Well, I finally went and did it...NBD

[Ewo]

I'll admit I've been kinda curious to try one of these, ever since a buddy showed me his sixer a couple years back.

Wasn't exactly looking for one to buy, but this guy (a Monarch Standard 4) popped up on Reverb at a good price, two years old and in mint condition...

I've been gigging fivers for a good number of years, but something tells me I'll be taking this one along soon. Giving it a day to settle in, making some setup adjustments.

First impressions:

Impeccable workmanship, and beautiful flowing contours. Feels very comfy on the strap.

Wow, the truss rod adjusts so smoothly. And the neck relief responds immediately.

Fingerstyle, there's a nice clarity and articulation; there's a kind of separation to the notes I like very much.

Slapped, it's a little crowded between the 24th fret and the neck pickup. I expected that, compared to the 22 fret bass I'm used to--but I figure I can adjust.

 

[bass12]

Beautiful looking bass and a great flame in that top. Enjoy your new baby!

 

[Ewo]

So there wasn't much neck relief (less than .008") and the action was kinda high (about 7/64" at the top fret). I've got a pretty light touch, so I set the neck relief to .010" and the action to 4/64". Ah! That's more like it.

Figure I'll oil the board, restring, and set the intonation tomorrow...

 

[P. Aaron]

Very nice.

Congrats. I hope you play it past your pain threshold and the tone won’t let you put it away.

 

[thisheregiraffe]

Very nice!

 

[Ewo]

Alrighty, time for new strings. Out with the old...

Wiped it down with cleaner. Man, such an amazing logo. Snugged the nuts holding the tuners, and the screws holding the bridge.

The pau ferro board needed oiling. Before-and-after in one pic...

...and on with the new strings. Yeah, that G string played way flat, going up the neck.

Fixed the intonation, set the witness points, and I'm done for today. After the strings break in a bit, I'll touch up the intonation--but it's pretty close now.

 

[Gnal]

Beautiful bass, congrats!

 

[2milehighspike]

Very nice! Congratulations!

 

[wvbass]

That's nice! Giving the Sandbergs some competition, huh?

 

[Ewo]

That's nice! Giving the Sandbergs some competition, huh?

LOL! Yeah, having some fun with the thing.

 

[TrevorG]

Stunning. Looks like something Prince would play... which is something I'd definitely play! Congratulations.

 

[adamcz]

That flame looks incredible!

 

[Ewo]

That flame looks incredible!

Yeah, really nice top wood--and this is a "budget" model!

I'm really struck by the _separation_ between notes played fingerstyle. By no means would I claim my muting technique is perfect, but I do pay good attention to it. Not sure why it's easier on this bass...maybe less body resonance, maybe more mass in the bridge...dunno.