The Mike Lull Club Part 4

[BGroovy]

Just watching the video with Spencer and I had no idea that Pat Wilkins did his finishes! Pat is the nicest guy on the planet and I have a very cool Wilkins P/J that I love! What a great connection to learn about. I didn't know that my two basses were cousins. I'm sure they'll be very happy together!

BTW, does anyone from Lull monitor this forum?

Spencer is very responsive to Instagram DMs

 

[macribas]

Just watching the video with Spencer and I had no idea that Pat Wilkins did his finishes! Pat is the nicest guy on the planet and I have a very cool Wilkins P/J that I love! What a great connection to learn about. I didn't know that my two basses were cousins. I'm sure they'll be very happy together!

BTW, does anyone from Lull monitor this forum?

Thanks for watching the interview!

Spencer is the admin of the Facebook group but he stopped coming to Talkbass. So if you want to call their attention, post there.

 

[dwellers]

NBD! Lull arrived this week and I unboxed this morning. First reaction was "man this is light!" And it plays, "like butter!" Super clean, warm sounding and great controls. My new Zio preamp really brings it a huge range of tones but on its own this bass captures a great traditional/vintage J tone without. I think I'm really going to love this bass and I can't wait to get to rehearsal and a gig soon! So happy to be part of the Lull family!

--David

P.S. Huge control cavity that might be begging for a little 2 band pre. Has to have active/passive control. Thinking Bartolini but open to other suggestions. Ideas?

 

[kevk]

Congrats…that's gorgeous! ^^^

I highly recommend the Trickfish IPA (active/passive) preamp. I've used Bart 2-band—also a nice preamp. I find the IPA a little smoother, more usable control headroom; like that I can adjust the b-t frequency choice via tiny shunts on the preamp. Once I've found which bass and treble freq's work best for me, I've never desired to change them. All my Lull IPA-loaded basses are wired for 4 knob (v | v | vtc | b-t) though—I'm assuming the IPA can be configured for 3 knobs, but not absolutely sure.

 

[macribas]

Congrats! ^^^

I highly recommend the Trickfish IPA (active/passive) preamp. I've used Bart 2-band—also a nice preamp. I find the IPA a little smoother, more usable control headroom; like that I can adjust the b-t frequency choice via tiny shunts on the preamp. Once I've found which bass and treble freq's work best for me, I've never desired to change them. All my IPA-loaded basses are wired for 4 knob (v | v | vtc | b-t) though—I'm assuming the IPA can be configured for 3 knobs, but not absolutely sure.

I came here to say that!

 

[dwellers]

Congrats…that's gorgeous! ^^^

I highly recommend the Trickfish IPA (active/passive) preamp. I've used Bart 2-band—also a nice preamp. I find the IPA a little smoother, more usable control headroom; like that I can adjust the b-t frequency choice via tiny shunts on the preamp. Once I've found which bass and treble freq's work best for me, I've never desired to change them. All my Lull IPA-loaded basses are wired for 4 knob (v | v | vtc | b-t) though—I'm assuming the IPA can be configured for 3 knobs, but not absolutely sure.

I'm not sure I see a three hole option for the IPA. I really only want a 2 band EQ so would like Vol (active/passive p/p) - Blend - Stacked T/B.

Oh, and I can't speak highly enough about the little Zio preamp from Source Audio. I am just a user but so far I'm in love with it and my passive Lull. I may actually have no need for an internal pre. It makes the bass sound huge but tames the lows in a way that would require an HPF and probably eq point control.

 

[arszon]

I had to drop a pic of my M5 Quilt top in tobacco burst. She's a beaut.

 

[kevk]

I had to drop a pic of my M5 Quilt top in tobacco burst. She's a beaut.

View attachment 7305720

Oh my…that's a fantastic axe! : )

 

[bass9999]

Ok, if we're doing show-me...

Here's my J430 - short scale (kept me in the game), solid ash 7.7lbs, passive, Nordstrand Big Singles and don't need no stinkin' batteries! , B-bridge, no string-thru-body, a glorious instrument (thank you Lull Workshop and you-know-who).

 

[dwellers]

NBD! Lull arrived this week and I unboxed this morning. First reaction was "man this is light!" And it plays, "like butter!" Super clean, warm sounding and great controls. My new Zio preamp really brings it a huge range of tones but on its own this bass captures a great traditional/vintage J tone without. I think I'm really going to love this bass and I can't wait to get to rehearsal and a gig soon! So happy to be part of the Lull family!

--David

P.S. Huge control cavity that might be begging for a little 2 band pre. Has to have active/passive control. Thinking Bartolini but open to other suggestions. Ideas?

Probably going to leave well enough alone and stay passive! But...the installed Fralins are noisy when solo'd. Not all the time but I think if the lights are set at the right dimmer level they make a lot of noise. Spoke to Max at FBT and he suggested the Fralin split jazz or the Bartolini B-Axis hum cancelers. If anyone has experience with them, especially compared to the Fralin standard jazz pups, I'd love to hear it. Thanks!

