• 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.

NBD 81 Mockingbird

#22
GeneralElectric said:
The S/N say its made in 83 (83xxx) but by the late 70s these numbers apparently didn't mean much as they were several years ahead of the actual year. Better way to date this?
Click to expand...
Given the black covers and trans blue finish I'd say it's closer to a '83 than a '79.
 
#25
paganjack said:
That actually looks pretty sweet. What exactly DO all those knobs do?
Click to expand...

Master volume, preamp volume, tone (knobs)

Pickup toggle (white switch)

preamp on and off switch
(silver switch by itself)

bass boost, treble boost, bass swell
(switches in a line)

I like this preamp a lot. Personally I'd just leave the preamp on all day and use that. The preamp off button I'm guessing is in case the battery dies if there is one. Does this even take a battery?! :p With the switches and pickup selector you can get a huge range of sounds very quickly and with accuracy which I like like (no more fiddling with a dial to get 'that tone')
 
#29
TC2112 said:
If everybody is telling you it's ugly, then everybody is wrong - That thing is awesome, it looks heavy and neck divey as heck though. How is it on the strap?
Click to expand...

Its honestly not that heavy. I'd say about 10lbs or so which isn't much for a neck through bass.

It balances 2 ways: sitting down its perfect. The lower horn totally contours your leg and the bass is a joy to play.

I had it on a strap for the first time today. Its a little head stock heavy and it goes about parallel to the floor. I prefer to have my headstocks upright and sniffing the air so I'd probably replace the stock grovers with ultralights or resolights or similar. The original grovers aren't exactly lightweight tuners.
 
#30
In the early 80's I was allowed into the back of a major music store here in Atlanta.The guys wanted to show me some of the NAMM stuff they had. They had a lot of custom BC RICH similiar to that. The coolest one was a Warlock in color changing paint. Stuff like this gets out eventually.Just because we don't see them everyday doesn't mean it's not a true factory build.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back