Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
- Status
I've been bouncing in and out of AC GAS for about a year now. I've spoken to Jimmy a few times, and he's been awesome every time. Very informative and patient despite how busy I'm sure he is. I've just never been able to decide to pull the trigger or not.
It's never been about quality or Jimmy's ability to hit his tonal and design targets, because he clearly nails them to the friggin' wall. It's been more about whether one of these awesome instruments fits me or not, and if so, which one, between the LG and LM.
Very fortunately I'll be able to check out an LG next week, and if things go particularly well, I'll also have an LM. I'll be comparing them to my Sadowsky J5 primarily... not because I'm foolish enough to think they'll sound the same... that'd be ridiculous... but more just to generally compare them as to what fits me best.
If I do end up placing an order for an AC, at least I do know exactly what to order... it'll be a classic burst in the new nitro/poly hybrid finish, and of course it's gotta' have the full boat preamp and a tort guard.
It's never been about quality or Jimmy's ability to hit his tonal and design targets, because he clearly nails them to the friggin' wall. It's been more about whether one of these awesome instruments fits me or not, and if so, which one, between the LG and LM.
Very fortunately I'll be able to check out an LG next week, and if things go particularly well, I'll also have an LM. I'll be comparing them to my Sadowsky J5 primarily... not because I'm foolish enough to think they'll sound the same... that'd be ridiculous... but more just to generally compare them as to what fits me best.
If I do end up placing an order for an AC, at least I do know exactly what to order... it'll be a classic burst in the new nitro/poly hybrid finish, and of course it's gotta' have the full boat preamp and a tort guard.
Hey Steve,
How are you liking the D'Addarios? I have heard people claim they are middle-of-the-road because they don't cost as much as other brands, but I've never gotten that impression from playing on them. Sure they don't have an "ethos" or claim anything like "Handmade in Switzerland" but I find them to get the job done, consistently.
I was a big fan of Ken Smith's strings, then I found Sad Blacks, which led me to try Blues on my LG5 (I use nickle). The blacks and blues are a lot of fun on my four string basses but, honestly, I couldn't stand the blues on the LG5. They only lasted 2 weeks because there was something about the spacing/radius of the strings/neck and the low tension that made my right hand technique feel sloppy (I play a good bit of bridge pup, fast finger funk, so a little more tension works better for me). Just me.
I've done one set of DR lowriders which I like, but I look at the B string it the metal is a totally different hue from the other strings!
They sound good but all this "inconsistency" talk is a little disconcerting, although they do have excellent customer service from what I've read. Next, I plan on taking Jason's recommendation and trying some DR XtraLifes and then I'll try some AC brand nickle rounds. But really, I can't understand why people rag on D'Addarios. What's wrong with'em?! Maybe their guitar strings aren't popular but I could rock D'Addario Nickle Rounds and be happy for the next 10 years. Hell, Jimmy ships his basses with them so I think that says something and he pays attention to detail. Just open up your battery compartment and notice the vintage style battery.
lol.Matt
I'm sure I will. I have to make a stop at In-N-Out first...I offered to bring Jimmy lunch and he took me up on it.
#2 combo comin' for lunch Jimmy!!
I'll have my camera with me so I can snap a few pics. I'll get them up tonight.
Andy Brown
Commercial User
- Jul 23, 2004
- 5,675
- 312
- Disclosures
- Founder/Owner: Wing Instruments
Hey Mark,
Let me know if you see a Gold KBP-5 w/matching headstock... it's due back from paint any day now... Thanks!
smakbass
Smakkin basses for 25 years..
Matt,
I'm not sure how I like the D'Addarios, because I've never had anything else on this bass. At first I was wondering whether they were a bit brittle sounding, but now that I've had the bass set up -- I assume to cure a rough UPS shipping experience -- all that rattle and buzz is gone, and I just love the sound of it as is. So I guess they're working out pretty well. I was thinking about Sadowsky Blues but it sounds like you didn't like them on your A-C. I've got to say I wouldn't mind if the best strings for the bass happened to be relatively cheap.
