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Traben Club
- Thread starter madbassist666
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That could be it, I have no way of telling how old it is, but I bought it last year, on eBay, new, from a place that gets a lot of discontinued basses.
Hey, quick question for you all. I just bought my Traben Array Limited Edition 5-string, and it came with a metal nut. Did anyone else get that? And is there a tonal difference in a metal nut compared to the norm? (I've only been playing bass for about a year so I'm still learning ha ha)
As far as I know all Trabens have a brass nut (It's normally coated chrome).
I like brass nuts. I think they help a lot with preventing hum, and terminate the string at the nut well.
The problem however is you obviously can't change it for higher guage strings easily. (Example, if you wanted to string a 4 string as B - E - A - D ) But if that is never a concern for ya, then it should work well for you.
I like brass nuts. I think they help a lot with preventing hum, and terminate the string at the nut well.
The problem however is you obviously can't change it for higher guage strings easily. (Example, if you wanted to string a 4 string as B - E - A - D ) But if that is never a concern for ya, then it should work well for you.
yes, there is. it effects a good amount of the tone, it makes more of a twang but it doesn't make the bass sound bad at all but i like other materials
some models have brass nuts, others have synthetic nuts...
both my Array Obsessions have synthetic nuts....My Array Limited has a brass nut
both my Array Obsessions have synthetic nuts....My Array Limited has a brass nut
Last chance at my Tribal Sun kids. If it don't sell/trade this weekend I'm just gonna keep it for a while 
Keep me in mind pluto. Can't afford it now, but maybe down the road.
So, I got my Obsession today. Great contours, sounds excellent. But, the guy that carved the neck didn't know what he was doing, so there's a little gouge right next the the fretboard where the neck meets the body. There also a few little scuffs, so I see why they are changing manufacturers. At this point I wouldn't buy one new any time soon, but maybe in the future if their quality control is improved. Can't wait to get the D'Addarios off and get some nickel Lo Riders on there.
There was also some weird stuff in the case, I have no clue what it is, but I've got to vacuum the thing. The case is also fitted for Traben's larger bodied basses, so this one shifted a little in transit.
So, I got my Obsession today. Great contours, sounds excellent. But, the guy that carved the neck didn't know what he was doing, so there's a little gouge right next the the fretboard where the neck meets the body. There also a few little scuffs, so I see why they are changing manufacturers. At this point I wouldn't buy one new any time soon, but maybe in the future if their quality control is improved. Can't wait to get the D'Addarios off and get some nickel Lo Riders on there.
There was also some weird stuff in the case, I have no clue what it is, but I've got to vacuum the thing. The case is also fitted for Traben's larger bodied basses, so this one shifted a little in transit.
unfortunately to help meet demand some of those newer Obsessions were made in Vietnam....
My local mam and pop got some new ones in recently and a couple even showed up without strap buttons...go figure
My local mam and pop got some new ones in recently and a couple even showed up without strap buttons...go figure
Now, after closer inspection, I think I was giver what should have been a B-stock. On the lower horn, the finish is messed up a little bit, the are black/brown smudges on the edges of the body, the bridge has a nick, and there is an extra fret marker on the side of the board which has been covered over with marker.
Now, I haven't bought a ton of gear, and maybe I've just gotten lucky in the past, but it seems I've never had such things on any of the cheaper basses I've bought. Should I be peeved right now? I'd hate to take it back to the shop, they've gone far and beyond what they should have to get me the bass I wanted. I don't want them to think I'm some jerk who's never satisfied. I guess I'll tell you the story of how I got this bass...
Last August, I ordered an Array Attack 5 string, with a case. I was told at the time they weren't in production yet, so the wait would be a couple months. No problem, it wasn't killing me not to have it. In December, I get a call from the store, they tell me it looks like they're not going to have it until "Spring" of 2009. The have Kore that they can send me instead. I thought about it a few days, then said nope, I'll stick with the Attack.
So, January rolls around. I know it's not Spring, but it's getting close. I'm excited, I'll have my bass in a couple months. I call my shop, see if I can get a more specific date than "Spring." Nope. Call back next week, they should be in touch with Hanser by then.
So, the next week comes, they say to call back around February 15, they think it will be in then, but they're not sure. So, middle of February comes, I give them a call to see if it's in. Nope I'm given "the Middle of March." So, the "Middle of March" comes along, I give them a call. It's not there. And it's not gonna be there. They can't get it, because the factory messed them all up.
