Awesome stuff man. Are you a Geddy Lee fan? From your gear, it looks like you like him.
Geddy did play a Steinberger right?
Geddy did play a Steinberger right?
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Finally, after 16 years, TWO new basses!!!
- Thread starter BartmanPDX
- Start date
Congrats on the new basses and I hope your daughter is doing well. My better half bought my fretless and my upright for me; every year at tax refund time, she seems to know I'm jonesin' for something. Ya gotta love understanding and thoughtful wives...
This is why I luv Talk Bass
its a real community! Its virtual to some extent, but still very real. Im also very lucky to have such an understanding wife who puts up with my GAS and playing in two bands. Shes an absolute peach!
I have a friend who has an autistic child and can only begin appreciate how difficult it must be. To me, it seems quite obvious that your wife thinks youre a great husband probably as much as you think shes a great wife.
Cheers,
LR
I have a friend who has an autistic child and can only begin appreciate how difficult it must be. To me, it seems quite obvious that your wife thinks youre a great husband probably as much as you think shes a great wife.
Cheers,
LR
That's cool Bartman. I started working in Northern Sudan but I have sinced worked mainly in Nigeria and South Africa. I wish I had owned a Steinberger when I doing my dissertation research. I lost all my calluses without a bass. Once again, you have some beautiful basses.
Dr. Cheese said:
Thanks. I was planning to take my XL-2 with me to keep me company during my field work to South Africa, since it's so small and rugged, but I ended up dropping out before I left for Cape Town.
That Lakland is incredible. I wanted a DJ 5 in dark blue with a j-retro and a 55-92 in blue burts but money because of money issues I decided I was just going to model a SX jazz after the DJ. I'm happy, can't wait till I get more moeny 
Nice basses you have there, and especially, it seems you've got a great wife, you're lucky.
Best wishes with your daughter though, hope everything will improve with time
Best wishes with your daughter though, hope everything will improve with time
Let me first say that I'm enormously thankful for the incredible resource that is Talkbass. Not only was I able to get information unavailable in my local stores, but I certainly saved a good deal of money in following the advice of others here (though my GAS pains for the Tacoma cost me more in the end. 
). As a result, I'm now becoming a supporting member. If any of you are playing in the Portland area, PM me, and I'll try to make it to your gig. I may not be able to gig myself, but I'd love to hear other bassists show their stuff!
The Lakland DJ5:
TONE:
Man, this thing is a tone MONSTER! I love the sound of the passive Aero pickups -- growly, thick, and sweet across the range of the bass. I can get everything from a Geddy Lee growl to a Marcus Miller slap tone, to a Aston Barrett fat reggae tone. I would say the J-retro is a great addition, but by no means necessary. The J-retro adds lots more options and range for the tone, but the sound of the Aeros in passive mode is a quick way to a great all-around sound. Put it this way: The J-retro is great for the tweaker in me, and is fun to fool around with to get all kinds of different tones. However, if I simply want a great tone without fooling around, I just flip it into passive mode.
FEEL:
The neck on the DJ5 is the best I've ever felt (Haven't tried USA Lakland or Sadowsky) -- it's the perfect amount of friction, and just the right amount of thickness for me. It plays really fast for me, and I love the Satin feel -- a change from the XL-2 neck, but a good one. It has a relatively flat (12" radius) fingerboard, which I like -- the DJ4 has a 7.25" radius, which is more curved than I would like -- if I were going 4 strings, I would have bought a Joe Osborn. The small vintage frets are really sweet -- the ones on my Steinie feel almost clunky in comparison. While the ends of the frets aren't cosmetically perfect as on my XL-2, I can't feel any unevenness, so I'm quite happy with the whole fretboard. The body shape is a nice comfortable curve, and I haven't had any neck dive (I was spoiled in this respect by the pivot plate on the Steinie, which never had a hint of neck dive), so it's really comfortable to play, standing or sitting. I haven't had any problems adjusting to the 35" scale really; the main issue for me is learning to deal with the 5th string, which at this point in the learning curve more me is slightly more than a convenient thumbrest.
In sum, it's the best bass I've played yet; my only gripe is it would be nice to be able to control the pickups and tone more in passive mode; in this respect a J-retro Deluxe (about $75 more installed) would be a really good call. In it's price range, I haven't found a better bass, and I'm terrified of of playing something more expensive like a USA Joe Osborn or a Sadowsky for fear of GAS.
