Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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 Once-in-a-Lifetime ABG /EABG purchase.
- Thread starter Rockin John
- Start date
Well, a few points, really, bearing in mind that I've never seen a TB10 never mind had a try on one. And, because, it's a niche market instrument, dealers don't have them hanging on the wall so I'm very unlikely to get that chance. So ...
First, spending £/$2500 on a bass I've not seen is a big put off.
Second, I understand there are no position dots on the side of the neck.
Third, the action is set fairly high: I like mine low so that would have to be done.
Forth, I want to play it on a strap but there are no strap buttons: another job to be done.
Fifth, I'm unsure about the 6" f/board radius as I like a fairly flat 'board.
Sixth, will the body be too deep for comfortable strap playing?
That's what makes me unsure!
John
First, spending £/$2500 on a bass I've not seen is a big put off.
Second, I understand there are no position dots on the side of the neck.
Third, the action is set fairly high: I like mine low so that would have to be done.
Forth, I want to play it on a strap but there are no strap buttons: another job to be done.
Fifth, I'm unsure about the 6" f/board radius as I like a fairly flat 'board.
Sixth, will the body be too deep for comfortable strap playing?
That's what makes me unsure!
John
1. I paid much less used. I wasn't looking for one per se, but it came up locally on eBay....
2. Previous owner put white dots at 3, 5, 7 & 9th 'fret' positions. No dots on my DB. I've played stacks of 34" Fretless so very easy transition for me.
3. Action perfect for playing in upright position. Be aware a lot of ABGs will have a higher action. Rob Allen basses have the lowest, smoothest action by far of all that I've tried.
4. I play my Rob Allen Mouse if needing a bass strapped on. The TB10 nut will be quite some way away from you with a strap. That's due to string afterlength btw bridge and tailpiece.
5. Radius easy in vertical position. Seated it plays really lovely. It might take your left hand some time to adapt, or you won't adapt, hence me being very upfront about that concern.
6. Haven't tried it with strap. Seated it's a little bulky depth wise, but ooooh so nice to play with the contoured back/face plus taller bridge gives easy access when horizontal. When you hear it live thru the PA, you'll get what all the fuss is about.
Sounds like you want an ABG that doesn't LOOK like your average ABG or EB, but PLAYS like one. Slim pickings, boutique prices. You've just gotta work out which compromises you can live with.
Last edited:
Sure. Thanks. Thrown into the mix is not so great health. I've had carpal tunnel for some years, shoulder probs, wrist probs + general poorish health.
I made myself an upright a few years back and decided to buy a 'real' one. But I realised at the last moment that I wasn't going to be able to handle it for health reasons, so re-looked at the ABG. Actually, I looked at the TB10 over ten years ago. Maybe a used one will come along.
Tks.
J
I made myself an upright a few years back and decided to buy a 'real' one. But I realised at the last moment that I wasn't going to be able to handle it for health reasons, so re-looked at the ABG. Actually, I looked at the TB10 over ten years ago. Maybe a used one will come along.
Tks.
J
1 - Is there a dealer near you that can ask a Takamine rep bring in a bass for you to try? I bought mine sight unseen, but it was used, and real cheap.
2 - Correct. A tuner and a black sharpie takes care of that real fast.
3 - Yep, you'd have to deal with that. I think the higher action lets the string vibrate a lot more, and is part of the tone.
4 - There are strap buttons, albeit, the heel button doesn't seem to be located in the best position. I sit when I play; a chair at home, a stool on gigs.
5 - Can't get around that. If you can, find a cello and sit down with it horizontally on your thigh. That might give you a little insight as to how the B10 will feel.
6 - It might be, I'll have to give that a try. It may take an extra long strap though.
Good luck in your search.
I've got issues too that are only getting worse. No point ruining my work and my hobby.
The Taki & my Mouse are definite keepers though, both came up used at good prices. Options used are limited in Aus, taxes/freight & our dollar means astronomical prices new and importing used.
The Mouse is more versatile tone wise (DB-ish to Fretless to EB-ish) depending on technique/EQ/comp/HPF. It's incredibly easy to play.
I got a DB that I'm playing only short stints at home and short gigs. I've simplified my playing drastically, which allows me to sing more.
I don't believe a 'Holy Grail' bass exists, there's always a compromise (and I own some phenomenal gear).
IMO just grab whatever comes up at a good price that takes your fancy. Buy and flip a few until you find one or two that make you happy.
PS. A Deep 4, F hole, violin finish, thumb extension looks the least EB-like of all.
