The Last Bass Outpost
Main Forums => The Bass Zone => Topic started by: rexdiablo on July 11, 2017, 04:36:38 PM
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So, I've been bitten by the new bass bug, and have been giving a lot of thought to getting a hollow body. I'll be playing with a garage/punk band. Any recommendations if working with an $800 or so budget?
I've played a reissue Starfire, an original EB-2D, as well as several funky old cheapies (ala Orfeus, Conquistador.) But shops don't tend to have much in stock to put my hands on. Of the ones I've played the Gibson was the favorite, but I can't swing the $2300 price.
I usually prefer shortscale instruments with this band, but am not married to one scale length. I really like the look of EB-2, but again, not married to anything in particular. I'm interested in the Gretsch Electromatic, Epiphone Rivoli reissues, Jack Casady Signatures, Kays, Harmonys, Arias, anything and everything, really. Spending less is always nice, and I could go a hair higher if there's a clear winner. Just asking for opinions and experience!
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www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_QW35LwwCc
This is the band in question...
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I love my Gretsch 6070. It has a huge neck but if that's OK with you, the reward is a full and authoritive tone with the ability to cut through too. They are not too common, but not in demand either so you can stumble upon a vintage one for a good price. When I got mine a couple of years back, I remember the few I saw were about $800-900. I saw a couple priced higher too, that did not sell. Worth checking out!
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I like my Aria TAB-66, but I've modified mine quite extensively. I picked it up cheap, but it seems they are discontinued. Even stock it had two minibuckers that were quite snarly. I've seen mention of a few Post Punk bands using these, perhaps because they look like Peter Hook's custom hollow basses?
Another contender that hasn't been mentioned here is the Warwick Star bass. They sound surprisingly modern, but look quite a bit like a Starfire with two mudbuckers. The only thing I dislike about them is the Warwick headstock on them, complete with the raked back tuners. It totally spoils the look for me.
(https://www.premierguitar.com/ext/resources/archives/bc09578c-d2c7-4b18-aafd-afac940811ea.JPG)
Punk/Garage conjures up two different sounds to me. Garage rock just needs that fat, pillowy low-mids tone that almost echoes the 'British Invasion' tone generated by Rivolis and the like. Punk tone is a lot brighter and, if anything, is lacking in serious lows and low-mids in favour of a tinny snarl.
You could buy a used and abused Epiphone Rivoli and have it routed for a P pickup in the mid position, and maybe stick a Dimarzio Model One up front to reduce the impedance discrepancy between the pickups? A total wildcard suggestion on my part.
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Look into a Gibson Midtown also. Great bass and a lot cheaper than an EB-2 or a 335 bass.
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I have an Epi Jack Casady (34" scale) and it suits me to the ground. I don't play music requiring an aggressive tone, but I can attest to the versatility of the pickup. The 3 position varitone goes from a low output mellow setting (1) to a high output P bass plus setting (3) with an intermediate step up the tone ladder.
The construction of the bass is first rate, and the neck is nice and slim. The hardware - meh. The tuners were okay enough but the 3 point bridge didn't do it for me. The Epi version is not nearly as robust as Gibson's. I put in a Hipshot, which made life easier all around. This was a personal preference of mine and not strictly necessary. Babicz makes a fine upgrade as well.
New ones are right at your price point and used ones are a good deal IMO.
Among the hollow bodies currently available this is a model well worth checking out.
If you can't find one to try you can always buy one and take advantage of the 45 day return policy most retailers offer.
BTW - mine was brand new in a sealed box but a cosmetic second so the price was really right. After meticulously going over the entire bass the only cosmetic issue I found was the edges of the F holes weren't blacked out. Fixed that with a felt tip marker.
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I'm officially a short scale hollowbody fan.
My list is:
Early 70's Univox 335-copy (30", staple pickups, sunburst)
Gretsch 5123 (32", lovely orange, Filtertrons)
Dean Psycho cabbie (30", Yellow with checkerboard sides)
I've had the Casady and it's a great bass but a big one, as well, 34" scale.
Of the list above, my recommendation would be the Gretsch 5123 or one of its relatives like the current 5442. My 5123 is about an inch deeper front to back than most hollowbodies, but it's very playable and has a super sound with the dual Filtertron pickups. I don't think anyone does hollowbodies better than Gretsch.
BTW, I recall that Dr. Bassman was a really big fan of the Epiphone Allen Woody bass, and I've heard many good things about them.
My recommendation would be "Go Gretsch, young man." The 5123 series are around used in the $600 range, and they're that lovely Orange that only Gretsch does.
