wickedstylez
08-13-2005, 09:31 PM
Brice HXB-406 Quilted Long Scale Bass
http://www.rondomusic.net/photos/bass/hxb406bk1.jpg
List Price: $289.95
URL: http://www.rondomusic.net
Features: 4/5
# slim line, dual cutaway, contoured solid Alder body with matching headstock
# Long scale (35") helps reduce the "floppy B" commonly associated with 6 string basses.
# Highly figured Quilted finish
# String-thru-bridge design for maximum attack and sustain
# Active pickups with active/passive pull tap, bass, treble, balance and volume controls
# Separate battery compartment lets you change batteries quickly
# Bolt on Maple neck with adjustable truss rod and 6-bolts for incredible stability
# Rosewood fretboard with 24 jumbo frets and Abalone position makers
# All black die-cast hardware creates an incredible look
# Scale length is 35"
# Width of the neck at the nut: 2 1/8" at the 24st fret: 3 1/4"
# Overall length: 44 1/2" not including the strap button
# Pickup dimensions 1 3/8" x 4 3/8"
# String spacing is 3.5" at the bridge
# Actual Weight is only lbs 8.5 lbs
I give it a 4/5 only because it has no mid control. :thumb:
Tone: 3.5/5
There's really one word to describe the tone of this bass: SMOOTH. Plugging this bass direct into my PC gives me a great natural tone. Playing with the balance/tone control on the bass enables me to get a really fat/"boomy"/slight muddy tone or a slight trebly tone, both of which are very smooth. This bass isn't great for slapping but I suppose it would sound alright run through a decent DI box and/or effects processor. However, it's great for tapping and fingerstyle. Using the balance control I can get a very nice slight trebly tone which is perfect for tapping without having to run through any sort of effects processor. I don't normally play with a pick but I would suggest changing the stock strings to something a little brighter if you prefer a pick and that may also help with the slap tone. The stock pickups aren't the best but worth the $320 I paid for the bass? Yes. Put some Seymours or Barts in this bass and it will scream.
Factory Setup/Shipping: 3/5
I'm a little bit disappointed with the body color, but that's just personal preference. If I could go back I'd get the natural bubinga or the natural quilted. The bass arrived pretty well packaged. The neck is flawless, however, the body does have a few very small dings/blemishes. They're not noticeable just by looking but noticeable if you run your hand across it. Not big enough to make a deal out of it though. The bass was playable out of the box but not to my standard. The action was too low and therefore buzzed quite a bit. The pickups also needed to be raised to increase the volume. So after a $45 semi-professional setup the bass is now working great.
Playability: 4/5
Other than the few things mentioned the bass plays great. I'm still not used to a 6'er as I mainly play 4 bangers but it has a nice feel to it. The neck is surprisingly smooth and fast. The bass also seems to be staying in tune.
Overall: 4/5
This bass is amazing for the price. I'm considering buying a 4 string from rondomusic as well and upgrading the pickups. For the price of this bass I expected to have many more major complaints but I'm actually very satisfied and only have a few minor complaints. I highly recommend this bass to anyone who wants more strings but doesn't want to spend much.
Here's some pics of the actual bass:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87/slaphappy5544/brice1.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87/slaphappy5544/brice2.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87/slaphappy5544/b3.jpg
http://www.rondomusic.net/photos/bass/hxb406bk1.jpg
List Price: $289.95
URL: http://www.rondomusic.net
Features: 4/5
# slim line, dual cutaway, contoured solid Alder body with matching headstock
# Long scale (35") helps reduce the "floppy B" commonly associated with 6 string basses.
# Highly figured Quilted finish
# String-thru-bridge design for maximum attack and sustain
# Active pickups with active/passive pull tap, bass, treble, balance and volume controls
# Separate battery compartment lets you change batteries quickly
# Bolt on Maple neck with adjustable truss rod and 6-bolts for incredible stability
# Rosewood fretboard with 24 jumbo frets and Abalone position makers
# All black die-cast hardware creates an incredible look
# Scale length is 35"
# Width of the neck at the nut: 2 1/8" at the 24st fret: 3 1/4"
# Overall length: 44 1/2" not including the strap button
# Pickup dimensions 1 3/8" x 4 3/8"
# String spacing is 3.5" at the bridge
# Actual Weight is only lbs 8.5 lbs
I give it a 4/5 only because it has no mid control. :thumb:
Tone: 3.5/5
There's really one word to describe the tone of this bass: SMOOTH. Plugging this bass direct into my PC gives me a great natural tone. Playing with the balance/tone control on the bass enables me to get a really fat/"boomy"/slight muddy tone or a slight trebly tone, both of which are very smooth. This bass isn't great for slapping but I suppose it would sound alright run through a decent DI box and/or effects processor. However, it's great for tapping and fingerstyle. Using the balance control I can get a very nice slight trebly tone which is perfect for tapping without having to run through any sort of effects processor. I don't normally play with a pick but I would suggest changing the stock strings to something a little brighter if you prefer a pick and that may also help with the slap tone. The stock pickups aren't the best but worth the $320 I paid for the bass? Yes. Put some Seymours or Barts in this bass and it will scream.
Factory Setup/Shipping: 3/5
I'm a little bit disappointed with the body color, but that's just personal preference. If I could go back I'd get the natural bubinga or the natural quilted. The bass arrived pretty well packaged. The neck is flawless, however, the body does have a few very small dings/blemishes. They're not noticeable just by looking but noticeable if you run your hand across it. Not big enough to make a deal out of it though. The bass was playable out of the box but not to my standard. The action was too low and therefore buzzed quite a bit. The pickups also needed to be raised to increase the volume. So after a $45 semi-professional setup the bass is now working great.
Playability: 4/5
Other than the few things mentioned the bass plays great. I'm still not used to a 6'er as I mainly play 4 bangers but it has a nice feel to it. The neck is surprisingly smooth and fast. The bass also seems to be staying in tune.
Overall: 4/5
This bass is amazing for the price. I'm considering buying a 4 string from rondomusic as well and upgrading the pickups. For the price of this bass I expected to have many more major complaints but I'm actually very satisfied and only have a few minor complaints. I highly recommend this bass to anyone who wants more strings but doesn't want to spend much.
Here's some pics of the actual bass:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87/slaphappy5544/brice1.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87/slaphappy5544/brice2.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87/slaphappy5544/b3.jpg