Attachments
Last edited:
I own several acoustics I loved my Breedlove fretless for yeara.. BUT then I discovered the Takamine TB10... There is nothing that comes close...
Groove Doc, I have looked at the Epiphone. I don't exactly know what "Masterbuilt" means. Maybe it's made in China but with a fancy headstock decal?
Bob Bear, the problem I've got with the Takamine is that I can't try before I buy. I feel unwilling to splash out that money on something I've never seen, let alone tried. I've not seen a used example for a long time so I'm a bit stuck on the TB 10.
Tks. RJ
Bob Bear, the problem I've got with the Takamine is that I can't try before I buy. I feel unwilling to splash out that money on something I've never seen, let alone tried. I've not seen a used example for a long time so I'm a bit stuck on the TB 10.
Tks. RJ
Masterbilt Century is just the name of the product line, FFIW:
MBCentury
Epiphone Masterbilt® De Luxe Classic™ 4-String Acoustic/Electric Bass Guitar
- Dec 21, 2007
- 15,233
- 45,120
- Disclosures
- Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
You know, @Rockin John , I appreciate how you are taking your time on this. I see so many "I saw this and just had to buy it right now!" (and then try to sell it a month later) posts on TB. Very cool that you are taking this methodically.
Yes, indeed. Thanks. But Epiphone use that word to have the potential buyer think he / she is getting more than a run-of-the-mill bass. It evokes an image of craftsmen lovingly building the instrument when, in all probability, they're churned out by the truck load in a Chinese factory (which does not in itself make them bad instruments).
Just how it appears to me.
Your comment is very kind. Thanks. I've been going over this for a few months. Part of the delay is that it's not possible to go into one dealer and have a try on these basses. Further, my closest dealer could only interest the UK distributor of Furch basses to demonstrate them to me by getting them to the store.
I cannot yet get Takmine nor Martin to have any interest (via a dealer) in letting me see their top of the range basses. The attitude seems to be that if I want to see one I've got to go and look for it. Would you not think these makers would be itching to get me to part with my money? But no! I also enquired through my dealer about Boulder Creek and a couple of other makes that seemed nice. Again, no.
I flatly refuse to part with £2500 / $3000 for a bass I've never seen nor played.
In addition there would be a couple of basses to move on. But the local dealer seems disinterested in part-ex saying they are specialist instruments that he thinks he could not sell. As it happens I don't need the trade in to be able to buy a Takamine **and** a Martin. By the same token, neither do I need lots of basses.
All in all, I'm being forced to take my time to get it right... which is, of course, greatly beneficial. It's making me be very selective and research thoroughly. It might even be that I can find a dealer who can get these basses in for me to try ... especially if I might buy both.
We will see!
Have you asked on BassChat if anyone in UK who owns one will let you pick it up and play it? Clarky (Moderator) had one for a while, he's very helpful.
One needs to put it in perspective I guess. Epiphone Masterbilt *guitars*, as far as I've googled, are made out of solid woods with some attention to detail and deliberate design, and "Masterbilt" is probably only meant to convey they are more than run-of-the-Epiphone-mill acoustics: in the end the company name, which all of us in less than our eighties equate with "Gibson's sub-brand", and the price point (which I understand to be around fiveish Bens for the flat-top six-stringers) should be enough not to fool buyers into illusions of sublime craftsmanship and fully made in the US of A masterpieces, finally and finely polished in human leather cloths. Heck, they even spell it without the "i": if anything it should evoke visions of undertoothed, red-necked, one-shouldered-overalls-clad cabin builders, at most...Yes, indeed. Thanks. But Epiphone use that word to have the potential buyer think he / she is getting more than a run-of-the-mill bass. It evokes an image of craftsmen lovingly building the instrument when, in all probability, they're churned out by the truck load in a Chinese factory (which does not in itself make them bad instruments).
Just how it appears to me.
But seriously, there's little doubt these instruments are made overseas, but those from the Century De Luxe line are supposed to be benefitting from older archtop-building bracing design and construction in general, plus decent electronics. Or so they say. Only thing I can say for sure is I like the looks of the bass. The gold (amber, natural, whatever) even more than the 'burst.
Yes. Agree with ll you say. I quite like the look of the instrument, too. It's one I casually looked at in my search for an electro acoustic. Won't be buying one cos I have a Hofner Verythin CT ... which is very nice, IMHO.
No I haven't. Maybe foolishly I never thing to use Basschat: I only visit this site. I'll have a look. Ta.
Customize any way you want. Great sound plugged in. VERY quiet unplugged as it is only "semi" hollow.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
