Dillion Avalanche 6-String

This is a 6 stringer bought on ebay. 2 pieces Swamp Ah body, 24 frets rosewood fretboard with perloids block inlays. Maple neck with 2 truss rods. Actice 2 band preamp with volume and blend. 2 soapbar style pickups. Gold nice and solid hardware.

When I bought this bass, I had never heard of Dillion guitars but tought that since those are designed in the USA they must have a hint of what they do and believed I coud benefit its good quality components cheaply assemblied in China. I needed a back-up my regular 7 string bass. The sound of that little marvel outsand my Conklin GTBD-7 in brigthness and clarity. Plus it gets a louder signal due to the outstanding mids coming out of the beast then, eventhough there's a bit more noise, it's less noticeable with the great output level. Wow ! I never expected it to sound that great.

Well, that's where I knew I hadn't paid as much as my GTBD-7. First, the thickness of the neck was laughable, I had to sand it half way to the original thickness (be carefull not to expose the truss rods if you do so) to make it playable. Then it needed a serious fret levelling job. And finally I could adjust the 2 truss rods and bridge to my licking (I'm talking real low action here). Unlike the previous post, the truss rods were responding perfectly.

Also, one of the reasons I bought the bass is its great access to the higher frets. One thing I forgot to look is the upper horn of the body : it is way too short for me to feel comfortable playing this bass with the strap on. The upper strap button is located between the 13th and 14th frets. So the natural balance with the strap gets the lower frets farter away from me when I'm used to an 11th fret strap button. I'm thinking about cutting the body and glue a horn extension on it but I'm not sure I'll do it.

Finally, in order to change the 9V battery, I had to use my rottary tool to make more space for a regular 9V battery. Thank god the one that came with the bass was a bit smaller otherwise I would've never been able to remove it.

Everything on this bass looks solid and with normal use shouldn't be problematic. One thing is actually noticeable : the tuners holds tune really wells.

no idea how you could have customer support since Avalanche guitars are nowhere to be found on the net.

I've been playing electric bass for 14 years plus upright for 1, and I've owned about 10 basses in that time. Now I feel almost stupid to have paid 2600$ CAD for my Conklin (but don't get me wrong Conklin's Groove Tools are excellent basses coming right out of the factory). This is the greatest value bass I've ever tried or own. When I first eared it unplugged I knew I had choose the right woods but when I plugged it I couldn't believe the quality of the electronic components. I'm thinking about selling my giging bass to make it my primary bass and laugh at the money I've saved (but I think I love too much my GTBD-7 for that). With a little work or even if you're paying a professionnal luthier to do the work for you, this bass is truly a steal at this price.

Made in China. 6 String Solid Body Electric. Active Pickups. 24 Fret. Controls (4) Volume, Bass, Treble, and Pickup Selector. Bridge is screwed on to the body, and strings do not go through the body.
Neck I would guess is maple with a rosewood fretboard, and I think the body is ash. Pickups are soap bar style 1 Bridge and 1 Neck. I have no idea what brand, they are original Equipment from the factory. Finish is natural transparent low gloss. Tuners are oem and seem to be good quality. The neck is fairly thin, and quite easy to play considering the width 3and 5/8 inches where it joins the body.

Music style is anywhere from blues-rock to folk. I have used this guitar with a Zoom 506II and at present am using a Behringer Bass V-Amp Hooked up to a 68 Traynor Pa Head (200W) or a Behringer BX3000T running a Peavey 18/10 (18" Black Widow and 2 10" Scorpions) The only noise issues I had with it where when the electrics where in need of repair on the guitar. After a few solderings all is well.
This machine has tones from God I am really impressed considering the $300 US purchase price. The 6 string is really nice, because it gives you the ability to go deep (low B) and it also gives you the ability to steal the lead parts from the guitarist (high C) The pickups are placed nicely on the body, and you do have to move closer to the bridge when playing the low strings if you want it crisp, but I doubt that would be different on any bass.
Likes and Dislikes? I like the sounds "6 Strings Rule" I didn't like the poor quality job of installing the electrics that was done at the factory, but perhaps it was built on a Friday afternoon.

The only thing we had to change from the factory was the truss rods (2) the strings where a little close to the fretboard, even for a light touch. It only took 1/2 a turn looser on the rods and it has been playing exceptionally well ever since, although I do need to run it with the lightest of touch. Other than that the only thing I had to bitch about was the poor quality soldering on the pickups and switches. Good thing I have a bud that is real good with electrics. (Thanks Reg)

I intend to use it live, and I hope it will hold up, it gets played every Tuesday and Wednesday night now, and after the electrics where repaired it hasn't missed a note. Finish seems to be good as far as I can tell, I don't wear a belt when I play, and I dont try to scratch the finish on the front. After approximately a year of playing I have not had a problem with the strap buttons. I have only made the one adjustment to the truss rods, and have not needed to ever do it again so far. Yes I would use it on a gig without a backup, now that all the soldering is done, if I was to buy a new one I would go over all the electrics with a good light and magnifying glass before doing anything else.

I haven't had to go to factory, due to the fact that I have buds that are talented at repairing things. Thanks again to Reg and Randy

Other Basses 4 String Hamer, Takamine Jasmine ES50C
If it where stolen I would replace it with one of the same. Been playing bass for about 2 years. The reason I chose this bass was the price, I have never played a high end bass, so I'm sure they would be better, however this one was in my price range, and no use spending the big bucks until you know you are a real bass player anyway. I'll let you know in another 10 years or so.
The only other thing I know, is since I started on the 6 string, my 4 string spends a lot of time in it's case, try one you'll like it.