5123:
(http://www.innertainment.net/Gretsch%20Sideways.png)
5442:
(http://www.notreble.com/buzz/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Gretsch-Electromatic-G5442BDC-620x213.jpg)
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For the last few weeks my finger has been twitching on the Hofner Contemporary Verythin. $650 at AMS with case.
I have not hit it yet, because it represents a want, and not a need...(how I make financial decisions...weird, I know).
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Thanks for all the input! Our guitar player is a Gretsch guy more frequently than not at this point, so if I got one too he'd be pleased as punch! I always forget about the midtown, for some reason- maybe just because I've never seen one in the flesh. And I've always been a fan of Epiphone, yet never owned one of their basses- could be time to remedy that!
I agree on the Warwick. I think they look great, until I see the headstock. Something just doesn't sit right with me.
I also play in a metal band, so that's where I get most of my agro tones taken care of, so I'm more likely to head to the thumpy, garagey end of things with this band...
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I can honestly say I've never played a Gretsch bass I didn't like. Maybe that's why I have four of them. (One, the fabulous Cougar bass, was a gift...)
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My only Gretsch bass is a Junior Jet that's been modded a bit. I never really bonded with it and a friend has had it on loan for years now. I just asked him to bring it to rehearsal this weekend, just as a change of pace.
I LOVE one of our guitar players Gretsch hollow bodies though, so we'll see. I know a guy not far from me that has an electromatic bass, so I may try to play that, too.
The Rumblekat has always seemed cool to me as well, and the price on those seem to stay low, so may look into that too. I guess it's not really a hollow body? Leave it to me to start a topic looking for a hollow body and end up chasing down something else entirely...
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Well, there are hollowbodies and semi-hollows. The semis are a bit more resistant to feedback.
And then there are the chambered basses. I have one - the Gretsch 6128 Thunderjet, which is 30" scale and has dual Thundertrons. It will run over $1200 but is one incredibly well made, good playing bass!!
(http://medias.audiofanzine.com/images/normal/gretsch-g6128b-thunder-jet-bass-black-916951.jpg)
(http://www.lawkstarguitars.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/t/h/thunder_2416003806_alt_wlg_004.jpg)
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/f2/e8/f2/f2e8f2b7ec92aae8543837c927e52d3b--gretsch-electric-guitars.jpg)
I saved up for this one, and it was well worth it.
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This works for me...
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/1967%20EB%202/1EB-2B_zpsgueitblz.jpg) (http://s976.photobucket.com/user/cata1d0/media/1967%20EB%202/1EB-2B_zpsgueitblz.jpg.html)
My '67 with fruit salad removed.
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Then there's these...
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Harmony%20H-22/P1090780P1_zpsuu1eepga.jpg) (http://s976.photobucket.com/user/cata1d0/media/Harmony%20H-22/P1090780P1_zpsuu1eepga.jpg.html)
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Do these count as hollow? :)
(https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/Njg1WDEwMjQ=/z/XBQAAOSw4YdYzo7h/$_86.JPG)
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+1 on the Warwick Starbass, there's an import version that should be very close to your price-range. Another to consider is the Yamaha BEX - either in single or double pickup ...... semi-hollow though.
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Perhaps the Hofner CT violin or club bass. German pickups and the added benefit of a center block to prevent feedback.
Here's one right at your budget
https://reverb.com/item/5358077-hofner-ct-club-bass?gclid=COKM-LTthtUCFRBYDQodyB0M4A&pla=1
and a black one for even less.
https://reverb.com/item/2669443-hofner-ct-club-bass-guitar-black-used-mint
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For the past few months it has been fairly easy to find Hofner CT violin basses under $800. When I got my first one, I paid the regular price of $800+. But I got a second one on sale from Sweetwater not long after that for only $550. That was the Cavern model with the closely spaced pickups. They've gone up to $699 now, but that's still not too bad--if you can catch them when they're not on back order that is. I'm speaking of what they call the "Antique Brown Sunburst (Cavern) which is really the one I prefer.
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The Verythin at AMS went back up to $800.
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Do these count as hollow? :)
(https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/Njg1WDEwMjQ=/z/XBQAAOSw4YdYzo7h/$_86.JPG)
Naw, just empty. :popcorn:
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Lately, Shirley Manson has been singing about feeling empty.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pFk8xTSOfE
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The Verythin at AMS went back up to $800.
I'm not surprised. $650 was quite a fair price. I never even knew they were selling them that low.
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That EB-2 is beautiful, Carlo! And my first guitar ever was a Harmony that my parents got me, so I've always had a soft spot for them. I played a Harmony Reissue of some sort in a guitar shop a few years ago and liked it pretty well, but a new bass wasn't happening at that moment.
