Rob Allen Deep vs. F Bass AC Classic?

[Kwesi]

I'm sure that these two basses sound very different and I'm looking for opinions on how they compare. It'll probably be a while before I pick up any more basses but after getting my hands on (and throughly enjoying) and Rob Allen Deep 5, other basses that go for the upright sound have piqued my intrest. The F bass caught my attention because I love the look of it and it more readily comes in a 6 string format (which is what I think I'll stick to for fretless basses from now on). I've never actually gotten my hands on one and don't know of any place in the area where I might be able to try one so I need you guys to help me out .

To be a bit more clear: I'm not necessarily looking for the bass that best imitates and upright but rather how these two compare to each other.

 

[nostatic]

I played the AC Classic at NAMM. And in fact AC was there in the booth when I was checking it out George F is a nice guy and great builder. I played both the piezo only and the piezo/mag setup. They are in the same sonic universe as the RA. A little less "woody" but certainly closer to the RA than any other bass I've played. I actually didn't care for the piezo/mag 5-string. I loved the 4-string piezo though - it was a great instrument. Had a bit more "electric" flavor to it than the RA.

Certainly a great bass. I just ordered a Deep 4 though to accompany my Deep 5. I love the Deeps...

 

[spade2you]

The Deep might not be available as a 6, but the MB2 can be ordered as a 6. Haven't played an F-Bass. I doubt there are any in this neck of the woods.

 

[jvbjr]

I've owned both, albeit a few years back now.

The Deep 5 sounded more like an upright, but was limited to that function.

The AC-6 was not as convincing when heard independently, but had a respectable upright tone and within the mix was fine.

I never tried tape wounds on the AC, so I cannot comment on what % they were the contributing factor.

Someday I hope to have both again.

 

[Kwesi]

Good to hear that the AC Classic is in the same ballpark. Keep the opinions coming guys .

 

[nostatic]

The Deep 5 sounded more like an upright, but was limited to that function.

I strongly disagree. I've used my Deep 5 in straight funk gigs and it killed. Didn't sound at all like an upright. Just depends on how you approach the instrument.

 

[Pop N Fresh]

Really? my deep 5 gave an upright sound when i hooked it up but its fine now

 

[nostatic]

You can certainly get an upright vibe from it, but imho it isn't "limited" to that function.

 

[JxBass]

You can certainly get an upright vibe from it, but imho it isn't "limited" to that function.

Given that Deep 4 and 5 basses have the same tonal qualities, I agree completely

Invalid Link Removed

 

[jvbjr]

If you want versatility go with the AC. It will provide a range of tones from an upright to nearly a Buzz.

The Deep was more upright sounding, by design. While you could brighten it up for more tones, it was not meant to give that Manring, Mark Egan or Kim Stone singing mwah.

It all depends on what you are seeking.

 

[78Jazzlover]

Hands down, RA. More upright- like tone and easier to play and hold. That for much less $$.

 

[rodneyat]

That's my take on it. If you consistently look for a more upright tone. The RA is the way to go. If you want more flexibility..the AC is a beast!

Last thing...If price is an issue at all...I am sure you have seen. You have to take out a second mortgage on your house for the AC.

If you want versatility go with the AC. It will provide a range of tones from an upright to nearly a Buzz.

The Deep was more upright sounding, by design. While you could brighten it up for more tones, it was not meant to give that Manring, Mark Egan or Kim Stone singing mwah.

It all depends on what you are seeking.

 

[nostatic]

If you want versatility go with the AC. It will provide a range of tones from an upright to nearly a Buzz.

The Deep was more upright sounding, by design. While you could brighten it up for more tones, it was not meant to give that Manring, Mark Egan or Kim Stone singing mwah.

It all depends on what you are seeking.

The last line is true. While I didn't spend much time with the AC, I didn't immediately hear anything close to a mwah like my Zons got - different beast. With the Deep it has little to do with "brightening" the tone - it is taming the massive low end and dialing up some mids. Easily done with a good compressor and/or something like a Paradriver. Since both the AC and the RA are single piezo and have bass/treble boost/cut I'm not sure how the AC is magically that much more flexible than the RA. Not trying to be argumentative, but piezo basses tend to be voiced a certain way and that is what you've got to work with. Unless there are some eq tricks or another pup, you're not going to get radical shifts in tone.

Don't get me wrong - I was impressed by the AC that I played (the 4-string at least - the 5-string mag/piezo didn't thrill me). But not enough to spend $1500 more over a Deep 4.

And there are a whole host of tones in between "upright" and "Manring" that people might want

 

[Thombas]

I've never played the AC, but just want to add, that the RA is MUCH more versatile than you'd think. It's so incredibly sensitive and responsive to just slight adjustments in how you play it, that you can coax so many more tones out of it, than you immediately think when seeing such a "simple" design. So it's not JUST a one tick pony, that'll get you close to an upright - it's also a funk machine

 

[J.Wolf]

This is an interesting comparo.. I love the RA Deep basses, and I own an AC6, but not a classic series.

Versatility wise, the AC offers more variability in tone, but it also doesn't quite deliver the acoustic warmth that the Deep does, at any setting that I know of. It does however deliver an incredibly wide range of amazing fretless tones, and having only one fretless, this is definitely the one for me. Again, this is an AC, not an AC classic.

Aesthetically/build quality/playability wise, they are both absolutely top notch. Obviously quite different in vibe, but equally stunning in terms of execution.

The question is: would the mag pickup be important to you? I believe Rob will do a Deep 6 with a mag pickup, but it'll likely be closer in cost than you think (with the upcharges for 6 string and a mag pickup added in) to the AC classic series. I wouldnt be surprised if the cost difference is less than it would seem, given Robs standard prices.

 

[nostatic]

This is an interesting comparo.. I love the RA Deep basses, and I own an AC6, but not a classic series.

Versatility wise, the AC offers more variability in tone, but it also doesn't quite deliver the acoustic warmth that the Deep does, at any setting that I know of. It does however deliver an incredibly wide range of amazing fretless tones, and having only one fretless, this is definitely the one for me. Again, this is an AC, not an AC classic.

Key point here - AC classic vs AC. Perhaps this is the point of confusion. I played the AC Classic at NAMM, and that was what the OP asked about. The AC is a different instrument.

 

[J.Wolf]

Key point here - AC classic vs AC. Perhaps this is the point of confusion. I played the AC Classic at NAMM, and that was what the OP asked about. The AC is a different instrument.

+1, its definitely a different creature. Given some of the other attributes like build quality, playability etc... I thought given proper disclosure, it was worth mentioning.

Maybe tom7 will chime in, he's a happy AC6 classic owner.

 

[JxBass]

While my D4 is quite customized and as a result doesn't have the traditional Deep tone, it has much more of a "guitar" sound than my MB-2 that is customized in exactly the same way.