Show Us Your Rob Allen Basses Part IV

[Marial]

This I do know. I've worked for years on my tone. One of the reasons I want a Mouse is that I feel it will allow me to get to what I've been, to use your word, conceptualizing for years. It's an ongoing process.

 

[FenderP]

This I do know. I've worked for years on my tone. One of the reasons I want a Mouse is that I feel it will allow me to get to what I've been, to use your word, conceptualizing for years. It's an ongoing process.

Yup. It's one of the reason I'm experimenting with the Galli strings. Jury's out.

 

[spade2you]

Yup. It's one of the reason I'm experimenting with the Galli strings. Jury's out.

Does Galli make a 5-6 string set? My mag+piezo 5 and 6 string MB2s have a weak D string through the mags, although it's not an issue at all through the piezo. The LaBella strings were originally designed to function perfectly with a peizo.

 

[FenderP]

Does Galli make a 5-6 string set? My mag+piezo 5 and 6 string MB2s have a weak D string through the mags, although it's not an issue at all through the piezo. The LaBella strings were originally designed to function perfectly with a peizo.

Looks like they do a 5-string set: Invalid Link Removed. Here's where you can get 'em in the US [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (same place I got the 4-string set).

The LaBellas never graced any of my RAs as I've tried LaBella strings (both the nylon and the regular flats) in the past and hated 'em. The RS88 works fine with the piezo and mag with no issue, so you could give those a go. I have 20+ years of experience with them (both Deeps, a few different fretless basses - MM, G&L, Fender). These days my Fretless P has my normal RS77 set to make it more distinct than the Deep.

My biggest issue with the Galli strings at the moment is the tension - or lack thereof. It's one of the reasons I absolutely hated the TI acousticore strings when I had the Rick Turner Ren. The Ren I disliked for other reasons, too.

 

[Freddels]

Hey FenderP, I have a Mouse and a Deep 4, I'd love to check out your D4 sometime.

 

[Marial]

Anyone here have a Solid 4? I won't be in the market for another bass any time soon, but what little I've heard/seen of it online makes it pretty appealing.

 

[FenderP]

Anyone here have a Solid 4? I won't be in the market for another bass any time soon, but what little I've heard/seen of it online makes it pretty appealing.

I owned #1 until a few months ago.

 

[Marial]

What did you think of it? Why did you sell it?

 

[FenderP]

What did you think of it? Why did you sell it?

I loved it. Rob built it to my specifications, sounded great, recorded well. For my reasons and more about it, see my sale thread. SOLD - Rob Allen Solid 4 #1 - LOTS OF PICS

 

[FenderP]

Hey FenderP, I have a Mouse and a Deep 4, I'd love to check out your D4 sometime.

If we're ever in the same place, happy to let you see it.

 

[Freddels]

If we're ever in the same place, happy to let you see it.

Being that we're both in MA, that'll probably never happen.
Actually, when you were referring to your D4, I was thinking it was the solid but then I saw that you sold it recently.

 

[Marial]

Deposit on my custom Mouse 30 sent. I'd have sent the entire amount but I was limited by my bank's system. So incredibly stoked. This is only the second truly custom bass I've ever ordered, the first being a USA Spector NS2 years ago. Rob's sending me top candidates on Monday. WOOT!

 

[FenderP]

Being that we're both in MA, that'll probably never happen.
Actually, when you were referring to your D4, I was thinking it was the solid but then I saw that you sold it recently.

True!

The S4 is in good hands. My D4 is way different, though, than most will ever be made. Still loving it.

I actually talked to Rob today over e-mail about another possible project that ironically we were both thinking about in parallel. It may happen after he moves shop. We'll see ... and if so, another #1 for me. heh.

 

[Marial]

You know that feeling when you have an instrument coming and you can feel it in your hands? I have that feeling right now. My Mouse 30 is paid in full and I've selected my top. The work order has an August 1 delivery date but Rob said he's feeling pretty optimistic about getting it done before then.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Rob just finished mine and sent pics:

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

So what is the story on the thumb rests for these basses? I notice that Rob has a blurb in his FAQ about attaching them and that some people add them to the top. Are they always permanent top-marring installations?

 

[Jeff Elkins]

So what is the story on the thumb rests for these basses? I notice that Rob has a blurb in his FAQ about attaching them and that some people add them to the top. Are they always permanent top-marring installations?

Chris -

Are you asking if they can be removed if desired?

I've owned 4 RAs (mb-2's) that could have had thumb rests--2 do, 2 didn't. In my family photo you can see the two types on the basses I currently own (will edit with link; currently on my phone). I'll say that I really like them, though I think the smaller one looks better and works just fine for me.

If I recall correctly, he's also doing some that are fingerboard extensions--I think they're appealing, in a way.

I don't know about removal, if that's the question...

 

[Jeff Elkins]

Someone here discussed removing theirs by sanding it off, I think--but it might have been integral, part of the top wood. Mine are not.

 

[Jeff Elkins]

I remembered a couple of old posts from @FenderP and others:

Show Us Your Rob Allen Basses Part II

Show Us Your Rob Allen Basses Part II

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Chris -

Are you asking if they can be removed if desired?

I've owned 4 RAs (mb-2's) that could have had thumb rests--2 do, 2 didn't. In my family photo you can see the two types on the basses I currently own (will edit with link; currently on my phone). I'll say that I really like them, though I think the smaller one looks better and works just fine for me.

If I recall correctly, he's also doing some that are fingerboard extensions--I think they're appealing, in a way.

I don't know about removal, if that's the question...

Thanks for the info and links! Right - my question is if the thumb rests need to be permanent (i.e. - if they would ruin the top finish if removed). Since I'm coming from DB after a 17 year layoff from BG, and since I'll be using this at least partially as a travel bass overseas for when the DB's where I travel aren't acceptable, I'll need to figure out where it would need to go for the percussive impact of a DB in that function. Yours look great, but I agree that the shorter one visually looks better.