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Curtis Novak's Darkstar bisonic pickup...

^^lovely axe, but no, I did not hear what I am looking for. The design and spec seem really attractive.
Not that I am the center of the universe or anything, but please please PLEASE get a bassist to demo this beautiful instrument. That was just painful to hear, banging away with a pick, all fret clank, string noise and room boom. I for one would never buy an instrument that sounds like that. Please put the mic close to the speaker or take a DI out and have someone play it with good clean technique so we can hear what it can sound like in real life.

My apologies for the rant, but these type of bass demos just push a button.

As an example, this guy does a great job, a bunch of dirty sounds, a bunch of clean sounds, different signal paths and pickup settings and techniques. Represents what one can reasonably expect to hear. AND generates a genuine interest in trying & buying!



Regards,
=JR=
 
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Guild tone is nice, low mid pronounced, sweet highs.
Novak on bisonic mode has lots of low end and sounds fantastic in my opinion. On DarkStar mode, it seems to be a little trebly for my taste but nothing you can't tame with proper EQ.
This bass is a really nice project.
 
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Jerbo - what became of the tele/BS project?
Hey! Better late than never eh?? Lol
She's gone thru a couple stages... I originally replaced the pups myself with the existing wiring bc I was very impatient (which was Push/pull VOL, VOL + Tone . Stock except for push pull vol pots installed by PO) and gigged weekly with excellent results, but...
I wanted to go with a Master Vol, Blend, Stacked Tone, with mini switches for the taps. I since scored a Modulus Q5 and had the tele w my guy for a while but he ended up moving before wiring it up, but got me the parts and walked me thru it and I got er all finished in the spring.
It sounds AMAZING. And bone crushing MASSIVE.
Modulus is my main tool and it's pretty necessary for what I'm doing (Grateful Dead/Phish tributes) but I use it whenever I get the chance. And there are def times it's called for. Can't say enough about Curtis and the incredible pickups he makes.
I had every intention of stripping it down and staining it w a natural finish, and burning or inlay a bolt on the top side, opposite the controls (like an F-hole) but the DS/BS just made it look so damn sweet and matched so well, I fell in love with it as is.
And here she is!

0730190605.jpg
0730190606.jpg
 
Hey! Better late than never eh?? Lol
She's gone thru a couple stages... I originally replaced the pups myself with the existing wiring bc I was very impatient (which was Push/pull VOL, VOL + Tone . Stock except for push pull vol pots installed by PO) and gigged weekly with excellent results, but...
I wanted to go with a Master Vol, Blend, Stacked Tone, with mini switches for the taps. I since scored a Modulus Q5 and had the tele w my guy for a while but he ended up moving before wiring it up, but got me the parts and walked me thru it and I got er all finished in the spring.
It sounds AMAZING. And bone crushing MASSIVE.
Modulus is my main tool and it's pretty necessary for what I'm doing (Grateful Dead/Phish tributes) but I use it whenever I get the chance. And there are def times it's called for. Can't say enough about Curtis and the incredible pickups he makes.
I had every intention of stripping it down and staining it w a natural finish, and burning or inlay a bolt on the top side, opposite the controls (like an F-hole) but the DS/BS just made it look so damn sweet and matched so well, I fell in love with it as is.
And here she is!

View attachment 3492097 View attachment 3492098

NICE!!
 
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It's a beast!
Believe it or not, last time I used it was with an acoustic trio + light drums... Ran thru a HPF and still cut a BUNCH of lows, my buddy running sound was like "*** that sounds just like an upright bass!"
It's easy to overpower a mix with this bass but I'm kinda looking for a project I can really let it rip with. It'll drop ceiling tiles. Excellent pickups. I wanna have Curtis make me something for my PBass