RA trio: Deep5 vs Solid4 vs Mouse-f

Had a jazz gig this weekend and I decided to take all three and swap around. I've had some PMs asking about sound (especially of the Solid4), so I humbly submit a few youtube videos. The usual caveats: this was an onboard mic for the camcorder, I was using house backline with no FOH, and it was a party celebrating the vocalist's wedding so there is plenty of ambient sound. But it gives some indication of how the three sit in a mix.

Deep5:


I think there is an inherent "RA sound," but mag certainly isn't the same as piezo. One of my favorite aspects is that the heaviest bass of the bunch is a tad over 7lbs

 

To me the S4 sounds like a P-bass - but a really sweet P-bass.

One thing that is true about Rob's instruments - when you play them you can feel the body vibrating, and that includes the S4. Not just a little, but a lot. I've compared them with my Zons and with other Fenders, etc. They have more resonant bodies. I could chalk that up to chambering on the D5 and Mouse, but the S4 has it too. I believe Rob would argue though that a bit chunk of the tone is coming from the neck so that makes a difference and he has tight neck pockets and on the S4, quartersawn maple (and this has Brazilian rw). Just a very well composed combination of factors to get the RA sound. They certainly won't get every tone in the book, but the inherent sound is so good that it'll support a lot of different styles. ime/imho