The Conklin Owners Club!

[eli]

I had a Groove Tools 4 string for years and selling it was the best decision ever. Just a heavy piece of wood and a such a mediocre bass, especially for the price. (I got it for free in a music store raffle) Couldn't stand the cable lock on the jack. Pain in the neck to keep set up well.

I'm with coyote1. As I mentioned above, if for some reason I had to sell off my basses one by one, my two GT7s would probably be the last two I would have. I find them easy to play, great-sounding, and very flexible tonally. Between the two of them, I can get almost any sound I've ever gotten out of an electric bass guitar.

 

[Persona87]

Hey guys; it's not my primary instrument, but I thought I'd share my GT-5 fretless. I bought this several years back (six or seven?) from a Guitar Center where a friend of mine worked. Funnily enough, it was one that he was thinking about buying! When I was looking at it, I realized that there were some pretty severe electronic problems with it: the neck pickup wasn't working, and the preamp wasn't working. I decided to make it a "Super Jazz" with an Aguilar OBP-3 pre and a set of Aguilar Super Singles. With a flat neck, a set of DR Sunbeams, and a particular touch, I can get a great mwah sound out of this bass!

There are some things that I wish I could change. First of all, it is heavy. I haven't weighed it, but it feels just as heavy as my six strings (or even more so). Secondly, the edges of the fingerboard are pretty sharp. I've been thinking about asking my luthier if they can be rolled, but I play this bass so infrequently, I'm not sure if it would be worth it. Lastly, even though I like the Super Singles, part of me thinks I should have gone for the Aguilar Super Splits to avoid the hum they produce. It's not overwhelming, but I've always disliked noisy electronics.

Does this club have member numbers?

 

[Razman]

Hey guys; it's not my primary instrument, but I thought I'd share my GT-5 fretless. I bought this several years back (six or seven?) from a Guitar Center where a friend of mine worked. Funnily enough, it was one that he was thinking about buying! When I was looking at it, I realized that there were some pretty severe electronic problems with it: the neck pickup wasn't working, and the preamp wasn't working. I decided to make it a "Super Jazz" with an Aguilar OBP-3 pre and a set of Aguilar Super Singles. With a flat neck, a set of DR Sunbeams, and a particular touch, I can get a great mwah sound out of this bass!

There are some things that I wish I could change. First of all, it is heavy. I haven't weighed it, but it feels just as heavy as my six strings (or even more so). Secondly, the edges of the fingerboard are pretty sharp. I've been thinking about asking my luthier if they can be rolled, but I play this bass so infrequently, I'm not sure if it would be worth it. Lastly, even though I like the Super Singles, part of me thinks I should have gone for the Aguilar Super Splits to avoid the hum they produce. It's not overwhelming, but I've always disliked noisy electronics.

Does this club have member numbers?

View attachment 3632006 View attachment 3632007

Bump, and a much belated reply. Not sure if numbers are provided, but if you ever decide that your fretless needs a new home, I know someone who has been searching for a lined fretless fiver for a long time. Perhaps timing will be right some day.

I just strung my Gt-7 with a low F#. It is much easier to play now, as it shifts my hand position up a string so now it feels like I'm playing my sixer. Exploring ways to use that lower string is fun, and I find myself gravitating towards it more often than I thought I would. Got the .200 set from Kalium - it's a fat string, but still pretty flexible!

Raz

 

[Bass Man Stan]

Conklin alert! Guitar Center Fresno GT5. Wenge and purple heart neck. Purple heart fretboard.

 

[Razman]

Conklin alert! Guitar Center Fresno GT5. Wenge and purple heart neck. Purple heart fretboard.

There's another GC that has a Bill Dickens sig GT-7. That's the one I want next.

 

[Bass Man Stan]

I'm a short scale four string player. This thing caught my eye and is only four bills. Really nice bass.

 

[gscroggin]

I realize it's been a while since anyone posted in this thread, but I came across the following today and thought it was too cool / unique not to share:

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You don't see this sort of thing too often! I have no affiliation, was looking for a combo amp locally for a friend.

