Interesting... the ones I played, with those single coil 'strip' pickups were quite shallow sounding, and I don't even remember a preamp in those basses! I just remember I didn't dig it at all.
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PRS Gary Grainger Sig Bass (Private Stock)
- Thread starter Hansomatic
- Start date
Interesting... the ones I played, with those single coil 'strip' pickups were quite shallow sounding, and I don't even remember a preamp in those basses! I just remember I didn't dig it at all.
I played one unamplified at the PRS booth at the Creation Festival last summer. It was a custom shop model with a 10k pricetag.
They understandably weren't letting anyone play it, but my lovely wife told them I was a good bassist, so they let me try it.
I was very impressed with the set-up. The action was the lowest playable height I've ever seen on a bass. Sounded reasonably good unplugged, but the low action didn't let the notes "speak" clearly.
One of the acts had a bass destroyed in the tour truck, so the PRS guys let the bass player borrow it. It looked fantastic on the giant screens at the Gorge at George, but The bass sound was muddled a lot by the outdoor PA. (this happened to all the acts, not just the one with the borrowed PRS).
From what I could tell, the bass had a bit of a MusicMan vibe to it. hard to tell though... maybe that was how I expected it to sound due to the humbucker PUs. Kinda listening with my eyes, i guess.
Overall, it was a nice bass, and should be for the money. Would I buy one if I had an extra 10 grand burning a hole in my pocket? Nope. I'd get a Stingray 5, a Markbass amp, and a used Toyota Camry!
oyo
They understandably weren't letting anyone play it, but my lovely wife told them I was a good bassist, so they let me try it.
I was very impressed with the set-up. The action was the lowest playable height I've ever seen on a bass. Sounded reasonably good unplugged, but the low action didn't let the notes "speak" clearly.
One of the acts had a bass destroyed in the tour truck, so the PRS guys let the bass player borrow it. It looked fantastic on the giant screens at the Gorge at George, but The bass sound was muddled a lot by the outdoor PA. (this happened to all the acts, not just the one with the borrowed PRS).
From what I could tell, the bass had a bit of a MusicMan vibe to it. hard to tell though... maybe that was how I expected it to sound due to the humbucker PUs. Kinda listening with my eyes, i guess.
Overall, it was a nice bass, and should be for the money. Would I buy one if I had an extra 10 grand burning a hole in my pocket? Nope. I'd get a Stingray 5, a Markbass amp, and a used Toyota Camry!
oyo
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,350
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
See, that's the weird thing about these basses...they play like Mofos. While mine was in steady rotation, I repeatedly had players tell me how amazing the action was. I even had guitar players tell me they wish they could get their action that low without buzzing.
There are actually 3 different production generations of basses. The late 80's & early 90's ones, ones from just pre-2k, which had no pre-amp then ones like mine, with a pre-amp.
Mine supposedly listed new for $2200 (its a 2001). I paid 800ish for it new at a shop in 2004ish. I can say that it certainly doesn't have the appointments of a $2K bass, but it plays like one.
There are actually 3 different production generations of basses. The late 80's & early 90's ones, ones from just pre-2k, which had no pre-amp then ones like mine, with a pre-amp.
Mine supposedly listed new for $2200 (its a 2001). I paid 800ish for it new at a shop in 2004ish. I can say that it certainly doesn't have the appointments of a $2K bass, but it plays like one.
That would definitely add to the value!
If I had 10K for basses I'd call Roger and then spend the leftover 6K on a bunch of fly rods!
That would definitely add to the value!
If I had 10K for basses I'd call Roger and then spend the leftover 6K on a bunch of fly rods!
id call roger then id call carey
routasydän;5496046 said:You just need to buy more expensive car then
uh... i only own one bass that was less expensive than my car.
granted, i only paid 700 for the thing (the car, not the bass)
so what can you do?
I had access to a a PRS bass back in the 80's when I was in the Air Force Band. I was one of 4 bass players and none of us wanted that bass. I played Fender a J-bass, another guy played a Fender-P, and two other guys played Ibanez Musicans. But I have heard Gary play his signature bass and it/he sounds awesome. But I'm sure he would be great on any bass!!
Well, I'm on a business trip and haven't received it yet but I'll certainly weigh in on the thoughts after Ive played it. I'll be pumping through and SVT-VR head. I'll connect through an SVT 610, an SVT single 15", and I'll pipe it through an Avalon U5 too (as a preamp gain only) - to see how that impacts the overall tone while in passive mode.
Some of us have been dumping on the PRS basses, but I just want to reiterate that I've never played this model. While the pricing seems kind of crazy, it looks like an amazing instrument, and very different from the older model and the newer standard models that I've played and that most of us are commenting on. It looks killer.
I hope it's a good one for you!
K
MikeBass
Supporting Member
- Nov 4, 2003
- 11,943
- 3,140
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist- Suhr basses, PedalTrain, GHS, Ultimate Ears
That would definitely add to the value!
