Show Us Your Rob Allen Basses Part IV

[FenderP]

I've not heard of a "MAS 1/6" before. Searching online I ended up finding ducting, not amps. Will you elaborate a bit?

New MAS 16!

I'd forgotten about the Blast Cult Gateway basses and had to look them up again. For my money, I like the look of Rob's work better. Of course, Blast Cult may have a better feel, sound, or ergonomics.

Considering I've had two D4s (both custom made, 2nd was a refinement on the first and has the best neck I've ever played), a S4, and a Mouse, I'm super familiar with Rob I wasn't looking to replicate the D4 at all. The Gateway I have cops a more uprighty look and the tone is 100% subjective. I also have real upright strings on it which helps. In the mix of a big band, you would be hard pressed to tell the difference. On a studio recording, it does. The D4 is a more versatile bass especially since I have two pickups. So I don't view them as needing to fill the same slot.

I play my D4 the most out of all my basses these days.

 

[Groove Doctor]

My current gig is Deep 4 only, tuned a half step flat. I've tried a lot of amp/speaker combos over the years. For me the AK Hathor 1-12 is the easy winner on the cabinet side. I don't like the piezo with a regular tweeter, the 4" paper cone is magic.

IIRC @nostatic had 1-2 Baer ML112 cabs, which is why I test drove them at a store and bought one. Soon after he switched to the Hathor (which are not available in Australia).

Can I ask what you didn't like about the AI with you Rob Allen? The Clarus was one of my top considerations for my RA, because so many people seem to like it.

The tone sounded too dry to me (flat response) with my maple neck Mouse. Didn't pair well. Your Deep may be different.

It also had similar volume issues to the PJB Flightcase - at band volume there was no 'whump' when I needed it even after testing it with a bunch of cabs. I much preferred my Thunderfunk amp at that time.

I've since bought Jule Monique (and sold the Thunderfunk). Monique is the perfect pairing with my Mouse IMO IME.
Controls the low end from getting boomy (no compressor needed).
Attenuates the top end to tame the finger noise on the Tapewound strings and the piezo 'clack' when the strings hit the fretboard.
Rich organic mids perfect for acoustic/DB type gigs.
The Sensitivity sweeps between clear HiFi (DB/piezo like) thru to power amp saturation (DB/mag PU like), adds a nice gooey-ness.
The boost adds whump for loud gigs or a more Fretless electric bass note envelope if desired.
Monique has the treble rolled off slightly so the tweeter in the Berg cab isn't a problem.

The Jule Simone preamp pedal is in a much easier form factor with a similar tone.


Broughton do a pedal with adjustable HPF & LPF that might really open your options with your Deep as far as amps & cabs go. The Deep has shelf EQ Bass & Treble boost/cut knobs. Used Together you step into Alembic/Wal style EQ adjustability.

 

[RodRy]

New MAS 16!

Considering I've had two D4s (both custom made, 2nd was a refinement on the first and has the best neck I've ever played), a S4, and a Mouse, I'm super familiar with Rob I wasn't looking to replicate the D4 at all. The Gateway I have cops a more uprighty look and the tone is 100% subjective. I also have real upright strings on it which helps. In the mix of a big band, you would be hard pressed to tell the difference. On a studio recording, it does. The D4 is a more versatile bass especially since I have two pickups. So I don't view them as needing to fill the same slot.

I play my D4 the most out of all my basses these days.

Thanks for the extra information! Very strange that Mike from MAS is deactivated on TB. Hopefully a temporary glitch. I should go look see if he has a website, since I'm not on FB.

I've only got the one Mouse, but it was everything I wanted and more, so I had to pounce when it came up for sale. I've swapped the tuners to eliminate the "D-tuner" (which I would not ever use) and it balances even better now. Lately, my instrument rotation is my Mouse, my Acinonyx, and my Samick short P. Funny that my most and least expensive instruments are on the same rack at the moment!

