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Traben Club, Level 2.

#221
New Traben Array LTD
It was made in 2008 in Korea, which being Korean made was the only way I wanted it, they checked it in the warehouse to verify that before I bought it.
It's been sitting in the warehouse for a few years but it is perfect.
Why these basses are not more popular is beyond me, must be the bridge?

DSCN2081_zps61f5f9c9.gif

DSCN2083_zps283adcde.gif

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#223
I have owned a lot of basses but this is the first one that came set-up, nothing loose, nothing missing. Set-up is kind of a personal thing but this one looks like I already did a set-up on it when it arrived.
The nut is cut right (string depth), that's a first.
The preamp has a slight hum in it but it's very slight, that would be my only complaint but it's too minor to even think about doing something about it.
It weighs 9 lbs. and has a great feeling neck that is a little different than my Chaos core.
Two CF reinforcement rods in the 5 piece neck plus it has two truss rods that are dual action.
It really has it all.
 
#225
Traben gets a basd rap now because a lot of the newer ones have a lot of lemons last i heard. I got an older model chaos core and i have no idea why other tber's hate on this brand. I love the instrument. I find i get this very percussive and almost thumb sound when i turn all of the eq on the bass and amp completely down.
 
#227
Hey everyone, new around here. Figured the best way to intro myself is to post my Traben collection and ask for a number (if they are still being handed out)
I love my Trabens and will never give them up. They include an Array NT (with D'Addario Chromes), Chaos Core (with Dean Markley Blue Steels), and a Neo Limited (with DR Black Beauties).

All are Made in Korea models but only the Neo Limited has a T serial number.

These basses are so underrated. I hype them up to anyone that asks.

bass.jpg
 
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#228
Promise said:
Hey everyone, new around here. Figured the best way to intro myself is to post my Traben collection and ask for a number (if they are still being handed out)
I love my Trabens and will never give them up. They include an Array NT (with D'Addario Chromes), Chaos Core (with Dean Markley Blue Steels), and a Neo Limited (with DR Black Beauties).

All are Made in Korea models but only the Neo Limited has a T serial number.

These basses are so underrated. I hype them up to anyone that asks.

bass.jpg
Click to expand...

Awesome collection! Welcome to the club, hopefully someone will be around soon to get you a #.
I love my trabens to, its a shame what they have become now, but the earlier basses are truly great.
 
#229
nogoodwithnames said:
Awesome collection! Welcome to the club, hopefully someone will be around soon to get you a #.
I love my trabens to, its a shame what they have become now, but the earlier basses are truly great.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Its looking like 83 was the last number given out so #84 is next up and I'm taking it till I hear otherwise!

It really is a shame, they just get no love. They really need some promotion and an image makeover.
But on the upside because of that they have become REALLY affordable. I picked all 3 of these up for a little over 800$ total :ninja:

And I honestly can't tell which is my favorite. I am just in love.
 
#230
Hello, I'm new to the forums as well. Nice to see other Traben owners, I picked up a 5-string Chaos Attack a couple of years ago. It was the first active bass I've played, I'm quite happy with it, although I do have a bit of string buzz I haven't figured out yet.

I'm at work now, I'll post a pic later (there's one in the "show your bass" thread), but I wanted to request a number, that seems to be the thing to do. :bassist:
 
#232
Here's my Chaos Core-5. Neck was professionally "Black-Washed" and it feels/looks excellent. Cleaned-up the fretboard and added some Jocomo inlay blocks, tweaked the crap out of the dual-rods and saddles for great action.
When I got it from the guy here on TB, there was no mention of the OBP-3 preamp consistently draining the batteries, even when not plugged in. So instead of replacing it, I just installed a quick on-off toggle switch near the knobs and cut the battery signal. Came out perfect and I don't have to unplug during a show or practice. :smug:

I have to admit, for rock and metal, this bass cuts through like no other! I think this has ALOT to do with the preamp/pickups,(I love Rockfields btw), and internal bridge system.
I play fingerstyle and can EASILY get a pick tone if needed. The BIGGEST surprise is it's slap tone, OMG, a Marcus Miller on roids, (not kidding)!
So I thought you Traben folks would like a peek at a "Blocked" Traben. Here it is...


