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

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 name='silddx' post='938260' date='Aug 27 2010, 05:00 PM']There was a Veilette Piccolo on sale here on basschat a few months ago. Have to admit, it looked gorgeous.

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=61359&hl=Veillette"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...mp;hl=Veillette[/url][/quote]

That was Gareth Morgan's instrument for a while. I think it's at the Gallery now.

Phil

[quote name='TheGreek' post='938224' date='Aug 27 2010, 04:10 PM'] I've left messages at the Veillette site with no response - Harvey on the other hand replied the same day - what a great guy!! - looking forward to hearing from Joe [/quote]

Hi Greek (and apologies for missing the "r" last time),

Sorry you didn't get a reply from Joe. I have to say that's unusual – he's usually very happy to talk guitars, but of course he's only human and the odd email might have been missed. What was it you asked? I'll find out for you.

Phil

[quote name='paul h' post='937562' date='Aug 26 2010, 09:37 PM']IIRC the Uk rep for Veillette used to post here. Phil I think his name was.[/quote]

Paul,

Yes, I think my name is Phil too

Phil

Hi Geek

That's a relatively rare and very lovely bass you have there. Congratulations.

Joe Veillette and Harvey Citron no longer work together, having amicably gone their separate ways a good few years ago. They are both still busy luthiers however and there's even a few Veillette basses in the UK these days (a couple owned by Gareth Morgan who's often seen around these parts). How do I know all this? Well I'm Joe Veillette's UK distributor.

You can get an idea of what Joe is up to these days at www.veilletteguitars.com

Regards
Phil

DR Sunbeams fitted. They feel great – nice and loose and not at all "sticky" on the left hand. They sound a bit bright at the moment but I'm sure they'll calm down a bit. Thursday's rehearsal will be the real test but I have very high hopes.

P

Thanks all. I'll maybe try a couple and report back.

Phil

All,

I've been using Status half-rounds on my fretless Wal for ages. They're lovely strings but I fancy a change. The bass has an ebony fingerboard so I don't need to worry too much about using round-wounds on it, but then again, I don't want anything that sounds too bright. I usually go for 45 - 105 gauge or thereabouts. Any suggestions?

Phil

It's not so much the bass that's interesting here but the picture reproduced of Pete Stephen's order list at the time.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.com/John-Entwistle-s-1978-Wal-Fretless-Bass-Guitar-/230490243879?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Guitar&hash=item35aa4a0327#ht_15488wt_1139"]http://cgi.ebay.com/John-Entwistle-s-1978-...ht_15488wt_1139[/url]

Phil

Gareth,

The plan is to do a fretless five string Alpha Bass like this:

[attachment=47614:Veillett...pha_Bass.jpg]

But give it my favourite P-bass vibe with a white P-bass pickup, white scratch plate, Lake Placid Blue body and maple fingerboard.

The rational, apart from it being a nice bass for me to mess about on, is simply that it seems to me that two of the most common themes that get discussed in forums such as this are P basses and "acoustic vibe" basses. So why not combine the two?

Phil

PS. Thanks for the EMG/Shuker heads-up Velvet.

Paul,

Now you look after my old Eko ok? She's a bit special.

Phil

All,

I'm on the point of commissioning a somewhat unusual custom Veillette bass and the instrument needs a rather unusual pickup – a 5 string P type split pickup in white (rather than the usual black). Anybody know who makes such a beast?

Phil

Andy

Yes, "arse of the month" was a bit over the top. I mean, there's an election going on so there's numerous folk with their heads above the parapet that are far more deserving of the title. However, not only would Paul Herman I'm sure be offended to hear somebody suggest he's just "licensed" the Wal brand, so would Pete Stevens. Over the years, and especially towards the end of his particular road, Pete, I understand, turned down a few offers for the Wal brand from much bigger outfits. Offers which would have made him a tidy sum, and ultimately most likely see the Wal brand devalued. He held-out because it was important for him that Wal was left in good hands – Paul Herman.

Yours is a lovely Wal, but I think you're asking too much for it, and trying to justify the price by ignorantly casting aspersions on Paul and new Wals is, well, it's just not cricket. If I had £3.5k to spend on a Wal I would undoubtedly be knocking on Paul's door to order a new one. The majority of people here who know what they're on about would I suspect do the same.

Phil

And a Sunday bump from me.

P

[quote name='BassKS' post='798103' date='Apr 6 2010, 08:55 PM']Beedster man,

What you up to? Hope youre well, sir.

Side dots? On frets or in the middle? Action? Or you have no idea as youve never played it. It would sort out a few cravings for me. An acoustic guitar, fretless bass, double bass. all for a hundred quid.[/quote]

Actually I've no problem at all with answering questions...

Side dots are on fret positions and the action is relatively high but still very comfortably playable. It kind of has to be high(ish) on an acoustic bass. Too low and you can't "dig-in" and get any volume.

Phil

[quote name='BarnacleBob' post='791811' date='Mar 31 2010, 11:57 AM']That looks fantastic. Never seen one like that before either. Not sure about the black (coated?) strings

Would there be any custom charges due within the EU on this?


Best of luck.

BB[/quote]

Bob,

None. One of the many delights of being part of Europe is that goods can cross borders without arbitrary taxes being applied.

Phil

All,

For reasons long lost in the mists of time I get two copies of BGM delivered every month (a situation I'm about to fix). So if any Brighton based BC'ers want to come by and pick up a free copy of this and last month editions (before they hit the re-cycling bin) send me a PM and we'll sort something out.

Phil

This is the last time I do a Google search for you guys.....

[url="http://www.dipintoguitars.com"]http://www.dipintoguitars.com[/url]

Pretty ugly guitars though I have to say.

Phil

Yes!

Deep regrets about selling a near matching pair of Steinberger L2s they were a few hundred serial numbers apart and both in near perfect condition with strap pivots and plug-in leg rests. I sold them far too cheap too.

Phil

[quote name='walbassist' post='717518' date='Jan 19 2010, 09:45 AM']I have to say the pictures really don't do it justice. It's absolutely stunning in person, and the "smokeburst" really works against the koa.[/quote]

Not bad pics though Gareth. Better than I would have done anyway. I suspect the smoke over koa look is one of those that will never really look quite as good in photos as it does in the flesh.

Phil

[quote name='BigBeatNut' post='715680' date='Jan 17 2010, 02:18 PM']Phil, you mean you have one of these ? [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bassplayermag/4274748435/in/photostream/"]http://www.flickr.com/photos/bassplayermag...in/photostream/[/url][/quote]

Yes Andy, one of those. Mine is a fretless 4 with ebony neck and bridge, spruce top, and koa back and sides, all made to look a bit mysterious and moody by a transparent smoke tint. I'll put some pics up when I get around to it (although I'm a useless photographer and unlikely to do the instrument justice).

You could always pop down to Brighton and have a go on it.

Phil

[quote name='bassatnight' post='715839' date='Jan 17 2010, 06:02 PM']Cheers Chris, what a great community this is.

I have mailed Wal for a quote as ideally I would like a lined neck.

Thanks everyone!

Steve.[/quote]


Steve,

I know just how busy Paul Herman at Wal is and you're probably better off calling than emailing.

Phil

I'm closer to being a size zero catwalk model than that is to being a Steinberger.

Owner wants £300 does he? How well does he deal with disappointment?.

P

[quote name='BigBeatNut' post='709956' date='Jan 12 2010, 01:17 PM']Sounds like a good plan Can bring the Electro 1 for old times sake if you like

Andy[/quote]

Yeah, bring the Electro, but don't let me offer to buy it back.

P