I apologize for being late to this thread, but I wanted to chime in a bit...hope you don't mind!
I was checking in on some threads one day last year, and saw Jeff's post that the Ibby Mikro might be the perfect bass for a girl at his church who had spina bifida, but had wanted to play for a long time. After checking with Jeff, and he with Grace's folks, I wanted to get a few TBers together to sort of get a pool going to get this for her. I was in a bit of a jam, myself, as I was going through a refi on my house, and had been told not to buy anything but food and gas for a couple months by my mortgage broker. So I had to stand pat.
Couple months went by, including Christmas, and my other TBers were having some financial difficulties as well. I got my bonus from work, and it was a little more than I had expected, so I had to share the wealth, so to speak. I've been blessed, so it is my feeling that I should pass it on...pay it forward, so to speak. So, armed with my trusty bank card and my internet connection, I set to work.
I had talked to Jeff about this, and several times he had mentioned Grace's condition. But she showed such spirit and determination, and definitely is aptly named. Few of us could persevere through what this little girl has gone through and still retain our spirit and upbeat attitude. She is very active in her church, and has lots of friends at school. She is a normal kid in most ways. But her size precluded a full-scale instrument. I went to my local shop that I knew had a Mikro in stock, and checked it out.
I was really shocked at how great this little bass actually was- like Jeff said, it has a real P tone, a real Jazz tone, and both together are a great slap tone, or finger tone. I'd venture as far as to say it is "propulsive", especially with both pups selected, and the tone rolled back some. Very authoritative! The fit and finish are excellent, and though they didn't have the amethyst in stock, I checked the bass out thoroughly. Lightest bass I have ever played next to my Ashbory. Insanely playable, and with tone befitting a full size bass.
Since they didn't have the color in stock, I went online and got the bass. As I was poking around, I found a strap that I thought would be a benefit to Grace. It's one that goes over both shoulders, equalizing and reducing the weight of the bass, and not putting the weight on just the one shoulder- something I thought about as her condition might be made worse by having it slung across one shoulder. I also got her a cord, and a Peavey Max 158 amp, which features an aux in for iPod hookup and play-along. Though I wouldn't want to attempt playing at Madison Square Garden with just that, it is fine for bedroom use, and for practicing along with mp3's or CD's.
I got the amp from a friend's music store in Galveston, it helps him out, it helps her out- he gave me a good deal on it, plus he shipped it for me when I told him who it was for, and her story.
Just after she received it, I had been having a really tough week at work, and was pretty beat down. Jeff sent me an email with the pics in it, and I really just about fell apart seeing her face as she received her new bass. My eyes started leaking...just exactly what I needed at that particular point in my life.
Jeff was kind enough to act as shipping recipient, and he also gave it a going-over, and a small setup tweak. I thank you, good sir, for being the "bearer of blessings"! The look on her face, the glow she has, the facilitating of a dream for someone else is all the reward I could ever ask for! I am truly blessed!
I am SO glad that it suits her as I hoped it would...it looks like it fits her perfectly! Right color, right size, RIGHT ON!
Jeff also told me that he gave her a stand to put it on (I stupidly forgot that item!
), and he told me that she keeps it in her room, and NOBODY can touch it! Not even her parents!
I just think it's so cool that she is this excited, and I hope that she always has the joy and exuberance of music in her life! Rock on, Grace!
Eric (bassic83)
