Lakland US Darkstar Decade - Sith me up

[Legion]

Ok, so I'm as bad as Clarky....and Beedster. Well almost. I've known for a long while that I wanted to get this setup so when the opportunity arose I went for it.

I will admit that when they created the Chi Sonic pickups to replace the Darkstars they did a really good job because the differences are pretty subtle. I'm very happy with the bass, even if if was only an evolutionary move from my other Decade - being lighter, having Darkstars and an ebony fretless neck (both necks matched to the bass and factory made). New Pickguard courtesy of our very own Bass Doc and he did an excellent job, thanks Howard
[attachment=94340:DarkDecade1.jpg]

[Clarky]

[quote name='Legion' timestamp='1322831246' post='1456373'] Ok, so I'm as bad as Clarky....and Beedster [/quote]

Not that bad, mate

Thats a rather sexy looking beast - reminds me a bit of a Magnum fretless but less angular. Very tasty

[EssentialTension]

Looks fabulous.

[EssentialTension]

I had to come back for another look.

[rapscallion]

Thats a lovely looking bass mate, Howards pickguard does it justice

[Legion]

[quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1322832907' post='1456398']
Not that bad, mate

Thats a rather sexy looking beast - reminds me a bit of a Magnum fretless but less angular. Very tasty
[/quote]
Not a bass I'm familiar with at all, I'll go look for some piccies - assuming I can filter out the inevitable ice cream results.
[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1322843546' post='1456608']
I had to come back for another look.
[/quote]
Sneaky Dave
[quote name='rapscallion' timestamp='1322929512' post='1457443']
Thats a lovely looking bass mate, Howards pickguard does it justice
[/quote]
Thanks, I had Howard make me a B/W/B pickguard as well, but I really like the tort so I think it might stay on there after all. Mind you, the black guard looks better with the ebony fretless neck but the all-black vibe is a bit too doom for me...
[attachment=94390:dec3.jpg]

[EssentialTension]

Jas, how are you liking the Dark Stars compared to the Chisonics? I've had both (but not in the same style bass) and I'd agree there are some definite similarities.

[Clarky]

[quote name='Legion' timestamp='1322931156' post='1457471']
Not a bass I'm familiar with at all, I'll go look for some piccies - assuming I can filter out the inevitable ice cream results.
[/quote]

Here's Magnum porn thread (no moustaches) http://basschat.co.uk/topic/157254-ovation-magnum/page__p__1398903__hl__magnum%20fretless__fromsearch__1#entry1398903

[Legion]

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1322932671' post='1457498']
Jas, how are you liking the Dark Stars compared to the Chisonics? I've had both (but not in the same style bass) and I'd agree there are some definite similarities.
[/quote]
I really like them Dave. I don't think they are any [b]more[/b] sensitive to hand positioning than the Chi Sonics (which already are IMO). The Chi Sonics certainly have a more modern tone to them, due to more mids I think. The Darkstars do seem to sort of "saturate" the more you dig in which gives a really nice fat rounded sort of drive to the notes especially at the neck pickup. The adjustable pole pieces are brilliant as well, so you can get a very even tone across the strings. Overall I think the Chi's are a great pickup but the Darkstars were worth the wait for me.

[Legion]

[quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1322933205' post='1457511']
Here's Magnum porn thread (no moustaches) [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/157254-ovation-magnum/page__p__1398903__hl__magnum%20fretless__fromsearch__1#entry1398903"]http://basschat.co.u..._1#entry1398903[/url]
[/quote]
Interesting thread that I missed, thanks Clarky - nice bass that, unusual style.

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='Legion' timestamp='1322937088' post='1457561']
I really like them Dave. I don't think they are any [b]more[/b] sensitive to hand positioning than the Chi Sonics (which already are IMO). The Chi Sonics certainly have a more modern tone to them, due to more mids I think. The Darkstars do seem to sort of "saturate" the more you dig in which gives a really nice fat rounded sort of drive to the notes especially at the neck pickup. The adjustable pole pieces are brilliant as well, so you can get a very even tone across the strings. Overall I think the Chi's are a great pickup but the Darkstars were worth the wait for me.
[/quote]
I had Dark Stars in a semi-hollow Dearmond Starfire and the neck pickup definitely did that fat round almost or slightly overdriven sound (that you can hear on late sixties Jefferson Airplane and Grateful Dead) especially with some digging in. I'd agree the Chisonics are very similar and similarly sensitive but, as you say, a more modern sounding version. I think I may need some Dark Stars again sometime.

[cocco]

Love it!