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Curbow Retro-3

Q

Qball

Feb 13, 2007
5
2
#1
Hi Everyone-
As a longtime player of Greg Curbow's most excellent Petite series basses, it was perhaps fate that led me to bump into Doug Somervell (Curbow's luthier) at the NAMM show last month. He showed me a new 5-string bass called a Retro-3. It's a classy beast that feels, plays and sounds very much like my beloved Petites, but has a 'upscale utilitarian' vibe with a more traditional body shape, oil finish and more tonal options.

Curbow is still hand-building excellent basses down there in Georgia! (yeah, I bought this bass!) I'm enclosing a pic- enjoy!

Craig Kew
Invalid Link Removed
 

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#2
Qball said:
Hi Everyone-
As a longtime player of Greg Curbow's most excellent Petite series basses, it was perhaps fate that led me to bump into Doug Somervell (Curbow's luthier) at the NAMM show last month. He showed me a new 5-string bass called a Retro-3. It's a classy beast that feels, plays and sounds very much like my beloved Petites, but has a 'upscale utilitarian' vibe with a more traditional body shape, oil finish and more tonal options.

Curbow is still hand-building excellent basses down there in Georgia! (yeah, I bought this bass!) I'm enclosing a pic- enjoy!

Craig Kew
Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...
Very nice! Congrats on the new bass. It's great to see Doug & Co. carrying on Greg's great work.
 
#4
Absolutely, G! That's exactly my first thought when I saw this bass: gig machine. The trouble with a beautiful gloss finish is that one has to take great care to KEEP it beautiful. Although oil requires some maintenance, any small dings or dents can be removed with a wet rag and a soldering iron........talk about gig-ready!!

The bass has Barts: 3-band with the familiar 3 position mid-shift toggle.......BUT, the neck pickup coils can be tapped giving the bass more tonal variety. Finally, the bass has a passive switch and it sounds great in that mode as well.

I did indeed get to play it- I dragged a very patient Mr. Somervell several miles over to the Glockenklang booth so as to play the bass through something familiar and GOOD! After giving it a good workout, I handed it over to Mr. Trip Wamsley and stood back to appreciate the teamwork of a excellent machine AND player.........FANTASTIC!!!
 
#11
G, the website for Curbow is Invalid Link Removed
Sometimes it loads a little squirrely for me, but I think that might be because of my podunk ISP! :rollno:

Andy (emjazz), Skuli Sverrison is one of my all-time favorite cats- excellent player. Thanks so much for the positive comment on my playing! Here's our myspace address for those inclined to check it out:

Link Removed
 
#13
Qball said:
G, the website for Curbow is Invalid Link Removed
Sometimes it loads a little squirrely for me, but I think that might be because of my podunk ISP! :rollno:

Andy (emjazz), Skuli Sverrison is one of my all-time favorite cats- excellent player. Thanks so much for the positive comment on my playing! Here's our myspace address for those inclined to check it out:

Link Removed
Click to expand...

I think Skuli is a really special player. He's one of the folks that people should really be talking about. One of the most skilled, musical cats out there. I want to see him play in the worst way! Wish I could've been around Boston years ago when he was around this way. Also be sure to check out Stomu Takeishi. What a voice on the bass!
 
#14
Qball said:
Curbow is still hand-building excellent basses down there in Georgia! (yeah, I bought this bass!) I'm enclosing a pic- enjoy!
Click to expand...

Yep, Doug is still doing awesome work!

xgabriel said:
I'm curious as to what would make it "retro"?
Click to expand...

For a while, Curbow's been making a "Retro" model with a flat topped ash or maple body, J/J or single soapbar pickups, and pickguard. My guess is that this flat-topped ash model is a variation on that, but model names are a bit flexible when most of your models are custom built with any number of options.

By the way, there's another "Retro" 5 with some interesting optional features (green Rockwood fretboard with green-stained maple binding and matching green tint to the grain on the body) shown on the website: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Mike

PS: I totally agree about Skuli!
 
#17
Hello everyone,:hyper:

We are hosting the Curbow "GTG" (Get Together) on March 16th in Atlanta GA. at The Atlanta federation of Musicians, 551 Dutch Valley Road NE. Atlanta, GA 30324


I. The intention for the date: Market Research and Review of the RETRO 3
Reviewed in the March issue of Bass Player Magazine. The purposes for the session is to gather information and promote the product and it's availability, value, our service and responsiveness to the desires and needs of working musicians. Musicians who wish to participate are encouraged to postpone reading the review in order to have a fresh perspective.

II. Process
1.Invite professional bass players to come to experience playing the Curbow Instrument(s). Once space is filled, interested musicians may ask to be invited to another gathering. This is only the first of GTG events.
2. Musicians will provide feedback on first impressions. Reactions will be videotaped.
3. Each one to play will fill out a feedback form.
4.Musicians will be asked for permission to use videography for potential marketing purposes.
5. Target is 14 musicians.
6. Time of review is15-20 minutes. Parking is limited so musicians will be asked to arrive on time and expect to be there 45 minutes or less. There is parking on the street across the street from union hall.

III. What do we give back?
Certificate valued at $100.00 on repair at Curbow shop- Good for one year.

At this time, appointments are still available. If you would like to attend, please email us ASAP ([email protected]) ASAP with basic info/ press package and a phone #.
 
#20
Qball said:
Hi Everyone-
As a longtime player of Greg Curbow's most excellent Petite series basses, it was perhaps fate that led me to bump into Doug Somervell (Curbow's luthier) at the NAMM show last month. He showed me a new 5-string bass called a Retro-3. It's a classy beast that feels, plays and sounds very much like my beloved Petites, but has a 'upscale utilitarian' vibe with a more traditional body shape, oil finish and more tonal options.

Curbow is still hand-building excellent basses down there in Georgia! (yeah, I bought this bass!) I'm enclosing a pic- enjoy!

Craig Kew
Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...

Hi,
Do you still have that bass on the picture?
Can you tell me a little bit about it?
I just got a bass just like the one on the picture today.
Serial# 70404.
 

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