Rob Allen MB-2. Ramp, Labellas, Demo.

[Bonafide]

Rob Allen MB-2 Ramp, Labellas And Demo.

Made a ramp for the MB-2 this weekend. Labor of love and need, this was 1 " block glued together! I used a vibrating palm sander…for 3 hours as it's all I had available where I was. Fresh set of La Bella Deep Talkin' Black Nylon Flats…' A nice piece of ebony, burnished glass smooth. Comfortable difference for sure.

Edit: quick demo with some chorus and verb (Yamaha PB1 Direct) While not an active fretless player or an acoustic player right now, the MB-2 has a lot of forgiveness for both. It's a bit of an enigma of a bass for me. Have a great week ya'll, RG

Private link:

 

[tedw]

Nice work!

 

[Bonafide]

Nice work!

Thanks Ted! Enjoyable difference to have a finger rest on this bass!

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Nice! If I may ask, how did you attach the ramp to the top? I've been wanting to put an ebony ramp on my Mouse for a long time, but didn't want to make a permanent mark on the top if I could help it. Have you found a way, or is this a permanent installation?

 

[Bonafide]

Hey Chris...no problem! Its super thin low adhesive double sided craft tape. Pull right off if need be, cleans up in a sec. No damage and it stay for years. I use the same tape for the no hole pickguards and other ramps. Cheers, RG

https://www.amazon.com/Double-Sided...ocphy=9028312&hvtargid=pla-390461580861&psc=1

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Thank you! I think you just inspired me to give this a shot. If you don't mind another question or two:

- how did you decided where you wanted to put the ramp on the bridge to neck axis of the bass?

- perhaps more importantly, how did you decide on the height of the ramp to give your fingers the right depth of touch when playing?

 

[Bonafide]

Thank you! I think you just inspired me to give this a shot. If you don't mind another question or two:

- how did you decided where you wanted to put the ramp on the bridge to neck axis of the bass?

It's my pleasure. As far as placement, it was pure feel. I put it where I thought I wanted it, and just moved and adjusted till it was comfortable. That MB-2 had a FLAT body, so it was easy to experiment. Since all of the tone/output comes from the piezo bridge pressure, there was no tonal interference as far as placement.

- perhaps more importantly, how did you decide on the height of the ramp to give your fingers the right depth of touch when playing?

I used the neck as my starting reference as far as height and radius. I generally think of ramps like a pickup extension. I made one for my JP-2 as well (2 of them actually) Since I shaped the radius by hand, it was close at best but very comfortable! It really did add a new level of joy to the bass.

 

[Bonafide]

 

[nonohmic]

Beautiful sound, beautiful playing!

 

[Vodyanoi]

It came out amazing, great job! I also spent about the same amount of time building mine. View media item 22177

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Very nice! So the wood doesn't interfere with the pickup signal?