Re: Emulating a bass guitar
Originally Posted by
Huda
Hi all,
1. I have read that the Ashbory is a "one trick pony".
Not sure what that means; if the one trick is playing bass guitar, then isn't that what you want? I don't use effects, so I don't know if the Ashbory works well with them or not -- whether you can get it to sound like a Fender P-Bass or a Rickenbacker or whatever. Mine sounds reminiscent of an acoustic bass, more boomy than cutting.
2. I am in love with fifths-tuning and I don't want to change to fourths-tuning unless I absolutely have to. I know that people "say" that the Ashbory can be tuned in fifths. However, I haven't seen any reviews from people who actually play the Ashbory in fifths-tuning.
Never tried mine in fifths tuning, so can't tell you. I would say that the silicone/rubber strings can be a bit prone to breakage if over-stretched, and they're fairly pricey. I broke a G string, and couldn't get a single-string replacement; finally complained to Fender, which is now the company selling Ashbories under the D'Armond nameplate, and they graciously sent me one that the service rep "found in his desk" or so he said. So if you're thinking GDAE instead of EADG, you'd better think twice.
3. It looks kind of silly.
Yeah, and don't we all. It is an odd shape, but I find that one of its charms rather than a drawback. And if you're playing an EM shaped like a Flying V or a Telecaster, you've no status to criticize the humpy little Ashbory.
Can you dispel my concerns?
Not really. It is what it is, and you have to either love it for itself, and live with its characteristics and limitations, or find another New Best Friend.
..
Allen Hopkins
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