At the moment I'm using a Hodad with this band. We've been on a hiatus for a while, but are getting geared back up. While on hiatus my Cataldo has been living with Denis, but I frequently use it with them, too.
I don't know much about Hofners, can you point me to recordings of a Cavern? I've always liked the look of the two pickups close to the neck. Other Hofners I find attractive as well, but it seems like I rarely see them in the wild.
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Lately, Shirley Manson has been singing about feeling empty.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pFk8xTSOfE
I'd be happy to help her out with that. ;)
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The cavern kicks in after about 3:30
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKtay21JORI
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http://www.hofner-guitars.com/news/news/view/label/Brian%20Wheat%20-%20Tesla/
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Wow, Tesla is still around? Hadn't heard of them in at least 20 years.
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Wow, Tesla is still around? Hadn't heard of them in at least 20 years.
They're literally youngsters compared to Golden Earring and the Rolling Stones.
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Tesla is on tour this summer. So is Kenny Rogers for that matter.
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They're literally youngsters compared to Golden Earring and the Rolling Stones.
True, but I thought they broke up years ago.
Tesla is on tour this summer. So is Kenny Rogers for that matter.
What made you bring up Kenny Rogers? He's an excellent bassist, but odd that you mention him.
Today a FB friend liked a post from a quasi-religious fake news site with the headline "This Country Legend Is Very Near Death, Please Pray For Him As He Begins To Say Goodbye." It was about Kenny Rogers. This news should come as a big surprise to Kenny, since he's in the middle of his second farewell tour in two years with many dates left. AFAIK he's just retiring to spend more time with family.
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Love my ES 335 Bass, but probably more expensive than you are looking to spend.
Sounds pretty much like some Les Paul Basses.
(http://i65.tinypic.com/11bn1ir.jpg)
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Dave, I brought up Kenny Rogers because he's been around for a long time and I noticed he's also playing the same local venue as Tesla when I looked to see if they were touring. Not on the same night of course.
Speaking of the ES-335 bass, it's interesting to see that Hofner uses very similar pickups on the long scale Verythin.
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That EB-2 is beautiful, Carlo! And my first guitar ever was a Harmony that my parents got me, so I've always had a soft spot for them. I played a Harmony Reissue of some sort in a guitar shop a few years ago and liked it pretty well, but a new bass wasn't happening at that moment.
At the moment I'm using a Hodad with this band. We've been on a hiatus for a while, but are getting geared back up. While on hiatus my Cataldo has been living with Denis, but I frequently use it with them, too.
I don't know much about Hofners, can you point me to recordings of a Cavern? I've always liked the look of the two pickups close to the neck. Other Hofners I find attractive as well, but it seems like I rarely see them in the wild.
Thanks, Rex!
I have three original H-22s at the moment and they all play and sound great. Bob Glaub turned me on to them a couple of years ago.
Hofners have never been my thing so I can't give any advice. The violin ones have always looked like toys to me although I like the big bodied Presidents, etc.
Another variety of semi hollow, '75 M-85. A bit too heavy but looks cool, plays and sounds good. Reissues are getting reasonable.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Guild/P1080518PP_zpst58qjgvf.jpg) (http://s976.photobucket.com/user/cata1d0/media/Guild/P1080518PP_zpst58qjgvf.jpg.html)
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In my experience, semi-hollow (center block) and chambered are in effect 90% solid bodies. They have the cool look but most of the time they behave almost like solids, and are modern sounding. Unless, of course, Gibson has equipped them with the Seth Lover Sidewinder mudbucker, in which case... you know where this is going.
My own preference is for real hollow bodies. They have a very different tone from semis. Very old school. My Höfners sound like you have all the 60s British invasion at the tips of your fingers. Strung of course with flats - that's crucial - and played with a pick. It's really incredible and effortless. Yes they will feedback when played at rocknroll volumes. But they were not made for stadiums.
They also have a beautiful unplugged tone, they sound like little uprights. And you don't need an amp, they are the perfect couch basses. I seriously toyed with the idea of adding a piezo for that sound.
If you want to go hollow, my suggestion is - go for the real thing.
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If you want to go hollow, my suggestion is - go for the real thing.
Especially Bulgarian hollowbodies with bizarre paint jobs. ;)
The other two look great.
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I'd be happy to help her out with that. ;)
Sexy Scottish accent. I wouldn't mind at all being on that stage playing bass.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk9wNsY1veM
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If you are lucky you can look for a bass like this
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy5/tore00/SANY0125.jpg)
Or her De Armond version
(http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy5/tore00/SANY0007.jpg)
They both play beautifully but the bisonic is really a plus.
