tomlerner- I've got an Excel,pau ferro fingerboard, flame maple top, 2 Fatboy pickups and signature electronics (Volume, Pan, 2 filters, and 2 Q-switches) and in my opinion it has the best growl I've ever heard on an electric bass, especially with the bridge pickup soloed.
Mike

Thanks, Mike. Do you find that the Q-switch on the bridge pickup adds alot to the instrument's growl, beyond the contribution of the woods and the pickups?
Tom

Tom- Definitely. I usually have the Q-switch on and the filter turned clockwise only about 30%. Also this bass doesn't have a brass bridge block. I don't know if that contributes to the growl factor or not.
Mike

Here's a picture:

That's a nice looking Excel!

Nice-looking bass, and interesting information. Thanks, Mike.
Tom

Resuming my search for an acoutic-growly-bitchin' bass I've spent sopme time on the rob allen site, and now have foud out about the Wendler electroCoustic Bass...  of course the reviews are great... anybody have a take on these instruments, they're certainly different than the Rob Allen line !

I have to be honest Art, I am not a fan of anything made by Peavey. I have tried them and haven't been happy. If you buy an Alembic you will see a world of difference. When I bought mine I had a Music Man Stingray 5 string. The model was a special color and only made for NAMM. There were only 50 five strings made for NAMM that year. I walked into a Guitar Center which was 40 miles away from my house and saw an Alembic on the wall. I was originally looking for a Modulus or a Pedulla. I got such a great deal on the Alembic that I bought it immediately. I know the assistant manager and he explained that they occasionally get Alembic's in but most of their customers don't know anything about Alembic so he gave me a great deal on a trade for my Stingray. My Alembic is the only bass that I have ever owned and will never sell or trade for anything.

Hi gang,
 
giving the fact that i DO LIKE contrast my other main bass (I keep having other main basses) is a Rob Allen MB2 5 string fretless Chi.
She's a class on her own and not really growling like I think you mean the word!
Growling depends from wood choice (no experience wiwth), string height versus fingerboard (some say give it air, some say make it as close as possible I didn't figure that out yet), PU position (more bridge than neck definitely), neck/body attachment (set neck is better) and the ability to emphasize on shaping the mid-tones ((which can be done on the (pre)amp and SF-2 or other sound shaping device)).
 
But those are just my thoughts!
 
Paul the bad one