Elrick Basses

[Acebassmusic]

I currently own a Cort Elrick NJS5 which is a great playing bass and I've modded the pre and pickups to my liking. The design is based on the Elrick handbuilt "New Jazz Standard" but at a more affordable price. This obviously has sent me down the Elrick rabbit hole. I believe Rob Elrick makes them all by hand himself so understandably theres not huge quantities of basses / reviews / information flooding the marketplace. I've only seen one being played live and that was a few years ago in the Bass Gallery....a certain Steve Lawson was noodling about 🤣 It sounded great, but then again Steve has the skills to make a tennis racquet not sound like a racket! 🤣

 

As I'm more likely to find a tame haggis in my garden than I am to be able to check out an Elrick local to Aberdeen I'm wondering what experience and knowledge the Basschat collective may have on the higher end Gold / Platinum series etc. Fit & finish? Sound & flexibility? Weight and balance? Playability? One trick pony or adaptable? Work horse or home bird? Any info welcomed 👍

[NJE]

I played a single-cut platinum 5 string at Bass Direct quite a few years ago so my brain is a little fuzzy on the details. However there are a few instruments that leave lasting impressions and that was one.

 

Effortless to play, crazy good construction, resonant, and a modern versatile pair of pickups and preamp. I wish I had bought it, but as comfortable as it was, at the time I wasn’t the biggest fan of single-cut basses.

 

For context I played a Japanese Sadowsky and a secondhand Alleva Coppolo that day and the Elrick was far nice than both of them in my humble uneducated opinion.

[Terry M.]

10 hours ago, Acebassmusic said:

I currently own a Cort Elrick NJS5 which is a great playing bass and I've modded the pre and pickups to my liking. The design is based on the Elrick handbuilt "New Jazz Standard" but at a more affordable price. This obviously has sent me down the Elrick rabbit hole. I believe Rob Elrick makes them all by hand himself so understandably theres not huge quantities of basses / reviews / information flooding the marketplace. I've only seen one being played live and that was a few years ago in the Bass Gallery....a certain Steve Lawson was noodling about 🤣 It sounded great, but then again Steve has the skills to make a tennis racquet not sound like a racket! 🤣

 

As I'm more likely to find a tame haggis in my garden than I am to be able to check out an Elrick local to Aberdeen I'm wondering what experience and knowledge the Basschat collective may have on the higher end Gold / Platinum series etc. Fit & finish? Sound & flexibility? Weight and balance? Playability? One trick pony or adaptable? Work horse or home bird? Any info welcomed 👍

I tried a "full fat" Elrick NJS5 in Bass Direct a while ago and while there was nothing wrong with it I would stick with your one,they even share the same preamp circuit. Anyway to answer your actual question if I can bear the heat today I plan to head to The Bass Gallery here in London to try this out https://thebassgallery.com/collections/bass/products/untitled-jun30_17-55 

 

I'll report back if I do.

[haimesy]

I have the NJs5 & it’s great , Can I ask what pick ups you put in ,  I was considering Bartolini’s in mine . I absolutely love the sound of Daric Bennets Black Elrick  J bass .cheers J 

[Terry M.]

2 hours ago, Terry M. said:

I tried a "full fat" Elrick NJS5 in Bass Direct a while ago and while there was nothing wrong with it I would stick with your one,they even share the same preamp circuit. Anyway to answer your actual question if I can bear the heat today I plan to head to The Bass Gallery here in London to try this out https://thebassgallery.com/collections/bass/products/untitled-jun30_17-55 

 

I'll report back if I do.

So I've been to The Gallery and tried the Elrick 5 string in the link. It's a very well made instrument and looks incredible but unfortunately it wasn't the bass for me. For one I struggle with the sound of Bart pickups. It was also too light for me like REALLY light and I felt the sound suffered as a result. Sorry I couldn't be more upbeat but I only present my opinions,these are by no means facts. I put it back and picked up a Stingray 5 and it put a huge smile on my face immediately in contrast. 

[Terry M.]

51 minutes ago, haimesy said:

I have the NJs5 & it’s great , Can I ask what pick ups you put in ,  I was considering Bartolini’s in mine . I absolutely love the sound of Daric Bennets Black Elrick  J bass .cheers J 

What do you feel you will gain with a pickup swap out of interest?

[Al Krow]

Great basses! 

 

My Elrick Expat Evo 5 quickly became my goto gigging bass after I acquired it from @Sibob of this parish (who is a far more capable bassist than me!) back in 2021. Not sure I would have had the confidence to acquire one new back then, given the cost, but was keen to try one out as, on paper, it ticked so many boxes for me and being able to buy one used was a godsend! I've been really delighted with it and won't be parting company with mine any time soon! 

 

Little clip of the bass in action at a recent outdoor gig - set on neck pup in active mode with tone knobs flat, with preamp EQ duties being handled by my GT1000 Core pedal:

 

LA Mixtrax - Bletchley Park