You can find more about my Starfire here
http://bassoutpost.com/index.php?topic=10154.0
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Especially Bulgarian hollowbodies with bizarre paint jobs. ;)
The other two look great.
Okay fair enough... How about the '64 Gretsch 6070 then?
(http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll127/ilanlukatch/Hofner%204560/hollowbodies.jpg)
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That's better, Ilan. The Gretsch doubles as a handy weapon too.
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I hardly ever play it because it's so huge and long and for hollow body tones the Höfners sound way better and are so much more comfortable to play, but I just don't have the heart to put it on sale. It's stunning to look at, that hasn't changed.
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Sexy Scottish accent. I wouldn't mind at all being on that stage playing bass.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk9wNsY1veM
Her yank bandmates found her via an MTV clip where she sang for another band. This one here ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfpxux8jlQ4
Her older siblings must have had Blondie and Patti Smith albums! :mrgreen:
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She had a reunion with that other band several years ago. Shirley Manson has made it clear that she idolizes Patti Smith. Also, Garbage is currently on tour opening for Blondie. Shirley Manson has also been known to appear in sci-fi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5bQg8GT_XA
I think the moral of this story is to be sure not to make any negative comments about Garbage vocals in or near the bathroom.
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Shirley Manson is amazing! Her turn on "Terminator: the Sarah Connor Chronicles" was superb. Fox was stupid to have cancelled that show.
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Shirley Manson is amazing! Her turn on "Terminator: the Sarah Connor Chronicles" was superb. Fox was stupid to have cancelled that show.
I think cancelling any really good sci-fi series is all too common. The most recent example would be the cancellation of "12 Monkeys." In my opinion, it was even way better than the movie.
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I think the problem with that is that any good sci-fi series requires thought and an attention span lasting longer than the last explosion.
Almost all of the successful shows require neither.
Clearly, they are in short supply..... :rolleyes:
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"I think the moral of this story is to be sure not to make any negative comments about Garbage vocals in or near the bathroom."
True. Or she might flip the finger at you.
(http://huo360.com/uploads/2008/09/shirley-manson-t1000-5.jpg)
I like Garbage, there is a pop sensitivity there - not toally buried by grunge.
The new Blondie album Pollinator is kind of wearisome though.
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Maybe he's worried about the condition his condition is in...
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"I think the moral of this story is to be sure not to make any negative comments about Garbage vocals in or near the bathroom."
True. Or she might flip the finger at you.
I like Garbage, there is a pop sensitivity there - not toally buried by grunge.
The new Blondie album Pollinator is kind of wearisome though.
I never followed Blondie much. I didn't follow Garbage much, either. But a few years ago I saw one of their concerts on TV which I liked. I also liked their 2016 "Strange Little Birds" album. I've watched several more concerts on YouTube, old and new. In some of those, Shirley Manson has also been known to flip the bird at hecklers. Their music can be a little odd at times. But I think they give the people their money's worth at concerts. Plus, Shirley Manson's voice tends to fit that genre well and she has an interesting stage presence.
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The new Blondie album Pollinator is kind of wearisome though.
I'm no big fan but I bought the 'comeback' album (No exit) when it came out. That is one of the worst albums I
have ever heard, it was 15 or so songs in 15 different genres.
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Blondie. :puke:
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Reasonably priced...
http://www.ibanez.com/usa/news/f_products/2016/vintage/artcore-bass.php
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I have one last long scale naturel semi acoustic BaCH left.
It has a small blemish behind one of the bridge posts. Nothing structural.
(https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19224847_1233657250096044_3262208594880693486_n.jpg?oh=1090caa81b2fc136998850402aab7d95&oe=59F4F4C8)
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...or you can get in touch with your inner Danny Partridge and buy an Ovation Typhoon III.
http://www.larkstreetmusic.com/stock.html
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Whoa, that looks awesome! How are these? I've put hands on one of Denis' BaCH's, and liked it, but I didn't spend a ton of time with it. Also, would getting it shipped to the US be crazy expensive or time intense?
Also, anybody familiar with the Hagstrom Vikings? Looks to be one cheap on TB at the moment...
I have one last long scale naturel semi acoustic BaCH left.
It has a small blemish behind one of the bridge posts. Nothing structural.
(https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19224847_1233657250096044_3262208594880693486_n.jpg?oh=1090caa81b2fc136998850402aab7d95&oe=59F4F4C8)
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...or you can get in touch with your inner Danny Partridge and buy an Ovation Typhoon III.
http://www.larkstreetmusic.com/stock.html
No, no. LAURIE is the Partridge I'd like to touch!
