When you're looking for a plugged-in tone no solid body can quite achieve.

[jd56hawk]

Broke this one out today.
This is what it's all about...tone!
How did they manage to make one of the best acoustic basses out there (Aphex-System with Big Bottom Sound) and sell it for only $399.99?
The preamp puts so many others to shame. Too bad they don't offer it any longer.

 

[bholder]

It's aggravating that Aphex let the preamp technology die when they got bought out, was worth saving and "setting free" as a standalone product.

 

[jd56hawk]

I had the chance to buy a beat up Exotica once just for the electronics.
Why I didn't is beyond me.

 

[B-Mac]

View attachment 3288706
Broke this one out today.
This is what it's all about...tone!
How did they manage to make one of the best acoustic basses out there (Aphex-System with Big Bottom Sound) and sell it for only $399.99?
The preamp puts so many others to shame. Too bad they don't offer it any longer.

I 2nd this!
Got two. One fretted and one fretless
Also just recently picked up the faded denim exhibition version that also has the Aphex.

Just awesome!

 

[B-Mac]

View attachment 3288706
Broke this one out today.
This is what it's all about...tone!
How did they manage to make one of the best acoustic basses out there (Aphex-System with Big Bottom Sound) and sell it for only $399.99?
The preamp puts so many others to shame. Too bad they don't offer it any longer.

You using Nylon Tape wound flats on your’s?

 

[B-Mac]

It's aggravating that Aphex let the preamp technology die when they got bought out, was worth saving and "setting free" as a standalone product.

There are Apex effects pedals out there that do the same thing, but I’ve never had the chance to try one out.

 

[jd56hawk]

You using Nylon Tape wound flats on your’s?

But of course!

 

[B-Mac]

@armyadarkness and @wintremute will also agree!

 

[Malak the Mad]

It's aggravating that Aphex let the preamp technology die when they got bought out, was worth saving and "setting free" as a standalone product.

I sense there’s a bit of a story there, ja?

 

[bholder]

I sense there’s a bit of a story there, ja?

Well, perhaps, I'm not sure what it is, but I did send some emails trying to find out - got a typical "corporate takeover" type response. They didn't keep any of the technical people at all, apparently.

 

[Malak the Mad]

View attachment 3288706

Damn, but that’s a thing of beauty! Transparent teal over spalted wood grain...yowza! drool drool drool

 

[Malak the Mad]

Well, perhaps, I'm not sure what it is, but I did send some emails trying to find out - got a typical "corporate takeover" type response. They didn't keep any of the technical people at all, apparently.

Any idea if it was out of any genuine interest in the products or more of a “You’re more valuable sold off in pieces/Bain Capital” gambit?

 

[bholder]

Any idea if it was out of any genuine interest in the products or more of a “You’re more valuable sold off in pieces/Bain Capital” gambit?

They bought the entire company for the one product line they were interested in and killed off everything else, as far as I understand it. I'd have to dig and refresh, don't really remember further.

Edit: Here's the email, all I've got:



Clifton Tatum (Aphex)

Mar 21, 8:03 AM AEDT

Good afternoon,

Unfortunately we don't have any information regarding this. Since Rode has merged which Aphex, none of the previous employees stayed with us and we only provide support for the models that are still in production.
Let me know if you have any other questions.

Kind Regards,

Clifton Tatum
RØDE Microphones
Service and Support

 

[jd56hawk]

Damn, but that’s a thing of beauty! Transparent teal over spalted wood grain...yowza! drool drool drool

Having never seen this color before, I think it once looked like this and the clear coat yellowed.

 

[B-Mac]

Damn, but that’s a thing of beauty! Transparent teal over spalted wood grain...yowza! drool drool drool

Actually it is quilted ash and is a laminate.

They came in the gloss Trans Blue that @jd56hawk has, a GN, a gloss trans black.
They also made at least two Exotica Supremes that also had the Apex, plus the Exhibition version that has a thinner body with a different style cut out.
The Supreme versions had Mahogany back and sides and a Spruce top. Always wanted to try one out to compare.
They also made two USA solid body basses that had the Apex Circuit. The John Entwistle signature and the USA Spire had the Apex. The Asian versions of the John Entwistle signature and the Spire do not have the Aphex circuit.

Plus several Exotica Acoustic Guitars with Aphex.

Here is the sellers pic of the exhibition version that I recently picked up.

Dean still makes the Exotica Quilt Ash ABG in gloss natural, but without the Aphex.
Exotica Quilt Ash A/E Bass GN | Dean Guitars | Iconic Rock 'n' Roll Guitar Company

I prefer the version with the asymmetrical rosewood bridge.
You can still find these used but if you do make sure the seller shows you that it has the Aphex circuit.

 

[Nedmundo]

They bought the entire company for the one product line they were interested in and killed off everything else, as far as I understand it. I'd have to dig and refresh, don't really remember further.

Just this afternoon, a manager at a good music shop told me something like this. He said Aphex was taken over, and almost all products disappeared including the pedals. I love my Punch Factory and Bass Xciter. Great stuff.

I didn't know Aphex made preamps for acoustic basses, but even without, those Deans are really good.

 

[jd56hawk]

I was a actually thinking about buying the 6-string version.

 

[B-Mac]

I was a actually thinking about buying the 6-string version.

Yeah, me too...even though I only dabble on guitar. The necks feel so tiny and the strings so close.
They made a 12 stringer exotica acoustic guitar with Aphex too.
The exotica line are real lookers.
I believe 2010 until 2016 with Aphex.

 

[B-Mac]

View attachment 3288706
Broke this one out today.
This is what it's all about...tone!
How did they manage to make one of the best acoustic basses out there (Aphex-System with Big Bottom Sound) and sell it for only $399.99?
The preamp puts so many others to shame. Too bad they don't offer it any longer.

I leave my GN version out all the time. Great for practicing unplugged.

 

[MD]

'When you're looking for a plugged-in tone no solid body can quite achieve."

I reach for this - but then again, it's all I use, so it's not really a special occasion.