The Once-in-a-Lifetime ABG /EABG purchase.

[Groove Doctor]

I don't know about the f/board radius til I try one. And that isn't going to happen as I don't know anywhere in UK that stocks them (except for mail order). I suspect the radius is something that you just get used to: I can't imagine not liking it and stopping using the instrument for that reason.

I love a curved radius, and got used to this within hours. I play it vertical 95% of the time.

Seated/horizontal = EB lines may feel a bit cumbersome. BUT.... it's much easier to play DB lines on this than on a DB. It comes down to your approach and note choices.

I workshop at home new songs or tricky fills on this for ease/volume in apartment and find I can transfer them straight over to my DB.

 

[Rockin John]

I wouldn't expect to play it in it's upright mode ... well, maybe once just to see what it's like.

Mainly I expect to play it either standing or **maybe** seated, hence the question about a strap button at the neck heel.

 

[Rockin John]

I wouldn't expect to play it in it's upright mode ... well, maybe once just to see what it's like.

Mainly I expect to play it either standing or **maybe** seated, hence the question about a strap button at the neck heel.

I also like the look of the Aria FEB FL. But it's not my once in a lifetime bass! Both Yamaha and Epiphone have made similar instruments in the past but, like the Aria, not my lifetimer!

 

[Felken]

I'd suggest the Rob Allen deep 5 (fretless). Super deep acoustic tone, and beautiful. I'm pretty sure it's unlined fretless.

 

[Rockin John]

Hello, Felken, and thanks.

Allen basses are really nice. But, for me, they look too much like an electric bass: I'm aiming at the 'acoustic' look as I see it. Something like my Tanglewood TW55 (shown earlier in the thread) or an F-hole archtop like the Aria above / Takamine TB10.

I must say, however, that Allen basses sound great. Ordinarily, therefore, I might go for that.

Tks.

J

 

[GrooverMcTube]

Invalid Link Removed?

The TB10 bass is handcrafted in our pro series facility that has been building precision quality instruments over five decades.

A unique hybrid crossover bass guitar, it retains the 34” scale but the fretboard has the radius of an upright bass, which allows for bowing. It can be played as a regular bass guitar or as an upright with the tail pin extension peg. This fretless instrument produces a tone heavy and fundamental with the rich harmonics you would expect from an upright bass.

Includes Takamine’s Palathetic™ pickup, known in the industry as one of the most accurate and natural sounding acoustic/electric pickups. The electronic performance package is beyond state of the art with the Cool Tube® Preamp – the first and only tube preamp in an acoustic guitar.

Edit: Oops. My bad. See you had referenced this very bass in the previous post.

 

[MD]

^^^
That write up is misleading; the B/TB10, realistically speaking, is not bowable.
Just putting it out there.

 

[Rockin John]

Invalid Link Removed?

The TB10 bass is handcrafted in our pro series facility that has been building precision quality instruments over five decades.

A unique hybrid crossover bass guitar, it retains the 34” scale but the fretboard has the radius of an upright bass, which allows for bowing. It can be played as a regular bass guitar or as an upright with the tail pin extension peg. This fretless instrument produces a tone heavy and fundamental with the rich harmonics you would expect from an upright bass.

Includes Takamine’s Palathetic™ pickup, known in the industry as one of the most accurate and natural sounding acoustic/electric pickups. The electronic performance package is beyond state of the art with the Cool Tube® Preamp – the first and only tube preamp in an acoustic guitar.

Edit: Oops. My bad. See you had referenced this very bass in the previous post.

I did, Mr McTube, but thanks anyway. I've fancied this instrument for 15 years. YouTube sound clips and all reports suggest it's about as good as it gets! The only issue is, trying one before I consider buying. However good folk say it is it'd be madness to spend 2500 on something unseen and in tried. Tks. J

 

[Rockin John]

^^^
That write up is misleading; the B/TB10, realistically speaking, is not bowable.
Just putting it out there.

