Product: Birdsong Guitars Hy 5
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted
01/29/2009
at
08:59pm
by
David Agosta
Email: dagosta at iconn<dot>net
Features
:
10
This is a 2008 slightly customized in between the first and second versions of the Hy5 made in the Texas Hill country.
24 fret, 31" scale E to C five-string. Cherry, maple and walnut. Volume and Varitone, passive single Kent Armstrong pickup. Hand-rubbed oil finish. Big, beefy neck that reminds me of my old national resonator.
It doesn't have "tons of features" but gets a 10 because it's a bass. It doesn't need a whammy bar and 47 switches. It has what it needs and they're all excellent.
Sound
:
10
It's probably the only instrument that does suit my style. I tune it to open-a, fingerpick chords and use it as a solo instrument. I also use it as just a bass.
It goes through a dizzying array of stuff for the solo work and direct into a crown power amp and hartke 2-10" aluminum cab as a bass.
There is no noise. It's shielded like military bunker.
I was worried about being stuck with the options of the varitone but its sounds are perfect and all you'd need. I might be able to obsessively tweak the eqs on my Stingray to get a better punch but the Hy5's punch is a nice, punchy punch that I can simply dial in. Dial thump. Dial quack. Dial boom. Simple - and consistent. It has one setting that'll let me forget to bring a compressor!
I'm really surprised at the low end that come out of this little bass. It fits in a guitar case but can boom like an EB-0.
It's small and does take a little getting used to. It's nice to be able to easily reach the tuners on a bass with either hand.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
My main basses have been Steinbergers ever since there were Steinbergers. I know they look like canoe paddles, but they're man-made, engineered perfection. I'm spoiled by a perfect balance, no neck dive, no dead spots, no hot spots, stay in tune forever bass that never, ever fights back.
This instrument is perfect. Harmonycentral says be critical, nothing is perfect. They haven't seen one of these, apparently.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
It only weighs seven pounds but it's a solid seven pound block of wood. Big, beefy neck that's not likely to do anything weird. It's an oil finish so it'll show the love over the years. Nice winged strap buttons.
Customer Support
:
10
This is the most fun you'll ever have buying a bass. Birdsong isn't a custom shop but they'll do a little nip here and tuck there. Wonderful folks to deal with.
I can't imagine ever needing to use the warranty.
Overall Rating
:
10
As much as I hate the sound of this: I've been playing for forty years.
Scott at Birdsong was nice enough to give me a little extra upper-fret access. I wish I had thought to have him take a little off the top heal of the neck as well. The c string is a little close to the edge of the neck for my crappy vibrato technique. The bass is small so when you play way up the neck, your hand is in really tight against your body. Most basses don't even have these frets.
If it were lost or stolen - Oh man, I'd better order a second one just in case!
Product: Birdsong Guitars Hy 5
Price Paid: USD 2500.00
Submitted
02/11/2008
at
05:37pm
by
Mark
Features
:
10
Made in 2008 Wimberley Texas USA
24 frets 5 Strings
Solid top
Two volume controls with passive varitone selector with five distinctive variations and colors of tone.
2 Soapbar Pickup's EMG and Ken Armstrong
Passive electronics
Body: Texas mesquite with inlaid turquoise Texas pecan Neck: Two piece maple
Natural finish
Body style: unique
Tuners are Hipshot
Neck short scale rosewood fretboard with two piece maple
Bridge through body with patent pending design for short scale 5 string extended string length within the back cavity
Sound
:
10
This bass feels like driving a Cadilac after owning Pinto's all these years.
No effects and this bass has virtually no noise on any setting. The general tone is growling with a crap-load of sustain.
The varitone selectors make this bass a dream to dial in tones with. The different settings allow for optimization for any application.
In my opinion the worst commercial in the world was the "just have it your way" drilled into commercial consciousness, so the optimization that the varitone provides the user of this bass the makers distinctive stylization and experience of working with this particular bass and it's strengths and weaknesses. I trust that a Stradivarius will have a particular sound, not a variety of my way sounds. It will have it's own character and this is how I view these basses. They are in the vein and tradition of master guitar and instrument makers and cannot be quantified by a have it your way mentality.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
In this category you might as well just say, it can not get any better in all three areas!
Reliability/Durability
:
10
This bass feels like it could withstand a Katrina style blast from the drummer of your choice.
Customer Support
:
10
In this area the makers go through the roof! Inividualized attention that goes beyond mere courtesy into a deep connection of soul to soul communication to give you exactly what you dream of. You cannot put words into the amount of love and care they put into your vision it shows in the end result with a sublime instrument.
Overall Rating
:
10
Been playing 25 years.
If it were stolen a piece of my soul would have to be stolen along with it.
Compared to Alembic, Vintage 50's and 60's Fenders P and Jazz, MTD this bass keeps up and surpasses in many areas.
Piece of irreplaceable art that plays and sounds smoother than it's incredible beauty.
