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.
CWB 20: Babes and Barbarians
- Thread starter DerTeufel
- Start date
- Status
changing the subject - I am not satisfied with my current 5-strings. I want a B string that's just as musical as the other four strings, and I don't want to be limited to modern or aggressive tone - being a vintage guy, I like that vintage sound. I've been trading posts with a lot of TBers and Lakland is definitely in the mix. This is a beaut but I am not going to pay full price (versus used) without being satisfied on the 35" scale, the vintage tone options and the B string intonating like I want. There is zippo presence of Lakland in NY though. Sounds like a *road trip* to Chicago is in order. God knows when, I'm swamped. But I'm putting it on my list.
Sadowsky's shop is 15 minutes from my office and I may check that out too. (Fodera's shop is 15 minutes from my Bklyn house but I don't think that's the answer.) But I feel a Chicago trip coming on. May be hard to explain to Mrs C3. Like ... there's a bass out there somewhere, also someone named Furry Monkey ...
Chuck you should see if you can find a Dingwall to try out. Nothing beats the Dingwall B string sound for clarity and intonation. I would suggest possibly one of the SuperJ series only because of your love of Fenders. With 33" G to 35" B string scale lengths, even string tension across the board and range of tones available they are a definite winner. Dingwall's don't show on TB for sale very often, one just sold in 6 hours today. I'm pretty sure Tat has a lot of love for her ABZ and can fill you in on how they play & sound.
No big deal Sir. Logistics on your swap was way easier than mine would have been.
I've been playing extended range basses for a fair amount of time now, and its my experience that when going to a B or lower string, as well as going to a C and higher string, there are a lot of details to be considered. For example, let's say a player regularly uses XXX brand strings .... XXX may not be the string to use when you're now playing more than 4. While XXX brand may be super cool for your E through G strings, it's entirely possible that the XXX brand B string is a POS. But since the player has always used XXX, it MUST be the bass that has a lousy tonal reproduction because the E-G strings are still great!
Most active ERB players look for the right marriage between the bass, strings and electronics, not just focused on a single component. I have played some amazingly cheap 5, 6, and 7 string basses and I was able to get quality tone out of the equipment. I have never had any issues getting the tone I was looking for from quality gear.
Just a suggestion, before anyone goes into the bass-o-rama buy/trade/sell routine .... If you have a good axe ( IMO EBMM, or Fender, or Lakland meet that description) try to change your mindset. Just because XXX thundering superslinky slappers were good on your 4 string doesn't mean they'll work on that 5+. I always feel bad when players bail out on some wonderful basses because they can't get their tone, when a few test runs with other bass components might solve their problem.
As always .... IMO, YMMV etc ....
Most active ERB players look for the right marriage between the bass, strings and electronics, not just focused on a single component. I have played some amazingly cheap 5, 6, and 7 string basses and I was able to get quality tone out of the equipment. I have never had any issues getting the tone I was looking for from quality gear.
Just a suggestion, before anyone goes into the bass-o-rama buy/trade/sell routine .... If you have a good axe ( IMO EBMM, or Fender, or Lakland meet that description) try to change your mindset. Just because XXX thundering superslinky slappers were good on your 4 string doesn't mean they'll work on that 5+. I always feel bad when players bail out on some wonderful basses because they can't get their tone, when a few test runs with other bass components might solve their problem.
As always .... IMO, YMMV etc ....
- Dec 12, 2007
- 2,268
- 43
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Zon Guitars, Tsunami Cables, DR Strings, GK
C3,
I played a Modulus Genesis 5 string for 7 or 8 years. It had the best B and was the nicest compromise between vintage and modern sounds I've encountered. You can hear it on the Agents of Venus album. I recorded it directly wo an amp. The Genesis basses are 35" scale and 19mm. Over those years Ive been on gigs with bassists playing Lakelands and Sadowskys. Honestly, the Modulus stomped a mud hole in the other basses. The sound comparisons were obvious to me and the other players.
Since then I traded away my Genesis fretted in a deal to land an expensive and rare bass. It was kind of a mistake, but through a restructuring of my collection, I pared down to some esstials. Now I have my Fodera Emperor Standard 5, which by chance, was built to my exact specs even though the Fodera Standards come in one flavor and no options. Luckily, that flavor is Mulebagger
Anyhow, the Fodera has a beautiful tone and note quality that I haven't found in other basses. The playability is superb, and the low B is very well balanced in tone, volume, tension. It's not the Earth shaking volume and articulation that was on my Modulus, but it fits the bass very well so it's a winner.
