After almost 10 years and hundreds of Timber basses shipped, we are taking a break from production to redesign and retool. The past couple of years we have been slowly taking on the production of our CNC wood components from local shops. The bass body being one of the most challenging and expensive, we have decided to take the time to try to simplify and improve based on what we have learned over the years. With luck, we hope to have something to offer by the end of the year.
In the mean time, we apologize for the disruption, but also welcome your input on any changes or improvements you would like us to consider. We appreciate any player input which has helped us refine and improve all our instruments.
Dale.
15 Comments
Jim Hanks
I've been very happy with my Timber since the last round of improvements, namely the Galli flatwound strings and the updated tuners. It might be worth investigating an adjustable bridge design, either for action height adjustments or intonation adjustment- although to be fair, neither has been an issue for me with the new flats. I also wonder if a passive pickup might be worth looking into as a tonal option. Maybe even both active/passive with the option of blending the two.
Mike Strehlow
I've enjoyed my 1st Gen Timber. I use it all the time and get many curious comments. I'd like to suggest you consider adding an upright bass. The design of the Cricket group of instruments might make a great model to base it on.
Andy Chen
This bass fitted with the flatwounds is amazing - it really should not be such a well-kept secret. Its size belies its tone. Every time I strike the first note, people are amazed - it sounds like a regular size bass. Agree with Jim that a passive pick-up would be a great option. Pls don't stop manufacturing it.
Oscar Stern
They make 5 & 6 string Basses (5 string Bass w/ Low B or High C, 6 string Bass has both of them) so let's add those versions (and even a 7 string Version too tuned B, E, A, D, G, C, F).
Oscar Stern
Versions w/ 5 (Low B or High C options), 6 (both Low B & High C Strings), & even 7 strings (Low B, High C, & a High F) would give more versatility because extended Range Basses are becoming more popular these days.
Mike Strehlow
My TB is the best bass I own. It stays in tune. I've never had to adjust anything. It just works. I can play it sitting down by resting the point of the body on my knee. I use a friction strip on the edge to reduce slippage. It gets lots of positive comments everywhere I take it. I'm not sure how you can improve it, but I can't wait to see them. Would you consider a trade up program?
Chris Pouflis
I would like to see a 5-string version of this but the market for it would probably be too small to make it viable.
Rachel Webley
I have a fretless TB with the flatwounds and absolutely LOVE it. The only thing I would suggest is giving the option with / without the fitted strap. I found the strap just too long for me but with great advice from Stones Music in the UK I got the strap button bolt replacement, fitted it and now my TB is definitely one of my favourites - and I have a few!!
Thomas Reiber
An acoustic version would be incredible.
alan M
I'll defer my opinion to Rachel's test video on ukulelewales youtube channel. If it's as good a bass as my SB is a ukulele I need one. Incidentally I seem to own the exact SB as pictured on your website. The wood patterns front and back match. How about teasing us a prototype....
Todd Torgersen
I very much enjoy my Timber bass. I tune the D string to C# and the G string to F# to make the musical distances between strings (4th-->major-3rd-->4th) the same as my (low-G) tenor ukulele. All the familiar scale fingerings apply immediately, but with transposition. The fingering pattern that is a C-major scale on the Tenor 'uke becomes an A-major scale on the bass (as I've tuned it). That got me thinking: What niche does the Timber bass actually fit in? Is it to give bass players a light-weight, short scale option, or to make playing bass more accessible to 'ukulele players? What if you were to offer a string set that would allow the Timber bass to be tuned G-C-E-A, i.e., a minor third above standard for the two lowest-pitch strings, and a major second above standard for the two highest-pitch strings. If the Timber bass could be strung and tuned as I describe, Tenor 'ukulele players could pick it up and play immediately, without any need to transpose keys. I think you would attract a good number of 'ukulele players to a bass with such an easy transition from 'ukulele. I don't think your would need to change the Timber bass at all; a set of purpose-designed strings would do it. Your thoughts?
Pete Marshall
I absolutely love my Timber Bass. Being Left-Handed my options are limited but I've tried all the Kalas including a custom made California and discarded them all. The Timber bass does everything I need in a robust and cool-looking format. Improvements? Please don't use the the dual jack socket/strap button. It loosens over time and I get anxious about the electrics as Im tightening the nut. Please make the strap easily removable. In the end I cut mine off and fitted an additional strap button at the base of the neck so I could choose my own, wider, softer strap. It would be nice to have a slightly rounder neck profile (I find the current one a bit "boxy") And I miss being to adjust bridge and string height - the action is a bit high. Oh, and I have to use an addition m/f jack converter so that my Boss wireless system works with it. Bit of a pain. But all these are minor. It's a fab instrument. If you don't make a Mark II I'll be buried with this one.
Marius Fleck
Hi there, you magic folks ? I am keenly interested in the fretless TB and cannot wait for you to pick up production again. After a few video reviews and speaking to a fellow player who already owns one, pls allow me to share some thoughts: the stringy hook substitute for a real strap pin is not very appealing. Also the placement of the output jack isn’t ideal. And for a third point: why not consider to offer an unlined fretboard w/ only side markers. DANKE for considering! BIG SHOUT OUT fröm Germany ???
Brian D.
I'm a new bass player and have been playing a friend's Timber Bass. My first instrument is the guitar so of course I find the Timber very easy to play and learn on. I have an Epiphone solid body bass that weighs a ton in comparison, even though it's a short scale bass. I say the less work, the better. We play outdoors a lot so the more portable it is, the better we like it. Looking forward to buying my own Timber Bass when you have them available again.
Robin
I love my Timberbass and have gigged it with Anglo-Cuban 12 piece. Got many compliments on my tone (not so much on the playing! :) For tht Timber V2 it would be good to have a larger scoop out for slapping - so you can get your hand under the G string to pop. It is already slightly scooped so just double the size of the existing one. Alhough it sounds great with the Gallo strings I would also like the option to put normal strings on it - because in the UK the Gallo strings can be hard to come by. A string (Gallo) snapped onstage at festival gig shortly after I bought the instrument. Hard to play whole set with no A! But that is a niggle - please bring it back and I'll order the next generation bass.