Now, they offer me an Array Limited. They say it's more expensive usually, but they will come down on it. I looked over the specs online, and it's not quite what I wanted. I wanted the Paulownia wood, and I really like the pickup configuration on the Attack. So, I look at the other basses Traben has, and I see the the Array Obsession is made out of Paulownia. There's also an ebony version. I loved the way the ebony looked, so I asked if they had any of those. The pickups weren't the same, but I could bite that bullet.
So, the shop gets in touch with Hanser again. No ebony Obsessions. But, the offer for the Limited is still up. I ask them to give me a day to think about it, because I don't really like the idea of a basswood bass.
So, the next day they call me. The found an ebony Obsession! But, if they send that to me they case gets dropped. They said that with the price I paid they couldn't justify the case. This poses a problem, I'd meant to gig with this bass, and I asked him if there was any way they could send me even a gig bag. The manager of the store said that Hanser said they couldn't come down at all, but he'd throw in a bag on his end.
They next day I get another call, not from the shop, but the Hanser warehouse. No ebony Obsession, the fretboard was cracked. I don't know if it's because it made out of wenge or just because it's their policy, but it didn't pass QC. Did they have it in four string? Nope. But they did have a maple 5. This I have to think about. So I tell him I'll think about it and give my shop a call.
So, I call the shop later that day. I tell him that as much as I don't want to wait any longer, it's not hurting me to wait. If they can get the ebony any time in the next six months, I'll be happy to have the ebony and wait for it. He calls a few days later, they say no. I tell him, well, just go with the maple. It's not gonna kill me to have a different top wood.
Fast forward to about a week ago. He calls me, tells me the bass is there. I live over two hours from the shop, so finding a day with 5 free hours took until today. I drive there, and lo and behold the gave me a case! I'm jazzed that Hanser upgraded me, because they told me I wouldn't be getting one. I open the case, give it a quick once over and don't notice anything. I sign for it and bring it home.
Then, while I'm playing it I start to notice the things I've mentioned at the beginning of this post in my last post. I own two entry level basses, and the only blemishes on them I have added, they came in pristine condition. Was I lucky before? Should I expect so many flaws in an instrument?
Now, I haven't bought a ton of gear, and maybe I've just gotten lucky in the past, but it seems I've never had such things on any of the cheaper basses I've bought. Should I be peeved right now? I'd hate to take it back to the shop, they've gone far and beyond what they should have to get me the bass I wanted. I don't want them to think I'm some jerk who's never satisfied. I guess I'll tell you the story of how I got this bass...
Last August, I ordered an Array Attack 5 string, with a case. I was told at the time they weren't in production yet, so the wait would be a couple months. No problem, it wasn't killing me not to have it. In December, I get a call from the store, they tell me it looks like they're not going to have it until "Spring" of 2009. The have Kore that they can send me instead. I thought about it a few days, then said nope, I'll stick with the Attack.
So, January rolls around. I know it's not Spring, but it's getting close. I'm excited, I'll have my bass in a couple months. I call my shop, see if I can get a more specific date than "Spring." Nope. Call back next week, they should be in touch with Hanser by then.
So, the next week comes, they say to call back around February 15, they think it will be in then, but they're not sure. So, middle of February comes, I give them a call to see if it's in. Nope I'm given "the Middle of March." So, the "Middle of March" comes along, I give them a call. It's not there. And it's not gonna be there. They can't get it, because the factory messed them all up.
Now, they offer me an Array Limited. They say it's more expensive usually, but they will come down on it. I looked over the specs online, and it's not quite what I wanted. I wanted the Paulownia wood, and I really like the pickup configuration on the Attack. So, I look at the other basses Traben has, and I see the the Array Obsession is made out of Paulownia. There's also an ebony version. I loved the way the ebony looked, so I asked if they had any of those. The pickups weren't the same, but I could bite that bullet.
So, the shop gets in touch with Hanser again. No ebony Obsessions. But, the offer for the Limited is still up. I ask them to give me a day to think about it, because I don't really like the idea of a basswood bass.
So, the next day they call me. The found an ebony Obsession! But, if they send that to me they case gets dropped. They said that with the price I paid they couldn't justify the case. This poses a problem, I'd meant to gig with this bass, and I asked him if there was any way they could send me even a gig bag. The manager of the store said that Hanser said they couldn't come down at all, but he'd throw in a bag on his end.
They next day I get another call, not from the shop, but the Hanser warehouse. No ebony Obsession, the fretboard was cracked. I don't know if it's because it made out of wenge or just because it's their policy, but it didn't pass QC. Did they have it in four string? Nope. But they did have a maple 5. This I have to think about. So I tell him I'll think about it and give my shop a call.
