NBD...conclusion to my "nostalgic bass" purchase...

[SoulReflection]

As a followup to my previous post:

Is Nostalgia a good reason to buy a bass?

After a few days, I received this...

Upon taking it out of the packaging, I was pleased to see the fine fit and finish of this inexpensive bass.

I asked my wife it reminded her of anything. Immediately she said, "Paul McCartney!". I then said to her that my memory goes back several years before the Beatles Invasion and relayed my recollection of a violin shaped bass, the Gibson 1950's EB that started my interest in music and, specifically, playing bass in the early '60's.

I intend to remove the pick guard and deal with (tone down) the color of the control and truss rod covers. Other than that, I may replace the strings with La Bella Deep Talkin Flats, give it a good setup then run it through the Rumble Studio 40 to see if my old memory can dial in the tone of that old Gibson .

I will then refer to this bass as my "2019 Gibon EB" (not a typo).

Not only was this one check off my bucket list, I was advised by my Sales Associate, Ryan, at Musicians Friend that they would honor the additional discount offered by GC. This brings the cost of my Nostalgic Purchase down by another $30.00.

All in all, it has been a very good day...

 

[PJ Muzikmansky]

Well done old chap !

 

[Stumbo]

As a followup to my previous post:

Is Nostalgia a good reason to buy a bass?

After a few days, I received this...

View attachment 3510483

Upon taking it out of the packaging, I was pleased to see the fine fit and finish of this inexpensive bass.

I asked my wife it reminded her of anything. Immediately she said, "Paul McCartney!". I then said to her that my memory goes back several years before the Beatles Invasion and relayed my recollection of a violin shaped bass, the Gibson 1950's EB that started my interest in music and, specifically, playing bass in the early '60's.

I intend to remove the pick guard and deal with (tone down) the color of the control and truss rod covers. Other than that, I may replace the strings with La Bella Deep Talkin Flats, give it a good setup then run it through the Rumble Studio 40 to see if my old memory can dial in the tone of that old Gibson .

I will then refer to this bass as my "2019 Gibon EB" (not a typo).

Not only was this one check off my bucket list, I was advised by my Sales Associate, Ryan, at Musicians Friend that they would honor the additional discount offered by GC. This brings the cost of my Nostalgic Purchase down by another $30.00.

All in all, it has been a very good day...

You can compare control plates and other parts here: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[iagtrplyr]

As a followup to my previous post:

Is Nostalgia a good reason to buy a bass?

After a few days, I received this...

View attachment 3510483

Upon taking it out of the packaging, I was pleased to see the fine fit and finish of this inexpensive bass.

I asked my wife it reminded her of anything. Immediately she said, "Paul McCartney!". I then said to her that my memory goes back several years before the Beatles Invasion and relayed my recollection of a violin shaped bass, the Gibson 1950's EB that started my interest in music and, specifically, playing bass in the early '60's.

I intend to remove the pick guard and deal with (tone down) the color of the control and truss rod covers. Other than that, I may replace the strings with La Bella Deep Talkin Flats, give it a good setup then run it through the Rumble Studio 40 to see if my old memory can dial in the tone of that old Gibson .

I will then refer to this bass as my "2019 Gibon EB" (not a typo).

Not only was this one check off my bucket list, I was advised by my Sales Associate, Ryan, at Musicians Friend that they would honor the additional discount offered by GC. This brings the cost of my Nostalgic Purchase down by another $30.00.

All in all, it has been a very good day...

Congratulations on your seriously-good day, my friend. Yes, drop the pick guard like a bad habit and the crappy round wounds about as fast. As for the control/truss rod covers, come with a good plan and I’ll follow you blindly. I’ve gotten used to them, but the look is cheesy.

Your 40c will be a perfect compliment to the bass. Listen for the woody tone and you’ll arrive at the intersection of Americana Avenue and Ol School Lane. Have a cheeseburger at the pub on the corner while enjoying every note!

Please keep us posted.

 

[ajkula66]

Enjoy your new time machine.

Play it in good health!

 

[SoulReflection]

Enjoy your new time machine.

Play it in good health!

Thank you, George. I was hoping you would find this as we have had a long history discussing Gibson Basses.

In a way, I am happy you didn't purchase my EB2-DC. Because of my affection for the first bass that got me playing, I couldn't bond with the that one. In addition, I felt guilty offering it for sale at such a high price to someone who really appreciated that model. (I bought it in 1983 for $100.00).

