Rob Allen folks: Longer scale "mouse-ish" bass?

[Chris Fitzgerald]

I'll try to keep it brief: I'm pretty much retired as a pro BG player and only play DB now. I recently went on a tour out of country where I struggled a bit with the instruments I was able to borrow, and was considering traveling with a lined fretless as a backup for when I can't find an instrument I can get a sound on. I once owned a beautiful Rob Allen Mouse and loved it, but there were 2 problems I had with it:
1) it sounded like a DB on steroids, and if I wanted that sound, it was easier to just "steroid up" the DB pickup signal and play my real instrument
2) the scale was very short, and I didn't have much in the way of upper range to solo in (even less than in thumb position on DB)

I'm currently researching travel bass options, and while I may go with a removable neck DB, I'm also curious to find out if Mr. Allen makes anything like a longer scale Mouse (or maybe a 5 string with a high C?) with that same basic sound in a lined fretless. I'm pretty sure I could get a flight case for that and use it as a backup if my other plan doesn't work out. Thanks!

 

[Robert Strickland]

This is a 34 inch scale bass:[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

That new Deep 4 might also be a 34 in scale. But I would consider a RN Eminence (full 41.5) or a Yamaha Silent. But if you are specifically looking for a guitar, one of those two might do it.

 

[Thombas]

Yes he does, as pointed out above! And the MB-2 is great instrument. I have never tried a mouse, so I can't compare re. the upper range for solo, but I can surely say, that the upper range on the MB2 is very inspiring (I have a 5-string mb2). About the steroid-thing, well, you can never get it to sound like a DB. Maybe it's just my ears playing a trick, but I find that the volume control also affects the tone somehow: I hear the overall tone as more relaxed when I turn down the volume of the bass, and compensate on the amp instead. The output is VERY hot.

 

[Christian Houmann]

I like the mouse too but feels the short scale is to short for me

The is a 32 scale fretless 4 in the classifieds now

You can also control on the output on the bass by turning it down. I really dig mine


I also have a fretted 33 scale and Deep 5 34 scale on it's way

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Thombas - good to know! The bit about the volume control makes perfect sense, and mirrors my experience with input gain from my regular piezo picup.

Hou - Nice vid, and nice playing! Is that you? If so, I assume that's the MB-2. If so, what's the scale, and what's the highest note on the G string? That doesn't sound exactly like a DB, but it's a sound I could easily work with in a group on the road - certainly more easily than some of the loaners DB players can end up with.

So now I'm wondering 2 things: where can a person go to play these basses? I know they'e all made to order, but I'm not sure my wife would be crazy about me dropping $2-3K on a hunch just to take a test drive. Also, does anyone know if he ever makes those 5's with a high C? It's an intriguing prospect for an instrument with a voice as distinctively melodic as these basses have.

 

[Christian Houmann]

Jep! That's me Thanks

I just got this fretted 5 a week ago! It's 10 years old and I found it a bassnw.com and grab is right away without trying it! I live in Denmark but Rob basses is truly amazing!

My coming Deep 5 fretless will have a high C as well

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Fantastic! Would love to hear that high C on the fretless 5 when it arrives.

 

[Thombas]

Thombas - good to know! The bit about the volume control makes perfect sense, and mirrors my experience with input gain from my regular piezo picup.

Hou - Nice vid, and nice playing! Is that you? If so, I assume that's the MB-2. If so, what's the scale, and what's the highest note on the G string? That doesn't sound exactly like a DB, but it's a sound I could easily work with in a group on the road - certainly more easily than some of the loaners DB players can end up with.

So now I'm wondering 2 things: where can a person go to play these basses? I know they'e all made to order, but I'm not sure my wife would be crazy about me dropping $2-3K on a hunch just to take a test drive. Also, does anyone know if he ever makes those 5's with a high C? It's an intriguing prospect for an instrument with a voice as distinctively melodic as these basses have.

Well, you're more than welcome to try mine out - but it's a heck of a drive from Louisville, Kentucky
Maybe you can find someone a little closer in the dedicated RA thread:

http://www.talkbass.com/threads/show-us-your-rob-allen-basses-part-iv.1020282/page-6

Living where I do, I bought mine "trying without buying", but based on a gut feeling that it would do what I needed.
Good luck!

 

[asbs]

Rob build Mouse 5 with a hight C.
That could be the thing for you.

 

[swingbass]

A couple thoughts. I suggest you email Rob directly with questions. He is usually very responsive. Also, there is a store in Nashville called Corner Music that usually has an MB2 in stock. That's a reasonable drive for you. Call them and ask first. BTW, I just bought a used Deep 5. I love it.

 

[Groove Doctor]

An RA MB-2 or Deep 5 string lined FL with high C sounds like your thing.

Carvin AC40 or AC50, and Godin A4 or A5 should be considered too. Plus, check out Takamine B10 or TB10 for something different.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Now I just need to find a mouse with a high C to play - probably impossible to do since there won't be many out there, but that sounds like a prefect solution for travel, and like an amazing instrument to have around for fun.

For those who have played both, is there a serious difference in string tension between the Mouse and the longer scale basses? As a DB player, my only real issue with the mouse was trying to adjust to the low tension of the strings, but to be fair I have that issue with most electric basses and I was never able to get the mouse a custom setup to give it a little more clearance.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

I've owned several fretless bass guitars including a Mouse, a Godin A4 and a Wendler electroCoustic. The only one that communicated in the same big satisfying way the double bass does for me was the Azola Deco archtop ABG which you are not likely to find. Despite its looks the Tak B10 is a very heavily built, electric sounding instrument that cost-wise is well into the laminated removable neck DB ballpark....as would be a Deco.

Chris Brubeck cops a decent DB thang with his old fretless Rickenbacker slab but Ronan Guilfoyle with a flat top fretless ABG sporting a long discontinued Fishman pickup really nails it.