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R Basses

#101
lamarjones said:
No idea, is that what you mean by all over the place with electronics? :smug: I aksed about it, he really digs it and says its kinda cross from east and audere, but no idea what that means. I should try and find out....
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Yup....that pretty much makes my point. ;)

I just emailed him about the bass. I've got a Smith but it's just not working for me in most contexts.
 
#103
I am sending Ray my sc5 this week to get some refinishing, tweaking and updating. My bass currently has bartolini pickups and preamp and I'm getting him to put in Nordstrand single coils and the McKeen preamp. I'll let you know when I get it back. Ray seems convinced.
 
#104
I think that brown (imbuya?) DC looks pretty good. I like Ray's new shapes...I agree that the last SC shape was a little cooler. He is trying alot of stuff out right now aesthetically. Still, I kind of wish Ray had standardized his basses a bit more for a slicker presentation.

edit, one thought: I think there is alot to be said for devloping a proprietary set of pickups and a proprietary preamp in addition to a standard body shape. When I think of the most successful bass "brands" they typically have a standardized look and sound that has been achieved with all of those things.

The R-Basses are great, but I'll ask this question... What do they sound like? :)
 
#106
Wilbyman said:
edit, one thought: I think there is alot to be said for devloping a proprietary set of pickups and a proprietary preamp in addition to a standard body shape. When I think of the most successful bass "brands" they typically have a standardized look and sound that has been achieved with all of those things.

The R-Basses are great, but I'll ask this question... What do they sound like? :)
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You know, one thing Ray has been trying to get me to push for over the years is to go passive. He loves the Nordstrand pups, don't really see him doing that much different out of there, some barts and what not. I think its a sales thing that has him putting in preamps on everything, be real, I dont' think many of us would consider the time of day without a preamp in those basses.

WHICH, you remember me asking you about changing out the haz lab in my r bass? I have just been playing it passive for a while now.
 
#107
lamarjones said:
You know, one thing Ray has been trying to get me to push for over the years is to go passive. He loves the Nordstrand pups, don't really see him doing that much different out of there, some barts and what not. I think its a sales thing that has him putting in preamps on everything, be real, I dont' think many of us would consider the time of day without a preamp in those basses.

WHICH, you remember me asking you about changing out the haz lab in my r bass? I have just been playing it passive for a while now.
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Hey Leo...I'm with you on passive basses 100%! I find the Nordy PU's work especially well passive. I know Ray likes a passive setup and I have seen him put out numerous passive basses. I wish he would just do "that" if that's what he believes is best, but I also understand your point on consumer tastes.

I know one of the 4's I've had was originally passive with Nordies...until Power put a U-Retro in it...sigh....
 
#110
emjazz said:
I'm appreciating passive more and more as well. I can see why Ray is digging it...but truly, most bass players look for a preamp after a certain price point.
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My R fretless came passive. I thought how cool. It had a really nice sound but i found myself hungry for more impact on both the low and the high.

Installed an Audere with stacked pots to avoid drilling.

Sound got super punchy. Lots more control. I think Im just predisposed to a more "modern" sound.

Rbassfullw.gif
 
#111
I agree, I personally like a more modern tone. On basses this nice I believe we want "OUR" tailored sound or a multi-purpose bass with flexibilty for different styles. That is the purpose for the mixing of different woods, and all the different options. These type of basses are creative works of art and "architecture". Form and function that meet our needs as bass players. A custom instrument in every sense of the word. Passive or active, tone, neck profile and cosmetics should be our choice when we comission the instrument; quality, set-up, construction, wood selection (for tone), design, and experience is what the luthier brings. A "custom" bass should be our needs met from our luthiers guidance and ability.
Nice bass by the way.
 
#112
Mr. Majestic said:
Form and function that meet our needs as bass players. A custom instrument in every sense of the word. Passive or active, tone, neck profile and cosmetics should be our choice when we comission the instrument A "custom" bass should be our needs met from our luthiers guidance and ability. Nice bass by the way.
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I'm the original owner of the above fretless bass. I got the bass exactly as I ordered. The best solid body fretless I ever owned!, but I prefer 35" scale, so I'm waiting for my new Rbass order now.
 
#113
Wilbyman said:
I know one of the 4's I've had was originally passive with Nordies...until Power put a U-Retro in it...sigh....
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....and it sounded like poo until I did!!! :D Really, I didn't think that bass had any cajones. I didn't like the U-Retro, though. Total overkill, IMO. I wish I had put an Aggie 3 band in there, but I don't think it would have saved that bass...the mahogany body was really too scoopy sounding for me.

I'm waiting (and waiting...and waiting) on my new 33" scale 4 in ash/maple with a pearloid guard. Hoping this one rings my bell! It's done, and he has the pickups. I'm just waiting for him to wire 'em in and ship it to me.
 
#114
jacochops said:
....and it sounded like poo until I did!!! :D Really, I didn't think that bass had any cajones. I didn't like the U-Retro, though. Total overkill, IMO. I wish I had put an Aggie 3 band in there, but I don't think it would have saved that bass...the mahogany body was really too scoopy sounding for me.

I'm waiting (and waiting...and waiting) on my new 33" scale 4 in ash/maple with a pearloid guard. Hoping this one rings my bell! It's done, and he has the pickups. I'm just waiting for him to wire 'em in and ship it to me.
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LOL, pass me what you're smoking Power!!!! I actually liked that heavy-ish mahogany body, it was pretty thunderous. OBP-3 though, seriously...whassa matta with you boy? :rollno: :p

Can't wait to hear about the new one!!!

W
 
#116
Mikey D said:
After a long time of telling myself I don't need a new bass (But I really do), I have decided that a singlecut 5 is what i want, but as a music student can't afford a fodera. Out of all the singlecut 5s out there, the r basses and wood and tronics are coming up tops.

What's the going rate for a used 5 string R bass?
Do they hold their value well?
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To to www.thelowend.net

They have one used right now and it's one of Ray's newer basses...
 
#119
that buckeye one at the lowend is freakin sweet.

to be honest, the value will drop a little, a bass like that new if probably right over 3gs. But that bass will probably have some itnerested buyers on the down the road, and the nordtrand audere combo is something he likes, and something people in general seem to dig as well, per TB forums.
 

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