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Will do!
I won’t get to hear it in a live band mix until next Saturday, though.
The Combinata bass has arrived,and my initial impressions are very mixed.
It’s as beautiful in person as the online photos indicate, and is very well put together. It’s a bit over 8 pounds, and balances fairly well on a wide leather strap. The body feels nice against the ribcage surprisingly. The main thing i was concerned about (the frets ends) are very well dresssed, and feel great. Yay!
There’s quite a bit of rattling/fret noise happening at both the octave and first frets, so i will let it acclimate for a day or 2 to see if this improves. I want to replace the factory ss rw strings with some flats or tapewounds.
I have not yet plugged it in, but I have to say there are a couple of things that are already feeling like deal breakers for me. One is the bound flat front edge, which finds its way into the soft white underside of my forearm just as readily as that on a standard 4001/3. Not fun for me, and it’s bad very quickly.
The other, and main, issue is....the neck.
Before, I wasn’t sure about going to a 32” scale. However, the length isn’t the issue.
This is a tiny (toothpick would apply as an adjective) neck (1.5” nut/12” radius doesn’t sound bad on paper). It is a very shallow, non tapering neck. Both of those are things I usually love, but this neck just feels teeny. I played my bandleaders Hofner Beatle bass last week, and even with a shorter 30” scale, that neck felt so much more substantial.
I am surprised, and more than a bit dismayed. I love the look of this bass, but I think it’s going to be returned. (From the foto,you will notice the metal top’s missing from one of the knobs.)
It’s as beautiful in person as the online photos indicate, and is very well put together. It’s a bit over 8 pounds, and balances fairly well on a wide leather strap. The body feels nice against the ribcage surprisingly. The main thing i was concerned about (the frets ends) are very well dresssed, and feel great. Yay!
There’s quite a bit of rattling/fret noise happening at both the octave and first frets, so i will let it acclimate for a day or 2 to see if this improves. I want to replace the factory ss rw strings with some flats or tapewounds.
I have not yet plugged it in, but I have to say there are a couple of things that are already feeling like deal breakers for me. One is the bound flat front edge, which finds its way into the soft white underside of my forearm just as readily as that on a standard 4001/3. Not fun for me, and it’s bad very quickly.
The other, and main, issue is....the neck.
Before, I wasn’t sure about going to a 32” scale. However, the length isn’t the issue.
This is a tiny (toothpick would apply as an adjective) neck (1.5” nut/12” radius doesn’t sound bad on paper). It is a very shallow, non tapering neck. Both of those are things I usually love, but this neck just feels teeny. I played my bandleaders Hofner Beatle bass last week, and even with a shorter 30” scale, that neck felt so much more substantial.
I am surprised, and more than a bit dismayed. I love the look of this bass, but I think it’s going to be returned. (From the foto,you will notice the metal top’s missing from one of the knobs.)
But, my goodness, what a great looking bass. Interested to hear your thoughts when plugged in. Thanks for your thoughts on the bass!
Thanks! I live in an apartment, so I may be able to preview it at a lower volume later.
I found the missing silver metal disc for the knob on the floor where i unwrapped the bass.
I also noticed for the first time the string spacing at the bridge is 17mm, not the more common 18.
That, and the non tapering neck,makes for a very tight sring spacing, which i think is my main issue.
I have really long fingers/wide handspan....I’ve never understood how Stanley Clarke can play those piccolo basses with his octopus fingers!
I don't jive well with large necks....although I seem to tolerate my Ric 4003 OK and of course that is a fairly large D shape. Hofner's have been perfect. Jazz bass profile comfy as well. Maybe the Combinata would be OK for me.....BTW, is that the "B" stock bass I saw for sale for around $800?Thanks! I live in an apartment, so I may be able to preview it at a lower volume later.
I found the missing silver metal disc for the knob on the floor where i unwrapped the bass.
I also noticed for the first time the string spacing at the bridge is 17mm, not the more common 18.
That, and the non tapering neck,makes for a very tight sring spacing, which i think is my main issue.
I have really long fingers/wide handspan....I’ve never understood how Stanley Clarke can play those piccolo basses with his octopus fingers!
