Show us the Rob Allen basses!

[banditcosmo]

Is any one getting string marks on their fretboard using the La Bella strings ?

My Mouse has an Ebony board and I'm getting string marks on the board under each string. Maybe it's the way I play but I thought the La Bella strings would not mark up the board ?

 

[spade2you]

Is any one getting string marks on their fretboard using the La Bella strings ?

My Mouse has an Ebony board and I'm getting string marks on the board under each string. Maybe it's the way I play but I thought the La Bella strings would not mark up the board ?

There are marks, but nothing close to what you'd see with roundwounds, especially with how much I play mine. Very minimal. Might look at a level in 2 years or so, but strictly for cosmetic purposes.

 

[Ely Lyonblum]

Came across this in a photostream on flickr.

The photographer (not me....unfortunately) photographed Rob Allen's shop on sept 14, 2008. Hope he doesn't mind the exposure.

here's the link. If the photographer is a TB member let me know and I'll confirm permission. In the meantime....is that Spade's six string? Also, is that a (gasp) guitar? probably a baritone.

Invalid Link Removed

notice the mouse on the top right: thats my baby!
what a great pic, thanks for putting it up!

 

[Proton Lenny]

I hope this hasn't already been asked, but this thread is quite long for me to read everything.

I can't get over how beautiful these basses are. I was wondering which model is the most versatile as far as tone/timbre goes. I play upright, and I'm not really looking for an upright replacement, but I do like the acoustic nature of their tone.

So which model gives the most versatility? I know a lot has to do with where you pluck, how you pluck etc... I just want to know which model has the most innate possibilities. Is there anyway to get a somewhat traditional solid body fretless tone out of them? Or are they pretty much what they are and that's it?

Thanks.

Proton

P.S. Does anyone have experience with playing a Rob Allen with DR Sunbeams, or any other round wounds?

 

[KJung]

notice the mouse on the top right: thats my baby!
what a great pic, thanks for putting it up!

Great pic! It's amazing how the personality of a luthier comes through both the instrument and the look and feel of the shop. That picture does a great job of conveying Rob's whole deal... perfect design and execution of the instruments, on time delivery, great customer service and communication, and all around good business sense!!!

Compare this to the Fodera shop pictures (as an example of the other end of the spectrum)

 

[Joe Smithberger]

Proton, I can offer a data point to your question, but I'm sure one of the full scale RA players will chime in as well. The LaBella tapes are actually pretty bright and can give you quite a bit of the traditional fretless sound if that's what you are looking for. I personally like TI flats on my Mouse because, after they are broken in, they give a shorter note length. The LaBellas will ring for a long time if unmuted. The thing about the RA's I have experience with is that the notes bloom a bit more than a solid body, mag pickup fretless. To my ears, it doesn't speak quite a "fast" (to use an overexposed TB term). I have only played Rosewood fretboards though. Maybe someone with an Ebony fretboard, 35 inch scale RA will put in their two cents.

 

[spade2you]

I hope this hasn't already been asked, but this thread is quite long for me to read everything.

I can't get over how beautiful these basses are. I was wondering which model is the most versatile as far as tone/timbre goes. I play upright, and I'm not really looking for an upright replacement, but I do like the acoustic nature of their tone.

So which model gives the most versatility? I know a lot has to do with where you pluck, how you pluck etc... I just want to know which model has the most innate possibilities. Is there anyway to get a somewhat traditional solid body fretless tone out of them? Or are they pretty much what they are and that's it?

Thanks.

Proton

P.S. Does anyone have experience with playing a Rob Allen with DR Sunbeams, or any other round wounds?

I guess if you're looking for good all around versatility, I like my Mouse 30, which has a Brazilian rosewood FB, maple neck, ash body, and koa top. This adds a little treble to the Mouse 30. It's quite capable of traditional fretless tones, just not quite Jaco. My current MB2 5 string has an ebony FB, maple neck, and ash body. It's good, but perhaps a little more attack than I'd want. Rob typically says that you need to add a little high end with the ash on a 5 string to get some low B clarity. With a 4 string or 5 string with a high C, you're not as limited with the wood choices.

I personally enjoy the LaBella DTB strings. I will typically mute with my hands as I see fit, but you can't add sustain that isn't there. I don't know if I'd want to add round wounds to a Rob Allen bass since piezos really pick up finger noise. Play a traditional acoustic electric and you may notice it picks up every scratch when you rake your finger across the strings. On my Conklin 6, I added a passive tone knob to help remove some of this extra noise.

If you check my personal Myspace page, I use my MB2 on Ragu and my Mouse 30 on Prelude in G. This may give you an idea of what odd sounds you can get.

 

[Proton Lenny]

Thanks for the responses guys. I didn't think about the noise factor of a peizo with rounds. I really wish I could try one of these out. I am very intrigued by these basses, but I just don't know if they are right for me....

Proton

 

[spade2you]

Thanks for the responses guys. I didn't think about the noise factor of a peizo with rounds. I really wish I could try one of these out. I am very intrigued by these basses, but I just don't know if they are right for me....

Proton

This group may be at least a little biased towards Rob Allen, but it's a well deserved reputation and the piezo is much more versatile than it might otherwise seem. There aren't many basses on the market that can get all sorts of amazing tones with just a volume knob.

