BassApprentice

They've finally realised how print money. 

Whilst most signature models are divisive, it's enough to push some fans of said artists over the edge and pay the premium for the model. 

That's a pretty one though! 

I really liked it, don't get me wrong the Ibanez has its place but it didn't feel *complete*

It's between a Lakland 55-01 and a Reverend Mercalli 5 for the next bass. 

Now, you might say it's hard to compare these two as they go about the same task in a completely different way. But for tone perspective they are actually quite close. For some reason, I've never tried a Lakland until today. Still speculatively looking for a new 5 string so thought I would see what was in stock in Guitar Guitar. 

I think I've always been put off by the 35" scale of the Lakland stuff, just seemed imposing. Turns out it's not a big deal actually. What a great bass, the satin neck is really nice and smooth and quick felt pretty at home at once. Big ol sound too, after a bit of tinkering I got a really good sound, slightly favoured the bridge pickup with the bass and treble boosted. 

The Ibanez, almost but not quite for me. I had previously tried a fan fret of the non Nord version, this was the standard fret EHB1505. Very light, nice finish flat fast neck and after tinkering I did get a decent sound but I just don't think the Ibanez preamp set up is for me. 3 band layed out with a knob for each cut/boost is what I seem to favour as it far more clear where you're settings are. 

I really appreciate the innovation in the Ibanez but I think I'm a bit more traditional in my tastes and a Lakland would win this one. 

Just random Friday evening ramblings 😅

2 hours ago, Grahambythesea said:

I wish they’d offer it with an up the right way neck, the tuners pointing down looks really awkward.

If they do a lefty, buy both and switch the necks 😅

Definitely not stock as the stock is a 6 pole guitar pickup. 

Indeed, all at the price range are very good value and will give you a wide variety of tones. 

I am very close to buying a Sire V5 (passive) as they get such great reviews from lots of players. Wouldn't necessarily say just because they are jazz they sound thin, apparently the Active Preamp is very powerful. 

At the end of the day, nothing will be beat trying them out before buying. Appreciate that might not be easy but maybe buy and return if you can't get to a shop that stocks them 

21 minutes ago, javi_bassist said:

So today I tried the DR Pure Blues on my BB735 to replace the Dunlop Super Brights. So far, I prefer the DR B string, but it's hard to defeat the Super brights on the other 4 strings. My search still continues. I will try Daddario NYXL next. I'm also thinking about getting a Super Bright 6 string set to get the 130 gauge. 

Since there's a discussion elsewhere about it. Why don't you mix the strings? DR B string and then use Super Brights for the other 4? 

Thanks for that @sPiKi exactly the info I was looking for!

Will see what MCM can do. 

Ah you are just the man I am looking for @sPiKi.

I only got to try the Decision - how does the Merc compare? I found the Decision very bright and Reverend told me on Instagram that the Merc pickups are a bit rounder. Does this match up with your basses? 

I'm a big fan of bridge humbuckers so I reckon I would prefer the Merc but without trying it's difficult to know! 

I think the only semi-hollow ones in the current range are the Basshouser Fatfish 32" scale and the Dub King 

2 hours ago, lou24d53 said:

That Merchant City Music in Glasgow by any chance, looks like their display and I know they have a stock of these.

Been meaning to stop by and try them out myself, like the look of some of their models, a bit different.

It is indeed. Only had to the Decision PJ in stock (albeit in the 3 colours) and not sure when they are getting other models in again. Definitely worth trying though! 

1 hour ago, CameronJ said:

Yeah I’ve heard great things about Reverend basses and guitars. Their new(ish) short scale - the Sentinel - looks great.

 

I played one of them too - very nice alternative to a USA Mustang. 

16 minutes ago, BigRedX said:

Are these solid bodies or semi-hollow like the original Rumblefish Basses?

Solid body. 

This was a bolt on but also have a range of set neck models 

I'm sure others may know more than I do, but when I was in a guitar shop yesterday I was chatting away and the guy told me that suppliers were starting to feel the pinch in their stock levels due to factory closures earlier in the year so shipments might be fewer and smaller heading towards Christmas time - not ideal when it's been a tough year and guitar shops generally do well out of Christmas 😔

Not really much on the forum about these. 

Tried a Decision PJ model out yesterday - wow. For £800 you get a lot of bass. If you want something that looks a bit different and has a very solid range of tones I would definitely check them out. It's also really light, considering the body looks quite large it balanced nicely. 

I tried a seafoam green that has all roasted maple neck and this burgundy one that has roasted maple neck with Pau Ferro, both were really good, super smooth and easy to play. Didn't notice too much tonal different between the two. Tone wise it's pretty bright, can't get a lot of clank going, I found having the tone control just over 50% going through a Fender Rumble was about right. The shop does have bare concrete floors and not much else so probably contributed to it as well. 

Would love to try the Mercalli and the Triad to see how they differ and which I prefer. 

Still available! 

Was in Merchant City Music earlier and tried out a few Reverends (They are all fantastic btw). The Sentinel is a great wee bass, the blade pickup is HOT and bright, but the 3 way switch, not 100% what the settings are but got a great variety of tones. If you're looking at Mustangs at around £800 and want something a bit different I would definitely recommend looking at the Sentinel as an option! 

Hello! 

I did exactly that earlier in the year. Great wee bass now. 

I'm still looking for a bridge. Needs to be 17 or 18mm spacing and Hipshot do a vintage one that drops right in with individual saddles but I'm trying to keep it cheap so waiting on a 2nd hand one. Tuners on mine are just Squier ones I got for cheap, involved drilling holes but I think any tuners would involve drilling to fit them. 

Good luck, great platform to start with! 

I tried one this afternoon in the shiny blue. 

Was decent enough, the single coil setting did zero for me but both pickups on was nice. I had the original big logo Sub with the hot preamp, these new ones with the tamed preamp are a bit too polite as standard. If I got one I would definitely be tinkering with it to get more out of it! Fit and finish was good though.

That'll be a less shiny but new bridge! I'm very much interested in these but also tempted by the new Sire passive Jazz basses. Looking forward to seeing what else you do to it! 

The finish is basically the difference for the Sub series. Perfectly good basses - but when compared to the middle range Ray34/35 you can see where the corners are cut. 

They just need a bit of work at home to make them great basses. At the end of the day that Julia on YouTube used a Sub for ages and she got some brilliant tones out of it. 

Here's a review - jump to 5:10 for the pickup selector explanation. 

Looking forward to hearing about your bass @Grantd

I've been following them for a while, will yours have a headphone amp built in? 

Roasted maple always looks great. Currently looking at the new Sire passives with the roasted maple. Is the tone slightly softer and warmer than standard rock maple? But still more treble than rosewood. 

So it's a 3 month wait for a Burgundy V7 or do I go with a Natural V5. I've heard good things about things about the Active Preamp but the roasted neck is a big draw....hmmm