disappoint, down to fret wire this bass makes you think it's a early 70s.
Now for those that don't know, Mitch is a crazy guy and has a sound that is very unique. He loves the thump, dead strings, flat wounds, tube amps, 15s and a lot of bass boost. He is the Anti-Jung. I don't know that the videos he posted are really the best representation of his sound it is even better in person.
Anyway Mitch has this RA set up in way that I can almost guarantee nobody would ever think a bass with these specs could produce tonaly. He's got nickels that are so flat and dead. They make the multiple year old TIs seem like a set of high beams. But the bass is super clear. I thought the KBP5 is a perfect studio bass for Mitch and the RA provides a bit of punch and clarity that anyone wants on a gig.
We went round robin and he put a new set of Jimmys nickels and then a set of hi beams on the bass. The bass took on a much more traditional tone that I'd expect from an RA. Nether suit Mitch's "tone goals" like the old black diamonds he's got on there. The bass is just dialed in perfectly.
Lots of other cool stuff too just not enough coffee yet
....yeah at the end of the day bass is supposed to be bass and although those AC j basses are unbelievable instruments, the KBP5 with old TI flats through my V6 and Epifani 2x15 is just unbeatable. Even after you're done playing your teeth are still vibrating! haha