If I had 10K for basses I'd call Roger and then spend the leftover 6K on a bunch of fly rods!
First I'd call Roger, then Cary and then place my order with Jimmy (Alleva Coppolo)!!!
The "new" PRS basses I played......... Nice to look at.....but that what happens when a guitar player designs a bass.
Ok... so the bass showed up and looks the business but it didn't feel nearly as solid as my Smith basses. The fit and finish was nice too but Smith basses just exude quality and lifetime ownership.
The push/pull volume knob was making REAL loud popping noises so I sent it back to PRS. Shawn Nuthall (Cust Service Manager) is an incredible guy with a big heart. They are upgrading the switch with zero hassle.
While it's there, I am having a properly radiused brazilian rosewood ramp installed by the guys in the Private Stock shop. When it gets back, I'll install some round-wound Smith medium's (nickel) and have the brass nut cut to fit. I am seriously considering having it PLEK'd.
I'll share some tonal samples and updated photos when it's done.
The push/pull volume knob was making REAL loud popping noises so I sent it back to PRS. Shawn Nuthall (Cust Service Manager) is an incredible guy with a big heart. They are upgrading the switch with zero hassle.
While it's there, I am having a properly radiused brazilian rosewood ramp installed by the guys in the Private Stock shop. When it gets back, I'll install some round-wound Smith medium's (nickel) and have the brass nut cut to fit. I am seriously considering having it PLEK'd.
I'll share some tonal samples and updated photos when it's done.
I guess I don't understand the joke.Looks like nothing special. PRS are living in a dream world. Are you feeling sleepy?
WOW I am just speechless. I bought this PRS magazine at Barnes and Noble. Lots of pretty guitars. I noticed the Gary Grainger model. One of the sweetest looking basses I have ever seen. The mag came with a DVD. I watched the video and listend to all the endorsers talk about PRS and how they really support its user base. Ok fair enough. I call PRS to get info on the bass. All they could tell me was to go to a dealer. So much for user support. I contact the dealer they tell me they have none in stock and probably never will! ***? I call PRS and asked if I can drive all the way down from NYC to Maryland just to play the bass. They tell me sorry they have none in stock and that this bass is only made if ordered. So then I find out from dealer that this bass cost just shy of 9 grand!!!! ***!!!!!!!!
Ok so its clear PRS is clueless and this magazine I bought is just a bunch of hot air with nice looking guitar photos. How can you try to market a bass that no one can demo then try to sell it for 9k. Sorry guys you really need a wake up call. I think Ken Smith and Fodera will pay a lot more attention to me and will at least make me feel very good about spending 6k on a bass. PRS I hope your reading this. Grab a clue guys. I cant tell you how disapointed I am with PRS right now. I really had high hopes for this bass. But the lack of customer focus and price tag is not a good way to get 9k from anyone.
Regards,
Ricardo Rodriguez
Ok so its clear PRS is clueless and this magazine I bought is just a bunch of hot air with nice looking guitar photos. How can you try to market a bass that no one can demo then try to sell it for 9k. Sorry guys you really need a wake up call. I think Ken Smith and Fodera will pay a lot more attention to me and will at least make me feel very good about spending 6k on a bass. PRS I hope your reading this. Grab a clue guys. I cant tell you how disapointed I am with PRS right now. I really had high hopes for this bass. But the lack of customer focus and price tag is not a good way to get 9k from anyone.
Regards,
Ricardo Rodriguez
I think PRS makes a great guitar (or at least used to, can't attest to the newer models - I have a Custom 22, quilted 10 top, bird inlays, etc that I bought around '94).
However, never been impressed by ANY PRS bass that I have tried.
Later
Rob
However, never been impressed by ANY PRS bass that I have tried.
Later
Rob
I have an early PRS Bass 4 and it's not a bad bass at all. The preamp doesn't give much in the way of versatility, but it does give you the ability to get a very big, warm, yet clean tone from a few of the settings. Interesting tone and understandably well suited to reggae, IMO. It plays really well, though I'm not a huge fan of the f/board radius, preferring vintage Fender specs.
It sounds fine in passive mode, but makes a loud pop when switching over.
Sorry for the high-jack.
It sounds fine in passive mode, but makes a loud pop when switching over.
Sorry for the high-jack.
$10 grand?!?! (we need an icon spitting coffee all over the screen) I could probably get 3 CB basses and still have some change left over. Gonna be really hard to sell that sort of bass with very few people having played one or are crazy enough to pay that kind of cash without playing. With their lack of reputation in the bass world, I couldn't justify their basses at 1/2 the price.
If they were the price of a regular boutique(however regular boutique gets), they'd probably be worth it, and they do look amazing, the clip of Gary Grainger playing one sounds great, but man, not a chance as is.
