franzbassist

[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='688016' date='Dec 18 2009, 08:59 AM']I think it's the simplicity of it's design that catches the eye most...[/quote] Thanks Nik! Yes, I know what you mean; quite traditional and yet very contemporary at the same time.

After just over four months since placing my order, I picked up my Veillette Archtop from Phil Ward, Joe's UK rep, this afternoon. Obviously it's early days and I haven't given it a good run out yet, but all I can say is... Wow. It is quite simply stunning. Spruce arched top over poplar body. Maple neck. Ebony fingerboard, bridge and tailpiece. It weighs just 8.5lb and balances perfectly (yes, I was surprised as well). Fit and finish is superb. Electronics are a regular Citron soapbar and a DTar piezo pickup in the bridge, with just a single tone control, run through a DTar 18v preamp. The tone is just incredible. Fretless is my favourite type of bass to play, and this just [i]sings[/i]; every note sustains beautifully, with that wonderful swell and blossom you associate with a quality fretless. The magnetic pickup gives you a pretty conventional electric tone, but dial in the piezo and roll off the tone and it gets very upright indeed. I've played a lot of basses in my time, many of them "boutique", and I have to say I think this tops the lot. Joe Veillette and his team are true craftsmen, and in Phil he couldn't have a better UK rep. Enjoy... Gareth PS Sorry about the rubbish flash photos, better ones will follow when next the sun shines.

I never go anywhere else. Paul and his team are the biz.

How about [url="http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_guitars_detail.asp?stock=09062414175628"]this[/url]?

Intersting thread... I've owned 11 Wals over the course of the last 20 years and every one was a great player, but then I do know how to pick 'em! The best of the lot though was a 8lb Mk III fretless 5 that just [i]sang[/i]; it's also the only bass I ever regret selling. However, I have also played some Wals that were real dogs - very heavy, dead weights on your shoulder that neck dived like crazy. Some seemed to sound "dead", with no life at all to the sound quality. The second Wal I bought, direct from Electric Wood, was a fretless Mk I and the neck was just covered in dead spots; Pete took the neck off, threw it in the bin, and the replacement played just fine! Why he didn't bin the first neck in the first place is still beyond me... So, many are great basses with that very individual look and sound, but some are very heavy, with awful neck dive and less than inspiring tones inside them. At the end of the day, those who want to, and can, spend £3.2k on a Wal will, those who don't, and can't, won't. Luckily for Paul he has inherited a marque that is still very well respected, and that reputation obviously counts for something if his order book is anything to go by. There are loads of wonderful basses out there, the key is finding the ones that inspire you. Cheers all Gareth

And under their FAQ section: [i][b]Can the voltage be changed if I move to another country? [/b] Unfortunately, due to homologation issues, the voltage may not be changed without having the amp reapproved for electrical safety. If you're just traveling internationally with your amp, we recommend using power transformers, which are generally available from backline companies and can also be purchased inexpensively.[/i]

Well, their website says this, for what it's worth: [i]Markbass amps/combos are manufactured to be sold and used in the country of purchase, and they are factory preset to that country’s voltage. Due to homologation issues, the voltage may not be changed.[/i]