Looks like it has some Italia DNA in there. A looker!
I’m fairly necksize tolerant, and it mat be a matter of finding a better strap position for comfort. i think it may be the string spacing that I’m finding issue with.
I changed out the factory roundwound strings for a set of Optima RB flatwounds today, which helped.
Also lowered the crazy hot pickups,so they’re not overdriving all the time. Bass sounds wonderful at low volume,with my favorite 2-pickup wiring scheme, MV/panpot/tone.
this is that bstock bass,but i see one still listed for the same price. $879
Overall,I like this MUCH better than my Rimini bass.
I do wish it had a bit more chunkabadunk neck.
As a small man with small hands the fact that the neck is small and narrow (like my favorite Ric) is definitely of interest to me. Does the plugged in tone seem similar to a jazz bass?
This neck feels quite a bit smaller than any Rickenbacker neck I’ve ever encountered.
The string spacing is pretty narrow, so you would probably like that. It’s very easy to get around on for sure. The pickups sound great in all settings, and with both pickup volumes equal, it does seem to have a bit of that scooped J bass sound.
On my second day,with the flatwounds (and sitting down), I found it a lot easier to play. The soft Optima RB flats give my fingers better contact if that makes sense.
The real test will be this weekend, at band rehearsal,standing,playing, and singing at a mic for a couple of hours. And of course hearing how it sounds in the overall mix.
It has a real nice tone. A bit like a Hofner to my ears....which made me think....because it's hollow? And then made me think...it must have a center block? Thoughts? Looking forward to the review after you play it with the band.
Such a cool looking bass. Shorter scales, especially when they start out with a 1.5" nut, tend to be tighter at the bridge. I went with the Sandberg Lionel which starts at 1.6" and ends up with a full-width bridge because of this (among other reasons).
The optima RB flatwounds helped get it to that sound.
With the factory ultralight roundwounds, it sounded great for playing power chords.....with the flats,it has a real nice compressed thump,especially if you keep the neck pickup raised.The bass isn’t a true hollowbody, but it does have 2 chambered areas on either side of the neck.
Not sure if there is a center block. I also love the fact that it has a Fender-ish type bridge.
I like the look of the bass better without that Fender shaped bridge cover, but have to admit it makes a great handrest for playing with a pick.
More info...just tried a long strap on to see about changing my plucking forearm angle...this bass does not balance well at all for that.
So best scenario for me is a semi Bill Wyman.
That’s my go-to position with most basses, though.
So best scenario for me is a semi Bill Wyman.
That’s my go-to position with most basses, though.
Out of curiosity,(and because i love Rickenbackers), what Rick do you have? (And feel free to post a pic!)
I have several, the one with the slimmest neck is my ‘74 4000.
Mine is a 2007 4003. It’s not a broom handle, but it’s not very wide, not very deep, and doesn’t get any wider as it moves towards the body. I’ve played some Rics with pretty beefy necks and some with thinner necks, but I think mine is the thinnest Ric neck I’ve played. So I’m lucky
Took some comparison shots of the Rivolta and my Cheyenne.
I found a better strap with some length,and tried some new positioning where my forearm isnt in contact with the body. (A bit awkward feeling for me.) My Cheyenne is my perfect bass for feel,so it’s the benchmark.
I found a better strap with some length,and tried some new positioning where my forearm isnt in contact with the body. (A bit awkward feeling for me.) My Cheyenne is my perfect bass for feel,so it’s the benchmark.
Took the Combinata bass to practice today...wow!
Was playing it through my Markbass 1-12 combo w/800 tube head also hooked to a 4-10 Kustom cab.
Sounded like a hot cross between a Hofner and a Rickenbacker.
I must’ve found the sweet spot with the strap, because even after several hours, I found the bass comfortable and super easy to play.
I had been ready to return it, but now believe it’s gonna stick around.
Was playing it through my Markbass 1-12 combo w/800 tube head also hooked to a 4-10 Kustom cab.
Sounded like a hot cross between a Hofner and a Rickenbacker.
I must’ve found the sweet spot with the strap, because even after several hours, I found the bass comfortable and super easy to play.
I had been ready to return it, but now believe it’s gonna stick around.