I know many TBers say "it's all in the hands," but they don't know the half of it! The combination of the Fishman, Rob's construction, and LaBella strings works in darn near every environment....except hardcore and death metal but I don't think any of us are exactly complaining about that.

I originally purchased my MB2 for a track my old band was supposed to record and simulate an upright...which never ended up getting recorded. I used the heck out of my 2 RAs in a fusion band. They added a nice deeper end tone and I must admit that I think the best theing about my Mouse 30 is that it is lighter than a guitar and fits in a guitar gig bag!!!!!! So, worst case scenario, you have a very comfortable bass with a nice vintage tone that weighs next to nothing.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

These are amazing instruments, I'm sure. One day, if I ever had the money to buy one, I'd like to try one. Otherwise, it might lead to incurable G.A.S. if I could not afford it, or until such time when I could.

 

[Proton Lenny]

Alright, so from reading more of this thread I have decided that I very well might love the Rob Allen tone. However, my original question still needs to be answered.

Which Rob Allen is the most versatile (Deep, MB, or Mouse)? Or all they all too different to compare? I am looking for the one that has the most tonal versatility.

Thanks

Proton

 

[Mcfunkinstein]

what is with cats and basses? seems like a good 80% of all bass pics on tb have cats in them

 

[spade2you]

what is with cats and basses? seems like a good 80% of all bass pics on tb have cats in them

Not me, man. Allergic as heck! I don't mind cats and I'd think they'd be good for someone who works crappy hours like I do...but no such luck.

 

[azwhofan]

what is with cats and basses? seems like a good 80% of all bass pics on tb have cats in them

I have three 6 month old kittens that just love to paw at my basses hanging on the wall. I think they are conspiring to raise my blood pressure. Either that or they just like to watch the shiny finishes swinging in the air ...

 

[Stephen]

My RA Deep 5 is due to arrive in a few days.

I have three Turner 5 string basses. On one fretless I have acousticores and on the other LaBella black nylons. I love both of these sounds. The blacks being warm and more acoustic and the acousticores being more articulate.

Just wondering if any one has tried acousticores on their RA.

 

[realdeal]

...SO many years back, when the LA BASS EXCHANGE was doing it's thing- It had many beautiful high-end instruments, and Dave, who now is with Aguilar I guess- showed me this Bass-
"What IS that?"
A Rob Allen, when they first appeared on the market I think...
And I have NEVER played more fluidly and tonefully than I did on that lined fretless MB-2, pretty basic model as far as tonewood I think.

I came close to buying one, owned a Turner Renaissance, also amazing, now have a Godin A4 with synth access and a 3-band L.R. Bagg eq, etc- Sweet stuff indeed----
But those Rob Allens set THE Standard for aesthetic beauty, playability, and sound...
Someday for sure- I'll own one.
Until then- to all of you who DID wisely acquire your RA's...

I hate you.

 

[tedw]

Alright, so from reading more of this thread I have decided that I very well might love the Rob Allen tone. However, my original question still needs to be answered.

Which Rob Allen is the most versatile (Deep, MB, or Mouse)? Or all they all too different to compare? I am looking for the one that has the most tonal versatility.

Thanks

Proton

Lenny,

I'll chime in on your original question. I own a mouse and an MB-2 5 String. For me, the Mouse is the best bass I have ever played. It's warm and rich tones are what defines the word "bass" for me. With either bass, I can vary the tone quite a bit depending on how I pluck the strings and whether I play toward the bridge or toward the neck. I honestly don't think you could go wrong with either instrument. The Mouse plays very easily because of its size and the MB-2 has a tighter, more focused tone. If you want a 5-stringer, the Mouse is sadly out. I also had the chance to try out a Deep 5 recently, and it has a fabulous uprighty tone. But while I'm sure the Deep 5 offers many tonal options, I feel the Mouse and MB-2 are more flexible. No matter what you do, you can't go wrong. Maybe you should give Rob a call and describe your needs to him. He is great about consulting with his customers.

Ted

 

[Proton Lenny]

Thanks for the response Ted. I'll have to give Rob a call. I'm trying to decide if I want a Rob Allen or a solid body fretless. I'll figure it out eventually.

 

[tedw]

Thanks for the response Ted. I'll have to give Rob a call. I'm trying to decide if I want a Rob Allen or a solid body fretless. I'll figure it out eventually.

Lenny, I think you'll find Rob to be very easy to discuss this with. He is not pushy in any way and his clear priority is on making sure his customers are pleased with whatever they get. Considering that you are torn between a solid and a RA bass, I suggest that you lean toward an MB-2 because to me it can produce a tight j-bass style sound when you want it. You can't go wrong with these basses, IMO. Ted

 

[spade2you]

Lenny, I think you'll find Rob to be very easy to discuss this with. He is not pushy in any way and his clear priority is on making sure his customers are pleased with whatever they get. Considering that you are torn between a solid and a RA bass, I suggest that you lean toward an MB-2 because to me it can produce a tight j-bass style sound when you want it. You can't go wrong with these basses, IMO. Ted

Yeah, they're all great, although I don't know how versatile the new solid body would be. Having a few piezo+mag basses, I can tell ya that a piezo is much more flexible than most magnetic pickups. They offer an interesting dynamic that I haven't seen on a mag. It's also a lot easier to get a percussive sound that a mag might not pick up.