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Let's see a show of hands on Conklin

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Jerry J, Oct 20, 2001.

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  1. Oct 20, 2001 #1
    Jerry J

    Jerry J Supporting Member

    Mar 27, 2000
    P-town, OR
    Can I see a show of hands of who's played a real deal Conklin? :D I know that JT's played a Conklin or two so he doesn't count here.;)

    My bass instructor is a Conklin endorsee and yesterday at my lesson he had a 4 string that was the proto-type for the a bass that Bill made for Rocco Prestia. This bass was PHENOMINAL! Bartolini P and J pickups, birdseye neck and fingerboard and some body wood that Jake, my instructor, says is a "Chinese swamp ash" ?? The bass is around 4 pounds. It was finished kinda like the ceruse finish that you find on the F Bass. I really liked the abalone position markers. I was literally blown away by this bass. I may be forced to put my Lakland up for sale.:confused:

    This just really caught me off guard because my only real exposure to the Conklin's have been the Groove Tools basses. They've never really done anything for me and I've usually found that they weight too much to be practical. But this honey from Bill....I don't even seem to have words to describe it.
     
  2. Oct 20, 2001 #2
    PollyBass

    PollyBass ******

    Jun 25, 2001
    Shreveport, LA
    Tryed one, a real one, didnt like it. it even looks stupid, well, to me anyway.
     
  3. Oct 20, 2001 #3
    boogiebass

    boogiebass

    Aug 16, 2000
    Unlike Mr. Turner, I've never had the pleasure to spend serious time with the USA custom Conklins but the Dickens signature 7 string I played at Bass Alone in San Diego was an absolutely exceptional instrument! I have no hesitation in recommending it and can easily imagine that the USA basses are great.
     
  4. Oct 20, 2001 #4
    By-Tor

    By-Tor

    Apr 13, 2000
    Sacramento, CA
    I figure this doesn't count, but I own a Groove Tools 7 and am pretty impressed. I've never had the opportunity to play a "real" Conklin bass, I know there better crafted than mine, so I know they most be pretty nice.
     
  5. Oct 20, 2001 #5
    Peter Parker

    Peter Parker Inactive

    Jun 10, 2001
    I've played several "real deal" Conk's and liked them all. They are as good as anything out there.
     
  6. Oct 20, 2001 #6
    bassman1185

    bassman1185

    Sep 30, 2000
    Des Moines, IA, USA

    The Sidewinders are proportioned to look good with really wide necks, so four and five stringers look kinda goofy.
     
  7. Oct 20, 2001 #7
    DarkMazda

    DarkMazda

    Jun 3, 2000
    NJ
    *DarkMazda raises his hand for JT

    :D<font color="#00541E" size="+1"><B>/</b></font>
     
  8. Oct 21, 2001 #8
    Dave Siff

    Dave Siff

    Apr 10, 2000
    Avondale Estates, GA, USA
    I've played all of JT's basses. They are really something. I'm usually not comfortable on any bass that has more than 4 strings, but because of the custom neck dimensions on JT's 7-strings, some of them feel more like 5-strings. They're shockingly easy to play. Light years better than the Groove Tools.
     
  9. Oct 21, 2001 #9
    DarkMazda

    DarkMazda

    Jun 3, 2000
    NJ
    Dave: Maybe I should try JT's basses :D

    Actually, I shouldn't. I will leave a wanting a 7 string, even though i suck :(
     
  10. Oct 21, 2001 #10
    john turner

    john turner You don't want to do that. Trust me. Staff Member

    Mar 14, 2000
    atlanta ga
    DM : :D . [​IMG]
    you can play my basses any time you like :)

    so, jerry, i'm guessing that your instructor is jake kot? if so, did you check out his lightwave sig bass?

    that wood on that prototype is pawlonia - check out http://www.conklinguitars.com/infacegallery/facebassgallery.html

    was this the bass?

    [​IMG]

    i've played that bass at summer namm. very cool indeed. too bad it only has 4 strings :D.
     
  11. Oct 21, 2001 #11
    Blackbird

    Blackbird Supporting Member

    Mar 18, 2000
    California
    That's too bad, 'cause I'd go for a fiver, personally.

