Video of my Human Base (BaseX.oc5)

[lamonica78]

Hey,

For those of you who have been wondering what a Human Base sounds like in the mix with a full band, here is a video of our last performance at The Bitter End in NYC . I was using the active setting, blend rolled more towards the bridge pup, bass set fairly flat, treble and mids rolled up just a bit. Played through a Carvin Redline600 head and hartke 4x10.

It was shot with a Flip video camera, so the overall quality isn't great....but you can really hear how the bass is crystal clear in the mix. My bandmates have all commented on how clear the bass has been ever since I made the switch from my Spector ReBop 5

Oh, the first 10 seconds of the vid is silent and youtube wouldn't accept my edited version.

 

[ilikegrindcore]

nice bass! What is it exactly about the Human Base that made you let go of the Spector Rebop 5? I'm in a bit of a pinch between buying a used Rebop 5 DLX (for 900 Euros / new price 1250) and a used Human Base BaseX.oc5 (for 1000 Euros / new price 1500) and you're probably the only person in the world who can answer my question, having played both basses... so, can you elaborate on how the Human Base sounds better?

I'm a metal player so I'd be looking for something aggressive and growly that can handle downtuning. Couple questions:

1) I need ADGCF - the Spector has 35" scale, how does the low A compare on the 34" Human Base?

2) How is the neck? I played a Rebop 4 and to me it felt kind of chunky. How is the Human Base in comparison?

3) How is the balance? I feel like the Rebops, with their small bolt on light bodies and large necks have a noticeable amount of neck dive. At least I noticed this with the Rebop 4 I played.

4) Yes I have watched the guitar world review for the Human Base on youtube as well as your own band's live video, and myspace (cool tunes! )

5) Can I get an aggressive clanky fingerstyle metal tone with the Human Base?

My purchase decision hangs on your reply.... so please reply

Cheers mate!

 

[stflbn]

It's active... you can dial up as much clank and treble as you choose.

 

[KsPiNeSh]

I owned one for a good while - they're nice basses. One thing that's interesting is that the treble is centered at 18K, so it really adds more shine (to my ear anyway) then clank. The Glock pre is pretty sweet. I will add that I felt like I had a hard time dialing in a nice cutting sound, but I can't pinpoint exactly why that was. The sound I was most satisfied with was when soloing the bridge pup, but I sold it a little earlier than I would have liked, so it's entirely possible that my issue was elsewhere.

Can't comment on the A as I wasn't downtuning at the time, but the low B was one of the best I've ever heard, and I own an American Spector. Clear, tight, and full. A lot of that is going to have to do with your setup, but I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

[lindseyp]

Hey,

For those of you who have been wondering what a Human Base sounds like in the mix with a full band, here is a video of our last performance at The Bitter End in NYC . ...

I was listening through some inexpensive (cheap) Koss TM602 headphones and your sound TOOK OVER THE VIDEO

 

[ilikegrindcore]

I was listening through some inexpensive (cheap) Koss TM602 headphones and your sound TOOK OVER THE VIDEO

Yeah man, the OP has a great tone, but he doesn't have exactly have two heavily distorted, downtuned guitars and a double bass pounding, snare thrashing drummer to cut through... Which is why I'm asking him if the Rebop or the Human Base would be better suited to my purposes

Either way, thanks to the others for their comments. Good to hear that the Human Base has a good B string.

 

[lamonica78]

Thanks guys! Ok, on to ilikegrindcore's questions

A) Never tuned down on it, but the B string in general is much tighter than the spector rebop due to the neck join being bolted much deeper into the body

B) The neck is wide, but has a very flat profile. Very smooth and fast playing. Very comfortable

C) The balance is nice and even. The only thing is that the body is a little bigger and takes a little getting used to compared to the streamlined body of a rebop

D) Thanks...the tunes currently on myspace are actually older ones recorded with the rebop. I'm currently recording new material, but you can check out some vids on www.youtube.com/theabsolutezeros to hear both the rebop and human base

E) While I have never played in a metal band with the human, I would imagine it would do well. My style is more suited for higher treble and mids, but this bass has so many tonal options, plus it goes passive/active and has a coil tap switch to go single or double coil. Much more versatile than the Rebop in my opinion (which only had bass/treble boost only options).

Bottom line, I got rid of the Rebop because it was a pain in the @$$ to get good recordings out of it. The preamp was always hot and the tone controls were boost only.

 

[ilikegrindcore]

I got the Spector, and I'm stoked Thanks for your help anyway lamonica!

 

[5string5fingers]

bring out your dead

 

[chinesepaul]

good bass ! i like it !

 

[lindseyp]

Reviving this thread - I bought one last Spring [2013], the USA version no less, in Cologne Germany (IK,R?) and it's the main bass I play in my current church in North Carolina. Rocks with a loud Hammond B3 - a REAL one - with no problem.