Show us your Martin Keith Basses

[Jeff Scott]

I ordered my second Elfin 5 within a year of acquiring my first one.

 

[emjazz]

Truth is Martin knows that I want at least a couple more. Once the money's there so will be the basses.

 

[emjazz]

I want a 6 string headless of his semi hollow design (he hasn't made one yet...like a jazz guitar construction). I'd like a more basic 6 string headless that would live with roundwounds for general work (I use flats on everything). I'd also love a headless fretless bass. That should do it....

 

[JGR]

I own the Elfin Plus, have not played the Elfin, but based on similar basses I've owned I can comment on one aspect. The Elfin Plus is designed to have Fender-style ergonomics, which means you don't have to reach way out to play notes down by the nut. It also has a nice balance, with no neck dive as I've gotten from Spector, Warwick, other 24-fret basses. OTOH, the downside is that you might have to "reach in" against your body to play the uppermost frets. Those frets are accessible because of the deep lower cutaway (though the neck heel intrudes a bit), but your left arm and hand might be right against your body when playing up there.

Again, just one aspect. Not a problem at all for me because I'm not much of a high-register guy, and besides, it can be dealt with by shifting the bass. But if you frequently solo in the upper register, then you may prefer the Elfin Minus (so to speak).

You’ve played my Elfin!

 

[Maiden Bass]

What is your favorite preamp on your Martin Keith Bass?

Aguilar, Noll, Audere, or something else?

Anyone who has an active preamp can you please let me know.

Thanks!

 

[Jeff Scott]

Martin has a very cool, and useful, passive system that lots of folks think is active given all the tonal options available with it. I have it on both my Elfin 5s along with the great Citron pickups.

 

[smperry]

I want a 6 string headless of his semi hollow design (he hasn't made one yet...like a jazz guitar construction). I'd like a more basic 6 string headless that would live with roundwounds for general work (I use flats on everything).

This, in 32" scale, for me.

 

[emjazz]

Something that hasn't been talked about much is Martin's special hybrid neck construction. He doesn't use it on everything, but It's like nothing else. It'll give you a more resonant, warm, "acoustic" like sound. There is an inner layer of very light weight wood, then a thin layer of (I believe) carbon fiber, and then a more dense wood like mahogany or maple. It makes for a lighter weight neck as well. Totally incredible.

 

[Fuzzbass]

You’ve played my Elfin!

Oh, duh. Great bass!

Something that hasn't been talked about much is Martin's special hybrid neck construction. He doesn't use it on everything, but It's like nothing else. It'll give you a more resonant, warm, "acoustic" like sound. There is an inner layer of very light weight wood, then a thin layer of (I believe) carbon fiber, and then a more dense wood like mahogany or maple. It makes for a lighter weight neck as well. Totally incredible.

JGR's Elfin has the hybrid neck. It's probably the reason I forgot that it was an Elfin (as opposed to Elfin Plus). Meaning: small-bodied 24-fret basses often have neck dive, but I don't recall any with JGR's Elfin.

 

[smperry]

The hybrid neck sounds amazing from a design perspective...but my plain wood neck Elfins have no neck dive. You’d expect that on my walnut bodies one, but my light poplar one has no neck dive. Those Gotoh GB 350 tuners combined with the small headpiece does it I think.

 

[JGR]

Oh, duh. Great bass!



JGR's Elfin has the hybrid neck. It's probably the reason I forgot that it was an Elfin (as opposed to Elfin Plus). Meaning: small-bodied 24-fret basses often have neck dive, but I don't recall any with JGR's Elfin.

Yup - I also changed the bridge to brass which added about 8 oz. to the back end, though it balanced fine with the stock Al bridge. I’d probably go with the Elfin plus if I was building one (got mine used) just so that the strap button was at the 12th fret - not for balance (it’s fine), but rather to reduce the reach to the lower registers - it hangs farther to the left due to the button being around the 14th fret. It’s easy enough to get used to, but it’s noticable when going back and forth with a conventional design.

 

[JGR]

The hybrid neck sounds amazing from a design perspective...but my plain wood neck Elfins have no neck dive. You’d expect that on my walnut bodies one, but my light poplar one has no neck dive. Those Gotoh GB 350 tuners combined with the small headpiece does it I think.

The hybrid neck is interesting tonally - I find that it adds a lot more fundamental to the tone compared to say a solid maple neck. Not better or worse, just different.

 

[emjazz]

The hybrid neck is interesting tonally - I find that it adds a lot more fundamental to the tone compared to say a solid maple neck. Not better or worse, just different.

Exactly, and for what I do (electric bass with mostly acoustic instruments) it's something that appeals to me greatly. Martin and I even talked about making my Ristola 6 string a headless by building a headless, hybrid neck for it. In the end, with that amount of work, it's probably best that a new instrument is made instead...but that type of neck, and what it does for the sound and feel, would be a benefit for me for sure.

 

[Maiden Bass]

I didn't get a hybrid neck, I got a 1 piece maple neck, but still curious which preamps have you all liked the best?

Is everyone's running passive with no preamps at all???

 

[Fuzzbass]

My Elfin Plus fiver has Nordstrand pickups (reverse-P adjacent to MM-style) and an Aguilar OPB-1 preamp (2-band boost-only EQ). It can be switched to passive mode but I usually leave it active.

It also has a passive tone control. Sadowsky was the first active bass I owned with a passive tone control, and I like it so much that I try to get it on all my actives. Aside from providing an easy treble cut, it also changes output impedance so that the active bass doesn't sound so active... if you'll forgive my highly technical jargon.

 

[emjazz]

I didn't get a hybrid neck, I got a 1 piece maple neck, but still curious which preamps have you all liked the best?

Is everyone's running passive with no preamps at all???

I have the Nordstrand 2 band boost only preamp. I don't use treble boost ever so it's hidden in the control cavity. I use a passive tone to cut highs and boost the bass slightly. The Nordstrand preamp is wonderful. Very natural sounding even with boost or cut. I'm a fan. The Aguilar will give you a more aggressive sound, even flat. A Bart pre will give you some compression and has really well thought out eq points.

I prefer the Nordstrand preamp for it's openness, and because it retains the natural sound of the bass.

 

[emjazz]

If you use a tube amp or run a lot of effects you may want to consider going passive.

 

[Maiden Bass]

I'm considering Noll or Aguilar.
I may actually consider an OBP1 over the OBP3.

I've read there are some difference in the preamp itself (other than the boost only).

 

[emjazz]

I'm considering Noll or Aguilar.
I may actually consider an OBP1 over the OBP3.

I've read there are some difference in the preamp itself (other than the boost only).

The only experience I have with Noll is the one that Martin used in my acoustic bass....just volume, balance and passive tone though. From my understanding they are very uncolored preamps. Should be very nice. Either way, again, Noll = natural/clean Aguilar = more aggressive/massive eq boost/gain

 

[Fuzzbass]

I have the Nordstrand 2 band boost only preamp. I don't use treble boost ever so it's hidden in the control cavity. I use a passive tone to cut highs and boost the bass slightly. The Nordstrand preamp is wonderful. Very natural sounding even with boost or cut. I'm a fan. The Aguilar will give you a more aggressive sound, even flat. A Bart pre will give you some compression and has really well thought out eq points.

I prefer the Nordstrand preamp for it's openness, and because it retains the natural sound of the bass.

My custom Nordy has the cut/boost Nordstrand preamp -- the boost-only wasn't yet available. It also has a passive tone, and preamp bypass. Point is, I totally agree that the Nordstrand preamp is natural sounding: active sounds amazingly close to passive.