 

[bdgotoh]

Probably going to leave well enough alone and stay passive! But...the installed Fralins are noisy when solo'd. Not all the time but I think if the lights are set at the right dimmer level they make a lot of noise. Spoke to Max at FBT and he suggested the Fralin split jazz or the Bartolini B-Axis hum cancelers. If anyone has experience with them, especially compared to the Fralin standard jazz pups, I'd love to hear it. Thanks!

You should check that those aren't already Fralin splitcoils before you spend the money. I ordered that new and according to my spreadsheet it had Fralin splitcoils when I got it. It's gone through several people's hands since then so I can't be sure nothing changed. Either check the polarity of the magnets across one pickup, or check the underside of the pickup and look for two separate coils.

Congrats on a lovely Lull bass!

 

[dwellers]

You should check that those aren't already Fralin splitcoils before you spend the money. I ordered that new and according to my spreadsheet it had Fralin splitcoils when I got it. It's gone through several people's hands since then so I can't be sure nothing changed. Either check the polarity of the magnets across one pickup, or check the underside of the pickup and look for two separate coils.

Congrats on a lovely Lull bass!

Thanks for that! Spencer's note to me said "Lindy Fralin Humcanceling Jazz Pickups." Got me thinking "hmm" so I went for a peek. Not sure what these are but they don't look either the Fralin Jazz or Split Jazz on the current website. Underside of pickup had no name/branding that I could find. It was a black "crinkle" finish. The wires were connected to just the treble side, not like the splits. Any thoughts?

 

[bdgotoh]

Hmm, very interesting. That's definitely not a splitcoil.. They could be Fralins, he didn't label his pickups in the old days. Fralin splitcoils are awesome, they were my default Jazz pickup back when Mike was alive. Stock or 5% overwound were my faves.

 

[dwellers]

Hmm, very interesting. That's definitely not a splitcoil.. They could be Fralins, he didn't label his pickups in the old days. Fralin splitcoils are awesome, they were my default Jazz pickup back when Mike was alive. Stock or 5% overwound were my faves.

Yep, very. The gent that sold it to me is going to check with Fralin to see if they are his. Did he make something other than the current lineup? If I go with something else I was considering the Fralin split coils or the Bartolini B-Axis. Ever try those?

 

[T McClure]

There's a Lull PJ430 for sale, and I have a question for those more familiar with Lull builds. I will have to opportunity to try it out when I fly out there in the near future, but there's one oddity about it.

The listing says, "This one has a factory defect: holes were drilled in the body for string-through, but it was also equipped with a top-load bridge."




I don't see the holes from this close up photo of the bridge.

Do you think the description is correct that Lull made a mistake and still sold it this way? Or did someone later change the bridge out to one covering the holes?

 

[macribas]

There's a Lull PJ430 for sale, and I have a question for those more familiar with Lull builds. I will have to opportunity to try it out when I fly out there in the near future, but there's one oddity about it.

The listing says, "This one has a factory defect: holes were drilled in the body for string-through, but it was also equipped with a top-load bridge."

View attachment 7311443
View attachment 7311445

I don't see the holes from this close up photo of the bridge.

Do you think the description is correct that Lull made a mistake and still sold it this way? Or did someone later change the bridge out to one covering the holes?

This is a good opportunity for you to reach out to Spencer about it. But my money is on the other way around. Someone drilled the holes afterwards trying to give it a little more tension as it is a short scale. Then reverted the bridge to the original.

 

[kevk]

There's a Lull PJ430 for sale, and I have a question for those more familiar with Lull builds. I will have to opportunity to try it out when I fly out there in the near future, but there's one oddity about it.

The listing says, "This one has a factory defect: holes were drilled in the body for string-through, but it was also equipped with a top-load bridge."

View attachment 7311443
View attachment 7311445

I don't see the holes from this close up photo of the bridge.

Do you think the description is correct that Lull made a mistake and still sold it this way? Or did someone later change the bridge out to one covering the holes?

+1 I'd reach out to Spencer…but comparing to one of my several Lull basses with HS A bridge, the bridge in your pic appears slightly different. Could be just the pic, but the metal between the saddles is slightly rounded edges on all mine (top pic) and super shiny chrome. Saddles appear subtly different as well…

 

[Norwegian_Wood]

What size are the hipshot ultralights on Lull's? I have a 2012 P4 that I want to put a drop tuner on.

 

[macribas]

What size are the hipshot ultralights on Lull's? I have a 2012 P4 that I want to put a drop tuner on.

3/8.

USA Ultralite® Bass Xtender™ 3/8"

Extend the range of your bass with the Ultralite Xtender™ Key! 3/8 model (diameter of string post) is designed to fit 9/16 headstock holes. This Xtender™ can be upgraded to include a Double Stop lever. Not sure which Xtender to buy? We are here to help! Send photos of the front and the back of...

hipshotproducts.com

But reach out to Jason at FretNation, he can get you a better price.

 

[Norwegian_Wood]

3/8.

USA Ultralite® Bass Xtender™ 3/8"

Extend the range of your bass with the Ultralite Xtender™ Key! 3/8 model (diameter of string post) is designed to fit 9/16 headstock holes. This Xtender™ can be upgraded to include a Double Stop lever. Not sure which Xtender to buy? We are here to help! Send photos of the front and the back of...

hipshotproducts.com

But reach out to Jason at FretNation, he can get you a better price.

I really appreciate the help!