L. Kah Basses Manta 9 cordes Multiscale frettée

9 fretted bass and multiscale (or multi-pitch) produced by Laurent Kah, talented French luthier.

Features:

9 fretted.
Channel 7-ply maple / amaranth.
Scale 35 "(F #) - 32" (Bb).
Touche Wenge, 24 frets.
Alder and maple body heated.
BassCulture custom pickups (Wenge).
Aguilar preamp OBP3. (Active / passive)
Buttons and micro cache in wenge.
Bridges Hipshot individual and mechanical.
Oiled.
Weight: 5200 g

The violin is just perfect, the woods are very well chosen and it allowed me to appreciate the wenge I was not such a fan before.

In terms of electronics: Volume / Balance / acute / medium / low switch + active / passive and midrange frequency selection.

UTILIZATION

The width of the handle a little scary at first but ultimately it is very comfortable, profile helps a lot. This bass was custom, I chose a touch flat (which many do not) because I'm more comfortable on the flat keys on top 6 / 7 strings.

Access to acute is perfect but a little sport for strings.

The ergonomics of the bass is good. It is well balanced both standing than sitting. I have not put up very good because the feeling is 5.2kg with a strap basic.

In use, this bass is still quite tiring to play extensively. It takes a lot of endurance, a good warm-up cuffs and a certain adaptation of his game right hand with the multiscale. Hence a small point within the note, but due to its excess rather than the quality of the instrument.

SOUNDS

This bass has a huge range of sounds (and even the word is small) because of its range, but also thanks to its 3-band EQ. It can go anywhere and shows perfectly in the mix no matter the style (tested during rehearsals and delusions death metal funk and jazz).

Depending on the position of the left hand, one can approach the fretless sounds ( small components to illustrate ( http://s.herblot.free.fr/musique/compos/encore-une-intro.mp3 ) ) by playing at the game or then have a dry and precise as it approaches the bridge.

<p class="bbcode-cite"> Quote: <span>What are the sounds you prefer, you hate?</span>

I can not answer this question on the other hand because it depends too much of a song, some sounds are nice for some while in others it not stick.

OVERALL OPINION

I have this low since January 2007. It became my main bass for my own compositions with its range that allows a lot of fun. However as a group, I use it only rarely because it is quite tiring to play a long standing (sitting it poses no worries), although I think a good belt can help a little.

I would do without hesitation that choice (except perhaps one or two key details like the flat just to really see the difference) because its level and quality is the top for me. Also see the birth of such a project from the hands of a luthier who listens to what you want while letting us know the best is a real pleasure.