warwickhunt Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 I think that there are only two Bolin basses on Basschat (I used to own the other one as well ) and possibly only a couple more in the whole of the UK, so this may be undersubscribed with owners but I think the Bolin deserves it's own porn thread! The 4 string that I now own... The 5 string that I sold on Basschat and has passed around a couple of others... Made by John Bolin and designed by Ned Steinberger, these basses were only produced for a short period, though still available as a custom option from Bolin/'House of Guitars' (JB's new name for his Bolin Co.). John makes custom guitars and basses for the likes of Billy F. Gibbons, Jimmy Page, Steve Miller, Dusty Hill, Lou Reed, Doc Watson, Albert King, Bo Didley, Joe Perry, and Keith Richards & Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones. They are fabulous basses and the piezo tone (if the bass has that option; both of the above do) is truly excellent. The piezo can be soloed and it has a lovely airy breathiness to it, or if blended with the EMG magnetics it can add a pleasing top end. The locking sperzels are great. The arm extension is a stroke of genius (even if you do have to watch out for the screw working loose, the old matchstick and UPVA glue sorts it). The overall tone is superb BUT some folks have commented that it doesn't do that Miller slap thang... not the end of the world and tbh I've managed to get a decent slap tone for the odd thumb n pop. All in all I think they are an excellent bass and the Bolin that I now have will never be for sale (refer me to this thread if you ever see me contemplating it), in fact I'd happily buy another but it would need to be the colour of my old 5 string. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdwardHimself Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 Here's a free reply. I drew a bass that looked not unlike them once (apart from the headstock). I always really liked that LP style of bass body and I wished you could get a 5 string version of one. That looks like something I could possibly do with. Bet it's a bit out of my price range though hehe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted December 10, 2010 Author Share Posted December 10, 2010 [quote name='EdwardHimself' post='1054408' date='Dec 10 2010, 07:21 PM']Bet it's a bit out of my price range though hehe.[/quote] Not sure what your price range is but it's one of those 'if you need to ask, you can't afford one' type basses! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdwardHimself Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 [quote name='warwickhunt' post='1054422' date='Dec 10 2010, 07:32 PM']Not sure what your price range is but it's one of those 'if you need to ask, you can't afford one' type basses! [/quote] Well there you go. Eventually I reckon I'll have a bass like that. Along with all the other things i've promised myself... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-soar Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 Owen!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted December 10, 2010 Author Share Posted December 10, 2010 [quote name='steve-soar' post='1054477' date='Dec 10 2010, 08:38 PM']Owen!!![/quote] Yep that's the other one (pictured above). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemmywinks Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 You really are going to have to stop posting pics of that green Bolin WH, every time i see it i want one but can't afford it. I love the headstocks on those, a fretless version would be my dream bass Very cruel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apa Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 [quote name='warwickhunt' post='1054394' date='Dec 10 2010, 07:08 PM']I think that there are only two Bolin basses on Basschat (I used to own the other one as well ) and possibly only a couple more in the whole of the UK, so this may be undersubscribed with owners but I think the Bolin deserves it's own porn thread! The 4 string that I now own... The 5 string that I sold on Basschat and has passed around a couple of others... Made by John Bolin and designed by Ned Steinberger, these basses were only produced for a short period, though still available as a custom option from Bolin/'House of Guitars' (JB's new name for his Bolin Co.). John makes custom guitars and basses for the likes of Billy F. Gibbons, Jimmy Page, Steve Miller, Dusty Hill, Lou Reed, Doc Watson, Albert King, Bo Didley, Joe Perry, and Keith Richards & Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones. They are fabulous basses and the piezo tone (if the bass has that option; both of the above do) is truly excellent. The piezo can be soloed and it has a lovely airy breathiness to it, or if blended with the EMG magnetics it can add a pleasing top end. The locking sperzels are great. The arm extension is a stroke of genius (even if you do have to watch out for the screw working loose, the old matchstick and UPVA glue sorts it). The overall tone is superb BUT some folks have commented that it doesn't do that Miller slap thang... not the end of the world and tbh I've managed to get a decent slap tone for the odd thumb n pop. All in all I think they are an excellent bass and the Bolin that I now have will never be for sale (refer me to this thread if you ever see me contemplating it), in fact I'd happily buy another but it would need to be the colour of my old 5 string. [/quote] I can't help but admire your use of a bass stand neck clip nailed to the wall to hold your french doors open. A good illustration as it is juxtaposed with the one that bass is sitting in. ;-) oh, nice bass by the way................ A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted December 10, 2010 Author Share Posted December 10, 2010 [quote name='lemmywinks' post='1054514' date='Dec 10 2010, 09:26 PM']You really are going to have to stop posting pics of that green Bolin WH, every time i see it i want one but can't afford it. I love the headstocks on those, a fretless version would be my dream bass Very cruel![/quote] Sorry! If it helps; if you find an Amber one I'll let you have my Green one... and I'll get it defretted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted December 10, 2010 Author Share Posted December 10, 2010 (edited) [quote name='apa' post='1054534' date='Dec 10 2010, 09:41 PM']I can't help but admire your use of a bass stand neck clip nailed to the wall to hold your french doors open. A good illustration as it is juxtaposed with the one that bass is sitting in. ;-) oh, nice bass by the way................ A[/quote] Yes, the newly built garage didn't have dampers for the doors so I improvised... glad you didn't notice that the white 'stopper' retaining the neck clip was actually the rubber feet off a bass cab painted white! Edited December 10, 2010 by warwickhunt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essexbasscat Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 Somehow remeniscent of a Yamaha semi - acoustic ! