Veillette Citron

[TheGreek]

[quote name='philw' post='941482' date='Aug 31 2010, 10:06 PM']Greek,

I've not forgotten your questions... Oh, hang on, I've just been joined by my daughter's hamster on the desk and he's taking over the typing....

' h uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu..i.............mmmm;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;ok99999------------------99999999999999;;;;;;..===lllmgmg

Ok, normal service resumed. I've been in touch with Joe so I'm sure I'll have some answers for you in a few days.

Phil[/quote]
many thanks..looking forward to hearing from Joe..and please don't blame the hamster for your poor spelling!!!

best wishes

Mick

Edited September 2, 2010 by TheGreek

[philw]

Mick,

Some answers for you. It's not very exciting I'm afraid.

According to the completion log that Joe dug out from under the stairs, your bass was completed on 22nd September 1980 – so it's just coming up to its 30th birthday (looks in fantastic condition for a 30 year old bas). It was a dealer order so he's no idea who originally owned it. He thinks the dealer was probably Make'n Music of Chicago (still going strong – www.makenmusic.com). You could always get in contact and see if they have records going back that far of who bought what (but I somehow doubt it).

Joe's wasn't sure of the wood it's made from. I'd be surprised if it's all maple (would be decidedly heavy) and knowing Joe, it's most likely an alder or poplar body with a maple neck. The fingerboard looks like it might be wenge or dark rosewood.

The buzz on the E-string could probably very easily be cured with a set-up by somebody who knows what they are doing. I'm not sure where you're based but there's bound to be a good luthier/guitar tech not far from you. Ask around the forum.

Joe suggested the best thing he could autograph to help the bass feel at home would be another bass

Regards
Phil

Edited September 3, 2010 by philw

[philw]

Mick,

More from Joe. Looking at the old completion logs has obviously got him thinking.

First, there were around 60 basses built like yours so it's a pretty rare beast. Second, I was wrong about the wood – Joe now confirms it is all maple (is it heavy?). The fingerboard is rosewood. All the hardware except the tuners was made in-house by either Harvey or Joe – even the pickups were wound and cast in-house ("No wonder we went out of business." says Joe). Seems to me you got yourself a really nice bass there – and a bit of a bargain.

You're nowhere near Brighton by any chance are you? I'd love to get a look at the bass.

Phil

[TheGreek]

[quote name='philw' post='945639' date='Sep 4 2010, 07:41 PM']Mick,

More from Joe. Looking at the old completion logs has obviously got him thinking.

First, there were around 60 basses built like yours so it's a pretty rare beast. Second, I was wrong about the wood – Joe now confirms it is all maple (is it heavy?). The fingerboard is rosewood. All the hardware except the tuners was made in-house by either Harvey or Joe – even the pickups were wound and cast in-house ("No wonder we went out of business." says Joe). Seems to me you got yourself a really nice bass there – and a bit of a bargain.

You're nowhere near Brighton by any chance are you? I'd love to get a look at the bass.

Phil[/quote]
Hi Phil

I'm in Hatfield in Herts - I'm about 2 minutes from the Hatfield Galleria and about 5 from the Hatfield exit for the M25 - junction 22.

She's not particularly heavy, at least not compared to my Warwick Dolphin which is made of Bubinga. I also own a Jaydee Supernatural which is of a comparable weight to the VC - in fact there are many similarities - design/frets/neck size - she is a dream to play and is, as I've said on many bass websites, a serious contender for the best bass I've ever played - please pass this compliment on to Joe.

if you want to pop up and have a look/play just let me know!!

best wishes

Mick

[philw]

Mick

A bit too far for me I'm afraid, but I'll let you know if I'm passing.

I'll past your compliments on to Joe. He's always interested to know where his instruments end up. Let me know if you do any recording with the bass – I'll pass it on to him.

Phil

[TheGreek]

[center][size=3][b]Anybody serious about buying one of these beautiful creations should follow this link.

[url="http://www.enginessuperstore.com/?keyword=veillette"]http://www.enginessuperstore.com/?keyword=veillette[/url]

There is a 1981 burgundy 4 string No 288 with a serious history (anybody know Art Fulman?) - see attachment[/b].[/size][/center]

Phil, I don't know if you want to let Joe know - she's a late one - possibly one of the last..

Edited September 8, 2010 by TheGreek

[bassface2k10]

I was lucky enough to play this bass today whilst around The Greeks flat sitting amongst all his other beasts.

Have to say it was pants, totally rubbish, hence my offer to take it of his hands for £100

On a serious note I was quite taken by this bass, a real pleasure to play and a real corker. Mick £500 for the JD mate final offer

[philw]

[quote name='TheGreek' post='949919' date='Sep 8 2010, 09:32 PM'][center][size=3][b]Anybody serious about buying one of these beautiful creations should follow this link.

[url="http://www.enginessuperstore.com/?keyword=veillette"]http://www.enginessuperstore.com/?keyword=veillette[/url]

There is a 1981 burgundy 4 string No 288 with a serious history (anybody know Art Fulman?) - see attachment[/b].[/size][/center]

Phil, I don't know if you want to let Joe know - she's a late one - possibly one of the last..[/quote]

Mick,

Sorry, only just noticed your post. I'll let Joe know. Are you going to buy it?

Phil

[TheGreek]

[quote name='philw' post='955784' date='Sep 14 2010, 10:17 AM']Mick,

Sorry, only just noticed your post. I'll let Joe know. Are you going to buy it?

Phil[/quote]
I was tempted but I found out on Friday funding for my job has been withdrawn so I'm out of a job as of 1 Oct...also Import duties last time were nearly £200

[philw]

[quote name='TheGreek' post='956266' date='Sep 14 2010, 05:29 PM']I was tempted but I found out on Friday funding for my job has been withdrawn so I'm out of a job as of 1 Oct...also Import duties last time were nearly £200[/quote]

Sorry to hear that Mick. No consolation I know, but there's a lot of it about.

Phil

[TheGreek]

Attached are photos of the fretless VC which I bought from Doctor of the Bass - Nick, when you see it you're gonna be so gutted you sold it to me - recently been to Terry Chapman (luthier - 07901 895639) based in Stevenage - where it had the paint stripped off and returned to natural finish (I'm sure that Nick will acknowledge that the paint had seen better days).

Apparently an oil based filler was used on the body in the factory which left a few unsightly marks in the grain which wouldn't sand out so I asked that a stain be used to "disguise" this before being oiled. As you can see the finish is certainly eye catching ( I accept that green may not be everybody's colour of choice).

Terry was able to remove the VC logo (seen upside down in these pics but subsequently installed the right way up) before polishing this to a high sheen. New Schaller machine heads, chrome knobs and 30 guage strings complete the refurb. I believe that a new sheen from a few coats of wax should bring this up a treat.

Plays like a dream and has inspired a friend of mine to buy a fretless bass to go with his MM Stingray and Sandberg JM (I think) 4 string.

Also in gear porn...

[doctor_of_the_bass]

[quote name='TheGreek' post='1006413' date='Oct 30 2010, 04:16 PM']Attached are photos of the fretless VC which I bought from Doctor of the Bass - Nick, when you see it you're gonna be so gutted you sold it to me - recently been to Terry Chapman (luthier - 07901 895639) based in Stevenage - where it had the paint stripped off and returned to natural finish (I'm sure that Nick will acknowledge that the paint had seen better days).

Apparently an oil based filler was used on the body in the factory which left a few unsightly marks in the grain which wouldn't sand out so I asked that a stain be used to "disguise" this before being oiled. As you can see the finish is certainly eye catching ( I accept that green may not be everybody's colour of choice).

Terry was able to remove the VC logo (seen upside down in these pics but subsequently installed the right way up) before polishing this to a high sheen. New Schaller machine heads, chrome knobs and 30 guage strings complete the refurb. I believe that a new sheen from a few coats of wax should bring this up a treat.

Plays like a dream and has inspired a friend of mine to buy a fretless bass to go with his MM Stingray and Sandberg JM (I think) 4 string.

Also in gear porn...[/quote]


Nice, very very very nice son! I think you got a bargain there!!! Seriously, looks superb! I have a thing about green too! My JD Roadie fretless is to be redone in a really deep translucent bottle green!

Well done - a very rapid turnaround!

Nick