THE TACOMA THUNDERCHIEF 5-string CB-105
TONE:
Unplugged, this is a LOUD ABG. I was jamming last night listening through my Tascam Bass Trainer's headphones, and looked up to see my wife looking at me. I thought she'd be giving me the loving "my husband loves his new bass, and it sounds great" look, but instead, she was glaring at me. I took off the headphones, and she said "That thing's so loud I can't even hear the TV!" (which she had blaring). I guess I didn't realize how much projection it has, especially when I'm in a groove. The sound is a totally different world from any other bass I had, in a good way. Surprisingly, the low B string isn't floppy at all, and definitely holds it's own without a major loss in volume (though sheer physics prevents it from booming like a B on an electric). I was quite worried about the low B, having played some other 5-string ABGs whose low B was unimpressive, but my worries were unfounded. The Tacoma's low B string is really sweet, and I'm happy I went for the 5er.
Plugged in, the Fishman pickup has a very good tone, and I didn't have any problem with feedback, though I can hear the click of a note being fretted, unless I roll off the brilliance control, which gives it a great warm fat sound. I need more time to play around with the Fishman unit.
FEEL:
The body is big, and my forearm is a little sore from the somewhat sharp edge of the upper body; it's not a problem for picking, but I'm mostly a fingerstyle player. I'll have to work on how I hold it when sitting, I think. The neck feel is excellent -- the action is nice and low, and the fretwork is excellent. I haven't found any dead spots, and while the frets are low and much wider than those on the Lakland, they are very comfortable. The back of the neck isn't quite as well finished as on the Lakland, but it's still quite fast, especially for an ABG.
As an aside, the hardshell case for the Lakland is good, but the one that came with the Tacoma is outrageous. It has a super comfortable handle, a REALLY thick plush interior that fits the bass like an expensive glove, and just seems top-drawer all the way around, even down to the raised Tacoma monogram. Gig bags may be more convenient for the traveling musician, but I'm loving the hardshell cases to protect my treasures from my toddler. The Tacoma also came with a bunch of free Fender stuff, including a pedal Tuner (PT-100 -- not bad for free), a strap, an adequate stand, a "fatfinger" sustain thingy (haven't noticed a difference) to attach to the neck, and an acoustic g*itar pack (cloth, cutters, winder, polish) which included a set of acoustic g*itar strings.
Whatever, it was free. 
Any way, I can hear my little one waking up. Gotta go!
). As a result, I'm now becoming a supporting member. If any of you are playing in the Portland area, PM me, and I'll try to make it to your gig. I may not be able to gig myself, but I'd love to hear other bassists show their stuff!The Lakland DJ5:
TONE:
Man, this thing is a tone MONSTER! I love the sound of the passive Aero pickups -- growly, thick, and sweet across the range of the bass. I can get everything from a Geddy Lee growl to a Marcus Miller slap tone, to a Aston Barrett fat reggae tone. I would say the J-retro is a great addition, but by no means necessary. The J-retro adds lots more options and range for the tone, but the sound of the Aeros in passive mode is a quick way to a great all-around sound. Put it this way: The J-retro is great for the tweaker in me, and is fun to fool around with to get all kinds of different tones. However, if I simply want a great tone without fooling around, I just flip it into passive mode.
FEEL:
The neck on the DJ5 is the best I've ever felt (Haven't tried USA Lakland or Sadowsky) -- it's the perfect amount of friction, and just the right amount of thickness for me. It plays really fast for me, and I love the Satin feel -- a change from the XL-2 neck, but a good one. It has a relatively flat (12" radius) fingerboard, which I like -- the DJ4 has a 7.25" radius, which is more curved than I would like -- if I were going 4 strings, I would have bought a Joe Osborn. The small vintage frets are really sweet -- the ones on my Steinie feel almost clunky in comparison. While the ends of the frets aren't cosmetically perfect as on my XL-2, I can't feel any unevenness, so I'm quite happy with the whole fretboard. The body shape is a nice comfortable curve, and I haven't had any neck dive (I was spoiled in this respect by the pivot plate on the Steinie, which never had a hint of neck dive), so it's really comfortable to play, standing or sitting. I haven't had any problems adjusting to the 35" scale really; the main issue for me is learning to deal with the 5th string, which at this point in the learning curve more me is slightly more than a convenient thumbrest.
In sum, it's the best bass I've played yet; my only gripe is it would be nice to be able to control the pickups and tone more in passive mode; in this respect a J-retro Deluxe (about $75 more installed) would be a really good call. In it's price range, I haven't found a better bass, and I'm terrified of of playing something more expensive like a USA Joe Osborn or a Sadowsky for fear of GAS.
THE TACOMA THUNDERCHIEF 5-string CB-105
TONE:
Unplugged, this is a LOUD ABG. I was jamming last night listening through my Tascam Bass Trainer's headphones, and looked up to see my wife looking at me. I thought she'd be giving me the loving "my husband loves his new bass, and it sounds great" look, but instead, she was glaring at me. I took off the headphones, and she said "That thing's so loud I can't even hear the TV!" (which she had blaring). I guess I didn't realize how much projection it has, especially when I'm in a groove.
