Machines

8 minutes ago, BassApprentice said:

Sounds about right for a first run of models that have literally just come through the door -  would have expected BassDirect to at least check the pots when unpacking but that's a 2 minute job.

 

I'm sure if they sell well enough you'll see more versions (multi-scale, fretless etc.)

They were photographed and then repacked. They would have been checked before being sent out however.

Spotted this yesterday online and was by chance going to BassDirect that day anyway.

I tried it out - here's my summary from 5 mins with it:

Good

Good setup

Sounded better than expected (compared to EHBs with Barts)

Cool shape, love the contouring

Pretty thick top

Fairly light

Pretty cheap for the spec

Bad

Several loose pots

Tuners were a bit too tight to adjust easily

Satin finish will very likely be quite fragile (same as Ibanez EHBs), make this with a gloss finish and multiscale and i'd get one.

I'll be there Sunday as it's in my hometown ! I used to work about 200 yards from the building. Find me loitering around the Ashdown stand on Sunday.

2 hours ago, Hobbayne said:

Solihull? Didnt it used to be held in London?

This show has been in Birmingham for I think 10+ years, it was previously at New Bingley Hall (city centre) until it spontaneously combusted in 2022.

4 minutes ago, Jean-Luc Pickguard said:

Am I the only person who makes sure a bass is spotlessly clean when selling it?

Same, but also every day it is in my house. 

FYI a medium sized paintbrush is ideal for dusting without removing strings. 

I'm also amicable to attending again after last year's.

I note the reverb items have been pulled, and YouTube videos deleted.

The new RM EVO III is due to land in the UK late Feb/early March (from the big man himself).

14 minutes ago, MichaelDean said:

Ooooh, and if you scan the QR code, you get the product page for the new Rootmaster head, even though they've hidden the link on the website. Can't find the one for the OriginAL though.

https://ashdownmusic.com/pages/rootmaster-evo-iii

I did this too 🤣. I'm sure the website home page will be updated in the next couple of days.

Interestingly they only have the 800w version there which is black, I imagine the 500w will be silver. I have an EVO II and absolutely do not need an upgrade to the EVO III. Will I somehow justify it to myself ? Probably.

EDIT: They have updated: https://ashdownmusic.com/pages/namm-2024

Warwick Thumb 5. Totally not the sound my band needs but I really want to Brr Brr Deng.

5 hours ago, Burns-bass said:

In my experience that’s usually because one of the scumbag bedroom dealers has got there first.

I object to this. I do it from the lounge.

They were sold before stock landed in the UK. They still haven't arrived.

I had one for a bit, my summary:

• Matt finish shines very easily, won't look as 'new' as a Fender would over time.
• Preamp OK, but I preferred it passive
• Awesome P sound available, blends well with the J, but J on it's own sounded too thin (preamp can help this)
• Looked really cool, very well made

Is it better than a MIM P bass ? Yes and no depending on your needs. Build quality wise, i'd say they're both good.

Running it passive would bypass the PCB?.

Dingwall D-Roc
Terrible upper fret access. If you want anything above the 17th you bought the wrong thing (luckily, I get away with it in my band).

Dingwall Combustion 
2 pickups but 3 routes under the pickguard. Thus having the pickguard off is not an pretty option unless you install another pickup (which I actually might).

MTD Kingston Super 
Satin finish easily damaged, doesn't dent - it chips. Total strip and refin will have to take place if it takes a bad knock in an obvious place.

Truss rod hidden beneath plate at neck heel slowing on the fly changes down.

Ibanez SR1206
Lower output than all of my other basses unless I crank the preamp, I think this is the Nordstrand Big Singles not having the huge output I assumed they would.

Recessed jack socket means I can't use my Boss Wireless unit unless I somehow reseat the jack out further via washers.

Truss rod adjustment impossible without removing 3 screws from the fancy wood cover. Then you have to detune it to get enough string flex to adjust.

Yamaha RBX6JM
Heavy (11 lbs), almost slab body not the most comfortable.

Whilst the inlays are a work of art, it makes finding the fret you want more difficult than if it was a blank board.

Truss rod recess too short making only the shortest of right angle Allen keys viable (Ibanez multitool does the job though).

Due to the preshape on the stock preamp anything else is likely to sound very different. I think an EMG would keep the general character though.

5 hours ago, Bassic_Science said:

My only thing with it was that it had a lot of sizzle at the top end which I wasn't crazy about. Definitely had more a MusicMan vibe to it for sure.

True for stock preamp. I've installed a Bartolini 5.4 though and it's able to contain it nicely. Also has the passive bypass option.

I have a SR1206 (mahogany/ovangkol) which is 8lb 12oz. I also have a MTD Kingston Super 5 which is 1oz lighter.  They are my most comfortable instruments and feel pretty easy on the shoulder (I use Comfort Straps).

The Nordstrand Big Singles are very Jazz like, but with a stronger low end/mid emphasis, and less top end than normal J pickups. This tends to calm down when they are blended 50/50 and a mid scoop is encountered.

However if I had to choose - the MTD is a better package for quality, with the Ibanez being a little more aesthetically pleasing with it's fancy woods.

I've also had a EHB1505 and I found the finish to be very very delicate, with even a light tap that a normal poly finish wouldn't blink at causing chips of paint to come off the EHB. 

6 hours ago, ead said:

It almost feels like we need a parallel thread for the weak willed and easily persuaded 

@AndyTravis You down yeah ?

6 hours ago, neepheid said:

 

Do you wish this fact to be recorded?  You thought you should be in, after all?

Yes, I am happy to try and break the record (if there is one ?) for failing. 

15 minutes ago, neepheid said:

 

Never mind, there's always next year!

It's kind of a self punishing to be honest. I know I won't do it, I don't even want to do it. But I think I should.

Anyway I got a nice Dingwall.

I failed before signing up. Damn.

Here's a 2014 SR1206 I got a few weeks ago for a great price. Plays very well and neck is very comfortable. In excellent condition too. 

Can't wait for the influencer reviews totally ignoring the literal elephant in the room.

Shame this, definitely a missed opportunity.

Single pickups 

Satin painted finishes (as they always shine up, and are generally more fragile than gloss poly)

Non-speed loading bridges aka 'BBOT'

Batteries inside control cavity, rather than a quick access flip box

Jack sockets in a funny place so my Boss Wireless unit doesn't fit

Active basses without a passive mode

n.b. amongst my basses, all of the above exist 🤣