Hello. I didn't realise that. I'd have no plans to bow it so that wouldn't really apply. I just want (what I consider to be) the best and the TB10 has to be up there!

 

[BassHappy]

 

[Rockin John]

Thanks, BassHappy. I like the top one: what make is it, please? The rest look too much like electric bass guitars for my taste as I'm looking for the 'acoustic look'. Oh, and must be unlined fretless!

Tks V much.

J

 

[MrBEAR]

Price is 10k + however my idea of "acoustic look" in a bass would lean towards orchestral tradition.

Look into Gerald Marleaux's Contra bass for some inspiration.

 

[Rockin John]

Price is 10k + however my idea of "acoustic look" in a bass would lean towards orchestral tradition.

Look into Gerald Marleaux's Contra bass for some inspiration.

Thank you. Unfortunately these all look like electric bass guitars and I'm aiming for the acoustic look. But thanks again.

Best.

J

 

[BassHappy]

Thanks, BassHappy. I like the top one: what make is it, please? The rest look too much like electric bass guitars for my taste as I'm looking for the 'acoustic look'. Oh, and must be unlined fretless!

Tks V much.

J

Hi John

Sure, the top one is a Warwick Alien. They made some high end prototypes in Germany in the beginning, then subbed out the expensive high end ones to Viet Nam. Then they made a budget line of Alien's in the Far East. Mine is one of the high end models made in Viet Nam. It's a beautiful bass with a full rich tone.

Bill Laswell got his at the same time I got mine, our instruments are virtually identical, except his is fretless. He made an entire solo acoustic album, with just him and his Alien here:

Bill Laswell - Means of Deliverance - Amazon.com Music

There are sound clips if you scroll.

 

[Rockin John]

Thank you. Unfortunately these all look like electric bass guitars and I'm aiming for the acoustic look - like the Tanglewood in my avatar pic, or the Takamine TB10 style. But thanks again.

Best.

J

 

[Rockin John]

Hi John

Sure, the top one is a Warwick Alien. They made some high end prototypes in Germany in the beginning, then subbed out the expensive high end ones to Viet Nam. Then they made a budget line of Alien's in the Far East. Mine is one of the high end models made in Viet Nam. It's a beautiful bass with a full rich tone.

Bill Laswell got his at the same time I got mine, our instruments are virtually identical, except his is fretless. He made an entire solo acoustic album, with just him and his Alien here:

Bill Laswell - Means of Deliverance - Amazon.com Music

There are sound clips if you scroll.

Thanks. I thought it might have been the Warwick, but wasn't sure. That bass was already on my list! Tks again. J

 

[Bob Bear]

^^^
That write up is misleading; the B/TB10, realistically speaking, is not bowable.
Just putting it out there.

I bow mine without any problems.

 

[MD]

I bow mine without any problems.

I'd like to see a video of that.
New TB rule... If you say you can play something, prove it.

 

[Rockin John]

Well, a few weeks have gone by and I'm still not much closer to getting a new bass. I was in touch with one Uk dealer, but he (the owner) showed a great lack of interest in helping me part with my money. In fact his pre-sale customer service was astonishingly poor.

My options really are limited, though. Apart from 'made to measure' basses, only the TB10 comes close and I'm not sure about that bass!

The Ortega looks good but that's about it!

It would be good to see Martin or Taylor offering a fretless option, but they don't.

 

[bholder]

Well, a few weeks have gone by and I'm still not much closer to getting a new bass. I was in touch with one Uk dealer, but he (the owner) showed a great lack of interest in helping me part with my money. In fact his pre-sale customer service was astonishingly poor.

My options really are limited, though. Apart from 'made to measure' basses, only the TB10 comes close and I'm not sure about that bass!

The Ortega looks good but that's about it!

It would be good to see Martin or Taylor offering a fretless option, but they don't.

I've had searches out for a Taylor/Klein fretless, haven't seen another go by yet...