Show us your Martin Keith Basses

[emjazz]

Thanks. My current one (which I'm keeping for sure) just volume/blend with soapbar pickups and a mahogany body (it's also 32" scale). I'm a bit hesitant to go passive if I use magnetic pickups for this next hypothetical bass, mostly because I can see myself wanting to cut out some upper midrange without killing the highs. I really like my current 6, but I want this next one to have a different vibe. But, you can do a lot with the tone between technique and blending two pickups. Honestly, at this point, I'd trust whatever Martin suggests since he knows my other instruments so well. We'll see.

I've switched to all passive basses. With the right woods and pickups I've found more benefits to going passive.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I've switched to all passive basses. With the right woods and pickups I've found more benefits to going passive.

Passive is preferred in host households world-wide. More highly recommended by doctors than any other way to sonic bliss.

 

[smperry]

My most clear sounding bass is my walnut bodied, active one.

 

[emjazz]

My most clear sounding bass is my walnut bodied, active one.

It all depends on your end goal. I like dynamic, big and warm.

 

[smperry]

It all depends on your end goal. I like dynamic, big and warm.

Yes, I have big and warm and full in other basses; that’s not what I’m after really on this one.

 

[emjazz]

Yes, I have big and warm and full in other basses; that’s not what I’m after really on this one.

I'm always looking for a similar theme to the same basic sound.

Really excited to see what you end up choosing! The best thing that I've learned, as I'm sure you have as well, is to let someone like Martin know the sound you're going for and they'll get you just that. Not every luthier can. I love that about Martin.

 

[77stingray]

My next one is 32" scale E to F, semi hollow, I believe with the special neck with the softer wood that @emjazz mentioned. Mahogany back and sides, rosewood board, the rest TBD. @smperry, I am looking for almost a jazz guitar kind of sound for chords in the upper register - dark sounding.

 

[smperry]

My next one is 32" scale E to F, semi hollow, I believe with the special neck with the softer wood that @emjazz mentioned. Mahogany back and sides, rosewood board, the rest TBD. @smperry, I am looking for almost a jazz guitar kind of sound for chords in the upper register - dark sounding.

Cool. Yes, 32" scale, E to F for my hypothetical bass too. Are pickups TBD too, or do you have a plan there? I don't think I want to go with Citrons on this next bass. Even though I like them on my chambered fretless, I think they'd be bigger/darker sounding than what I want for chords (which I gather is different from others).

 

[emjazz]

Cool. Yes, 32" scale, E to F for my hypothetical bass too. Are pickups TBD too, or do you have a plan there? I don't think I want to go with Citrons on this next bass. Even though I like them on my chambered fretless, I think they'd be bigger/darker sounding than what I want for chords (which I gather is different from others).

Have you talked pickups with Martin yet? What are you looking from the pickups? The Nordstrand Zen Blades are super cool if you want a narrow aperture but a little more modern, and very dynamic.

 

[77stingray]

I had citrons in mind, but I sent Martin a clip of the sound I like, and he thought maybe Bartolinis.

 

[smperry]

Have you talked pickups with Martin yet? What are you looking from the pickups? The Nordstrand Zen Blades are super cool if you want a narrow aperture but a little more modern, and very dynamic.

I've only mentioned jazz type pickups or piezos for more acoustic feel. My walnut bass has Nordstrand Fat Stacks that can be switched into single coil mode, and that's a tone I dig (when I turn down the sizzle a bit). Zen blades make a lot of sense, and are high on my list, depending on what Martin thinks of course.

@emjazz @77stingray Here's me plunking away on my six unplugged. (I don't think others can see if we're not linked on Instagram, but you're not missing anything.)



You can imagine some simple strumming like this in a loop with a bass line or melodic line going could be a bit of a mess if the tone can only be what I'd call warm/full. I want something that can be clear and not necessarily take up a lot of space, if that makes sense.

Edit: I'm not sure that worked, but you know me on the gram...

 

[emjazz]

I had citrons in mind, but I sent Martin a clip of the sound I like, and he thought maybe Bartolinis.

Martin and I have spoken about Barts recently. They seem to be out of vogue, but they are fabulous pickups. For a jazz box vibe they're a great choice.

 

[emjazz]

I've only mentioned jazz type pickups or piezos for more acoustic feel. My walnut bass has Nordstrand Fat Stacks that can be switched into single coil mode, and that's a tone I dig (when I turn down the sizzle a bit). Zen blades make a lot of sense, and are high on my list, depending on what Martin thinks of course.

@emjazz @77stingray Here's me plunking away on my six unplugged. (I don't think others can see if we're not linked on Instagram, but you're not missing anything.)



You can imagine some simple strumming like this in a loop with a bass line or melodic line going could be a bit of a mess if the tone can only be what I'd call warm/full. I want something that can be clear and not necessarily take up a lot of space, if that makes sense.

Edit: I'm not sure that worked, but you know me on the gram...

Video doesn't show for me.

 

[smperry]

Sorry, sent through instagram

 

[77stingray]

I found it on instagram. The 32" fretted Elfin I have (E to C) sounds super clear with chords. It has that Wenge Neck & board combined with a Seymore Duncan Music man PU. I'm not at home - but I can send you a sound sample of that at some point.

 

[smperry]

@77stingray Thank you! I actually forgot yours is a high five so that’s great.

 

[emjazz]

@77stingray Thank you! I actually forgot yours is a high five so that’s great.

Will get you a vid of my bass tomorrow. I think that I never woke up today....I spent waaaay too much time trying to find a well built, affordable sitting/standing desk...sucked the life right out of me.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I've always found Barts to be pretty vanilla sounding on any bass I have owned or others I've played. I prefer pickups that have some character to their tone. The Citrons have that in spades, IME.

 

[emjazz]

I love Bartonlini pickups. I definitely disagree. They have a definite vibe that I really like. I played them for years...then Carey put out some pickups that I fell in love with.

 

[77stingray]

I always had the impression that bartolini's have a specific coloring to them, which I always liked.