 

[Razman]

I realize it's been a while since anyone posted in this thread, but I came across the following today and thought it was too cool / unique not to share:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

You don't see this sort of thing too often! I have no affiliation, was looking for a combo amp locally for a friend.

I think I also saw this on Reverb or the 'Bay too - pics aren't really that great of it. Looks like it's finished in bedliner. Other than 10 strings, it doesn't look as impressive as other instruments in that price range.

When I get asked about my GT-7 I remark that Psalms 144:9 says to worship on an instrument of ten strings (I use mine at church) so I'm still working my way up to that number. I have a ways to go before I have that much disposable $$ to purchase one (at least one of Bill's creations).

Raz

 

[LowEndLobster]

Hey everyone! Here's my latest video examining my Conklin GTRP-4 Rocco Prestia Signature! Enjoy

 

[Mastodon2]

When I saw this thread had been bumped, it reminded me of the news that Bill Conklin sadly passed away a few days ago. An extremely talented luthier and one of the guys I would often dream of having build me a custom instrument.

 

[gscroggin]

When I saw this thread had been bumped, it reminded me of the news that Bill Conklin sadly passed away a few days ago. An extremely talented luthier and one of the guys I would often dream of having build me a custom instrument.

Oh man, that's too bad. Thanks for the notice...sort of

 

[spade2you]

I was aware of Bill Conklin's passing and picked up my bass for the first time in a while. I haven't been in a band since 2013. Without bands, I have mostly been playing acoustic guitar on my own. I was surprised I still have some fretless chops.

Kind of thinking of ordering a 12 string bass. Looking at some logistics. Would have to sell some stuff first.

 

[Highs&Lows]

In memory of the great Bill Conklin, here is my Sidewinder 5 string from the 90s with original Lane Poor pick ups. It has an amazing neck and one of the best B Strings ever. No Dead Spots and balances so well on a strap. Truly a wonderful instrument.

 

[eli]

In memory of the great Bill Conklin, here is my Sidewinder 5 string from the 90s with original Lane Poor pick ups. It has an amazing neck and one of the best B Strings ever. No Dead Spots and balances so well on a strap. Truly a wonderful instrument.

I'm a knobs guy, so of course I want to know what's under the hood there...!

 

[Highs&Lows]

So looking down from the players perspective we got in the first row of knobs; Volume (push/pull for active/passive), Blend, some sort of EQ knob that works in active mode similar to a tone knob (really like this one), kill switch. Second row; Bass, Mid, Treble.

These Lane Poor pick ups really sound special. Clear and articulate with warmth and they have (to my ears and fingers) a unique response.

 

[PappaRay]

My Conklin. 90's. A real player!

 

[Iridescentone]

RIP Bill Conklin. One of the nicest playing basses I'm ever likely to own...

 

[eli]

That engraving in the pickguard is SUPER cool. Don't EVER sell this, you'll never forgive yourself and you'll never replace it.

 

[Razman]

Question for any GT-7 owners (or GT-x - not sure) - is your Groove Tools bass noisy? I had one prior to owning mine (but didn't own it very long) and didn't notice, but the Barts in mine were a little noisy (produces more of a hiss as opposed to a buzz). I thought it might have been the preamp so I replaced it with a Bart NTMB (for the added mid control) and that helped but the noise is still there. Then, while testing the new sound system out at my church last night it was very pronounced. Seems to be affected by the fluorescent lighting, and little we did lessened it.

Any ideas there? I do know that the Barts in my GT-7 are active, and that's the first set of active Bartolini's I've ever seen. Maybe what this really means is that I need to buy another bass... (Actually, I do, I want a Bill Dickens signature model).

 

[Persona87]

Wish I could help, but I replaced the pickups in mine with Aguilar Super Singles when I bought it used. I have no idea how the stock electronics sound. I can vouch for the Aguilars if they can fit your 7-string!