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RobertB

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 5, 2007
Messages
1,657
Location
Denver area.
Hi everyone,

My name is Robert Bates. Now that I've joined the forum, I can't imagine why I hadn't done so already. I've been a SR owner for 6 years, and a lover/enthusiast for years before that. My main "axe" for the past 6 years has been my Autumn Redrise SR4.

In the past several years, out of curiosity and appreciation for fine basses in general, I've ventured into other corners of the bass world, including Warwick, Modulus and Fodera. I've bought & sold probably 8 to 10 Foderas, checking out different wood combo's & electronics configs. And indeed they are fine basses, but I always, ALWAYS come back to my SR4. The great playability is a very large part of it, but for me, it's even more so about the tone. The sound which has shaped up to be my sound ... the sound that feels truly expressive for me (which is what it's all about, isn't it?), I've only been able to get from my SR. I've sampled basses with Bartolinis, EMGs, Aeros, Duncans/Basslines, and while I can appreciate that yes they're high quality .. I can't get my sound with them. And none of them are as hot as the MM pup, in terms of pure output level. I haven't actually measured the voltage with a meter, but I've done LOTS of side by side, A/B comparisons, and whenever I've done that ... the "B" bass has gotten sold shortly thereafter.

One taste I did acquire, though, while sampling some of the other basses - Modulus & Fodera in particular, is a taste for the more exotic natural wood finishes. That's why my dream-SR is a 20th Anniversary SR4 ('96), with the figured or flamed maple tops, mahogany bodies, and flamed maple necks (I think were made with birdseye maple necks too, which are always nice, as well). Some of the photos I've seen of the ones with the more choice figuring/wood selection make me just ... sick!! (with lust and envy). =)

I sure would love for EB to do another run of those, or to accept a custom order for one with those specs. In the meantime, I'll keep an eye out & if you don't mind, let me know if you see one! I'll be around. =)

Peace, Grace & Bass!
Robert
 
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TNT

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 18, 2005
Messages
3,576
Location
Oakland - Raider Nation!
Robert,

Nice to have you on board!!

Thanks for bringing us current on your music life too - it's nice to know a little bit about your whereabouts.:)
 

bigvissch

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 15, 2007
Messages
186
Location
Melbourne, AU
Welcome Robert. I am a relative newby too and yet have been a MM player and huge fan for many years also. I think you will really enjoy hanging out here. The input you receive is great, the banter is fun and the members are a bunch of cool dudes and dudesses:cool:.

I wholeheartedly agree about the Stingray tone. I have been seriously looking for a fretless for over 12 months and initially thought I'd look around and try a few things. So I did. And everything I tried left me with a very dissatisfied empty feeling. They just didn't have that tone that I had come to take for granted. Where I play, I am fortunate to mix it with fellow players who have spent some big bucks on custom axes. I have tried them too and yes I was impressed with playability and feel but they still didn't have that sound that I was looking for.

I am now clearly resolved, it is MM all the way. All the best in your quest.

To be honest, in my short time here I can't recall seeing an SR 20th. If anyone has some pics........... I do love that flame!!
 

RobertB

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 5, 2007
Messages
1,657
Location
Denver area.
There's right now a nice 20th on eBay.

I was contemplating on how to raise some funds for that... ;-)

Thanks Oli - yeah, I had seen that one too. But see how the figuring on that one doesn't cover the entire body? There's an area of about an inch or so at the top and bottom of the maple cap where there's no figuring to the maple at all. I know how I am about basses, and that would inevitably get on my nerves. This one does seem to be a very clean & in good condition, though. Love the flamed neck/headstock. Thanks, for the heads up - much appreciated.
 
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oli@bass

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 23, 2007
Messages
4,272
Location
Switzerland
But see how the figuring on that one doesn't cover the entire body?

Yes, I've seen it. That was what turned me off as well. And I'm not fully confident with the stability of flamed maple as wood for a neck (though it looks fantastic) espcially in varying climate as ours.

Thought that others might be less picky... well well well ;)
 

Jodizzle

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 6, 2007
Messages
1,177
Location
Indio, CA
Oh I'm a fan of Grace!!! Haha
Getting what we don't deserve?? Who couldn't ask for more!
Peace and Bass?? Again, I reitterate .. Who couldn't ask for more lol!!
I'm sure you'll enjoy the family here ;)
 

RobertB

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 5, 2007
Messages
1,657
Location
Denver area.
I'm sure you'll enjoy the family here ;)

Absolutely. A little dysfunctional, like any family ... loving it already. =)

Finally getting around to attaching a pic of my autumn redrise SR4. The headstock is maple/non-matching.
As you all probably know, the finish takes on different looks at different angles, in terms of the sparkle factor.
I've had a black pearloid pg on it at times, too - looks pretty nice. I'll see if I can find a pic.

That's my old & sold SWR WM15, I was "dissing" in another thread yesterday. These days I kick it with my SWR SuperRedhead 350W 2x10.

Another SR I've owned & loved before was an Egyptian Smoke SR5, rosewood, matching headstock, black pearloid pg. No pix of it, though.

Hoping to pick up a BFR Koa SR5 - still trying to find out if they're built at the time of order. The GC guys don't know. They need less hair product, and more product knowledge. =P

PG&B!!
Robert
 
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