Gold Tone MicroBass Talk

[selowitch]

I corresponded with Wayne Rogers today about the LaBellas. He says GT will be offering a dual-purpose bridge that will appear on future models and which can also be retrofitted on current/previous basses for a $50.00 charge.

I'd be interested, but only if I was certain that some kind of alternative string is going to actually become available.

 

[macmanlou]

I wonder if I ought to send back my MicroBass and ask for credit toward the adjustable bridge model. Either that, or find a luthier who can install some sort of adjustable bridge.

The string height can be adjusted up with saddle shims or down by filing the saddle down. Intonation can be adjusted to a small degree by filing the saddle to change the string contact point. On a fretless, intonation is not as critical as it is on the fretted models, so I'd be willing to put a set of their "test/demo" strings on my fretless anyway.

 

[selowitch]

The string height can be adjusted up with saddle shims or down by filing the saddle down. Intonation can be adjusted to a small degree by filing the saddle to change the string contact point. On a fretless, intonation is not as critical as it is on the fretted models, so I'd be willing to put a set of their "test/demo" strings on my fretless anyway.

I think I will go with whatever "official" mod GT offers.

 

[tymbrewolf]

the reason my gt is for sale and i went back to kala is because wayne told me msrp would be 750 with street price over 500 for the solid body. i have had my gt on craigslist for some time now with not even a nibble

 

[selowitch]

the reason my gt is for sale and i went back to kala is because wayne told me msrp would be 750 with street price over 500 for the solid body. i have had my gt on craigslist for some time now with not even a nibble

You're within your rights to do whatever you wish with your gear, and far be it from me to tell you what to do; however, I fail to see why you would sell your hollow-body GT in order to protest the anticipated price of the solidbody GT. If you prefer the U-Bass, more power to you.

I'm not trying to be snarky here, but I'm just wondering how that affects Wayne or GT.

 

[SBassman]

I don't understand the physics of what's going on with the tapes. Frankly, I tried to find out, and failed.

Regardless, I think people enjoying this instrument shouldn't lose sight of the fact that, tapes or not, it's a great bass Today with the Thunderguts.

 

[selowitch]

Regardless, I think people enjoying this instrument shouldn't lose sight of the fact that, tapes or not, it's a great bass Today with the Thunderguts.

I agree; however, I was really looking forward to

1. not having to pull the strings up off the nut in order to tune them; and
2. the special sound and feel of LeBella White Nylon strings, which I have found I really like on other basses.

 

[tymbrewolf]

Hey, not knocking gt or the mbass. They are just toys for me. I'm not very smart and do not navigate fretless and fretted in different string scales very well. I like the gt, I was just hoping for solid body frettless I could afford. I can't afford the cali kala and don't need dual pickups, even though cool

 

[macmanlou]

Hey, not knocking gt or the mbass. They are just toys for me. I'm not very smart and do not navigate fretless and fretted in different string scales very well. I like the gt, I was just hoping for solid body frettless I could afford. I can't afford the cali kala and don't need dual pickups, even though cool

I like fretless in these ultra short scales because you can correct for their inherent intonation problems in your fingering. I think LaBella should let fretless owners have the prototype tapewounds.

Have you looked into the PiccoBass? Solid body, fully adjustable bridge with a 25.5" scale. I think it's going to be much easier to play the fretted models in tune than is possible with any of these shorter basses.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/picco-micro-scale-bass-thread-1053155/

 

[selowitch]

Another update from Wayne Rogers of GoldTone in re the MicroBass bridge retrofit (I am summarizing and paraphrasing to the best of ability. I am not responsible for mistakes; please check with GoldTone. This is FYI only):

1. The adjustable bridge retrofit (including the new bridge and a new set of LaBella strings) will cost $100.00 not including shipping both ways.
2. In addition, Wayne strongly recommends the addition of a Zero Glide nut. He says it’s a major intonation, tuning, and open-string improvement and much better for the nut slot requirement for different gauge strings.
3. If you are interested, contact Duke at GoldTone (321)264-1970 or via e-mail.