That said, I am happy with this purchase and the other equipment I have. It has given me the opportunity to revisit the past and enjoy the present. I couldn't ask for much else.

Keep in touch, my friend.

 

[ajkula66]

In addition, I felt guilty offering it for sale at such a high price to someone who really appreciated that model. (I bought it in 1983 for $100.00).

Nothing to feel guilty about, good sir.

Bought a '73 Jazz in near mint condition when I moved to London in late '84. Set me back 180 quid, something along the lines of $300 at the time. Those were the days...

Stay well.

 

[SoulReflection]

Congratulations on your seriously-good day, my friend. Yes, drop the pick guard like a bad habit and the crappy round wounds about as fast. As for the control/truss rod covers, come with a good plan and I’ll follow you blindly. I’ve gotten used to them, but the look is cheesy.

Your 40c will be a perfect compliment to the bass. Listen for the woody tone and you’ll arrive at the intersection of Americana Avenue and Ol School Lane. Have a cheeseburger at the pub on the corner while enjoying every note!

Please keep us posted.

Well, my plan at this point, besides the pick guard and string replacement, is to paint the truss rod cover black or remove it and paint the wood underneath black, if it needs it.

Regarding the tone control cover, I want it darker but before doing anything with it, I want to play with those controls through my Studio 40. If that doesn't get me anywhere, I will make up a new set of controls using solderless connections in a VVT configuration with a more "refined" control cover. Should be fun .

 

[iagtrplyr]

Well, my plan at this point, besides the pick guard and string replacement, is to paint the truss rod cover black or remove it and paint the wood underneath black, if it needs it.

Regarding the tone control cover, I want it darker but before doing anything with it, I want to play with those controls through my Studio 40. If that doesn't get me anywhere, I will make up a new set of controls using solderless connections in a VVT configuration with a more "refined" control cover. Should be fun .

I like that thinking of going with the blackout look at the headstock. It wouldn’t appeal to me with the control panel cover though. That’s why I have yet to do anything about either part.

As for the controls themselves, call me crazy, but aside from having the original Hofner teacup set, I’d rather keep the tonal setup as is because I like it better than the V V T controls of what was my Epi Viola.

The funny thing is when I bought the Viola I thought I’d love the less-nutty way of altering the sound, but when I bought the current Rogue I found myself happier with the “old” tone control layout. I don’t mess with volume anyway, and like the Rhythm/Solo switch for a quick boost. Even the pickup selector offers unique configuration options, should you choose to use them.

It’s your call, SR, make it your own, but I’d give the controls you presently gave a chance to win your heart.

 

[SoulReflection]

I like that thinking of going with the blackout look at the headstock. It wouldn’t appeal to me with the control panel cover though. That’s why I have yet to do anything about either part.

As for the controls themselves, call me crazy, but aside from having the original Hofner teacup set, I’d rather keep the tonal setup as is because I like it better than the V V T controls of what was my Epi Viola.

The funny thing is when I bought the Viola I thought I’d love the less-nutty way of altering the sound, but when I bought the current Rogue I found myself happier with the “old” tone control layout. I don’t mess with volume anyway, and like the Rhythm/Solo switch for a quick boost. Even the pickup selector offers unique configuration options, should you choose to use them.

It’s your call, SR, make it your own, but I’d give the controls you presently gave a chance to win your heart.

That's my plan! Along those lines and, with what you have available, I would love to hear about how your stock Rogue marries with your new VOX for that "tubey" sound. And, if you have the time, A/B the VOX with your Stage 800 using your Rogue. It would be interesting to see how well the Stage does and what settings you used to get the best results (thinking about my Studio 40 ).

Thoughts?

 

[mikewalker]

I bought one of those Rogues from Musicians Friend about twenty years ago, when I was living in New Jersey. I moved to Moscow (Russia) on short notice a few weeks later, and it was the only bass I took with me (along with three guitars). Shortly thereafter, a friend there begged me to sell it to him, and he still gigs with it today. Very serviceable instrument!

 

[micguy]

Yes, that's definitely a nostalgia instrument. NTTAWWT.

 

[iagtrplyr]

I bought one of those Rogues from Musicians Friend about twenty years ago, when I was living in New Jersey. I moved to Moscow (Russia) on short notice a few weeks later, and it was the only bass I took with me (along with three guitars). Shortly thereafter, a friend there begged me to sell it to him, and he still gigs with it today. Very serviceable instrument!

