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Yup - 500 is the one to get. Unless you feel the need for 900![]()
I bought my Puma 500 from Donovan at Fretspot. Glenn at Austin Bass Traders is an equally good choice.
My Deep 4 is fretless, and while that aspect makes it a bit trickier to play with correct intonation, it's the key variable in making this bass sound more like an upright than a fretted instrument.
My Deep 4 is fretless, and while that aspect makes it a bit trickier to play with correct intonation, it's a key variable in making this bass sound more like an upright than a fretted instrument.
P.S. The black nylon tapewounds from Status also help.![]()
Is the low end of the Deep 4 bigger than the MB-2?
And assuming that it is, is there more to the difference than just a bigger low end?
Any reason you switched to the Status strings?
I've tried several brands and prefer how the Status strings feel and sound. Funny - I first looked into Status years ago when I was on a Steinberger kick and there weren't many vendors offering double-ball strings. Status came recommended by several Steinberger players so I checked it out really liked their feel and sound. Since then I've continued keeping an open perspective on strings, have tried many brands, and keep coming back to Status. They're easy to order online as Status is UK-based and ships anywhere in the world. Cost is slightly more but not a deal breaker. FWIW, I use Status ground wounds on my Fender Jazz bass. I've tried flats and rounds too (Status and other brands). Have come to prefer the black nylon tapewounds on the Deep 4 and ground wounds on the fretted Jazz.
The low end isn't really bigger, just a different character. Not talking night and day - to my ear just a bit more woody/airy. Plus you have a 2-band eq at your disposal if need be but that won't matter to some. If you're switching between RA and a regular electric and find that you like different amp eq settings then having the onboard on the RA can be helpful.
In my experience the difference between my Deeps and MB2s are pretty subtle. The Deeps are a bit more articulate--a bit more definition. Counter-intuitive as it may seem, my mouse has the biggest "bottom" of all my Rob Allen bases.
+1 that the Mouse is the instrument that most vibes the big, bloomy low end of a DB. Amazing instrument.
I just found this video of an old recording I did with my former fretted Mouse. That was a fantastic instrument, I wish I could afford to be a collector!
http://vimeo.com/45229543