Product: Catalyst Instruments Tigris
Price Paid: US $700
Submitted
12/10/2004
at
12:36am
by
Robin Moree
Email: at_lantis at hotmail<dot>com
Features
:
8
This Dutch build bass is from 2000 or 1999. It's a four string with 21 frets. The scale is standard 34". The bass is build in a mould and made of soundcompound - a special resin with ceramics also used as heat shields on spacecrafts(no joking!!!). The carcass is made out of carbonfibre and the fretboard is made out of phenowood - another resin, wich is very strong. So there isn't any wood on this bass. It comes in the shape of a Jazzbass model with a JJ PU setup, and four controls: volume, PU blend, treble and bass. It has active tone controls and a pre-amp.
From the factory, it came with passive PU's, but due to their noise I replaced them with EMG pu's. It has standard tuners and bridge, which are titanium colared anodized.
Sound
:
9
It can sound like any normal wooden bass, but can go far beyond that. Using the clarity of the retrofitted EMG's and the active tonecontrols, it goes where modulus graphite basses go. From ultrafunk, to Geddy Lee, to whatever sound you want. Due to the EMG's it's silent, clear and vibrant, and does it well on stage as in the studio.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
8
The factory setup wasn't very good, and the trussrod nut was damaged. It was quickly replaced, and a good setup was done by myself. The finish is flawless and the hardware OK. As stated before, the standard PU's are replaced by EMG's and the cavaties have been shielded by myself too.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
Due to the materials used on this bass, the neck hasn't need any adjustment over the years. It is not sensitive to moisture or temperature. Once setup, one only have to play and change strings once in a while. This is a bass for taking on tour!!! It doesn't a backup, and got great tuning stability.
Customer Support
:
10
The trussrod nut was damaged, but quickly replaced. Superservice from the builders!!! They also showed how it was build, and we had a look in the kitchen, which is informative if you see how they are build. The warrenty is one year, but never needed it again.
The poeple at Vox Humana are very nice and helpfull.
Overall Rating
:
9
I play bass over twenty years now, and beside this Tigris bass I own a Rickenbacker 4003, a Fender "Steve Harris signature" P-Bass, a Epiphone Expert sixstring Bass and a Epiphone Flying V bass.
I would find myself a new Tigris if it broke or got stolen, then it's the bass wich plays the lightest I ever came across. The wishlist for this bass could contain Lightweight tuner from Hipshot and better active tonecontrols and preamp. I think I change mine for EMG or Bartolini active controls.
