icastle Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 I can't remember having seen this here so apologies if it's already been posted. The chap who designed the 1980's Aria Pro II basses is now doing his own thing over in Japan. [url="http://www.atlansia.jp/BASS.NEW.HTML"]http://www.atlansia.jp/BASS.NEW.HTML[/url] It's a Japanese webpage so navigation is interesting, but scroll down and you'll be able to see what he's been up to... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rednose200 Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 Pretty interesting shapes. We'll see if these take off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 Been knocking around for years, but never had/tried one myself. Amazing designs and some great innovations too. I had a page showing some of them but now lost the bookmark ped Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 (edited) [quote name='ped' timestamp='1331850767' post='1580062'] Been knocking around for years, but never had/tried one myself. Amazing designs and some great innovations too. I had a page showing some of them but now lost the bookmark ped [/quote] [url=http://www.atlansia.jp/PAT.NEW.htm]Patents Page - full of interesting concepts[/url] Here's the link to the [url=http://www.atlansia.jp]whole site[/url]. The design of the site hasn't been updated ever by the look of things which makes it fairly difficult to navigate - especially if you can't read Japanese. However use the frame on the left for navigation and check the full depth of every page on the right to see everything. I own an Atlansia Solitaire Fretless bass: [IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/BigRedX/DSC02853.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/BigRedX/DSC02870.jpg[/IMG] More info about it in [url=http://basschat.co.uk/topic/66328-bigredxs-weird-wonderful-basses/page__view__findpost__p__832578]this thread[/url]. Edited March 15, 2012 by BigRedX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted March 15, 2012 Author Share Posted March 15, 2012 [quote name='ped' timestamp='1331850767' post='1580062'] Been knocking around for years, but never had/tried one myself. Amazing designs and some great innovations too. I had a page showing some of them but now lost the bookmark [/quote] Oops! Has it? I discovered it by accident last night and couldn't tell if it was new or old. I thought this was interesting: It looks like a cross between an EUB and an exercise machine with a built in iPad to stay up to date with BassChat underwear preferences. I think it might require a crash helmet though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted March 15, 2012 Author Share Posted March 15, 2012 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1331851942' post='1580086'] [url="http://www.atlansia.jp/PAT.NEW.htm"]Patents Page - full of interesting concepts[/url] Here's the link to the [url="http://www.atlansia.jp"]whole site[/url]. The design of the site hasn't been updated ever by the look of things which makes it fairly difficult to navigate - especially if you can't read Japanese. However use the frame on the left for navigation and check the full depth of every page on the right to see everything. I own an Atlansia Solitaire Fretless bass: More info about it in [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/66328-bigredxs-weird-wonderful-basses/page__view__findpost__p__832578"]this thread[/url]. [/quote] I saw that on the website and wondered what it was! So very simple and clever at the same time, he's quite a designer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 (edited) [quote name='icastle' timestamp='1331853048' post='1580099'] ...with a built in iPad to stay up to date with BassChat underwear preferences. I think it might require a crash helmet though... [/quote] Yes, Basschat definitely requires protective clothing. Also, am I wrong to really want one of the Oxford basses? Edited March 15, 2012 by paul_5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelk27 Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 [quote name='icastle' timestamp='1331849999' post='1580047']The chap who designed the 1980's Aria Pro II basses is now doing his own thing over in Japan.[/quote] He, Nobuaki Hayashi, has always been doing his own thing. He wasn't an Aria employee, but a freelance designer contracted to produce original concepts for Aria. He's owned and operated his own companies, including Atlansia, since the 70s, and produced the first original designs under the Atlansia name in the 80s. Atlansia has also operated as a contractor for many of the large factories in Japan, and were/are widely known as one of the best neck makers in Japan. There are significant numbers of Tokai Fender clones from the early and mid 80s wearing Atlansia manufactured necks. Fender Japan also bought necks from Atlansia during the 80s. Getting to the factory is a real chore, but if you have an appointment you get a very warm welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gust0o Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 It looks an expensive and rather uninspiring indulgence for $1000+ as a genuine - but that's my subjective take, based on only what I've seen and heard on the internet, and I imagine it's well worth it as an oddity or talking piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 (edited) Considering my Atlansia bass is essentially a 3' maple table leg with bits bolted to it, the overall design, construction and finish is outstanding. If a 5-string Atlansia bass came up at a good price, I'd snap it up in a flash! Edited March 16, 2012 by BigRedX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelk27 Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 [quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1331890408' post='1580352']It looks an expensive and rather uninspiring indulgence for $1000+ as a genuine - but that's my subjective take, based on only what I've seen and heard on the internet, and I imagine it's well worth it as an oddity or talking piece.[/quote] You have to view it in the context of the Asian/Japanese tradition of stringed instruments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted March 16, 2012 Author Share Posted March 16, 2012 [quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1331854621' post='1580126'] Yes, Basschat definitely requires protective clothing. [/quote] I was thinking more along the lines of prescribed medication and therapy myself... [quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1331854621' post='1580126'] Also, am I wrong to really want one of the Oxford basses? [/quote] I think that depends on what you do with your fretting hand. The top bar would be pretty immaterial to me but that bottom bar would definately get in the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted March 16, 2012 Author Share Posted March 16, 2012 [quote name='noelk27' timestamp='1331905823' post='1580728'] You have to view it in the context of the Asian/Japanese tradition of stringed instruments. [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gust0o Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 [quote name='noelk27' timestamp='1331905823' post='1580728'] You have to view it in the context of the Asian/Japanese tradition of stringed instruments. [/quote] I would, if only I were steeped more in that tradition. As a western consumer I think my original comment is fair reflection of the average consumer's reaction to it's chair leg nature and new kidney price tag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacker Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 Bass Player magazine did a review of the Galaxy back in the early '90s. Love the shape of that one and the Garland - cool, circular pups!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomRichards Posted March 20, 2012 Share Posted March 20, 2012 You can't beat anything Aria Pro II from the late '70s and early '80s, and they are all H. Noble. His work with Atlansia is as good, if not better, although visually they take some getting used to, like individual pickups for the strings. But they do sound great. I played on on a tour of Japan two years ago, borrowed it for a coupld of gigs. I was highly impressed. I never tried the one string. Maybe that will be my next addition.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaypup Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 Did H.Noble also work for Tokai? Looking at the Talbo bass, it looks like his work - especially the individual pickups. [IMG]http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii616/chaylockyer/talbof.jpg[/IMG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 If he did, I doubt it was anything more than the pickups and their housing. The thing about the Atlansia basses is that they blend form and function in interesting ways. The Talbo despite it's radical aluminium body is actually a quite conventional instrument with several less than optimal features including a very poorly designed bridge and non-angled headstock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaypup Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 Maybe a transitional design then? After all his other work for other people has been more conventional (but still amazing). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelk27 Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 The Talbo wasn't designed by Hayashi San. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaypup Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 [quote name='noelk27' timestamp='1332467983' post='1588874'] The Talbo wasn't designed by Hayashi San. [/quote] Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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