Given the buzz about the Gibson basses coming out it seems like a good time to bring up the DB-335-004 which Dillion introduced earlier this year. Interesting story on these: The Left Handed version is exclusive to Adirondack Guitar. I talked to Dennis at Adirondack back in July or so, found out he had placed a special limited order of only six lefties earlier this year, and those six all had sold out on advance deposits (anybody here get one?) before I even knew they existed. Dennis told me he had placed a second order for another six, and I had been waiting and calling...and waiting...and calling... but as of 2 weeks ago they still hadn't shown up, so who knows where they are or when they may appear or not. So when I saw one of the original six pop up on EBay a couple weeks ago, I was all over it- and got it for the same price I would have paid originally!
It was listed as used, but is indistinguishable from new- the guy had barely touched it, still had all the plastic shrink wrap on it. He was used to playing a short-scale [30"] neck, vs the 34" scale on this model. Also came with a nice new fitted Dillion gig bag.
I have to say, I am loving this bass! You already know there aren't more than one or two left handed Gibson EB-2's around. Unless Gibson decides to start making these too (I guess you can never say never, can you) this is the closest thing you will probably find to a left handed EB-2D, and the fact that it's a 34 inch scale puts it completely in a league of it's own. I've been a little tough on some of the Dillion stuff I'd seen in the past but the build quality / fit and finish on this is really outstanding, and the feel of the neck reminds me of my righty 2004 Gretsch G6072 reissue- i.e. not chunky like my righty EB2, more jazz in profile, narrow at the nut, very comfortable, easy player.
The only downside for me was that the so called "Mudbucker" pickup in the neck position was pretty generic/unimpressive compared to the original Gibson's infamous low frequency output which, though known to be overpowering, is part of the magic of an EB-2. Fortunately I had an old original 60's Mudbucker in the parts bin, so I was able to swap it out with just a minor alteration, changed out the standard D'Addario strings for a set of TI flats, and couldn't be more pleased with the results! I'm able to blend the two pickups to achieve whatever balance of low end dub thump and/or punchy clarity is desired for any situation. My only minor visual quibble is that I wish they'd used a mini humbucker at the bridge position just to keep the Gibson clone look totally intact, and I would have swapped that out for an original Gibson pickup too- but the tone of the standard humbucker is really quite good, so no complaint there.
If you get an opportunity to catch one of the next six if/ when they show up, do not hesitate. Likely to be a very rare piece and a steal at the price!
Left Handed Dillion DB-335-004 Electric Bass Specs
Bound Maple semi-hollow body
Bound F holes and a 4 ply pickguard
Set neck with Indian rosewood fingerboard
White Pearl dot inlays + side markers
20 Hand polished 2.7 mm Frets
Wilkinson deluxe bass gears
1 ½ inch Graphite nut width
Two volume, two tone, plus a 3 way switch
2 Dillion custom alnico pickups
D’Addario Strings ( 45 – 100 )
34 Scale length
11 inch radius
Left Handed List Price $899.99
Adironack Price $589