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Whoa, that looks awesome! How are these? I've put hands on one of Denis' BaCH's, and liked it, but I didn't spend a ton of time with it. Also, would getting it shipped to the US be crazy expensive or time intense?
Time intensive, no not really. Three days door to door.
But expensive, yes I'm afraid so. Shipping would be € 200 (± 233 USD)
The bass itself is € 300 (± 350 USD)
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Time intensive, no not really. Three days door to door.
But expensive, yes I'm afraid so. Shipping would be € 200 (± 233 USD)
The bass itself is € 300 (± 350 USD)
Oof! Still seems a better deal than much of what's out there, if it's a good player. Anybody played with the BaCH? How does the single pickup model compare to the double? And how would this compare to something like a Midtown, Artcore, Gretsch hollow body, Verythin, or a Casady? A lot of these choices are being driven by looks- not the most important thing, but with so little chance to put my hands on them it's SOMETHING to latch onto...
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Here's a few pictures of details which I think you should check out:
The blemish at the bridge post. The top layer of the plywood top chipped when I drilled the hole for the insert. It's just the top layer and I glued it back and put some transparent lacquer over it. But it remains visible.
(https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20375847_10213588809299603_6001654938825708078_n.jpg?oh=d4add1771a1f64ff8b747e6e635af283&oe=59F9069F)
The bridge is rather high on it's feet. That has to do with the neck angle, which has appeared to be different with each single bass of this series. Some needed the bridge so high that I had to cut new saddles. This one in the pic is still okay (IMHO) with the original saddles.
(https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20294380_10213588809339604_8272708858243204412_n.jpg?oh=68fdf1cbb371ab4ebf12a1e917d3ec96&oe=5A0494EF)
At the neck joint the guys of BaCH obviously were a bit too enthousiastic with sanding the neck joint flush.
In a small part it shows the second layer of the plywood side.
(https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20258291_10213588809379605_4876347268992751443_n.jpg?oh=521018a232176451835a6cdbfc5da27a&oe=59EDEF2C)
The fretboard is one of the best looking pieces of rosewood I've seen on these models. However there is no certificate. This bass was built long before the whole CITES misery.
(https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20258408_10213588809619611_1588202047235254217_n.jpg?oh=904723d702f6f4a1a38e44dca5eb0f4d&oe=5A0AA2C3)
The back is beautiful too
(https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20245908_10213588810779640_7552380413483354846_n.jpg?oh=ac2affe5f8432759b8ffebf17987158b&oe=5A0CC5CB)
The neck is mahogany with a scarf headstock construction.
(https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20375936_10213588810819641_6588463466339086220_n.jpg?oh=5368aae55f48a825704a3b81821011d1&oe=5A0CA40C)
The bass weighs 4,2 kilograms
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Oof! Still seems a better deal than much of what's out there, if it's a good player. Anybody played with the BaCH? How does the single pickup model compare to the double? And how would this compare to something like a Midtown, Artcore, Gretsch hollow body, Verythin, or a Casady? A lot of these choices are being driven by looks- not the most important thing, but with so little chance to put my hands on them it's SOMETHING to latch onto...
I've played a 2014 Midtown, it sounded great. It's long scale and semi-hollow though.
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It's a chambered solid body, not a hollow-body in the classic laminated top sense. Not as responsive and harmonics-rich as an ES 335 Bass for instance, that sounds "fresher". Of course, the pups of the Memphis-produced ES 335 Bass are in a different league too. All that said, the Midtown sounds fine for what it is.
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I have high regard especially for Gibson hollow body basses. But to further elaborate on a side issue of the thread, I recently encountered some info on a British scientific study which may confirm some of my earlier points. Although not British, I can somewhat relate to this.
http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/arts-entertainment/every-man-over-35-still-madly-in-love-with-shirley-manson-20170710131499
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Is it a Brit thing, or am I unusual in never having had much interest in her?
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I suspect it's a redhead thing. The pink hair doesn't do much for me, but other photos are much nicer.
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I think to an extent it is a British thing, but possibly a redhead thing even more. As for me, I've had a thing for redheads ever since I met a girl in the neighborhood named Sydney when I was quite a young lad. As for Shirley Manson, she is 50 now. Plus, I agree the pink hair doesn't flatter her at all. She has spoken somewhere about how she feels about aging, but I don't know where to find that now.
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I'm married to a redhead so my preference is established.
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I'm married to a redhead so my preference is established.
Then it sounds like you've done well for yourself.