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Douglas basses

Crystalman85

Crystalman85

Nov 30, 2008
6,452
1,817
Chicago, Il.
www.soundclick.com
#1
I was wondering...has anyone here ever tried out douglas basses from rondo music? I once owned a douglas web825 5-string bass and I thought it sounded pretty cool. I know those basses are still available at rondo music and the web basses by douglas does go by different names like the sculptor or the wob. I would like to know has anyone here ever given these basses a try.

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#3
Crystalman85 said:
I was wondering...has anyone here ever tried out douglas basses from rondo music? I once owned a douglas web825 5-string bass and I thought it sounded pretty cool. I know those basses are still available at rondo music and the web basses by douglas does go by different names like the sculptor or the wob. I would like to know has anyone here ever given these basses a try.

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I received the fretless version of that bass about three weeks ago, and I was pleasantly surprised with its quality. I hand picked a SX at Rondo several years ago (used to go there as a teen in the 60's), and it was a good score, but I bought this through eBay.

The OEM strings were horrible, so I put a used set of Thomastik Power Bass, loosened the truss rod maybe a 1/3 turn. Then raised the bridge saddles on the A, E, and B strings (especially the B was unplayble floppy).

Fingerboard wood is very good, a hardwood, and it's nice and lightweight. Quality construction, the natural wood look is just "ok"; reflecting, I'd get a white one, but the body is nicely resonant. Electronics are surprisingly good, active preamp is quiet, controls are a master volume and blend, bass and treble. Sound is good, I played it for an entire rehearsal last week.

My main (and only other) fretless fiver is a fifteen year old Hoyt with Lane Poor pickups, and I would take this bass as a backup with full confidence of its ability to do the job. As this fretless was received, it would probably freak a newbie, but if you have setup experience it's all good.

Can't speak to the fretted version.
 
#6
redhed said:
Sorry but rondo stuff is crap! Sure there might be a good one.....
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It can't be that bad. there are many talkbass members who praise the sx basses. they are considered to be the best affordable fender clones in the market. but if those basses aren't your style, that's cool. I always believe that when it comes to buying bass guitars, it really doesn't matter how much they cost...it's the sound quality that matters most. also rondo music makes musical instruments for those on a tight budget.
 
#8
Rondo basses are crap, huh? Well, sign me up for the crappy basses club!
And let me share some pics of my Douglasses.
IMGP2387-1.jpg


IMGP1616.jpg

the 2 white ones on the right happen to be SXes

IMGP0871.jpg
 
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#9
P1000035.jpg


I have bought my fair share of Rondo basses, including Douglases, and each was better than the price would suggest. In general SX< Douglas< Brice.

My Douglas WOB826 is my fav active 6er, but I'm really more of a passive bass kinda guy, so my main player 6 is my SX Ursa 2 6. Some active players don't like the pre's in the active Douglases, because they don't color the tone like " better" name brand ones do, and they are not high output, but for me, they are closer to passive tone, but with more tonal control ( bass, treble and mids on my WPB980s pictured above)

in short, Douglas rocks! IMO, of course different strokes for different folks and YMMV.
 
#10
When rondo still had a store in jersey, I picked up a douglas 6 string that they were blowing out for $99. How could I not? :) Still have it. Never gigged it so I can't speak for how it would hold up in a live situation, but in the house the bass is smokin. And the most interesting thing about it to me, is that it has the lowest buzz free action of any bass I ever owned, hands down. And I've owned lots of good stuff (check my profile). I threw a Roland synth pickup on it, and fiddled with that stuff for a few weeks.... now it sits in my closet, but for $99 I love that bass. A lot more than the 3 SXes I owned.
 
#11
I'm the proud owner of a Douglas WOB826 in natural Ash finish, which I've gigged regularly for about the last three years. Some observations:

As a previous poster pointed out, count on replacing the stock strings. Period. You're going to be setting up the instrument anyway, so start with a fresh set of quality strings. I chose GHS flats for mine, and they really bring out the bottom and mids.

Also count on doing a complete setup. Mine came with quite a bit of backbow in the neck, which the extra tension of the flats helped to fix. Check all the screws including the neck bolts, and tighten if necessary. After you've got the action and neck relief set to taste, adjust the pickup height.

My example plays like a dream, and has an interesting tone, almost quasi fretless sounding. The electronics are adequate and quiet. The neck is just a work of art with excellent fret work for an instrument in this price range. To date, I have had no technical or structural issues.

Don't forget a good case. The 34" scale of the Douglas means most gig bags and hard cases will fit this sixer with little or no trouble. I have mine in a Levy bag.

Not sure if you're pulling the trigger on one of these...but if you are, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
 
#13
I don't think rondo music basses are crap. I think they provide decent bass guitars at a super affordable price. and sure they may not be everyone's style, but one thing's for certain. when it comes to buying bass guitars, it really doesn't matter how much they cost...it's the sound quality that matters most. I once owned a douglas web825(I'm guessing it's now called the douglas sculptor) and I thought it sounded pretty cool. I am thinking about buying that bass once again. I remember my band mates from my previous band nicknamed the bass dougie mainly because of the name brand. anywho, the douglas basses from rondo music in my opinion are pretty decent bass guitars.
 
#16
Crystalman85 said:
It can't be that bad. there are many talkbass members who praise the sx basses. they are considered to be the best affordable fender clones in the market. but if those basses aren't your style, that's cool. I always believe that when it comes to buying bass guitars, it really doesn't matter how much they cost...it's the sound quality that matters most. also rondo music makes musical instruments for those on a tight budget.
Click to expand...

I honestly think you can get a far better bass for a little bit more money, but if they have something you like and it fits your budget then great! Sorry for being so negative! I have had not so great dealings with 'Kurt'.
 
#17
redhed said:
I honestly think you can get a far better bass for a little bit more money, but if they have something you like and it fits your budget then great! Sorry for being so negative! I have had not so great dealings with 'Kurt'.
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That's cool. I actually own schecter and ibanez basses and I'm very satisfied with them. the douglas bass I once owned was a pretty cool bass and I had some good memories with that bass. which is why I'm thinking about buying that bass once again. like I said before, if bass guitars from rondo music isn't your style, that's cool. don't worry about it. there are other bass guitars out there. you just need to find the one that suits you well and stick with it.
 
#18
redhed said:
Sorry but rondo stuff is crap! Sure there might be a good one.....
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Sounds like you've had bad luck with Rondo purchases. I got a very nice Douglas vintage P-Bass copy that was made pretty well and was even finished decently. I had a similar SX Jazz Bass experience. I think at that price range things are likely more hit or miss than "crap."

I think of these basses as fun, inexpensive sort of novelties. Many people gig them and use them as their main players, though.
 
#20
redhed said:
I honestly think you can get a far better bass for a little bit more money, but if they have something you like and it fits your budget then great! Sorry for being so negative! I have had not so great dealings with 'Kurt'.
Click to expand...

That's kind of strange. I've bought a fair amount of stuff from Rondo (basses, pedal boards, cases), and Kurt's always been super cool.
 
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