I tried DR Black Beauties (am I correct in thinking they're basically black XtraLifes?) on my Sadowsky Modern: I thought they sounded ok (looked cool on a black bass with ebony fingerboard) but the coating made them a bit mellower than I wanted. This LG-5 has more brightness to it so that might be just fine...but after all those years of Precisions (more thud than snap, crackle and pop) I do like to have that metallic treble available for popping and slapping.
-Steve
Very cool, Vic! Keep us informed as to how they work out for ya.
Looking forward to seeing them!
Will do. I plan on posting here with my impressions, no matter what the outcome.
I know they'll be good... just a question of how good... at least for my prefs. I had the chance to play my first Alleva tonight - Its a bit hard living on the opposite side of the world to Jimmy - but Brian, Lost_In_Funk, was kind enough to bring his down to the gig and let me have a go.. all I have to say is that Jimmy is a genius!! Its basically a standard LG-5 with a Passive Tone control and it was the nicest, phattest, most even sounding bass.. It made my Warwick Streamer Stage 1 look like a puppy standing in a pile of poo and I love my Warwick to death!! Just a gorgeous finish, superb quality over the whole bass.. Just 'the' product! There isnt hype about these basses, they are just awesome.
I had a few compliments and questions from guys Ive played with and guys who I look up to that come down to the gig about the bass too, which was really nice.
But yeh, tendollarcat - I use a Warwick Hellborg Preamp, Eden 1250 power amp and an Aguilar GS410.. the Alleva sounding pretty damn good through that.. Its how my rig should sound all the time!!!
I think the worst thing about tonight is that one, Im going to be very patient in waiting for mine to finally arrive and now Ive started thinking about another couple and selling off my collection to fund them hahah. KBP5 in Surf Green and Mint pickguard and a RA5 in CAOJ or something... stop me now!!!
I had a few compliments and questions from guys Ive played with and guys who I look up to that come down to the gig about the bass too, which was really nice.
But yeh, tendollarcat - I use a Warwick Hellborg Preamp, Eden 1250 power amp and an Aguilar GS410.. the Alleva sounding pretty damn good through that.. Its how my rig should sound all the time!!!
I think the worst thing about tonight is that one, Im going to be very patient in waiting for mine to finally arrive and now Ive started thinking about another couple and selling off my collection to fund them hahah. KBP5 in Surf Green and Mint pickguard and a RA5 in CAOJ or something... stop me now!!!
Yeah. Jimmy has a finish guy that has experimented with using nitro on the bass, but then protecting it with some clear poly. The idea is to have at least some of the benefits of the nitro, but with some additional finish durability. Apparently, it seems to work out fine.
Even is correct! Many people have commented on this before and it's so true.
Hey man ... my new "Bigg Redd Too" RA5 was painted by Jimmy's new paint guy who's out here in Cali.
This is gonna be a new paint option, mostly for international orders, to save the laquer from chipping & checking during shipping.
The way that I understand it is that he uses Nitrocellulose for the color and a light Urethane for the clear, top coat. The clear coat is not heavy like Polyurethane.
This will not be the way all of the basses are painted.
I'm sure Jimmy will be on hear to clarify more.
There have been so many great looking ACs since I've been away...great to see them posted. Bernie's and Jason's really do something for me- I guess I love blocks!
How does the alder/rosewood 70's pos sound Jason?
I'll attach a pic of the new guard I had made for my LG..from a redder more vintagey tort material which I'm liking so far.
How does the alder/rosewood 70's pos sound Jason?
I'll attach a pic of the new guard I had made for my LG..from a redder more vintagey tort material which I'm liking so far.
Attachments
Vic, I played a used Burst AC Fiver that Brian Barret had about a year ago. It was the nicest Jazz bass I have played. I don't really see how anybody who likes a decent Jazz could not like that thing.
Should have bought it then before the used market went up...could have had it for a song.
Should have bought it then before the used market went up...could have had it for a song.
- Status
