Show us your Martin Keith Basses

[emjazz]

Obviously, no one is a bigger fan of Martin than I (okay, maybe his immediate family members are bigger fans...), but it sounds like you really should hold onto your Ristola if you can.

Martin even said so...hahaha. I agree. Again, there's no necessity here so I can wait. In time! Martin is going to help the Ristola be more travel friendly as it is. Going to get custom cases made so I can travel with the body and neck separated....for my acoustic from Martin as well.

 

[smperry]

I’m keeping the Audere preamp in. It’d be nice to have a passive tone control, and I’ll probably never use the z-mode, but I love the clarity and depth of this bass. I put on different strings and plugged it in this morning...it’s perfect. The midrange knob is good for playing solo; if I want that sweet hi-fi jazz tone, I just turn the mids down a bit. Gotta have the option for a little bit of bass boost when favoring the bridge pickup. So happy I went with Nordstrand FatStacks with the single coil switch. Love love love this bass. Quick cell photo:

 

[Jeff Scott]

Such a great looking bass!

 

[smperry]

Such a great looking bass!

Thanks. If only the owner were more talented...

 

[Jeff Scott]

...you too, huh?

 

[JGR]

I just swapped the aluminum Hipshot A for a brass version and it made a noticeable improvement in punch and clarity. I know some folks say they can’t tell, but my ears are pretty dialed in to brass/high mass bridges after all these years, and it’s a fairly noticeable change, even unplugged. Really helps on the B. The brass version adds almost 8 oz. but it is a non-issue since the bass was under 8 lbs to begin with! I’m very happy!

 

[emjazz]

View attachment 2812414 I just swapped the aluminum Hipshot A for a brass version and it made a noticeable improvement in punch and clarity. I know some folks say they can’t tell, but my ears are pretty dialed in to brass/high mass bridges after all these years, and it’s a fairly noticeable change, even unplugged. Really helps on the B. The brass version adds almost 8 oz. but it is a non-issue since the bass was under 8 lbs to begin with! I’m very happy!

Have always preferred brass as well. Definitely a big difference!

 

[77stingray]

Almost ready to ship!

 

[emjazz]

Almost ready to ship!View attachment 2835169

Incredible!!!!!!

 

[77stingray]

Here is a video/ soundclip of my semi hollow 6. It’s been awhile since I’ve played with with frets! The bass has a nice clean/ clear tone. These are D’addario round wound strings. I’ll try flats next.

 

[emjazz]

Here is a video/ soundclip of my semi hollow 6. It’s been awhile since I’ve played with with frets! The bass has a nice clean/ clear tone. These are D’addario round wound strings. I’ll try flats next.

Beautiful. Martin liked your bass so much that he's making a fanned fret for himself.

 

[77stingray]

It really does make a difference in terms of having clarity on the high end and a really tight, punchy low end. I am used to 32” scale, so playing in 1st position is still a challenge for me.

 

[77stingray]

Emjazz, Martin told me that! He said he’d send a picture of his bass when it’s done - maybe I can post it here.

 

[emjazz]

Emjazz, Martin told me that! He said he’d send a picture of his bass when it’s done - maybe I can post it here.

He's so busy. I'm sure it'll be a while. He just has the fretboard right now. I'm hoping whatever the next guitar show he does will push him to make it for himself. I don't think he's ever made a bass for himself!!

 

[chinjazz]

Here is a video/ soundclip of my semi hollow 6. It’s been awhile since I’ve played with with frets! The bass has a nice clean/ clear tone. These are D’addario round wound strings. I’ll try flats next.

Such nice character, voice that bass has!
Thanks for playing it for us

 

[77stingray]

Thanks chinjazz! It sounds great passive. I may try a preamp one day as long as the passive option is still there.

 

[chinjazz]

Thanks chinjazz! It sounds great passive. I may try a preamp one day as long as the passive option is still there.

Wow, all passive? Nice! Those DCBs are clean. I’ve got a set of super singles coming tomorrow to check out. Maybe DCBs have to get on my shopping list

 

[emjazz]

Just got my acoustic bass back from Martin. Took it out to a gig last night and it was incredible. The sound is like nothing else. I've settled on La Bella LTF's for strings. Super woody sounding....huge sound. Just spectacular.

 

[77stingray]

Post a sound clip when you can! I just ordered a set of T.I.’s for mine. Should be here mid week. Curious how the ltf’s compare.

 

[smperry]

He's so busy. I'm sure it'll be a while. He just has the fretboard right now. I'm hoping whatever the next guitar show he does will push him to make it for himself. I don't think he's ever made a bass for himself!!

He has, but not one of the Elfin variants.