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Audiofanzine FR
Published on 12/10/08 at 01:30
(Originally written by SaintKRO/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
Hi,
French instrument created by a luthier named Patrice Blanc.
22 frets, beautiful rosewood fingerboard, 2 big Dynabass humbuckers by CREL and P. BLANC, active electronics with 4-band EQ (low, low-mid, high-mid, high) and 3-way toggle switch (bridge, both, neck).
Very cheap Fender-like bridge.
Comfortable neck, not too thick for a 5 string bass.
The bass can also be played in passive mode via the push/pull volume control.
This handmade instrument has a very good finish without overdoing it.
UTILIZATION
The neck feels good and it doesn't get you tired after several hours playing. Easy upper frets access.
The bass is light and very well balanced. It's a very comfortable instrument and you'll instinctively find the right position. I only miss a chamfer on the body top/back for more right arm comfort (like on a Jazz Bass for example). But this doesn't reduce the playing comfort.
Is it easy to get a good sound??? It's very difficult to get a bad sound.... This bass sounds immediately good regardless of the settings. You'll only need some time to get to know the 4-band EQ (quite unusual isn't it?). The bridge position reproduces the JazzBass sound very faithfully; The center position sounds like a Musicman and it is perfect for slapping; The neck position provides the hottest Precision Bass sound. This bass was conceived as a tribute to legendary instruments.
SOUNDS
I play jazz and funk and this instrument is perfect for me. I think everything can be played with this bass guitar, except for symphonic metal or other music styles that require modern sounds. The sound always has a vintage character!!! It's the perfect instrument for me since I love Fender sounds and I own a Jazz Bass. It's perfect for slapping, finger picking and everything else... It's a top instrument.
I connect the bass directly to the P.A. system via an EBS DI box. The sound can be enormous with an incredible punch, but also soft or fat but it is always round and wonderfully accurate. This instrument always cuts through even in a very dense mix. It can also growl if necessary.
I like the neck (Precision) and bridge (Jazz Bass) positions mostly. The passive sound is also wonderful. As a summary, I like absolutely EVERYTHING about this bass!!!
OVERALL OPINION
I've been using it for two months. I feel fine with it and I love it. Believe me, its sound and looks are breathtaking (mine is much nicer than the one in the picture, it has a natural wood look with a thin varnish, rosewood fingerboard and a smaller pickguard). The instrument is handmade so you feel you own a unique instrument.
I love the look of the pickups, they are so MASSIVE with oversized magnets. I love everything.
I previously tested other bass guitars including several Fender (I was very disappointed by the Victor Bailey model), Musicman, Tobias (I even owned one).
It wasn't cheap even though I bought it secondhand but that's the price you pay for a perfect high-class bass guitar.
I just love it.
People who don't like vintage Fender should look elsewhere. For everyone else this instrument is a must have. But it's very rare and also quite expensive.
Hi,
French instrument created by a luthier named Patrice Blanc.
22 frets, beautiful rosewood fingerboard, 2 big Dynabass humbuckers by CREL and P. BLANC, active electronics with 4-band EQ (low, low-mid, high-mid, high) and 3-way toggle switch (bridge, both, neck).
Very cheap Fender-like bridge.
Comfortable neck, not too thick for a 5 string bass.
The bass can also be played in passive mode via the push/pull volume control.
This handmade instrument has a very good finish without overdoing it.
UTILIZATION
The neck feels good and it doesn't get you tired after several hours playing. Easy upper frets access.
The bass is light and very well balanced. It's a very comfortable instrument and you'll instinctively find the right position. I only miss a chamfer on the body top/back for more right arm comfort (like on a Jazz Bass for example). But this doesn't reduce the playing comfort.
Is it easy to get a good sound??? It's very difficult to get a bad sound.... This bass sounds immediately good regardless of the settings. You'll only need some time to get to know the 4-band EQ (quite unusual isn't it?). The bridge position reproduces the JazzBass sound very faithfully; The center position sounds like a Musicman and it is perfect for slapping; The neck position provides the hottest Precision Bass sound. This bass was conceived as a tribute to legendary instruments.
SOUNDS
I play jazz and funk and this instrument is perfect for me. I think everything can be played with this bass guitar, except for symphonic metal or other music styles that require modern sounds. The sound always has a vintage character!!! It's the perfect instrument for me since I love Fender sounds and I own a Jazz Bass. It's perfect for slapping, finger picking and everything else... It's a top instrument.
I connect the bass directly to the P.A. system via an EBS DI box. The sound can be enormous with an incredible punch, but also soft or fat but it is always round and wonderfully accurate. This instrument always cuts through even in a very dense mix. It can also growl if necessary.
I like the neck (Precision) and bridge (Jazz Bass) positions mostly. The passive sound is also wonderful. As a summary, I like absolutely EVERYTHING about this bass!!!
OVERALL OPINION
I've been using it for two months. I feel fine with it and I love it. Believe me, its sound and looks are breathtaking (mine is much nicer than the one in the picture, it has a natural wood look with a thin varnish, rosewood fingerboard and a smaller pickguard). The instrument is handmade so you feel you own a unique instrument.
I love the look of the pickups, they are so MASSIVE with oversized magnets. I love everything.
I previously tested other bass guitars including several Fender (I was very disappointed by the Victor Bailey model), Musicman, Tobias (I even owned one).
It wasn't cheap even though I bought it secondhand but that's the price you pay for a perfect high-class bass guitar.
I just love it.
People who don't like vintage Fender should look elsewhere. For everyone else this instrument is a must have. But it's very rare and also quite expensive.