• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

The Mike Lull Club

Status
Not open for further replies.
#981
This is the M5v with alder /ash
AG obp-1 with Nordy split singe coils Unstoppable tone that makes you wanna play

Scott McArron said:
I've been spending some more time with it and have some gripes with the sound. For reference, Seymour Duncan pickups (singles or HC??) and Aggie OBP-1 pre.

Fingerstyle, it sounds really clean, a bit cold, has very little mid complexity and thickness that I like. With the Aggi pre engaged the high end is really bright, and that's without any highend boost.

It sounds tremendous for slap! Very aggressive when slapped, lot's of highs, barky, scooped sounding, but needs a little bass boost in there to add some bottom.

I'd probably recommend this bass for a rock player. I don't play rock. Mostly R&B, soul, funk, neo soul, some jazz, etc. Great picking sound and slap sound. I'm not too keen on the fingerstyle. And of course that's about 90% of what I do. :hmm:

So here's where my old Sadowsky really wins. I loved the tone of that bass. To me, it was almost perfect for what I'm looking for: thick, and pretty warm, good complex mids. The Lull feels right in my hands and looks pretty sweet as well, but I'm not digging the tone as much as I thought I would.
Suggestions?

My idea is to go with the DiMarzio Ultrajazz pickups. Relatively inexpensive and have a similar tone to the Sadowsky pickups. Maybe that would get me a thicker tone with meatier mids?
Click to expand...
 

Attachments

  • DSC_2737.jpg
    DSC_2737.jpg
    40.3 KB · Views: 101
  • IMG_0221_2.jpg
    IMG_0221_2.jpg
    34.1 KB · Views: 83
#982
Hey Lullbass, thanks for the info! I love the 3T-Sunburst with maple. My favorite vintage look and I almost got one just like that before finding this beauty.

Several people have mentioned that Nordies are the way to go. I just stopped by Mike's shop this afternoon for strings and found that he's got a used set of UltraJazz pickups in there for cheap. I think I may go with that at first (since I've had them in a Lull about 8 years ago and was pleased) and see if I get what I'm looking for.

I put Mike's (Dunlop's) strings on and it already feels and sounds better. These are round core, whereas the last unnamed set were definitely hex core and VERY stiff. These feel more like I'm playing a 4-string again, which is nice. And a lot of that zingy upper mids thing is gone, so I'm happy about that! Still no burpy bridge tone and the highs are little harsh to my ear, with or without the preamp engaged, and not very punchy. It feels really good in the hands though, and I know I'm getting closer to the tone I'm after! It's an adventure, but it's all part of the fun!
 
#984
Spencer! said:
Scott, you might want to try experimenting with different strings. My ash/maple Lull is a bright-sounding bass, but switching from my usual DR fat beams to the nickel sunbeams made a world of difference.
Click to expand...

I may have to give those a try. I've never gone the nickel route before, cuz I've been worried about the effect it would have on my slap tone. But it is a bright bass by nature, so maybe that would tame it some.
 
#985
Scott McArron said:
I may have to give those a try. I've never gone the nickel route before, cuz I've been worried about the effect it would have on my slap tone. But it is a bright bass by nature, so maybe that would tame it some.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the Sunbeams were my first set of nickels, and they've only been on the bass for a couple weeks. I'm liking them though - they feel smoother than steels and they sound a bit mellower.
 
#988
I had Nordy's on a Sadowsky USA 5 string. P/J to be exact. Hated them. The tone wasnt very authentic and they got squirrely with intonation about the 12th fret. I have the Duncans on my Lull P/J 5 and have more than happy with them. The sound, tone, and proper intonation above the 12th fret on the E and B strings has me spellbound. The Lull's are superb basses and I cant say enough good things about them. The pickup info is my opinion and is to be considered FWIW.
 
#989
I'm in love! :hyper: I just slapped some UltraJazz pups in her and can't say enough good things. Really fat down low, smooth highs, present but not pronounced mids. Man, I love this bass! And it plays so well, too, and will play like a dream once I get her Plek'd.

Mike's got some killer basses at his shop right now. He just finished a beautiful M5 that I just had to try out. I couldn't believe how light it was! Made my 9.2 lb Lull feel like a boat anchor! So I had to try it on the strap to see how she would balance. Again, I'm just amazed at how well it felt especially considering the length of those basses. Top notch!

Mike also has a new bass to add to the lineup that he's pulling out at NAMM. Got to try that sucker, and holy cow! that was a fat sounding bass! If I could afford another bass in the stable that would definitely be a top contender.
 
#990
Scott McArron said:
Mike also has a new bass to add to the lineup that he's pulling out at NAMM. Got to try that sucker, and holy cow! that was a fat sounding bass! If I could afford another bass in the stable that would definitely be a top contender.
Click to expand...

Are you talking about the 5-string T-bird? I was in his shop the other day and he told me about it. I guess I'll have to wait until NAMM to try it for myself!
 
#996
Scott McArron said:
I'm in love! :hyper: I just slapped some UltraJazz pups in her and can't say enough good things. Really fat down low, smooth highs, present but not pronounced mids. Man, I love this bass! And it plays so well, too, and will play like a dream once I get her Plek'd.
Click to expand...

That's great news, Scott! :cool:

Now that I have another bass with a nice, fat tone I plan on putting the Duncan single coils back into my M5V. I may put the 59CB Barts that are presently in it into another bass. I'm toying with the idea of buying an alder body/maple fb neck from USACG, but who knows. :D

I've always been a P-Bass guy at heart, so I'm gassing hard for either a Lull P5 or PJ5. :bassist

Once again, I'm glad to hear things worked out with your latest Lull.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back