funkle

[quote name='nash' post='602578' date='Sep 18 2009, 10:24 PM']fender usa deluxe? has 22 frets[/quote] Thought about it, but ideally I'd like to stick to 21 frets. Picky, I know!

[quote name='kennyrodg' post='602544' date='Sep 18 2009, 09:17 PM']Hey Funkle, Glad you like the look of it I'm pretty sure you can spec the colour but it was the antique white look I was after.If you look on their gallery and Bass body pages there's at least a few more different to look at. From the outset to taking delivery the experience was pleasant indeed.I did have to make a couple of calls to get hold of the guy that puts the basses together but once I managed to speak directly to him on the phone it was a breeze.You will need to speak with Ryu though as I think he's the only one who speaks English. He was constantly updating me via email and was always happy to take my calls.The one thing that I was'nt completely happy with at first was the colour of the Rosewood board as the one that's on my Bass is darker than the one shown on his website.He explained and I don't know if it's true or not that he put a higher grade wood on my Bass as he wanted to make it "more special" for me.Make of that what you will but to me it's now a very minor point. As for build quality and value for money ?? Well for me it's top notch.I'm not the most well off person and a boutique Bass is but a dream for me,well for now at least so I honestly feel that it's the lovliest Bass I could own for the money. I dropped the Bass of this week for a Pro set up with this guy [url="http://www.guitarsetup.co.uk/"]http://www.guitarsetup.co.uk/[/url] His appraisal was that it's equal in build quality/attention to detail to Fender/Gibson guitars,the body/neck wood is of a high quality and the binding work was exceptional.When I told him what I paid for the Bass he was gobsmacked. There you have it and hopefully that's helped you out. BTW, I'm sure he won't mind me saying but Paul @ Prosebass was equally impressed when he saw it. [/quote] Thanks mate. If they can change to body colour for very little extra, then it's an astounding deal. Sounds like you had a good experience with them! Another couple of questions for you - how do you find the neck profile? Simialr to a Jazz, chunkier, thinner? I quite like the necks on the Lakland DJs, so that's my standard for comparison.... And finally - how do you find the upper fret access to be? Thanks again for all your help! Pete

[quote name='~tl' post='602405' date='Sep 18 2009, 06:13 PM']Shuker?[/quote] Been thinking about that, but custom basses remain a chancier prospect all round. With an 'off the shelf' bass, you don't like something about it, it's fine - off it goes, look for something else. There's a name people recognise, makes selling a bit easier. With customs though - it's so personal, that if you don't like even one little thing about it, it's really annoying. Fixing it can be expensive (especially if you get it wrong through specifying it incorrectly, and the builder is just doing what you ask/following your instructions), and selling it incurs a huge loss. Unless you know perfectly and exactly what is desired, a custom strikes me as inherently chancy. Although I keep flirting with the idea...and Jon Shuker makes great instruments.

[quote name='kennyrodg' post='601642' date='Sep 17 2009, 07:57 PM']Ahem !! [url="http://willowsguitar.com/willow_sub10_2.html"]http://willowsguitar.com/willow_sub10_2.html[/url] and....... [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=28002&hl=spunky"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...2&hl=spunky[/url] Absolutely love mine to bits. Exchange rate as of this evening works out at £251 plus around £60 to ship it.I got lucky with the duty or rather lack of it. Mine worked out at £285 delivered but that was just before the arse dropped out of the £. Pics of mine just before it was sent.[/quote] Wow, that looks excellent and the price is right. Are they willing to do different colours, or do you have to have it in white? Looks brilliant for my purposes. Some nice aspects of the builds also - countouring of the heel, quarter sawn neck, ?have they tapered the lower horn a bit...nice sound on the videos also, although that one was an ash body. I'm considering trying one out. How did you find dealing with the factory? Keen to know... [quote name='Lfalex v1.1' post='601687' date='Sep 17 2009, 08:32 PM']Looooooonnng shot from the left field; Vigier Passion (std) series III.[/quote] Very nice! Very expensive.... [quote name='Doctor J' post='601965' date='Sep 18 2009, 08:34 AM']Perhaps Bacchus would fit the bill?[/quote] Great thought! I had forgotten about them...I played a few in Tokyo a few years back and was very impressed. However getting one in the UK looks pricey/awkward. Great basses though, will keep an eye out for one. These have all been really helpful. Thanks guys!

Thanks for the suggestion. The website is very nice, some gorgeous finishes on there. The headstock is a little ungainly for my tastes though. Might go hunting for sound clips! Thanks for the head up.

Hi all This may be a long shot, but here goes. Been playing quite a few Fender Jazzes and similar the last couple of days - turns out I love the sound of alder and rosewood (as long as it has single coils). However, I'm used to having 21 frets and decent upper fret access, and no-one seems to make an 'off the shelf' alder jazz bass with 21 frets (as opposed to 20, 22, or 24). Anyone know of a maker who does a nice jazz bass with 21 frets, an alder body, and decent upper fret access? (I have considered the US Darryl Jones with an alder body, but it's a little pricey for me...) I have entertained thoughts of a custom, but I'm a firm believer in trying out what's out there - too easy to go wrong on a custom! As an aside, played a Squier Classic Vibe 60's Jazz - knocked my socks right off! Unbelievable tone for the money. If I can't find anything out there with 21 frets, it's cheap enough that I might just buy one... Thanks. Pete