 

[foothilla]

IIRC @nostatic had 1-2 Baer ML112 cabs, which is why I test drove them at a store and bought one. Soon after he switched to the Hathor (which are not available in Australia).


The tone sounded too dry to me (flat response) with my maple neck Mouse. Didn't pair well. Your Deep may be different.

It also had similar volume issues to the PJB Flightcase - at band volume there was no 'whump' when I needed it even after testing it with a bunch of cabs. I much preferred my Thunderfunk amp at that time.

I've since bought Jule Monique (and sold the Thunderfunk). Monique is the perfect pairing with my Mouse IMO IME.
Controls the low end from getting boomy (no compressor needed).
Attenuates the top end to tame the finger noise on the Tapewound strings and the piezo 'clack' when the strings hit the fretboard.
Rich organic mids perfect for acoustic/DB type gigs.
The Sensitivity sweeps between clear HiFi (DB/piezo like) thru to power amp saturation (DB/mag PU like), adds a nice gooey-ness.
The boost adds whump for loud gigs or a more Fretless electric bass note envelope if desired.
Monique has the treble rolled off slightly so the tweeter in the Berg cab isn't a problem.

The Jule Simone preamp pedal is in a much easier form factor with a similar tone.


Broughton do a pedal with adjustable HPF & LPF that might really open your options with your Deep as far as amps & cabs go. The Deep has shelf EQ Bass & Treble boost/cut knobs. Used Together you step into Alembic/Wal style EQ adjustability.

I picked up an active cab....now you have me gassing for the Jule Monique to go with my RA Deep 4. You think they are worth the money? Have you tried the Noble pre with your Rob Allen?

 

[Groove Doctor]

I picked up an active cab....now you have me gassing for the Jule Monique to go with my RA Deep 4.
You think they are worth the money?
Have you tried the Noble pre with your Rob Allen?

Yes definitely worth the money. The tone, touch sensitivity, the interactive EQ, the way it sits in the mix IME.

Ask on the Jule Monique and Jule Simone threads if someone near you will let you try theirs.


No I haven't tried the Noble, but one of the members on the Aussie bass forum OzBassForum.com compared all three, then flipped (or borrowed & returned) the Noble IIRC. Not that it was bad, it's just he much preferred the two Jule Pre's.

 

[T-boneParish]

I have been on the hunt for a Rob Allen bass, and I am trying to be patient... Trying.

I have seen some 5-string Rob Allen basses strung with a low B string, and some with a high C.

Noob question: is it just the preference of the player to string it one way or other, or are some instruments crafted for the tension of a low B and others crafted for the high C?

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

My high C Mouse is strung with B-G set tuned up. Rob didn't design it that way, but OKd the idea after the sale.

 

[FenderP]

He does sell some set up that way (E toC). So it is an "it depends"

 

[nostatic]

Interesting you have done funk gigs with your RA. My current project is going for what I would describe as "Acoustic Headhunters",....improvisational jazz that's heavy on the funk end of the spectrum,...but acoustic. I haven't seen many others using their RA for funky stuff.

I have a D800+,....anyway you could send me a snapshot of your favorite Rob Allen setting on your D800? I hate to sell my Mesa rig, because it sounds awesome with most basses, including the Rob Allen. But, it makes the Rob Allen sound like a nice, hifi, electric fretless. I can't get the RA to sound even remotely upright-ish with the Mesa (paired with 10" speakers, tweeters dialed back to the max). I've accepted that the Rob Allen will never duplicate an authentic upright sound. I think the upright string length/tension, and resulting right hand attack, is too hard to replicate on a 34" scale instrument. But, I would like the Rob Allen to sound somewhere closer to that upright spectrum, and the Mesa just sends me closer to the electric fretless sound. Maybe your settings could help me dial it in on the Mesa. I am particularly curious where you set your HP filter.

I typically back the volume off at the bass a bit (probably 80%). Input gain on the D800 at noon, voicing at 9:00, bass at 9:30, low mids around noon, hi mids about 2:00, treble around 1:00. The WD800 is different as the tube imparts a different tone and attack.

