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Show Us Your Rob Allen Basses Part IV

#1,021
FenderP said:
Each of my fretless basses (all unlined) are *slightly* different so foe me a lot of intonation is muscle memory. This was never more apparent to me until recently. The Blast Cult I got is 32" scale; everything else I have is 34" with similar neck profiles. The BC is not a massive adjustment, but it's still an adjustment. I'm at the point with that bass I have very few clams now but that was a month or so of using that more than anything else.

The other thing I've found with fretless over the years is practice the simple stuff. That's what's helped make my intonation fairly solid. I still go back and do things like whole/half notes, octave stuff, etc. I try not to get lazy.

Agree that good equipment and clarity (i.e. being able to hear yourself) is a crucial element of playing in tune on fretless, but to me, it's more than that. In band situations it's the ability to hear myself; it's one reason I got rid of the PJB Double Four; I found it muddy with the RA D4.
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What Blast Cult did you get?
I checked their website, but the aesthetics don't call out to me at all.
 
#1,023
kevk said:
Really, really pleased with Rob's incredible artistry/workmanship (and sonic result) on my (E~C , 34") fretted Deep 5...View attachment 1191363
This was one of the last he agreed to do custom...and I'm very grateful. I really wanted some arm relief on the lower bout, and it's perfect...View attachment 1191365
Tone-wise, I was actually looking for a crisper attack, less bloom, further away from an upright...he nailed it! He changed the interior bracing to support the pressed top curvature...but, I believe it's about the same (Deep 5) amount of chambering. Walnut top, Alder body, with a Rosewood fb...View attachment 1191364
For sure, the most elegant custom-fit bass case I have...
View attachment 1191380 View attachment 1191381
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Well I'm happy to say that this one has made its way to my house. My first Rob Allen. I've wanted one ever since I played one at Rudy's in NYC many years ago.
 
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#1,026
RodRy said:
How about some new pics of it? In casa, that is.
:thumbsup:
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Here is where it is at the moment.

52BCD70A-CC54-48C5-A439-D9DCD4E77F25.jpeg
 
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#1,031
JES said:
Here's a question for those of you with a Solid 4 or who have played one recently: the pickup looks like it's based on the a 51 Precision pickup. Is it? Thanks.
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I haven't played a Solid 4 but lots of info here on Rob's website...not sure if you saw this. Solid 4 gallery — Rob Allen

"The pickup is hand wound using Alnico 2 magnets. These magnets have less string pull than Alnico 5 (the most common material) and allow for a more "open" tone since the string can vibrate more freely under a softer magnetic field (just like a 50 year old pickup would).
  • controls for 1 pickup model: volume, tone
  • controls for 2 pickup model: volume and blend (with both pickups on, full hum cancelling)
The fact that Rob references "full hum canceling" for the "2 pickup model with both pickups on" would lead me to believe they are single coil pickups, and not a split P. Does that make sense everyone?
 
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#1,033
porterbass said:
I haven't played a Solid 4 but lots of info here on Rob's website...not sure if you saw this. Solid 4 gallery — Rob Allen

"The pickup is hand wound using Alnico 2 magnets. These magnets have less string pull than Alnico 5 (the most common material) and allow for a more "open" tone since the string can vibrate more freely under a softer magnetic field (just like a 50 year old pickup would).
  • controls for 1 pickup model: volume, tone
  • controls for 2 pickup model: volume and blend (with both pickups on, full hum cancelling)
The fact that Rob references "full hum canceling" for the "2 pickup model with both pickups on" would lead me to believe they are single coil pickups, and not a split P. Does that make sense everyone?
Click to expand...

I got the first one Rob ever did. It's his version of the original P. Was a great bass. I just didn't really have a use for it after awhile so I moved it on.
 
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#1,034
JES said:
Thanks. I did read the website. I'm looking more for user impressions. The 51p was single coil. The split coil came in 57. The pole layout is similar in Rob's design to the 51 as well. I played a solid 4 years ago and loved the sound, but memory can be a funny thing.
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I have both single coil and split P Fenders so I'm familiar. I should have been more clear. The context of my answer was that some pickup manufacturers make a 51P style that looks like a single coil visually but is actually a split coil. That's what I first thought when I saw the pole configuration/spacing on the Solid 4.

I've been curious about the Solid 4 as well. There don't seem to be many around. There was one for sale in the last year or two that I was considering buying. If it had the dual-pickup config, I probably would have bought it. (I have a Fender CS '54 style P with dual Seymour Duncan '51 Stack pickups...I love having that bridge pickup.)

I hope you find the info you're looking for. Obviously, everything Rob builds is pretty amazing.
 
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#1,035
Rob didn't build a ton as far as I know. Mine had some custom touches (especially the neck shape/design). I'm sure if you e-mailed Rob he'd tell you how many he ultimately made but IMO the MB and Mouse are the bread and butter of what he has always done. The Deep next and if you look at what has sold, that's pretty much the order you see them in.

The S4 really is a fantastic take on a P bass if you get to play one. It was nice and light.
 
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#1,036
I recently bought a used Solid 4 with two pickups. My first was one of the first single-pickup S4's. I'm finding I really like the two-pickup model. I thought the controls on this model were just volume and blend. But much to my surprise, I just discovered that the volume knob pulls out to provide a different control. It's not a tone control, but it's a different sounding volume control. Do any of you S4 players (with two pickups) have the same control? Can you educate me on what it does? Thanks!
 
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#1,038
tedw said:
I recently bought a used Solid 4 with two pickups. My first was one of the first single-pickup S4's. I'm finding I really like the two-pickup model. I thought the controls on this model were just volume and blend. But much to my surprise, I just discovered that the volume knob pulls out to provide a different control. It's not a tone control, but it's a different sounding volume control. Do any of you S4 players (with two pickups) have the same control? Can you educate me on what it does? Thanks!
Click to expand...

I think I found my own answer here: My new Rob Allen Guitars – Solid 4 – "The Magnus"

"One volume pot, with a pull/push function (when pulled it engaged a special tone circuit to get that vintage tone roll off sound of a p-bass) and a balance pot so I can go between just the neck pickup and all the way to the bridge pickup."

Super cool!
 
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