My Traben Chaos Core-5:
IMG_2230_zpsc0f66d5f.jpg


Stock photo of the Chaos Internal Bigger Bridge system:
ChaosInternalBiggerBridgesystem_zps7234397b.jpg



I would like to reserve Club #100. Thank you.
 
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#233
I had a Chaos Core-5, however it did not drain the battery when not plugged in, so it's not normal for yours to do that.
Now you can leave it plugged in all the time if you remember to turn the switch off!
I sold my core-5 because it was just too dark sounding for me (on Celestion's).
 
#234
Xhawk, bass looks killer, glad you dig it. I agree the chaos core is an absolute tone monster. I can assure you I did not know there was any problem with the preamp draining batteries, I only had it for a few weeks before I decided I still don't care for 5 strings, and in that time i never had to replace the batteries. If I had known I certainly would have fixed it before even trying to sell, or at least disclosed it.
 
#236
Hi folks,

Glad to see the love of Trabens over here.

I have a Traben Phoenix 4-string in blood red, bought roughly around '08 or '07.
IF the info I've read is correct and the first 2 digits of the serial number are year of production, then it was '08 because it reads "T08...."

I have no idea if it was built in Korea or Vietnam. If anyone can help with that, please let me know.

I have to say that I love this bass. I think it looks great. I always wanted a bass with flames on the fretboard. The bridge, too, looks fantastic. I'm a big fan of flames. To be honest, I'm not a big fan of clear finishes, but I like it, on this bass.

Playability is great, no buzzing, no rattling, sets up easily and stays in tune. The fit and finish are excellent, overall. It has a very big sound when plugged in. I'm still playing with my settings because I can't quite dial in the sound I want, yet.

It's strung with medium/heavy flatwounds.

There are two tiny "issues". One is on the neck. I can feel just the tiniest ridge, or possibly gap, where the various strips of wood are sandwiched and glued together. Part of me wants to sand it down a bit. I'll probably just leave it alone, though.
The other is the strap button on the upper horn. It's screwed just at the apex of the ridge of the horn. It's a bit precarious and the screw tends to loosen up after use.
I've replaced the stock buttons with locking ones, but that is beside the point.


Can I eventually get a #? Thanks, in advance!

 
#237
Gabriel51 said:
I had a Chaos Core-5, however it did not drain the battery when not plugged in, so it's not normal for yours to do that.
Now you can leave it plugged in all the time if you remember to turn the switch off!
I sold my core-5 because it was just too dark sounding for me (on Celestion's).
Click to expand...

Had to be the Celestion's, or string preference? I'm running it through a Peavey BAM 210 Combo w/a Genz-Benz LS 115B extension cab. Really a beast of a rig, no matter what venue. The array of tones are incredible from both the bass and amp.(no Array pun intended, lol)

nogoodwithnames said:
Xhawk, bass looks killer, glad you dig it. I agree the chaos core is an absolute tone monster. I can assure you I did not know there was any problem with the preamp draining batteries, I only had it for a few weeks before I decided I still don't care for 5 strings, and in that time i never had to replace the batteries. If I had known I certainly would have fixed it before even trying to sell, or at least disclosed it.
Click to expand...

No problem bro. I was disappointed at first, but after I thought about it and resolved it, I'm better-off with the cut-off switch. I dig it and I don't mind or forget to flip the switch. This bass is a keeper, so wasn't worried about drilling for a switch! ;) These will be the longest batteries ever, lol.

GKon said:
I have no idea if it was built in Korea or Vietnam. If anyone can help with that, please let me know.
Click to expand...

I believe that with the factory change, a change in pickups/pre was also done. I read that If you have stock Rockfields, It was MIK. If the pickups are plain-jane, MIV. I also read that there are/was quality issues with the MIV basses.
Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

Glad everyone digs the blocked look.
 
#238
xhawk5 said:
I believe that with the factory change, a change in pickups/pre was also done. I read that If you have stock Rockfields, It was MIK. If the pickups are plain-jane, MIV. I also read that there are/was quality issues with the MIV basses.
Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info.

My pickups have no external markings (I've never removed them from the body).
I do happen to remember, thought, that when I bought my Traben, for a few hundred dollars extra, I had the option to upgrade to EMG pup's. I didn't have the cash at the time, so I got the stock ones.

Does that help narrow down the where it was made question?

IF mine was made in Vietnam, it has no issues really, other than the minor issue with neck smoothness, that I mentioned earlier.
 

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