Tom Capasso Posted May 27, 2003 Share Posted May 27, 2003 I've been traveling for my job lately. This has played havoc with my practice regimen (if you could call it that). I didn't want to take my Kinal on the road, because it's too valuable to risk it. And I didn't want to take my Gibson EB3 because it's too senitimentally valuable, and because it doens't help me when I get home and pick up the 5 string Kinal. So I started searching for something cheap that would have a decent B, and bear some resemblance to the Kinal (read: not a Fender - wanted a smaller body and 24 frets). I tried some Ibanez models, but the models I liked were getting to the $500 range, and I wanted to stay close to $300. Same for Yamaha and others. Tough challenge. I remembered DBB saying he had some regard for the Toby models at MusicYo. Someone also mentioned the MTD Heir (hmm .. MTD). The Heir was going to be more than I wanted to spend, but if nothing cheaper worked, I'd do it. Then I had a day off, and remembered an email exchange with a company called Aslin Dane. Turns out their office is near me, so I went over. Interestingly, that day I repeated my latest "predicament" to my wife, and told her I thought I could dig up the money from saving my "allowance". So I went for a visit.... I met Bern, who at first seemed like he had better things to do than deal with me. This isn't a retail outlet - they usually deal with lots of smaller stores (not GC or Sam Ash). Turns out there were none of the stores near where I live. But I started playing instruments, and he started answering questions. I learned that their small company designs guitars and basses to be made overseas. Bern's partner Dave had been to Korea recently to check in on how materials were being prepared. The materials are started in Korea and assembled in China. Bern says that their guitars and basses are used by lots of gospel people, and are fairly popular in NYC. Most of all, he was proud of how many people take their axes on tour - that they play well, sound great, and hold up well. He mentioned players that I didn't recognize, but who played with people I recognized (not that I know much). They have a Fender-like model, which you can guess that I ignored. They had a "Fatback 5" model that comes with two "J" PUPs in a red finish. The bass felt really solid and nice, but the body was light. They had another bass in natural with a "J" and MM style. The bodies are alder, the neck maple, the fretboard phenolic (mixture of wood and man-made material). The hardware and electronics are made for them overseas (no name brands, though they use Gotoh tuners). These are not active. The B strings were pretty stable, and I liked the feel and sound. The more I played, the more I liked. So I asked, and Bern said he could sell me one. He dug around in the back for a J/MM that was red (all my basses are red...). He did a bit of tweaking and checking, and I was done. Bern said he'd be happy to make any further adjustments if necessary. He said that since they used a large truss rod, stiff maple, and the phenolic fretboard the neck remains pretty stable. The price? They list around $600, and the street price is in the $425 - $450 range (depending on which model). They make a neck-thru 33" that has a familiar body style and thick neck. It has an active circuit, and was solid as well. And I tried a prototype Fender J made of graphite (and something else - sorry..). The neck felt pretty good (I'm not a big graphite person). I didn't have too much time to play it this weekend (went away for a few days). I'll give you my first impressions, and follow up later. Down sides? The finish was a bit rough on volute at the top of the neck (Bern offered to clean it up for me, but I declined - so many of you like that "wood" feel, I figured I give it a try). The body finish coat (not the color) wasn't applied into the recessed area where the neck bolts go. There is one spot on the edge of the body (inside the curve of the upper horn) where the red wasn't applied (looks like a small white dot), but there is polyurethane over it. The strings are nothing special. Of course I'm sitting with a handmade Kinal, so I notice all this stuff. It's all cosmetic and trivial, especially given what I want the bass for (and the price). I suspect Ibanez quality control is a bit better, but I'm fine. Up sides? Solid feel on a lightweight instrument. Neck is smooth and even, the neck joint is solid (some of you have seen me whip out a piece of paper to test the joints in stores), pots turn smoothly (vol/blend/tone), and the whole thing is comforable. The tuners work smoothly, jack (on edge of body) is tight. The bridge is cast with roller-style saddles, and it's solidly attached to the body. I have a problem in my house with single coil "J" pickups (no matter what amp or bass, they hum badly), so I think the J sounds good. The MM cuts the hum, and sounds very good. Output is strong, and the tone pot cuts the treble fairly smoothly (takes that high-end edge off). I like the thing very much. At this price, it's a great find. Next week I'll get a bag, and hopefully the CD-GT1 I ordered will come in. Then we hit the road in time for me to prep for my rock rehearsal 6/6 and backyard gig 6/27 !! I'll report again after I've played it more (if you can stand it - this turned out to be another verbose post)... Tom Here's a pic from www.aslindane.com. Mine is red, has teh MM PUP at the bridge, and it's red (did I say that)... http://www.aslindane.com/Bass_HTML/Bass_Images/FB_5J_web.jpg www.stoneflyrocks.com Acoustic Color Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground. - Theodore Roosevelt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibescotty Posted May 27, 2003 Share Posted May 27, 2003 Congrats on a new member of the Capasso family!! Hope she turns out to be everything you need. Good Luck. So was this a miniature case of GAS? Double Posting since March 2002 Random Post Generator #26797 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cup Posted May 27, 2003 Share Posted May 27, 2003 Congratulations Tom. The bass wouldn't be one I'd pick (too modern looking) But, I'm sure it'll do it's job. Be careful it doesn't get too comfy in your hands, your wife will kill you if you forget the Kinal for a $400 replacement. Enjoy playing! CupMcMali...this monkey's gone to heaven Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Capasso Posted May 27, 2003 Author Share Posted May 27, 2003 The bass wouldn't be one I'd pick (too modern looking) But, I'm sure it'll do it's job. Right - this isn't everyone's taste, but is more mine than a Fender (not that I haven't played some nice Fenders and I could get very attached to a Sterling). Be careful it doesn't get too comfy in your hands, your wife will kill you if you forget the Kinal for a $400 replacement.My wife !! I'm afraid something like that might kill Mike Kinal (or he'd kill me...) thanks Tom www.stoneflyrocks.com Acoustic Color Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground. - Theodore Roosevelt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
57pbass Posted May 27, 2003 Share Posted May 27, 2003 Tom I dont understand why you need more than one bass ? ? Congratulations on your new purchase - It looks very nice. www.danielprine.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Sweet Willie_ Posted May 27, 2003 Share Posted May 27, 2003 Congrats Tom! BTW, PJR is gonna turn several shades of envious green and then crap his pants when he sees what you've got! Peace. spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Capasso Posted May 28, 2003 Author Share Posted May 28, 2003 Willie, I'm up to three basses. One is a fine handmade in a modern style One is an antique that most don't like One is a new "cheapy". Only one of those would inspire anything like envy. PJRs laundry is safe, I assure you... Tom www.stoneflyrocks.com Acoustic Color Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground. - Theodore Roosevelt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russfingers Posted May 28, 2003 Share Posted May 28, 2003 Hi Tom, Nice Bass-use it in good health.A little change from the EB3? By the way I know where I can get a new,but original circa Gibson Thunderbird.It's light and kicks ass.My next pusrchase after the Metro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJR Posted May 28, 2003 Share Posted May 28, 2003 Originally posted by Tom Capasso: PJRs laundry is safe, I assure you... Tom....but what about me skivies ??? PJR 5CentMary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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