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Show us the Rob Allen basses!
- Thread starter spade2you
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Very nice Mouse 30. I almost think yours may have been cut from the same block as mine.
Interesting to see the original chuck of wood! Thanks for sharing that. I think you're probably right.
Your Mouse 30 looks really great. Without fretlines, how hard was it for you to solidify your intonation? Even though violinists pull this off with even shorter scales, I was concerned enough to get fretlines on the Mouse.
I was a little nervous when I ordered it since I had only played 35" scale fretless basses at the time. I'm kinda odd in the sense that my fingerboards are unlined, but I have every position dotted. My first fretless was purchased used and it was set up like that, so I learned like that and continue ordering them like that. After I got the Mouse 30, I learned that my dot pattern came in really handy since I'm constantly switching between 35" scale basses and the 30" scale Mouse 30. I think I had my MB2 for about a year or so before I purchased the Mouse 30, but it really didn't take much time to adjust. Your window of intonation may be a tad smaller, but the warmth and lack of treble tends to mask the milder flaws in your intonation.
I have to say, Spade, your Mouse is stearing my decision process. Its a beauty. (Incase, you haven't seen my thread, I'm deciding between a MB-2 and a Mouse) Yes, I'm a fan of unlined fingerboards. Scale is an issue for me in that 1. I'm a big guy and I'm worried that such a small instrument I'll be mistaken for (gasp) a guitar player. 2. Potentially, I could be doubling between this and a DB. So going between 41 scale and 30 could confuse the fingers. I'm more of a "every other position" marked on the side.
I realize I probably don't need all the dots and I don't look at them most of the time, but it's comforting to know they're there and I give 'em a quick glance when I switch between scale lengths. So, sounds like the regular dot scheme would work for ya.
As for the size issue, I can't help ya there. As stated in the other thread, I'm a pint sized bassist, so it almost looks like a normal bass on me. I wouldn't think intonation would be that difficult.
Still, there's always the option of an MB2 with some bassier woods if you're not going to get a 5 string. Subsequently, my 6 that I have on order will have an 1/2 ash and 1/2 alder body, with ash on the bass side to make the B sound solid and alder on the treble side to warm it up. Will it work? Probably won't know until I get it, but no harm in trying, eh?
hey sam, what top are you getting on the "bipolar" six? also will it have your signature thumbrest?
Rob had a one piece figured/burled redwood top. Rob told me it would be from the same chunk o' this. Negative on the thumb rest on this one.
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In Shibuya? That's where I first saw a Rob Allen.I played a great Mouse in Tokyo. Didn't buy it since if I was going to get a Mouse, I'd just contact Rob and work one up.
Bass shopping is fun in Japan, though
Sure is a great place to shop gear and this thread continues to be a GAS inducer.
In Shibuya? That's where I first saw a Rob Allen.
Sure is a great place to shop gear and this thread continues to be a GAS inducer.
Yup. I was with a friend who spoke Japanese and apparently they're the only dealer in Tokyo (not sure about Japan) for Rob Allen basses. They had about 3 or 4 at the time. The store is like the 5th or 6th floor of one of the chains if I remember correctly and the room has many high end (and cool) basses.
Overall, while shopping is cool in Japan, I found a lot of it to be more of the Guitar Center experience: cheap new stuff, but finding good used stuff was not as easy.
But that's for another thread ...
amazing photo set: from big freakin' log to Rob Allen Mouse.
Fellow named Dan Ratner (not sure if he's a TB'er). Hope he doesnt mind the post. His business seems to be finding rare woods. http://danofalltrades.com/
In this photo set he tracks his finding of a huge bastogne walnut log, sawing, drying and subsequent transformation to a sweet lefty Rob Allen Mouse.
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Fellow named Dan Ratner (not sure if he's a TB'er). Hope he doesnt mind the post. His business seems to be finding rare woods. http://danofalltrades.com/
In this photo set he tracks his finding of a huge bastogne walnut log, sawing, drying and subsequent transformation to a sweet lefty Rob Allen Mouse.
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Wow, that's pretty impressive! I should be getting a raw materials photo sometime soon from Rob.
YO! Richnota!
...just done listening to your band, and enjoyed every second of it, thanks for the link!!!
(sorry to derail)
BTW fantastic basses everyone.
...just done listening to your band, and enjoyed every second of it, thanks for the link!!!
(sorry to derail)
BTW fantastic basses everyone.
I was told at the time I bought mine (below) that it was a rare red wood of some kind, and therefore a limited edition. ?? Wondering when yours was made. Possibly the same wood as mine?
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Rob is one of those builders where literally every bass he makes looks like 'the one!' I mean, every single bass on this thread (and any other Rob Allens I have seen in person or in photos) are mind-blowingly beautiful, yet each has it unique aesthetic! Man, what an artist!
Here's my Mouse, in some outside shots:
And in some shots Rob took:
The 'true' color shading is somewhere between those two sets of photos.
Let me say again how much I love this instrument! I have been fortunate enough to have seen/played a number of great instruments, and this Mouse is one of the most grin-inducing basses I have ever encountered!
Oh, and I blame (credit!) Joe Smithberger for pushing me over the edge to get a Mouse!
Tom,
I think I have your sister mouse. Tops looks very similar.
Mine should be started pretty soon. Rob was waiting on some stuff to arrive, which sounds like it's en route as we speak.
Redwood is relatively rare on basses, but a relatively abundant lumber in the US. What makes mine and the bass cut from the same block somewhat rare is that it's one piece. Most cuts of lumber aren't big enough for a one piece top.
Yours kinda looks bookmatched to me, although my work computer isn't that great.
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