So, I call the shop later that day. I tell him that as much as I don't want to wait any longer, it's not hurting me to wait. If they can get the ebony any time in the next six months, I'll be happy to have the ebony and wait for it. He calls a few days later, they say no. I tell him, well, just go with the maple. It's not gonna kill me to have a different top wood.
Fast forward to about a week ago. He calls me, tells me the bass is there. I live over two hours from the shop, so finding a day with 5 free hours took until today. I drive there, and lo and behold the gave me a case! I'm jazzed that Hanser upgraded me, because they told me I wouldn't be getting one. I open the case, give it a quick once over and don't notice anything. I sign for it and bring it home.
Then, while I'm playing it I start to notice the things I've mentioned at the beginning of this post in my last post. I own two entry level basses, and the only blemishes on them I have added, they came in pristine condition. Was I lucky before? Should I expect so many flaws in an instrument?
The attack is available with two different tops (black burl and granite) and one is in stock curently the other is not because as I understand it one of the factories they use screwed up the cuts....and it currently isn't supposed to be ready until mid May
I ordered an Obsession in Ebony back in 2008 and as of April they finally came in to the shop....however i found a used one before that and purchased it....
the Obsession is apparently one of their hottest products and they underestimated the demand....they also from what i understand had trouble getting the ebony from their wood supplier and that is why the dates kept changing for delivery....
they have various models at various levels....the compnay is based in Florida some models are made in the U.S. some models are cut overseas and assembled in the U.S. and other models are made overseas and then shipped to Fresno California for inspection and set-up....
I talked with the rep for Traben and they are currently still trying to fill back orders for the Obsession
Both the Obsession have Rockfield electronics which are much better than their stock pups...
i think you made a better choice in the Obsession as it is neck thru construction instead of bolt on and does active and passive both
if your really unhappy i would contact Todd Rockfield via email on the Traben website.....he has always answered my questions and responded to queries quickly and has done his best ot help me with my purchases....
it seems that you may have gotten a customer return or B stock or simply a leftover in an effort to just get the bass in your hands...
nice choice for wood selection as well......Royal Paulownia is an awesome wood...It is a extemely fine grained, very light, and warp resistant. Not to mention Paulownia is extremely fast growing; some species of plantation Paulownia can be harvested for saw timber in as little as five years. Once the trees are harvested, they regenerate from their existing root systems, earning them the name of the "Phoenix tree." Paulownia has the ability to reclaim ecologically stressed and degenerate patches of land relatively quickly. Its root systems run deep and penetrate compacted and contaminated soils which have resulted from industrialized development. Paulownia is also a highly developed phyto-remediator, increasing the organic content of degraded soils, processing and filtering contaminants through the uptake of its vascular system, and emitting oxygen into the atmosphere. The bark is made into numerous types of dyes, and the leaves are used in vermicide preparations. Tone wise it is very similar to Ash! It is also rot resistant and a has a very high ignition point. So from an ecological (read green tree hugger) standpoint this wood cannot be beat! plus it's quite attractive and i should also add that it can be used in the production of bio-fuels as well....
good luck
I ordered an Obsession in Ebony back in 2008 and as of April they finally came in to the shop....however i found a used one before that and purchased it....
the Obsession is apparently one of their hottest products and they underestimated the demand....they also from what i understand had trouble getting the ebony from their wood supplier and that is why the dates kept changing for delivery....
they have various models at various levels....the compnay is based in Florida some models are made in the U.S. some models are cut overseas and assembled in the U.S. and other models are made overseas and then shipped to Fresno California for inspection and set-up....
I talked with the rep for Traben and they are currently still trying to fill back orders for the Obsession
Both the Obsession have Rockfield electronics which are much better than their stock pups...
i think you made a better choice in the Obsession as it is neck thru construction instead of bolt on and does active and passive both
if your really unhappy i would contact Todd Rockfield via email on the Traben website.....he has always answered my questions and responded to queries quickly and has done his best ot help me with my purchases....
it seems that you may have gotten a customer return or B stock or simply a leftover in an effort to just get the bass in your hands...
nice choice for wood selection as well......Royal Paulownia is an awesome wood...It is a extemely fine grained, very light, and warp resistant. Not to mention Paulownia is extremely fast growing; some species of plantation Paulownia can be harvested for saw timber in as little as five years. Once the trees are harvested, they regenerate from their existing root systems, earning them the name of the "Phoenix tree." Paulownia has the ability to reclaim ecologically stressed and degenerate patches of land relatively quickly. Its root systems run deep and penetrate compacted and contaminated soils which have resulted from industrialized development. Paulownia is also a highly developed phyto-remediator, increasing the organic content of degraded soils, processing and filtering contaminants through the uptake of its vascular system, and emitting oxygen into the atmosphere. The bark is made into numerous types of dyes, and the leaves are used in vermicide preparations. Tone wise it is very similar to Ash! It is also rot resistant and a has a very high ignition point. So from an ecological (read green tree hugger) standpoint this wood cannot be beat! plus it's quite attractive and i should also add that it can be used in the production of bio-fuels as well....
good luck
All of them were burled maple, they called he brown Granite and the black Black Burl.
