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Show us the Rob Allen basses!

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#621
Just Thumpin' said:
Early last week I sent Rob some images (many lifted from this thread!) of tops that he's done that I have really liked so that he would have an idea of what I am looking for. Yesterday I got an email from Rob with several options for top wood. Although I was initially thinking Koa, he sent me an image of one of the nicest pieces of figured walnut I have ever seen and so it looks like my MB-2 is going to have a Claro Walnut top. Let me know what you guys and gals think...this is the one!
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cool, I did the same thing (sent RA pics...).

He actually sent me a picture of that same top, but I went with a different one
 
#623
anyone know where i can hear people playing rob allen basses online i.e. mp3s or videos? i have seen a couple on youtube, but for one of the finest sounding basses i have ever heard, not as many clips as there should be!
 
#626
EduardoK said:
That claro walnut top is simply gorgeous !
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Thanks. I am pretty pumped about it! Here are the complete specs. The clock starts today and Rob said we are looking at 3 months since he is starting everything for this bass from scratch...

MB-2, 4-string, 34" scale, lined fretless
Claro Walnut Exhibition Grade Top (Pictured Below)
Alder Body
Tortoiseshell Binding
Matching Headstock
Standard Hardware (Annodized Aluminum)
Birdseye Maple Neck
Macassar Ebony Fretboard
Dunlop Straplocks
Standard MB-2 Electronics
 

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#627
Just Thumpin' said:
Cool, what top did you go with? Could you share a picture?
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yeah, here are the pics that Rob sent me. I haven't had the chance yet to take more pics, but I will soon. My sister just got a cool new digital camera, so I'll take more pictures soon.

I played the RA at its first show last night, and it sounded great
 

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#628
easy said:
yeah, here are the pics that Rob sent me. I haven't had the chance yet to take more pics, but I will soon. My sister just got a cool new digital camera, so I'll take more pictures soon.

I played the RA at its first show last night, and it sounded great
Click to expand...

Very sassy and classy!!!!!

Just Thumpin' said:
Thanks. I am pretty pumped about it! Here are the complete specs. The clock starts today and Rob said we are looking at 3 months since he is starting everything for this bass from scratch...

MB-2, 4-string, 34" scale
Claro Walnut Exhibition Grade Top (Pictured Below)
Alder Body
Tortoiseshell Binding
Matching Headstock
Standard Hardware (Annodized Aluminum)
Birdseye Maple Neck
Macassar Ebony Fretboard
Dunlop Straplocks
Standard MB-2 Electronics
Click to expand...

Mac ebony will really compliment that top! I'd be interested in how the alder sounds. (Anyone have one?) Rob once told me it really sweetens the mid-upper register of the bass.
 
#629
spade2you said:
Very sassy and classy!!!!!



Mac ebony will really compliment that top! I'd be interested in how the alder sounds. (Anyone have one?) Rob once told me it really sweetens the mid-upper register of the bass.
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I wrote an email to Rob about this today because he typically specs Ash as a body wood for a walnut top but spec'd alder for mine. When I asked him why he chose Alder his answer was (direct quote):

"either ash or alder is great, and I use both. Alder is slightly warmer/more mids, ash a little more edgy. These are SUBTLTIES though, really splitting hairs, as most of the tone comes from the density and hollowness of the body. I think alder will look nicer with this particular piece of wood, due to all the reds and warmth in it. Ash can be yellow sometimes and can clash with reds. If the top was English walnut (blue/black/brown) the ash would be the cats meow."
 
#630
easy said:
yeah, here are the pics that Rob sent me. I haven't had the chance yet to take more pics, but I will soon. My sister just got a cool new digital camera, so I'll take more pictures soon.

I played the RA at its first show last night, and it sounded great
Click to expand...

Very nice! What is the top wood, Koa?
 
#631
Just Thumpin' said:
I wrote an email to Rob about this today because he typically specs Ash as a body wood for a walnut top but spec'd alder for mine. When I asked him why he chose Alder his answer was (direct quote):

"either ash or alder is great, and I use both. Alder is slightly warmer/more mids, ash a little more edgy. These are SUBTLTIES though, really splitting hairs, as most of the tone comes from the density and hollowness of the body. I think alder will look nicer with this particular piece of wood, due to all the reds and warmth in it. Ash can be yellow sometimes and can clash with reds. If the top was English walnut (blue/black/brown) the ash would be the cats meow."
Click to expand...

LOL, yeah, that sounds like Rob. Since I'm doing a 6, we're 'sperimenting with ash on the bass side (to keep the B solid) and maybe spice up the higher strings. Will it work?? Guess we'll hafta test it out and see.
 
#632
spade2you said:
LOL, yeah, that sounds like Rob. Since I'm doing a 6, we're 'sperimenting with ash on the bass side (to keep the B solid) and maybe spice up the higher strings. Will it work?? Guess we'll hafta test it out and see.
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He is just a WONDERFUL guy to deal with. I have really enjoyed our conversations thus far. Can't wait to hear about your sixer!
 
#633
FYI for all you LaBella Tapewound guys.

LaBella used to do a puny .29 high "c" string. It sounded thin compared to the rest (my Deep 5 is strung E to C). Luthier Martin Keith (of Veillette Guitars) started getting custom .41 C strings from LaBella. Better balance, richer tone. Made my Deep 5 balance perfectly.

Those strings are now Standard on new Labella six string sets (and available as singles from JustStrings). Older sets still have the thinner string.

If you're doing a six or high five be sure to try them.
 
#635
richnota said:
FYI for all you LaBella Tapewound guys.

LaBella used to do a puny .29 high "c" string. It sounded thin compared to the rest (my Deep 5 is strung E to C). Luthier Martin Keith (of Veillette Guitars) started getting custom .41 C strings from LaBella. Better balance, richer tone. Made my Deep 5 balance perfectly.

Those strings are now Standard on new Labella six string sets (and available as singles from JustStrings). Older sets still have the thinner string.

If you're doing a six or high five be sure to try them.
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I also recommend the Roto RS88 set. It tends to be pretty balanced across strings. Rob put them on my Deep 4 when I got it at my request since he generally was using the LaBella sets. I would have put it on anyway if it came with something else, but the RS88 set sounds fine with RA basses.
 
#639
richnota said:
does Roto do five or six string sets?
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Five - definitely. My Deep 4 is the bottom four of a five string set (75-100-115-135).

As for six, there are single strings which could make up a six. Juststrings.com sells a .5, which is the smallest. Generally the smallest string in one of the four or five sets is .65.

and they are great with high action, too ;)
 
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