    Actully, I don't think they look goofy at all.
     
  12. Oct 21, 2001 #12
    Woodchuck

    Woodchuck

    Apr 21, 2000
    Atlanta (Grant Park!)
    Gallien Krueger for the last 12 years!
    I played the Rocco model at the NAMM show, even though it's in the Groove Tools line up, it's still a great bass. I couldn't believe the HUGE difference between the Korean made and the "real" Conklins. Like Dave said, lights year's difference. Trust me, as a former owner of a GT 7, 7 strings are a lot easier to play than you'd think.
     
  13. Oct 21, 2001 #13
    Jerry J

    Jerry J Supporting Member

    Mar 27, 2000
    P-town, OR
    HOLY SMOKES, JT!!! That's the bass.

    Yes, Jake's the man. Bill sent him the bass to play around with. Jake has been playing 4 string because of finger troubles. I was very impressed but would want it in a 5 string. I just couldn't get over how light it was. But with the Bart pickups and preamp it had tons of tone. The sustain was also went on forever.

    I checked Bill's website but didn't find any info on that bass. Thank you for posting it. Unfortunately, that picture doesn't even begin to do THAT bass justice. With the birdseye maple neck and the tiger stripe on the pickguard. It is awesome. I really like the way that Bill extends the wood from the body up the back of the neck. It's a smooth transition that gives the upper end of the fingerboard a neck-through feel.

    I've got a Conklin fund starting right now if anybody wants to contribute.
     
  14. Oct 21, 2001 #14
    steamboat

    steamboat

    Mar 22, 2000
    Madison, WI, USA
    That's a really slick looking bass. I like the blend of the traditional and exotic looks.
     
  15. Jan 11, 2002 #15
    Blackbird

    Blackbird Supporting Member

    Mar 18, 2000
    California
    Guess what, people:

    [​IMG]

    I went for it!!:D

    Man, this thing's amazing! It was waiting for me when I got back from Atlanta (Kudos to Hambone for taking me to Galaxy). The wood's gorgeous, although I wasn't too crazy about how the connection of the upper horn wood to the neck. It came with flatwounds, but it mwahs better than my Pedulla, although it doesn't have its bite. I love this thing!
     
  16. Jan 11, 2002 #16
    Jerry J

    Jerry J Supporting Member

    Mar 27, 2000
    P-town, OR
    Oh! ain't she bee-u-ti-ful! Awesome bass, Will.

    Is that Macassar ebony on the fingerboard? How long did it take you to get her after your ordered?

    Thanks for the photo. I'm looking foreward to a review after you've some time.
     
  17. Jan 11, 2002 #17
    embellisher

    embellisher Holy Ghost filled Bass Player Supporting Member

    Apr 18, 2000
    Heber Springs, Arkansas
    He got it pretty quick. It was a used one.
     
  18. Jan 11, 2002 #18
    Ryan L.

    Ryan L. Moderator Staff Member Supporting Member

    Aug 7, 2000
    West Fargo, ND
    Nice bass Big Wheel.:)
     
  19. Jan 11, 2002 #19
    Blackbird

    Blackbird Supporting Member

    Mar 18, 2000
    California
    Indeed. It was shipped to me from Chicago.

    According to my roommates, the package was left outside my front door (without signature) for a day or two as I was in Atlanta and my roomies were spending Xmas with their families!:eek::mad:

    I've made a resolution to not buy any more basses for a year, but next time I have something delivered by UPS, I'm picking it up at their hub, like Chasarms does.

    The bass is actually a bit darker than the pic above. The upper horn is more of a golden color. Yes, I believe it's Macassar ebony. It looks like a school of tiny fish swimming in a sea of gold.
     
  20. Jan 12, 2002 #20
    john turner

    john turner You don't want to do that. Trust me. Staff Member

    Mar 14, 2000
    atlanta ga
    good for you, bw. yeah, that's definitely macassar ebony on the board. for the longest time that was his fretboard wood of choice on the customs - 4 of my basses have that as a fretboard wood. good on fretless.
     
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