I am not terribly thrilled about the unexpected expense but it does sound worthwhile at least to me.
Again, this is unofficial information shared for information purposes only. Neither myself nor GoldTone is responsible for this description.

 

[mongo2]

Another update from Wayne Rogers of GoldTone in re the MicroBass bridge retrofit (I am summarizing and paraphrasing to the best of ability. I am not responsible for mistakes; please check with GoldTone. This is FYI only):

1. The bridge retrofit (including the new bridge and a new set of LaBella strings) will cost $100.00 not including shipping both ways.
2. In addition, Wayne strongly recommends the addition of a Zero Glide nut. He says it’s a major intonation, tuning, and open-string improvement and much better for the nut slot requirement for different gauge strings.
3. If you are interested, contact Duke at GoldTone (321)264-1970 or via e-mail.

I am not terribly thrilled about the unexpected expense but it does sound worthwhile at least to me.
Again, this is unofficial information shared for information purposes only. Neither myself nor GoldTone is responsible for this description.

What bridge retrofit? When did this happen and what is it about?

I searched the GT website and there's nothing there about it? Any other information?

 

[selowitch]

What bridge retrofit? When did this happen and what is it about?

Sorry, I should have specified: Near as I can tell, it's a new adjustable bridge for current and previous GoldTone MicroBasses (and which will appear on all later models) that makes it possible to use strings other than the stock Aquila Thunderguts strings. GoldTone apparently has some LeBella strings on hand for this purpose.

I'm not sure when this happened. Wayne replied to my e-mail inquiry this morning.

Wayne assures me that LaBella will resume production of these strings. Honestly, I don't see how he can make that promise unless he's a majority shareholder in the LaBella company or something.

Anyway, if you're interested, e-mail or call GoldTone and ask for Duke.

 

[mongo2]

Sorry, I should have specified: Near as I can tell, it's a new adjustable bridge for current and previous GoldTone MicroBasses (and which will appear on all later models) that makes it possible to use strings other than the stock Aquila Thunderguts strings. GoldTone apparently has some LeBella strings on hand for this purpose.

I'm not sure when this happened. Wayne replied to my e-mail inquiry this morning.

Wayne assures me that LaBella will resume production of these strings. Honestly, I don't see how he can make that promise unless he's a majority shareholder in the LaBella company or something.

Anyway, if you're interested, e-mail or call GoldTone and ask for Duke.

I emailed GoldTone about ordering the Labellas and for info about the bridge retrofit. Will report back when I get a response.

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Those who have ordered the La Bella strings from BassStringsOnline will be receiving an email about the situation that was shocking brought to La Bella's and my attention very recently.

I do apologize for the inconvenience.

 

[mongo2]

Those who have ordered the La Bella strings from BassStringsOnline will be receiving an email about the situation that was shocking brought to La Bella's and my attention very recently.

I do apologize for the inconvenience.

OK...what's that all about?

 

[selowitch]

Oh, dear. This can't be good!

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Nothing wrong with the strings... The instruments need modification for them to play in tune properly (Something with shifting the bridge back 1/4" or something).

I will be sending out email notifications to those who pre-ordered the strings to see if they want to keep them on order or not.

 

[macmanlou]

Nothing wrong with the strings... The instruments need modification for them to play in tune properly (Something with shifting the bridge back 1/4" or something).

I don't see that as a big issue with the fretless models. An adjustment in fingering ought to take care of the difference in intonation.

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Just will have to move the fret marker indicators Or use your ear...

I mean there are other solutions, tuning open strings out of tune (tune to fretted notes).

I am sending emails out to find out if users would like to keep their orders or not. Oh well....

 

[selowitch]

I don't see that as a big issue with the fretless models. An adjustment in fingering ought to take care of the difference in intonation.

Wait ... is this mod going to make my existing fret markers incorrect???