Terrific story, mikewalker. You offer great testimony to why this unobtrusive small scale bass gives ya your money’s worth, no doubt. Soul Reglection is just about to find out!

 

[iagtrplyr]

That's my plan! Along those lines and, with what you have available, I would love to hear about how your stock Rogue marries with your new VOX for that "tubey" sound. And, if you have the time, A/B the VOX with your Stage 800 using your Rogue. It would be interesting to see how well the Stage does and what settings you used to get the best results (thinking about my Studio 40 ).

Thoughts?

SR’s giving me homework! I’m just about to start back at school next week, but I gladly accept your request. Be patient and I will file s Foxy Voxy report and conduct a one-to-one comparison with the new arrival going against the king!

I finally pulled some strings (literally) last night and this morning with both my Rogue and Fender Jazz into the VOX. A band aid on my fretting index finger didn’t help, but I started twirling the chicken-head knobs and pushing the Comp and Drive switches.

The boys are correct, the speaker, like most new ones, needs some loosening up. It may be a while because I don’t play overly loud and will have less time to spend now, but will get there sooner or later. Here are three comments:

1) the combo’s noise level really jumps when the Drive is turned on and increases when you add the Comp. it can be diminished by cutting the highs, but sheesh, it’s hiss-o-mania otherwise.

2) I like the OD as well as either the Rumble or Ampeg BA-series combos. Crank the gain, flick on the Comp SND Drive and the bottom end holds nicely while the grit rides on top. It really sounds good, IMHO, but I’ll use its clean tones more than the overdrive.

3) to me the mark of a good amp is the girth of its tone in the lower register and the sweetness of its tone in the upper register. Though the amp lacks the warmth right now at the low end of the neck, I can already tell it’s got the vibe an octave up and that brought on a smile.

For my initial sound, I turned volume to 3:00 and leaving it alone, while using gain to set the playing volume. I’ve added a little bass to warm it up, though it may get backed off after a while.

At this point, I say the combo has distinct possibilities. The tubey goodness hadn’t reached me yet, but patience is a virtue and the longer it breaks in the more likely it’ll come out.

The two I really want to compare are the VOX and Ampeg 20-watt combo. Dialing eight-inch drivers, yet distinctively different sound. So much too do at the end of the summer!

 

[SoulReflection]

Terrific story, mikewalker. You offer great testimony to why this unobtrusive small scale bass gives ya your money’s worth, no doubt. Soul Reglection is just about to find out!

Soul Reglection?? Wow...you do have a way with words .

 

[SoulReflection]

SR’s giving me homework! I’m just about to start back at school next week, but I gladly accept your request. Be patient and I will file s Foxy Voxy report and conduct a one-to-one comparison with the new arrival going against the king!

I finally pulled some strings (literally) last night and this morning with both my Rogue and Fender Jazz into the VOX. A band aid on my fretting index finger didn’t help, but I started twirling the chicken-head knobs and pushing the Comp and Drive switches.

The boys are correct, the speaker, like most new ones, needs some loosening up. It may be a while because I don’t play overly loud and will have less time to spend now, but will get there sooner or later. Here are three comments:

1) the combo’s noise level really jumps when the Drive is turned on and increases when you add the Comp. it can be diminished by cutting the highs, but sheesh, it’s hiss-o-mania otherwise.

2) I like the OD as well as either the Rumble or Ampeg BA-series combos. Crank the gain, flick on the Comp SND Drive and the bottom end holds nicely while the grit rides on top. It really sounds good, IMHO, but I’ll use its clean tones more than the overdrive.

3) to me the mark of a good amp is the girth of its tone in the lower register and the sweetness of its tone in the upper register. Though the amp lacks the warmth right now at the low end of the neck, I can already tell it’s got the vibe an octave up and that brought on a smile.

For my initial sound, I turned volume to 3:00 and leaving it alone, while using gain to set the playing volume. I’ve added a little bass to warm it up, though it may get backed off after a while.

At this point, I say the combo has distinct possibilities. The tubey goodness hadn’t reached me yet, but patience is a virtue and the longer it breaks in the more likely it’ll come out.

The two I really want to compare are the VOX and Ampeg 20-watt combo. Dialing eight-inch drivers, yet distinctively different sound. So much too do at the end of the summer!

Thanks for the introductory report...too bad you have to go back to work .

 

[iagtrplyr]

Soul Reglection?? Wow...you do have a way with words .

Nope, it’s called too long on my iPhone with self-correcting. That’s why I call ya SR!