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Double Bass Thompson RM-200

#21
I live in Boise Idaho- not a great many places for someone to go and make any kind of comparisons. I have ordered one of Steve's basses- an RM-100. I enjoyed talking to him, and was pretty pointed in my discussion about the leap of faith in doing a mail order bass like this.
I am in business and very passionate about doing the best possible job for my clients. Steve seems to be the same way. I am looking forward to getting my hands on this bass in the next couple of weeks and will post my impressions.
 
#24
Day 1 of RM-200: A reflection from the mind of a novice

Steve from String Emporium continued to be a straight up nice guy. Very professional and informative. Flew the bass over from Arizona to New Orleans. He sent an email with all the details I'd need. Picked it up when I was told it would arrive.

Packing was done very well. Lots of peanuts and cardboard in place so that the bass wouldn't move around at all! Bass was in tuff-bag along with bow/rosin. The realist pickup was already installed. Everything was set up ready to go.

Brought it home. Immediately started playing. To me? It sounds pretty awesome. I've got to practice more, but I definitely hear a good tone from it. The construction is solid. The only other bass I personally have to go off of is an old Kay that I used to practice on in college. This one is better than that one. Have yet to bow it. Only pizz. And I'm really happy so far. I have a couple ACTUAL bass playing buddies (with degrees and better gigs than what I get) who are going to take a look at it soon. =)

Haven't tried fitting it in my Civic yet, but I've seen videos and talked to people and there is hope.

Maybe if you have any questions, I can try to answer to the best of my ability. I'm really being quite honest in saying… I have no idea what I'm doing. I did also buy the Simandl method book and another book by Ron Carter.

Hope this helps someone. =)
 
#25
Is there anything you don't like about it? How would you describe the volume? Just wondering too, when you get around to using the bow, do you think the sound really resonates through the instrument or is it slightly muffled? I would think the oil finish would help some.
 
#26
Congratulations on your new bass!

I drove a 2006 two door Civic for a while, and my sister has a four dour that is as couple years newer. The bass was significantly easier to get into the two than the four, as the door frame was the biggest hurdle. It definitely turned some heads when I showed up at gigs with the double bass, a 410 cabinet, my electric bass and my girlfriend all in the two door Civic.

They're great cars, and people have put basses in vehicles a lot smaller. You'll figure it out.
 
#27
Honestly, nothing I don't like about it. Good craftsmanship. Good tone. Looks pretty. Stays in tune. Lol.

I finally bowed it a little today. The thing sings nicely. My technique needs work, but that's a me thing. Volume is nice and full sounding.

What I've been doing today is practicing with the Tuning CD which plays a tonic drone with a slightly softer dominant partial. Then going up and down scales in whatever key I had the drone in to try and get finger placement right focusing on intonation. This thing is a lot different than electric. Lol.
 
#28
I bought this bass for the purpose of having a secondary bass just set up for jazz, so I no longer have to have my expensive, old Czech bass on tour or tightly spaced restaurant-type gigs.
Living in AZ, I was able to take a drive up to phoenix to check out the bass in Steve's shop (basically a living room with 20+ bass instead of furniture).

The best thing I can say about this bass is that it's a great value! I didn't expect this thing to be so nice!

-awesome setup (easy to play, consistent)
-nice fittings (quality ebony fingerboard and tailpiece, great tuners, nice bridge)
-very well put together

I haven't shopped for basses much since I bought my orchestra bass more than 10 years ago, so I can't speak to what is out there really, but I think you'd have a hard time finding a brand new bass in this price range that sounds this good.

For me, buying a hybrid Chinese instrument vs. carved (where the wood is not likely very mature, therefore more prone to cracks) is a great balance of tone/playability with durability.
 
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#29
DylanD said:
...For me, buying a hybrid Chinese instrument vs. carved (where the wood is not likely very mature, therefore more prone to cracks) is a great balance of tone/playability with durability.
Click to expand...

I don't follow. A hybrid has a carved top. If green wood were a concern, then it would hold for hybrid as well as fully carved basses. From all accounts these instruments don't suffer from that.
 
#34
5 months into having the Thompson:

It's still in one piece. I just had some other local bass players test it out friday at a big band gig and they were impressed with the tone and feel of it. (of course they wouldn't have traded for their billion dollar no name german axe) but that's a given. lol.

However, for the occasional musical theater thing or the big band thing or the family jam session thing... this thing takes care of business. =)

Gonna look in to getting an AI Ten2 to go with it because I have a show coming up in the Quarter and don't want to lug my big thing around. (which isn't even really that big... just awkward to carry)
 
#36
Roger Mouton said:
Eric's comment about "skepticism" regarding these basses might go back to another member that just couldn't seem to accept all the good news that others were posting. He was wondering "why all the great reviews?" and speculating that these people might be shills. I think he finally came around but it sure took a long time.
Click to expand...

Ya know, I know I'm a little... uh... delayed here. But, I remember just perusing TB one day and seeing this guy and just thinking, "Wow... He is really determined to not like Thompsons." Haha small forum.
 
#37
Blackjac97 said:
Ya know, I know I'm a little... uh... delayed here. But, I remember just perusing TB one day and seeing this guy and just thinking, "Wow... He is really determined to not like Thompsons." Haha small forum.
Click to expand...

...and you were dead wrong. Better to read thoroughly than to merely peruse. Start right here. :)
 
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#39
Blackjac97 said:
Better to look for subtext than to take things literally.
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Nonsense, and foolish as well. Not a matter of looking for subtext. Rather a matter of you inventing what was not there. As a matter of practice, what you advocate often leads one astray-- just as it did you. You assumed some motivation that was never present. You convinced yourself about what I believe even though I never said it, didn't believe it, and have stated otherwise. That's called fantasy. It's absurd.
 
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