For me copping the upright thing is more about the lines I'm playing than technique. The two instruments lend themselves to different approaches IME.

 

[nostatic]

He does sell some set up that way (E toC). So it is an "it depends"

Typically Rob has done B-G in 35" scale, if someone wants E-C he prefers 34" scale. You'll see exceptions (and Mouse is a different animal - literally) in the wild but that was usually how he did it.

 

[nostatic]

IIRC @nostatic had 1-2 Baer ML112 cabs, which is why I test drove them at a store and bought one. Soon after he switched to the Hathor (which are not available in Australia).
.

Good memory. Baers are great cabs, but I prefer the portability of the Hathor. I think those are the two best cabs I've played for RA or any other bass. I just prefer the paper cone highs to a tweeter or horn.

I ran a monique for awhile and have long been a fan of Jule's work (and Jule in general - awesome guy). At some point I streamlined my rig setup and I wasn't doing a lot of recording so I downsized but recommend it without hesitation.

 

[wallawallabob]

Added to the stable this year - my bestie (and long time music collaborator) and his wife GAVE me this bass for my birthday. I've been gassing for it for years, offered to buy it from them dozens of times. I gig/dig the CRAP out of this thing!

 

[wallawallabob]

Just for kicks, here's my chain:
RA MB2 - Genz Benz 3-10T shuttle for busking or very small gigs (works exceptionally well with my upright)
RA-MB2 - Genz Benz 6-210T shuttle for larger gigs and backup/monitor for larger sound systems.

No pedals, easy peasy. I play in 3 bands: acoustic blues (fave), praise, and also light rock. I play fingerstyle above the finger board for an upright sound and nearer the bridge for rock. When we play with a pro sound team, they love the MB2 because it sits in the mix so well.

 

[Stephen]

Random request:
Does anyone have any of the Labella black nylon tape C strings which are .046 that Rob provided for basses strung E-C that they would be will so sell me?
Many thanks !

 

[Jeff Elkins]

NBD! Actually, it's been a minute. But it needed some work before the reveal.

Thread about it: NBD - Rob Allen mb-2 Custom

View attachment 4350031

I've just posted this for sale if anyone's interested. Getting funds together for grad school - had to choose where to invest and school won. I won't be sad about it in a couple of years...

 

[kinopah]

SUPER psyched that I just scored this MB-2 from @Nightman!
This thing is a BEAST.

I play a lot of upright in my current group, but this is going to work so much better for a lot of our stuff (along with being less fickle and considerably more portable). Just gotta reacquaint myself with 5-string since I've been exclusively 4 for the past decade. In the short term it'll help if I can stop playing Cosmic Hippo every time I pick it up.

 

[Nightman]

It certainly is a beast and was loved when I had it, but it was just not getting played. I'm super psyched that it's in the hands of a true fretless player!

 

[Diddywah]

SUPER psyched that I just scored this MB-2 from @Nightman!
This thing is a BEAST.

View attachment 4569050 View attachment 4569051

I play a lot of upright in my current group, but this is going to work so much better for a lot of our stuff (along with being less fickle and considerably more portable). Just gotta reacquaint myself with 5-string since I've been exclusively 4 for the past decade. In the short term it'll help if I can stop playing Cosmic Hippo every time I pick it up.

Looks like a friendly beast to me

 

[spade2you]

Back to the B or C debate, my 6 string is 35" scale and the high C string still sounds amazing. Naturally, the B string is thunderous and heavenly.

 

[LeonD]

On a photography forum I frequent, they asked for folks to share a pic of an "Object of Affection". Seeing I play a bass nearly every day, my choice of what object became obvious. And my Rob Allen, being the prettiest bass I own right now made the choice of which bass downright easy.

I had an MB-2 and an MB-5f years ago but let them both go. Picked this MB-2 up here a few years back and it's not going anywhere. When I have nothing specific to play but just want to hear great tone, I always reach for this MB-2.