• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

My 30th Birthday present! The Human Base - BaseX.oc5

lamonica78

lamonica78

Feb 9, 2008
524
18
48
Philadelphia
www.youtube.com
#1
Hey everyone,

So, I turned 30 two weeks ago and decided to buy myself a new bass with some gift certificates and cash (Plus I traded in my Spector ReBop)

After testing out Lakland Skylines, KSD Proto J's, Fender MIA P's, and G & L's, I finally decided on this bad boy! Behold the Human Base (model BaseX.oc5!):

Sweet Ash body with blue finish (Single/Double coil toggle, active/passive pull switch, blend, bass/mid/treble)....ignore the puppy pee stain, hahaha...just noticed that! Probably should flip that futon mattress over!

IMG_0031.jpg


A closer look at the Delano MM style pick ups (with a Glockenklang pre-amp)
IMG_0032.jpg


Check out the hybrid neck thru/bolt on design!

IMG_0033.jpg


A closer look at the neck design
IMG_0034.jpg


The belly of a tone monster!
IMG_0035.jpg


Close up of the head stock and logo
IMG_0036.jpg



IMG_0037.jpg
 
#5
jibreel said:
Beautiful !!

Can you describe the sound ?
Click to expand...

I could.....but I'll let a professional do it for me :

Seriously though, I'm still messing around with the tones to find that sweet spot for my music, but so far I've been able to pretty closely replicate a Stingray type of tone as well as a really bassy jazz tone. It really has a ton of options. I'm not much of a slap/pop bassist, but the passive mode seems to have a really good bite to it (I'm sure someone who can actually play slap bass would get some great tones out of it!)

I'd say the only con that I have encountered is that the body is a little wider than I am used to (I used to play a Spector with a very narrow design), so it's forced me to have to change my posture/stance a bit. But it's incredibly well balanced and very light weight so I haven't experienced any fatigue yet (broke it in at a 3 hour gig on Friday)

In terms of the overall sound with my band, it really punches through the mix and the lows are crystal clear. My Spector used to always get muddy in the lower range.
 
#7
pinkzepphish said:
how much was this bass?? im lovin the design and the preamp.
Click to expand...

Lists for $1800 (US). The dealer was selling it for $1300, but was giving me a $100 discount because they're not well known and hard to move.....he had it in black and blue....the blue one had a small chip at the bottom that is barely noticeable, so he gave me another $100 off. So when all is said and done, it was $1100!

(I got $425 for a trade in towards the bass, had $200 in gift certificates and $400 in birthday cash....so I ended up paying about $200 out of my own pocket!!!)

PS - The model I got is the introductory US model. Human Base is apparantly a VERY high end company in Germany. This bass was designed by the master luthier at Human, the body and neck were manufactured in Korea and then the bass and electronics is hand assembled, set up and tested by professional US luthiers in Orange County, California.
 
#11
Several years ago at NAMM my buddy and I met the luthier and he was great. My buddy is a Modulus endorse and die hard graphite guy, but even he had to admit the bass rocked. I think we tried his German basses that he was just starting to import/show over here.

I think the new line is, as mentioned previously more of a world instrument and a slightly more accessible price point.

It seems to be the same basic shape, but for the life of me I don't remember the exact controls configuration, but I thought it was great playing / sounding bass.

Congrads on grabbing such a nice instrument....I might have to wait for my 40th though... I missed my 30th :rolleyes:
 
#12
I got to play the fretless version last Saturday at The LowEnd shop. I was seriously impressed. I think it was the coolest fretless I have played since a MusicMan Sabre around 1980. The price on fretless was great too. I really need a new laptop more, but I cannot think of a better bass for the money although my 55-02 is just as good!:)
 
#13
Dr. Cheese said:
I got to play the fretless version last Saturday at The LowEnd shop. I was seriously impressed. I think it was the coolest fretless I have played since a MusicMan Sabre around 1980. The price on fretless was great too. I really need a new laptop more, but I cannot think of a better bass for the money although my 55-02 is just as good!:)
Click to expand...

I tried the 55-02 as well. Beautiful bass as well, but the string spacing was a little wider than I'm used to and it just didn't feel as natural to me.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back