I've gotten over it. After venting, everything that's blemished about it just makes it easier to recognize. I mean, how many basses have an extra fret marker that's covered up? If it ever gets stolen and I find it, that description will ensure that I can get it back.
I've gotten over it. After venting, everything that's blemished about it just makes it easier to recognize. I mean, how many basses have an extra fret marker that's covered up? If it ever gets stolen and I find it, that description will ensure that I can get it back.
Tell her if you don't like it, it'd sell for two grand!
It won't work - that's what we women have been doing for centuries ...!!!!!!!!!
Wasn't there someone looking for one of them in white? Might be worth a separate posting ...
Oh yeah - hopefully my wishes will be fulfilled to join you soon ....
It won't work - that's what we women have been doing for centuries ...!!!!!!!!!
Wasn't there someone looking for one of them in white? Might be worth a separate posting ...
Oh yeah - hopefully my wishes will be fulfilled to join you soon ....
Back on the scale thing, I bought a Traben Phoenix 5-string the first year Traben went into production (04-05, somewhere in there), and I never could find any strings that properly fit the bass. I had the scale length measured and it came out to be 37.5, which is pretty weird. The only strings I found long enough, without special ordering them, were the Super long scale DR Hi-Beams for a 6-string bass and I left the high C off. I guess the first year or two they had longer scale lengths. Also I believe the older Phoenix's have slightly bigger bodies and are a bit heavier. I found a more recent used Phoenix at guitar center a little while back and it seemed a good deal lighter, a little smaller and played a little better IMO.
Also on another subject. I had a Traben Chaos Obsession Ebony 4-string until it was stolen at a venue, but absolutely loved the thing. But like I said, sadly it was stolen.
So I found a local music shop that had an Array Obsession Ebony 4-string for a killer deal, same pickups and wood so I thought it couldn't be much different, hence I bought it. As far as I can tell it plays the same, (I kinda wish the body was bigger cause it looks pretty small on me, being a fairly tall guy). But I feel like my Chaos was louder for some reason. I compared it to my Phoenix and the Phoenix's output almost doubled it in volume. the tone is great but I feel like it's output isn't where it should be. I don't see why my Phoenix is so much louder? I know the Phoenix has a Traben stock preamp, and the Array Obsession has active (or passive) rockfields in it. What can I do to solve the problem? Should I put an Aguilar OBP-3 in it?
Also, (I haven't had a chance to try either) down the road I'm looking at getting either a Chaos Core or a Chaos Greg Weeks. I'm not sure which one would suit my playing style better. I play aggressive rock/hard core with tapping and slapping. I know the "Weeks" model is made out of Basswood and has the coil tapper. Which down the line I may switch out a rockfield for a EMG MMTW because of the switch already on the bass. Has anyone compared these two?
Alright, this is finally the end of my 20 questions....haha.
Also on another subject. I had a Traben Chaos Obsession Ebony 4-string until it was stolen at a venue, but absolutely loved the thing. But like I said, sadly it was stolen.
So I found a local music shop that had an Array Obsession Ebony 4-string for a killer deal, same pickups and wood so I thought it couldn't be much different, hence I bought it. As far as I can tell it plays the same, (I kinda wish the body was bigger cause it looks pretty small on me, being a fairly tall guy). But I feel like my Chaos was louder for some reason. I compared it to my Phoenix and the Phoenix's output almost doubled it in volume. the tone is great but I feel like it's output isn't where it should be. I don't see why my Phoenix is so much louder? I know the Phoenix has a Traben stock preamp, and the Array Obsession has active (or passive) rockfields in it. What can I do to solve the problem? Should I put an Aguilar OBP-3 in it?Also, (I haven't had a chance to try either) down the road I'm looking at getting either a Chaos Core or a Chaos Greg Weeks. I'm not sure which one would suit my playing style better. I play aggressive rock/hard core with tapping and slapping. I know the "Weeks" model is made out of Basswood and has the coil tapper. Which down the line I may switch out a rockfield for a EMG MMTW because of the switch already on the bass. Has anyone compared these two?
Alright, this is finally the end of my 20 questions....haha.
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