Bassbadger

Would anyone be interested in me bringing along some of the Retrovibe models for people to try?

[quote name='geoffbyrne' timestamp='1408531173' post='2531045'] The original pre, as you said, was pretty brutal. I put a retrovibe in it and it's still got a powerful output, but sounds much better although the volume is still pretty much on or off. [/quote] Hi Geoff, I just came across your post and thought you might be interested to know that a couple of other people contacted me about the on/off nature of the volume control. It seems that certain pickups provide an input level which when amplified causes the volume control to be almost switch-like. After a little experimenting I found that if you are having this issue you can reverse the white and yellow wires on the volume pot and you will get a smoother volume adjustment. Hope that's useful. Regards, David

Hi Meddle, Nice work on the wiring mods. I totally agree about the 2 tone pot point and I have plans to make different use of the 4 knobs in future! Just for the record your bass is a Vantage 5 rather than RV5. I did make a small number of RV5 basses which were more like Mr Hall's shape but that "iconic" headstock on a 5er meant lots of head dive, so I stopped. That and being asked to of course! David [quote name='Meddle' timestamp='1397498980' post='2424540'] Sure why not. I've modded mine though: I never see the purpose of two tones on an instrument. If you can be bothered with '50s Les Paul wiring then you can balance them slightly, but in general each tone control works as a master control, so other than being able to switch from a bright-toned to a dark-toned pickup there is no real point, in my book. So, one tone control became a coil split for the MM pickup and the extra pot you see is a bass-cut on the bridge pickup. This way I can get Rickenbacker tones (come at me, John Hall) by switching in an extra 47nF in series with the bridge pickup. I broke out the Forstner bits and added a side-mounted jack. [/quote]

[quote name='alyctes' timestamp='1398557164' post='2435323'] I like the ProBass basses. [/quote] Rockin' Good News! [quote name='Spike Vincent' timestamp='1398599893' post='2435591'] I've got one of the ones that would result in a certain American manufacturer sending lawsuits if I were to mention what it looks like..Very impressed although the electrics were not particularly well executed. And it's one of the few ( 8 in total) left handed ones. [/quote] It's true that the electrics on the early RV4s were not great but I had them changed for the second and subsequent batches. Thanks kodiakblair for your review and recommendation. Enjoy your brace of basses! David

Hi there, I made the Aero 1 in 2010. There were only 2 white ones if my memory serves. Regards, David [quote name='fleabag' timestamp='1398950810' post='2439326'] Retrovibe Aero 1, Unmodded, year unknown [/quote]

[quote name='daflewis' timestamp='1395277565' post='2400682'] Hi Both, Sorry this is a little late, I've just got back from holiday; but you're both on there now. Cheers! [/quote]Hi Daf, Any idea where these are at the mo? Cheers.

Hi there, Can I go on the list for the Silver/Gold slap trial set please? Thanks, David

[quote] I have one problem...I bought the bass with original strings which sound fantastic. But the seller wasn` t able to tell me what brand they are. I tried several brands Fodera, Fender ...but NONE could give the sound as originals.I guess they can be some cheap no name strings but have fantastic sustain and the bass sounds amazing... So the strings are several years old and of course won`t last forever.Could someone give me information WHAT STRINGS ARE THEY?Again...original strings Retrovibe RV4 was selling with..THANKS ANYONE FOR an ADVICE Jan OF COURSE THE BASS IS N O T FOR SALE THANKS. [/quote] Hi Jan, The strings which came on the early RV4 basses were generic, Chinese, OEM, unbranded. They were usually excellent but occasionally there would be a bad one so I decided to fit D'Addarrio strings on all new models just to give all basses a bit of consistency. I now donate the OEM strings to the string charity but drop me a line if you would like a set and I'll get some to you. Regards, David

[quote name='throwoff' timestamp='1382969206' post='2258559'] I have to say, I don't like the headstock... The Evo looks a great bass just that headstock screams BCRICH or other metally guitar to me [/quote] I hear what you're saying. In fact the headstock shape came from trying to make a 2up-2down version of the 4-in-line Vantage headstock. I basically reflected the slightly hooked (hawked?) beak of the Vantage headstock and shortened the lower one slightly to balance the upper and lower bouts on the body. That headstock shape then became the template for the upper and lower bouts on the EVO model. Glad to hear you like some bits though!

The early RV4 basses did suffer occasionally from cheap pots and switches so I had these all uprated for the second batch which are now all sold and out of production. The same higher grade components are now standard on the new Vantage, Zygote and EVO models so hopefully there should be no issues with these new models and indeed all those I have played and set up so far have been very nice. For those who are interested and didn't know my name is David Konig and I design, import and sell the Retrovibe range of basses. I am of course happy to answer any questions or queries so please feel free to post or PM me.

[quote name='tommorichards' timestamp='1382787238' post='2256537'] Im guessing the 2 tone controls are passive? [/quote] Hi Tom. Yes, 2 volumes and 2 tones, all passive.

Don't think that'll fit on the TRC! Still, each to his own.

Pics are now up for the Zygote and EVO on the website.

Got it in one!

Hi All, In fact the Warbird model was (very) loosely based on the classic '60s Star Trek Warbird but with a nod towards the Entwistle Buzzard basses too. Sadly, the initial sample/prototype I had made arrived with a large bash on the body thanks to the courier. That plus the incredible neck dive of the beast meant I decided not to put it into production at this point. I'll take a picture if anyone's interested. David