franzbassist

[quote name='philw' post='689414' date='Dec 19 2009, 10:10 PM']Thanks Gareth. Glad you're enjoying it. Flattery won't get you a better deal on the next one you know (no, actually, thinking about it, it might). Phil[/quote] Thanks Phil. Make sure you add pictures of your acoustic to the thread as well!

[quote name='Dom in Somerset' post='688262' date='Dec 18 2009, 12:08 PM']The only problem that I can think of is that you may find that you are little too quiet and mellow when played unplugged. If you're using the bass plugged in then it's probably fine , I've got black nylon flats on my acoustic fretless, unplugged- dull and quiet, plugged -cavernous.[/quote] +1 to that. If you only play unplugged then rounds are a necessity, and I would recommend Elixirs, but if you are plugging in then flats are an excellent choice.

Some more photos, taken this morning.

[quote name='BassBod' post='688053' date='Dec 18 2009, 09:37 AM']Very nice.....looks like LaBella strings? A lovely simple design that lets you get on with the playing - enjoy. On a different topic - where did you get on the amp setup?[/quote] Yep, La Bella strings indeed. Very nice they are too. Have decided to keep my current Markbass LMK and two EA cabs. Too mch of a hit, financially, to sell any of it in current climes.

[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='688016' date='Dec 18 2009, 08:59 AM']I think it's the simplicity of it's design that catches the eye most...[/quote] Thanks Nik! Yes, I know what you mean; quite traditional and yet very contemporary at the same time.

After just over four months since placing my order, I picked up my Veillette Archtop from Phil Ward, Joe's UK rep, this afternoon. Obviously it's early days and I haven't given it a good run out yet, but all I can say is... Wow. It is quite simply stunning. Spruce arched top over poplar body. Maple neck. Ebony fingerboard, bridge and tailpiece. It weighs just 8.5lb and balances perfectly (yes, I was surprised as well). Fit and finish is superb. Electronics are a regular Citron soapbar and a DTar piezo pickup in the bridge, with just a single tone control, run through a DTar 18v preamp. The tone is just incredible. Fretless is my favourite type of bass to play, and this just [i]sings[/i]; every note sustains beautifully, with that wonderful swell and blossom you associate with a quality fretless. The magnetic pickup gives you a pretty conventional electric tone, but dial in the piezo and roll off the tone and it gets very upright indeed. I've played a lot of basses in my time, many of them "boutique", and I have to say I think this tops the lot. Joe Veillette and his team are true craftsmen, and in Phil he couldn't have a better UK rep. Enjoy... Gareth PS Sorry about the rubbish flash photos, better ones will follow when next the sun shines.

I never go anywhere else. Paul and his team are the biz.

How about [url="http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_guitars_detail.asp?stock=09062414175628"]this[/url]?

Intersting thread... I've owned 11 Wals over the course of the last 20 years and every one was a great player, but then I do know how to pick 'em! The best of the lot though was a 8lb Mk III fretless 5 that just [i]sang[/i]; it's also the only bass I ever regret selling. However, I have also played some Wals that were real dogs - very heavy, dead weights on your shoulder that neck dived like crazy. Some seemed to sound "dead", with no life at all to the sound quality. The second Wal I bought, direct from Electric Wood, was a fretless Mk I and the neck was just covered in dead spots; Pete took the neck off, threw it in the bin, and the replacement played just fine! Why he didn't bin the first neck in the first place is still beyond me... So, many are great basses with that very individual look and sound, but some are very heavy, with awful neck dive and less than inspiring tones inside them. At the end of the day, those who want to, and can, spend £3.2k on a Wal will, those who don't, and can't, won't. Luckily for Paul he has inherited a marque that is still very well respected, and that reputation obviously counts for something if his order book is anything to go by. There are loads of wonderful basses out there, the key is finding the ones that inspire you. Cheers all Gareth