So in January it was International Bongo Pain, four months later, well...
I picked up my Stealth6HH yesterday. I am impressed. I'm not much for the whole 'I got this thing and wow it's so amazing, I love you all' sycophancy, but this bass has me flabbergasted. To be honest I have never had a true high end instrument in my 17 years of playing, but I doubt much else could come close to this, at least other basses I have played in stores/at friends houses etc haven't.
My first impression - I get to the store, it's a tiny place in the south of Birmingham (I chose them as they were the smallest of the distributors in the city, seemed like they could do with this kind of business), and I could tell they were excited - 'we have this mammoth beast thing in the back - it's insane!'. And they were right. The moment I opened the case...well, the grin is still plastered on. I had trouble when I was choosing a colour scheme - I like continuity, and I just couldn't get past tiny things like a white nut...plus with no deep burgundy option, I couldn't see anything I really liked. So I chose the Stealth, an option I initially avoided due to the whole metal cliche thing. Ok, so I play some pretty extreme music, but I don't particularly consider it metal, although I'm sure most would disagree. Anyway, my fears were allayed, the Stealth looks superb. It's like some sort of understated piece of modern art. It's striking, but not overbearing, I hate to use the word, but it's just 'cool'. The Bongo shape is perfectly suited to a six'er, the proportions just seem right. I have to admit, even to this day I'm not a massive fan of the Bongo shape on 4's or 5's...but that's another story.
So, rehearsal last night. I didn't get time to change the strings to a slightly heavier gauge, so made do with the EB's it came with. I down-tune a half step, but this was no problem, as travelling across the Atlantic had seen the bass settle into an almost perfect A# tuning anyway, so those few cents more were no problem. The first thing I notice plugging it in - holy cr*p this thing has some output. I have been playing an 18volt active 6 for nearly 10 years, but this is insane. I use a lot of effects, and I had to be careful - I thought my Demeter Compulator was going to run out of the room screaming. It also messed with my Muff clone...still, these are minor issues when compared to the tone. Wonderful. I have never sat in the mix like that before, I didn't feel like I was competing with three heavy guitars, swirling keys, pounding drums and lunatic vox - but instead complimenting them. By bandmates agreed. 'The bass isn't just a mass of low-end mud anymore' was the consensus. So I felt vindicated...all their toilet seat jokes when they first saw the design a few months ago were a mere memory. Well, that low B may have had them running for the toilet...
Yes, I love it. But there's always one thing, nothing is perfect. I read all over the place about the headstocks...and low and behold, first night out, in fact within three hours of picking it up, I get a nick. I haven't hit my headstock in years, but the combination of a smaller rehearsal room than usual, and not being aware of the extra inch or two, I hit a cymbal. It's a tiny mark, already filled with a blot of paint, but it made me aware at least...either way, it's christened now, it's mine...and I can't honestly see myself needing another bass for a long, long, long, long, time......although a fretless Stealth 'ray does have a certain appeal
Edit: I will do some pics when I have the time...
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Originally Posted by Grand Wazoo
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