Also, the Emperor has dual coils so I can get a more modern humbucker tone or tap the north and south coils and nail that 70s jazz Marcus Miller sizzle when I want. I know the Fodera is more pricey, but the Mulebagger flavored Standard is a ripping machine that can truly give you what you need for any gig. If you make it out to Chi town to try a Lakeland, come a few more hrs west and you can put the Fodera through its paces.
Very interested to see what you decide on
MB
I played a Modulus Genesis 5 string for 7 or 8 years. It had the best B and was the nicest compromise between vintage and modern sounds I've encountered. You can hear it on the Agents of Venus album. I recorded it directly wo an amp. The Genesis basses are 35" scale and 19mm. Over those years Ive been on gigs with bassists playing Lakelands and Sadowskys. Honestly, the Modulus stomped a mud hole in the other basses. The sound comparisons were obvious to me and the other players.
Since then I traded away my Genesis fretted in a deal to land an expensive and rare bass. It was kind of a mistake, but through a restructuring of my collection, I pared down to some esstials. Now I have my Fodera Emperor Standard 5, which by chance, was built to my exact specs even though the Fodera Standards come in one flavor and no options. Luckily, that flavor is Mulebagger
Anyhow, the Fodera has a beautiful tone and note quality that I haven't found in other basses. The playability is superb, and the low B is very well balanced in tone, volume, tension. It's not the Earth shaking volume and articulation that was on my Modulus, but it fits the bass very well so it's a winner.
Also, the Emperor has dual coils so I can get a more modern humbucker tone or tap the north and south coils and nail that 70s jazz Marcus Miller sizzle when I want. I know the Fodera is more pricey, but the Mulebagger flavored Standard is a ripping machine that can truly give you what you need for any gig. If you make it out to Chi town to try a Lakeland, come a few more hrs west and you can put the Fodera through its paces.
Very interested to see what you decide on
MB
- Dec 12, 2007
- 2,268
- 43
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Zon Guitars, Tsunami Cables, DR Strings, GK
I totally agree w Ed!
I built my first 6 string 20 years ago and strings were always an issue.
Generally on most of my 4 string basses I've preferred to have Daddario XL Nickel strings on them. They give a good snap and have more magnetic content so have a nice smooth E-A for finger style and D-G for tapping or chords.
However, on my 35" scale basses I found them to die (tension) much more quickly than steel strings.
Now I've pretty much settled on DR Highbeams or Sunbeams for my 5 and 6 strings. I prefer a round core for pliability especially on a higher tension 35" scale bass. On my 34" Fodera they still feel pretty nice.
As for the vintage tone C3 is looking for, I'd be hard pressed to find a bass that cops a better fender/familiar sound of the 60', 70's, Pbass, and Jbass than the Fodera Emperor Standard 5.
Of course, pickups, technique, eq, amp, etc are all contributing factors; but I'm talking about the natural sound of the instrument.
my 1 cent ( tough economy )
- Dec 12, 2007
- 2,268
- 43
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Zon Guitars, Tsunami Cables, DR Strings, GK
C3, These babies are true monsters! They are also very undervalued. If I had another one, I'd pull the Bartolini pickups and put in some vintage single coils for the ultimate Jbass. It still would lack the versatility of the Fodera even though it has a thunderously powerful presence.
I used this one on countless gigs and practices. They are made so well that the only wear on it was from my hands rounding down the pickups on the bass side.
I used this one on countless gigs and practices. They are made so well that the only wear on it was from my hands rounding down the pickups on the bass side.
Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. To Ed's point, I guess I could try different strings before embarking on this mission. But the missions are fun anyway. 
Of all the basses mentioned, Foderas would be easiest to try as they're right down the avenue from me in B'klyn.
Of all the basses mentioned, Foderas would be easiest to try as they're right down the avenue from me in B'klyn.
- Dec 12, 2007
- 2,268
- 43
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Zon Guitars, Tsunami Cables, DR Strings, GK
Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. To Ed's point, I guess I could try different strings before embarking on this mission. But the missions are fun anyway.