The sound is a totally different world from any other bass I had, in a good way. Surprisingly, the low B string isn't floppy at all, and definitely holds it's own without a major loss in volume (though sheer physics prevents it from booming like a B on an electric). I was quite worried about the low B, having played some other 5-string ABGs whose low B was unimpressive, but my worries were unfounded. The Tacoma's low B string is really sweet, and I'm happy I went for the 5er.Plugged in, the Fishman pickup has a very good tone, and I didn't have any problem with feedback, though I can hear the click of a note being fretted, unless I roll off the brilliance control, which gives it a great warm fat sound. I need more time to play around with the Fishman unit.
FEEL:
The body is big, and my forearm is a little sore from the somewhat sharp edge of the upper body; it's not a problem for picking, but I'm mostly a fingerstyle player. I'll have to work on how I hold it when sitting, I think. The neck feel is excellent -- the action is nice and low, and the fretwork is excellent. I haven't found any dead spots, and while the frets are low and much wider than those on the Lakland, they are very comfortable. The back of the neck isn't quite as well finished as on the Lakland, but it's still quite fast, especially for an ABG.
As an aside, the hardshell case for the Lakland is good, but the one that came with the Tacoma is outrageous. It has a super comfortable handle, a REALLY thick plush interior that fits the bass like an expensive glove, and just seems top-drawer all the way around, even down to the raised Tacoma monogram. Gig bags may be more convenient for the traveling musician, but I'm loving the hardshell cases to protect my treasures from my toddler. The Tacoma also came with a bunch of free Fender stuff, including a pedal Tuner (PT-100 -- not bad for free), a strap, an adequate stand, a "fatfinger" sustain thingy (haven't noticed a difference) to attach to the neck, and an acoustic g*itar pack (cloth, cutters, winder, polish) which included a set of acoustic g*itar strings.
Whatever, it was free. Any way, I can hear my little one waking up. Gotta go!
After becoming a supporting member, buy your wife something, something REAL nice. And get something for the daughter too.
- Mar 22, 2005
- 3,718
- 6
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Lakland Basses
Although I love the looks of Sadowskys and Lulls, I often think that if I get 5 string Jazz, it will be the Lakland Daryl Jones 5. BArtman, your description is simply pushing me further in that direction even though I'll probably get one that is passive.
Dr. Cheese said:
A (stock) passive DJ5 is a GREAT option, and a steal, especially used. My toughest decision actually came down to getting the DJ or a Joe Osborn -- those Lindy Fralin pickups are really sweet too. Total "old school" 60s Jazz bass vibe. I can't imagine what a fretless Lakland JO must be like. I gotta learn how to play fretless, but there aren't going to be ANY new basses for me for a long while, for obvious reasons.
[font=comic sans ms,verdana,arial]What, you couldnt get the Tacoma in black? (Hee hee, couldnt resist!)
Kidding aside, congratulation on the new basses and the great wife. Im lucky enough to have one of those myself - I have the Breaux custom 4-string, Schecter Studio 5-string, nice home theater system, and 1979 Trans Am to prove it!
Ive done the stay-at-home dad thing in the past. Its really rewarding taking care of the kids, yet at the same time really trying on the old self esteem. (Most dreaded question at the wifes company Christmas party: So Wayne, what to you do?). Hopefully things will improve with your daughter, but I commend you for being there for her!
Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt[/font]
Kidding aside, congratulation on the new basses and the great wife.
Im lucky enough to have one of those myself - I have the Breaux custom 4-string, Schecter Studio 5-string, nice home theater system, and 1979 Trans Am to prove it!Ive done the stay-at-home dad thing in the past. Its really rewarding taking care of the kids, yet at the same time really trying on the old self esteem. (Most dreaded question at the wifes company Christmas party: So Wayne, what to you do?). Hopefully things will improve with your daughter, but I commend you for being there for her!
Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt[/font]
WayneP said:[font=comic sans ms,verdana,arial]What, you couldnt get the Tacoma in black? (Hee hee, couldnt resist!)
Kidding aside, congratulation on the new basses and the great wife.
Ive done the stay-at-home dad thing in the past. Its really rewarding taking care of the kids, yet at the same time really trying on the old self esteem. (Most dreaded question at the wifes company Christmas party: So Wayne, what to you do?). Hopefully things will improve with your daughter, but I commend you for being there for her!
Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt[/font]
Interesting that you mention the home theater system. The one condition I gave my wife for me following her to move back to her home town of Portland was that I get a home theater in the house. We kept that in mind when we went house hunting, and I was able to claim a basement room as my own. A few weeks of sweat equity later, and I turned it into a (relatively) sound-proof theater/music room complete with a projection system. I could never have afforded it if I had not done it myself, but she was quite supportive (I just have to endure the occasional "chick flick"
to keep her interest level up).BTW, Trans Ams are cool. Always.
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