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New bass!
Fri, 02/18/2005 - 8:57am
I had an Epi Goth T-bird on order, but they have pushed back the ever moving date to june for them to be in stock. When deciding on this, it was between the Goth T-Bird or the Epi Explorer. If they had made the Explorer in Goth, I would have picked it up...but they don't.
So, I looked around some more and remembered about the old Dean Z basses...just so happens a dealer an hour and a half from here had one. So I went there, tried it on, and fell in love. I always liked the Dean V headstock (lots of character), and the looks were cool. Picked it up for 3 bones...
Here's the surprise...it sounds really nice! It has passive electronics, but the tonal range and volume are impressive. I was worried about having to switch my inputs on my preamp to the passive input when I switched to this mid-set, but when I really dig in it's actually LOUDER than either of my active (one with EMG pre and p'ups) ESP's.
Fit and finish is outstanding for the price range, and the sound is really distinct and 'rock'...I can't believe a Bass that costs so little can sound so good. Action is solid, neck is straight, strings are balanced sounding, and no dead spots detected. It's a bit neck-heavy, but nothing a 5' leather strap didn't fix right up.
very happy with my $ spent on this one. I will be looking at Dean again for a higher-up model later down the road.
Fri, 02/18/2005 - 10:09am
#2
Sweet, a new neck to fondle! It's been 4 months since I bought my last new bass, and I'm jonesin' for another.
it never ends...
Fri, 02/18/2005 - 10:13am
#3
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I've always liked dean, they're good basses for a decent price. I have the same thing going on with my active/passive basses too. My active tobias for whatever reason send a low signal, and my passive washburn has a huge volume output.
Fri, 02/18/2005 - 12:34pm
#4
Hey Mcbanard, what series Washburn do ya have? Along w/ my Carvin I play two Washburn customs. I agree though. Sometimes, depending on the pup, passives can seem to put out a different frequency signal making them seem so much friggin louder, but thats few and far between in my experience.
Fri, 02/18/2005 - 1:12pm
#5
bro, I fully expected to use this as a 3rd, and to have to replace the p'ups to get a decent sound out of it...I am having to rethink that.
those p/j pickups are HOT!! And they actually sound good...I would have never thought it from a bass in that price range. Tons of mid growl, solid bottom, and crisp high end (can get too crisp, but a slight tweak of the tone and bridge p'up volume smooths it right out). Try one if you get the chance...they truly are under rated in my opinion...best bang for the buck I have ever seen...and I have tried a lot of basses in the < $1000 range.
Fri, 02/18/2005 - 8:09pm
#6
Nice Damage. I have been looking at the DEAN Z's for awhile. I have three Deans and love them. My local dealer never has a Z around. I would have to order it and I have been hesitant. But you have sent me over the edge, I will be ordering one this weekend.
Sat, 02/19/2005 - 11:07am
#7
The only drawback I have for her so far is the balance being off (neck-dive). That's just a design issue though (explorer body = neck heavy). So long as you have a strap with friction...suede or leather instaed of nylon...you will be fine though. Be sure to play with the volume pots for each pickup, as just a slight downturn of the bridge pickup enhances and changes the neck pickup tone a good bit (for example).
I played the Z out at a gig last night...after only two run-throughs of the setlist with her.
That's how comfortable I felt with her...here's a pic from last night's show
Sat, 02/19/2005 - 11:30am
#8
thats sweet man.
__________________
Remember, information is not knowledge; knowledge is not wisdom; wisdom is not truth; truth is not beauty; beauty is not love; love is not music; music is the best. ~Frank Zappa
Sat, 02/19/2005 - 7:03pm
#9
Nice man I've never been big on the explorer body style but she is a beauty! I know what you mean about neck dive a friend of mine bought an epiphone explorer bass and man what a neck dive worse than a bc rich(not really man those things are looking for water) he tried the bigger strap ended up putting to much strain on his wrist and traded it for an dean 5 string.
Ok ill shut up now,later
nice man.
my first 5 string was (still have it) a dean edge Q5. very nice bass. the string spacing just ended up being too narrow for me and that's why i moved to the BTB from ibanez.
i think it even has the V shaped headstock.
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