NBD- Jeff Berlin Rithimic

[woodyng2]

Do these also have ultra narrow necks? My Peavey Palaedium had a 1.4” nut, and a very flat 14” radius, and the neck didn’t widen much towards the bridge. Other than the fact it gave my left hand fits to play it, I really loved the quality and sound of that bass.
Your bass is gorgeous, and I kinda liked the (thankfully easily reversible) newpaper mod.

 

[RWRLV]

Score! Best of luck with it. I have wanted to try one of these out but have not physically come across any. I did own a Dean JB model but found the neck just too thin for my style. I have also always been curious about his Peavey model. I would assume they are all similar to some extent.

 

[thrashingbass]

Most of the time he is misunderstood, and couldn't care less to explain the proper context, which is learning music.
When you learn music, either from reading or listening, you're supposed to find where the notes are on your instrument, and then decide how to move efficiently from one note to the next.
What he meant to say is do not rush to practise with the metronome, until you really know where the notes are and how to move between them.
That's it.

Not a Jeff Berlin hater myself. But why blame people for misunderstanding this, when it definitely has been coming across the wrong way for years? Isn't it wiser to just state "know well the notes which are to be played before even turning on the metronome"? The apparent disconnect between words and intentions is so confusing.

To be truthful, there are a few people who dislike metronomes to avoid "mechanical" performance even in classical circles, but it's just a tool after all, and one of many means to an end, not the end. I do not use it all the time myself. You use it well, and it will likely help-use it indiscriminately and without much thought, and it may get in the way. It is *not* needed to play music well, in rhythm, and with beautiful phrasing, but it also isn't necessarily an impediment towards those goals; you can cut yourself with a sharp cooking knife, but that doesn't mean its meant to-and can only-hurt you.

Even if he disagrees with me, I have no reason to hate Mr. Berlin, and am sorry if it came across that way. Only mentioned this in regards of the initial joke about the bass, karma, and metronomes, which I did find funny. Much due respect.

 

[GrowlerBox]

Most of the time he is misunderstood, and couldn't care less to explain the proper context, which is learning music.
When you learn music, either from reading or listening, you're supposed to find where the notes are on your instrument, and then decide how to move efficiently from one note to the next.
What he meant to say is do not rush to practise with the metronome, until you really know where the notes are and how to move between them.
That's it.

Right, and then once you do know, really know, where the notes are and how to get from one to the next efficiently (i.e. you’ve practised) you won’t need the metronome when the time comes to perform (even if that performance is just for yourself in your bedroom ). At least, that’s my take. The primary distinction is between learning/practice and performance, and in Berlin’s view, metronomes are detrimental to the first by distracting from the real purpose of learning, and unnecessary to the second, unless a click is required for the isolated recording of separate tracks, for example.

Anyway, those seem to be great basses, and I’d like one myself one day. Congrats to the OP.

 

[Snibborwocky]

I don't have GAS for very many basses these days but I've been very low key wanting one of his signature models ever since his days at Dean and it kinda kicked in stronger when the patchwork top version came out. Some think it's ugly with the mismatched top woods all over the place but I found it very artsy and interestingly different. The Cort model is just the same way although a little less crazy but I haven't heard anything bad about them since they were put into production. It's still on my "if I ever have disposable income" list.

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

I either saw that exact bass for sale before, or that "newspaper mod" was done by multiple people. I remember seeing it when shopping around and thinking it was a pretty cool idea. I actually thought it was a special edition or something.

I saw it on Reverb and it had only been posted for a few days.

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

Nice score... Had the old dean version years ago. Wish they would make a version without the split top and black hardware...

I had one too, many years ago. It was solid purple and the only identity was the truss rod cover that said, 'Jeff Berlin'. It might have been his model, or someone might have just stuck that on aftermarket. If I remember correctly, I bought it on a Deal Of The Day from MF or SW for $200.
It was dead quiet, no buzz or static when you weren't playing. It was an exceptional bass, especially at that price.

Our singer at the time liked it because of the color. She'd send me an email telling to 'bring the purple bass' to the gig, because it would match what she was wearing that night. And of course, I complied.
Divas.

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

Do these also have ultra narrow necks?

Nut= 1 1/2"
12th Fret= 2"
Last Fret= 2 1/4"

I don't know how to measure the neck radius, but it's certainly not a ball bat. Thinner than the Ric I own.
Pretty easy to play.

 

[pluki7]

Not a Jeff Berlin hater myself. But why blame people for misunderstanding this, when it definitely has been coming across the wrong way for years? Isn't it wiser to just state "know well the notes which are to be played before even turning on the metronome"? The apparent disconnect between words and intentions is so confusing.

I think it's a flaw in his character, and the man himself has given hints about it many times. I mean he even admits going to therapy for it.