UPDATE Jan 7 Anniversary Bass preview

[Big Poppa]

34" scale

WHen all switches are up it would traditionally be off...no sound......I think the worst hting to to have a setting that meant no sound......can you imagine by mistake hitting a switch and your bass goes away....also why not wire up another combination in the "off" position....that position is the bridge and middle in series.

 

[adouglas]

Maybe I missed it, but do we know the scale length of this instrument?

Given that the prototype in the pics has a Sterling neck, then I'd guess it's a standard 34" scale instrument. I really doubt they'd produce a unique neck and also make it look exactly like a Sterling neck (down to the headstock finish and logo) for a prototype.

But the nature of prototyping is that things change, often radically, before the instrument hits production. I get the impression that too many of us are looking at this and thinking that the finished product will be much the same.

Right now, if I'm following things correctly, they're tweaking the electronics and deciding on switch/knob configurations, and also looking at the body shape and presumably contours. If I had to bet I'd say the wood we're seeing in the prototype is not representative of the wood that will be used, and that the neck will be quite different. We already know the headstock will.

What's settled?

3 pickups with a variety of configurations, interesting switching and active/passive electronics. A nifty body shape that pays homage to EBMM guitars. Nifty new tuners on a smaller headstock.

Not much else, methinks.

The only certainty is that it's going to be really, really cool when it comes out.

 

[adouglas]

An unenviable task

Reading Poppa's description of the switching and control layout as it stands right now, I don't envy him and his crew the task of settling on a final configuration.

It seems moderately complex, though very powerful. If I'm reading it right, there's at least one control that becomes inactive if you set the switches a certain way (passive tone). Could that confuse someone? I don't know, really.

Flexibility is a double-edged sword. It gives you amazing control, but it also adds the potential for confusion and misuse. The original Bongo preamp, if I understand the story correctly, was simplified from something like seven bands down to four because of this.

Even after that, it's too complex for some. I know there are meat-and-potatoes guys out there who have a bit of difficulty figuring out the Bongo EQ.

A given instrument can't be all things to all people, of course, and that's the beauty of having so many great and distinctive choices. I'm sure there are die-hard MM fans who are going to look at all the switches and say "ummmm.... no thanks," and also tweak freaks who are going to need a towel once they get their hands on the thing.

BP, can you give us some insight into how you approach the balance between absolute control and utter simplicity? Usability and ergonomics are topics that really interest me, and I'd like to know how they factor into your thinking when designing a new instrument.

 

[Big Poppa]

OK As most of you know that our basic limitations are the general public and the separation anxiety with 1953 and the fact that the generally acceptable switches are very limited so my next critical mantra comes into play...We are hamstriung by hardwiring.....if I had my choice the instrument would be fully programmable and have the ability to be reset to factory specs or famous players setups
the problem is power and noise and coloration of sound...

SO we are stuck with a 5 way switch or a three way switch....the pan control on the bongo was a way of getting around the need for a switch and wider tonal palatte....The chances of this bass having these switches are slim but the more I play with it the more I like it.

You have many factors to consider when offering an instrument..the first one is the muurphys law of retail doom....it there is a setting that when abused that sounds like cat poop....i will be set to that on the floor of your favorite big box store...We can make a bass with more tones bu with more tones means more potential bad tones.......so we try to distill the positive tonal essence of the pick up preamp and wood combo....while sacrificing just a little to keep the ugly wons hard to find

 

[oli@bass]

if I had my choice the instrument would be fully programmable and have the ability to be reset to factory specs or famous players setups

[...]

it there is a setting that when abused that sounds like cat poop....i will be set to that on the floor of your favorite big box store...We can make a bass with more tones bu with more tones means more potential bad tones.......

That's a very interesting train of thoughts!

It send me into thinking this: How about a digitally programmable but analog preamp like the programmable Sans Amp products? You can tweak all the controls as you like, even to make it sound like cat poop, but if you switch it off and on again (on an instrument, unplug it), it resets to a pre-programmed setting. It would be cool to have such features on board of the instrument... flick the whole setting, coil selection and EQ, by just the touch of a button to a programmed setting. That would make complex changes available in the middle of songs where you normally don't have enough time to adjust everything on the spot, and it would make those settings repeatable. But I have no idea whether anyone ever tried that.

 

[fly]

oh hell..........i did it again

 

[Hutton]

If there was ever a glint in someone's eye! I baptised a beautiful wee baby this morning and his dad had the same look as Mr. Ball does with this beautiful prototype bass. Congratulations to the EBMM company for sharing this with us and for eliminatiing the distance between company and fans once again.

 

[Big Poppa]

Hutton great news....and thanks

 

[syciprider]

The ultimate crossover. Deep in my heart I am a Stingray man and this is probably the closest I will ever get to getting Bongo guts in a 21 fret bass. Thanks BP.

Looks like I'm talking to Pete again next year

 

[RocketRalf]

the ultimate crossover. Deep in my heart i am a stingray man and this is probably the closest i will ever get to getting bongo guts in a 21 fret bass. Thanks bp.

Looks like i'm talking to pete again next year

22

 

[syciprider]

22

No really? That's why I said it is the CLOSEST I'll ever get.

 

[RobertB]

Apologies, BP. Peace.

 

[Duarte]

Great bass, great pic. I hold my breath every time I see that picture.

 

[Psycho Ward]

I think this bass is beautiful and I still can't get over how good BP is looking these days. I know it had to be a big change in eating habits and lifestyle but Sterling it's worth it!

 

[Duarte]

I was thinking that same thing but didn't want to comment! But yes Bp looking good.

 

[cky4ever]

Its growing on me. Please throw binding and solid mahogany one piece body for the first special limited production. PRETTY PLEASE.

 

[oddjob]

BP is looking good and that is a tribute to selfdiscipline (wish I could find some of myown )

The Axis is a nice looking bass - can't wait to see the final on it (not quite my thing (I am stangely stuck on the Bongo), but you never know how it will end up) I just hope the bass community meets it with an openmind... this could be the start of something huge

 

[adouglas]

I am stangely stuck on the Bongo

What's strange about that?

 

[freddy]

The shape is well suited to the bass-- somehow it looks better to me as a bass than a guitar.

Keep up the good work guys and thanks for letting us in on it.

 

[fly]

The shape is well suited to the bass-- somehow it looks better to me as a bass than a guitar.

i totally agree.........i have an OLP axis and just love the shape.......and now to turn it into a bass........




......OHHHHH YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!