Show Us Your Rob Allen Basses Part IV

[Groove Doctor]

I bought a Mouse second hand with flamed maple top. Wouldn't have been my custom pick, but I LOVE it in person and constantly get compliments on it - looks and sound wise.

F-hole and thumb rest IMO would have been overkill on it's heavily flamed white-blond wood. For this unlined Fretless 4, I prefer its elegant/ minimalist look.


I like the idea of the thumb rest but doubt I'd actually use it - I play floating thumb and as a result I vary my position so much it isn't missed.

 

[Quackhead]

It's all hypothetical at this point. If Rob finds me a crazy top I may forgo the f-hole. I play floating thumb as well, so I may pass on that too. We'll see.

 

[fish slapper]

I ended up with both the F hole and the thumb rest options when my Koa-topped Mouse popped up on the BassNW website. Both are options I would have forgone if ordering new, but IMHO they really add to the visual beauty of the instrument. Before someone asks again, I doubt the F hole contributes anything to the acoustic properties. In addition, I also play with a floating thumb but use the end of the thumb rest as a landmark for my right hand position.

 

[Quackhead]

The f-hole doesn't add much if anything, that's true. Both the f-hole and thumbrest are pretty much aesthetic choices and ordering them depends on how much cash I want to drop. Given a choice between the two I'd prefer the thumbrest, because it really works well with the Mouse body style to my eye.

 

[asbs]

Here what I call my dream team :

 

[BigBeatNut]

FWIW: Looking for something to decorate my facebook page I put up a pic of my Deep 5. Besides the simpler compliments, I got this:

"I love the simplicity - one chunk of wood and fretless. I know NOTHING about how it performs as a bass but it's veeeery pretty!"

This was the photo.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[BigBeatNut]

Here what I call my dream team :

Nice RA there

 

[asbs]

Thank you, Rob builds amazing instruments, both by tone and look.

 

[Christian Houmann]

Those Deep 5 are so hot. It's number one on my list

 

[Quackhead]

Have any Mouse owners found the 18 position fretboard to be limiting at all? I know buying a mouse and expecting a huge range is somewhat silly, but I'm just curious.

This is one reason I'm looking at the Mouse 30-5. It would be nice to be able to get above that C#.

 

[spade2you]

I've only found one song that needed that higher note and I usually use my 7 string for that tune. Other than that, no issues. I probably would have ordered a 30-5 if it were available or if I had the dough to pay for the tooling costs.

 

[morebassbaby]

Limiting? A little. But I like it. My electrics are effortless and have 22 or more frets. It's kind of nice to be limited by less frets and slightly higher action. Because of that I play less and my approach needs to change some and I feel like it's helping me to become a little more well-rounded. Then again I don't do a lot of soloing on my RA Mouse so having extra frets could help!

 

[artfahie]

Contact me if you're looking to sell one !

207-632-2664

Art Fahie, Maine

 

[Groove Doctor]

Have any Mouse owners found the 18 position fretboard to be limiting at all? I know buying a mouse and expecting a huge range is somewhat silly, but I'm just curious.

This is one reason I'm looking at the Mouse 30-5. It would be nice to be able to get above that Eb.

Mine's an unlined Fretless - I top out at 15th position on my best day, and usually don't pass 12th.

I'm not comfy with high C either. Just under 3 octaves is still a very workable range IMO.

How often are you soloing?

 

[asbs]

I first made a deposit for a Mouse.
I was thinking that less frets would help to have a differents playing aproach.
Like going back on a 4 strings.
But I couldn't stop to be afraid of missing a couples of extra frets...
Also the B strings is really parts of my playing.
So two months after my deposit, I changed my mind to go for a Deep.

I am very happy with my Deep, first because it is very good instrument, then because I have got a B strings, like my other basses, and last I have got more frets...
IMO, the B strings is the point, much more than the frets.

I don't need a mouse 30", but I feel I want one...

 

[morebassbaby]

Oh, I don't solo often. I usually play it in a pretty driving rock band, but in a fairly supportive role. One thing is for sure, out of the 20+ instruments I've had, I get the most compliments from audience members on the Mouse. If you'd like to hear us try here: Two live songs. The last is a track off our EP recorded directly into my REDDI di.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7j26cTLXq8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EyP-9j3mlc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk9ZyOBKfsI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[morebassbaby]

Hey anybody using a double gig bag to tote an electric bass and a mouse? Would really like to simplify and not bring two separate bags but I would think the small nature of the Mouse with a larger bodied bass would make that interesting....

 

[asbs]

Nice music !
Congatulation.

 

[Quackhead]

Thanks for the feedback folks. I am still on the fence about what to get. Finances and circumstances will determine that. It will be a game time decision as they say.

 

[77PBass]

Have any Mouse owners found the 18 position fretboard to be limiting at all? I know buying a mouse and expecting a huge range is somewhat silly, but I'm just curious.

This is one reason I'm looking at the Mouse 30-5. It would be nice to be able to get above that C#.

I had a mouse for a cup coffee and while I loved the tone, I found the short scale very limiting. Forget trying to squeeze your fingers together and play above the octave. I thought about a 5 string mouse and then played a Deep 4. I sold the mouse and ordered a Deep 5 with a high C and will never look back.