Ian McFly

Can’t seem to find which post you’re talking about?

Do you reckon Adrian says it doesn't really work with the 0-fret to kind of talking me out of it then? I struggle to understand what the issue would be in having a flat headstock with a string retainer on the D and G (maybe even the A), a la Fender, and how the 0-fret would impact that.

@Gareth Hughes thanks. Got any photos? What strings are covered by the string tree?

I know that @wateroftyne has a Jake with regular headstock I asked him in private message a while ago and said he has no issues whatsoever with the zero fret. As you said it’s probably more of an effort for them and maybe not worth it. I have an angled headstock on my Elwood 5, and while I don’t mind it, I prefer a flat headstock... not something I need, more something I want. I can do without though if it proves to be an actual issue but so far, I don’t think it is.

Does anyone here have an Elwood or a Jake with a non-angled headstock and a string retainer/tree? If yes, how does it interact with the zero-fret? I asked Adrian if it’s possible to make a flat headstock with a string retainer, and said it doesn’t work well with the zero-fret... seems to work well on Sandbergs though. Thanks!

What a sh*t show.

Absolutely ridiculous! You could ship something from EU to Australia back and forth probably 5 times in that time period... Although I was reading that they had finally sorted the "backlog" at the border, but it's still pretty ridiculous...

How does it sound and play?

Same, that's why I use the Harley Benton analogy. It's all down to personal taste, and while I got to say that the craftsmanship of this bass is stunning, I'd never play anything like it. It would look so weird played live, in my musical style. I like a classic Fender look. Again, personal taste...

Craftmanship: 10/10 Personal taste: 0/10. Would rather play a Harley Benton than this.

A metallic finish in satin is sexy. Change my mind!

Yeah it seems to be his usual type of answer. My current Elwood has been easy to plan, no specific demand, but I know a guy who had some very straightforward opinion from Adrian regarding his project... yet he built it anyway

I sent him photos, and he replied that “it’s possible to do but is this good? There’s no shine to them”. So he understood the question but doesn’t understand the appeal for a satin/matte finished metallic colour. Too bad, coz I do. Sadowsky did the Satin series a few years ago, and a whole lot was metallic finishes. Looked stunning. Much better than opaque finishes in satin/matte. Question is: does he have to like it or understand it to build it?

1/ they offer satin on solid colours already 2/ they’re well known for going above and beyond with custom options. How much more difficult is satin finish on a metallic colour?

I just asked Adrian if he can offer a satin finish on a metallic colored body (Inca Silver for example, which Fender, Sadowsky or Valenti have done). he replied “no, it makes no sense, sorry” Ah. What?

Smaller body = risk of neck dive

I feel like my "chops" have slightly improved, as I've had more time than ever to practice at home... when I say practice, it usually is noodling around or playing along songs... I'm not much into scales and stuff.... I know I know.... But yeah, I feel a bit more confortable around the neck, it's hard to explain, I've been playing for 18 years but there's nothing to show for it haha! I really miss playing with my band, we got lucky to be able to rehearse (safely) between August and November, then obviously things changed again... I can't wait to get back in the practice room, and plan a gig! But I'm not like some of you who have stopped playing.... I'm quite the opposite, I pick up one of my basses as often as possible, and my GAS for a new bass is stronger than ever.

Bad move from EBMM.

Shuker’s work is good, but I came across one recently (a friend has one) and I didn’t really like the feel of it. Anyways.... When it comes to instruments, there’s millions of options on the planet, some overlap with each other.... A Shuker might end up being in the same ballpark as a Valenti, I just prefer what I can get from Valenti, that’s all. Personal taste and choice. I was saying that the M21-J4 starts at $2000, and yes options are chargeable. But you mentioned a 3000+ instrument, which is not the case here. @Kev he started by building off the shelf Warmoth kits yes. Nowadays, he gets his necks and bodies built to order by a small factory (akin to Warmoth but much smaller), he then puts them together and does the finishing job. See it as a company with the building workshop being miles away from the finishing workshop. Nino might not build the main parts himself, he still delivers great custom instruments.

He put some dodgy stuff on the back of the headstock.... Jimmy Coppolo that is. Nino Valenti is a sound, cool guy.

The prices you’re quoting are his high-end models. His entry model starts at $2000, and for that money you get a quality “super Jazz” made to your specs. After shipping and tax, it’s roughly £2000. Yes it’s pricey, but again, how much is a Stingray? Or even a Fender Ultra? The latter is in that same ballpark, for an american made factory instrument. All of Valenti’s work is made at a small scale, with minute attention to detail, with quality pickups and preamps such as Aguilar or Nordstrand. Again, I’d be more than happy to make a UK builder work, but I’ve yet to find one that would do a bass that has the specs Valenti can get me. In Europe, I could go cheaper with Maruszczyk (I already have a 5 string from them), but still, it wouldn’t be the same specs/finish/shape/electronics than the Valenti. Anyway, we’re way off topic.

Mehhh Not going full custom with a builder with zero reputation and ugly designs Why is everyone trying to change my mind? Valenti's bass are incredible value for money (less so here in the UK but still great instruments), Nino's communication has been top notch so far, and I want to support small builders... as long as they can offer what I request, and Nino does.

I've been through all the UK builders and none offer what I want to the letter. Valenti does. I am not going into full details, but it'll be a modern Jazz. Nothing classic like Limelight's work. And I don't like Shuker's stuff

Problem is, there's a strong psychological impact when it comes to prices. When they teased the new colours, I was SO keen to get myself a StingRay Special 4HH, spent hours on the SS topic on Talkbass to gather as much info as possible... got excited by that new Frost Green colour.... got myself in a mindset of "£2200 is expensive, but I guess I could afford that by the end of the year"... and THEN, saw the new prices. That very bass is £2899. That's £700 more than what I was expecting/ready to pay. I'm sorry, but I won't fork out almost 3K on a standard, factory made bass. Not when you have no say in any of the options. £2200 was steep enough, but 3K, no way. So yeah, as I said before, they lost my interest, and whilst I'm not the centre of the universe, I assume a lot of us have given up on the idea of getting a Stingray or Bongo this year. I'd be genuinely curious to see EBMM's sales volume by the end of this year, for the UK. I really, really doubt they'll sell loads of instruments. Heck, there will be very limited availability anyway. You'd be lucky if the model you want is even in stock before Christmas 2021! So yeah, for less than what I was planning to spend, I'll get a custom made Valenti bass. Jazz style, so more my thing in the end (not even sure I'd have bonded with a Stingray Special after all), and I will choose MY specs. And yeah, there are cheaper options in the UK (is there though?) as mentioned before in this thread, but I'm not interested.

Different strokes.... as long as you're happy I like my basses more discreet (ish). Anyway, the point was that the new prices are RIDICULOUS.