I had a Monarch around 20 years ago that played fabulously, but it was blown away in a band mix. Like a fool I traded it away, but I couldn't make it do what I needed it to do back then. The guy I got it from had the same problem and to be honest I was glad to have moved it on at the time (traded for a Steinberger L2 with the flip bridge)
I was not sure I'd be happy this time and I was having difficulty wondering if I'd be able to feel/hear the value of the bass. It even took me some tweaking for a few weeks to get used to the bass, but it has grown to be one of my all time favorites. Having played graphite necked basses for so long, it was an adjustment. In the end, I'm really glad I stuck with it, even though I'm expecting my ZON TJ6 custom any time now. I know the Fodera will not be a bass I'd ever be interested in passing along. Interestingly enough, I haven't browsed the classifieds or visited my handful of favorite online bass shops since taking delivery of this bass. That speaks volumes because I'm a recovering gear whore.
Go spin a few and tell us what you think.
- Dec 12, 2007
- 2,268
- 43
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Zon Guitars, Tsunami Cables, DR Strings, GK
DT,
So sorry for your injury
When I was a teenager I worked at a carwash/ gas station. The new guy collected money from a woman getting her gas pumped. She drove off and the pump hose stretched until it finally tore out of her gas tank. The pump snapped back and the nozzle hit me in the thigh so hard that it knocked me past two cars and broke apart on my leg.
I didn't break my thigh (horse bones) but I tore the muscles straight down to my bone. It was a horribly painful injury and sucked to have to go back to school and work the next day.
Your post is like describing the same symptoms that I experience in my leg after 20+ years. I noticed it a few years ago on gigs. After about an hour or two it starts in. I take advil before a gig to help or try to ignore it. So sorry it is in your arm.
You could be developing some tendonitis since it is spreading down into your hand. I'd try some gently warmups when you begin playing to see if that helps alleviate some of the pain. I'd also look into a wide cloth strap as sometimes the edges of the thicker leather ones can pinch nerves.
I hope you are able to find a solution soon my brother!
D
Tat2dHeart
Only two strings away from an attitude problem.
Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. To Ed's point, I guess I could try different strings before embarking on this mission. But the missions are fun anyway.
Chuckles, for tonal consistency, I love love love my Dingwall AB Z-5. I've played other 5s that sound awesome, but not many that fit my hand the way I like. Laklands have the skinny neck I like and the sound...Roscoes do...Tom can make you a sweet little Clement that would fit the bill......
I will have both a Roscoe 5 and the Dingwall with me at boot camp to try out. The Roscoe will be Fretless though.
DT,
So sorry for your injury
When I was a teenager I worked at a carwash/ gas station. The new guy collected money from a woman getting her gas pumped. She drove off and the pump hose stretched until it finally tore out of her gas tank. The pump snapped back and the nozzle hit me in the thigh so hard that it knocked me past two cars and broke apart on my leg.
I didn't break my thigh (horse bones) but I tore the muscles straight down to my bone. It was a horribly painful injury and sucked to have to go back to school and work the next day.
Your post is like describing the same symptoms that I experience in my leg after 20+ years. I noticed it a few years ago on gigs. After about an hour or two it starts in. I take advil before a gig to help or try to ignore it. So sorry it is in your arm.
You could be developing some tendonitis since it is spreading down into your hand. I'd try some gently warmups when you begin playing to see if that helps alleviate some of the pain. I'd also look into a wide cloth strap as sometimes the edges of the thicker leather ones can pinch nerves.
I hope you are able to find a solution soon my brother!
D
You're like me...tough as old dry leather.
I don't get any pain while playing. It seems that the only thing that consistently keeps the pain at bay is to stay active. I already have a wide strap.
Drummer, that is one tiny bass.
I don't hold any nostalgia my first bass, although the haircut is pretty sweet.
Link Removed
I don't hold any nostalgia my first bass, although the haircut is pretty sweet.
Link Removed
Gee, there is usually a flurry of posting to get through to the next chapter. Is everyone feeling happier with 20?
i still like something on the order of "Legal at Last" for 20. but then again, i'm on the second half of my bottle of wine after having done most of the cooking prep work for tomorrows Solstice/Survived the End of the World 'party' at my house. It's not a whole huge wad of friends, and no band (cause we all have family stuff and i have no room for a drumset) but it's a lot for this Introvert. But it will be a load of good food and wine.
- Status
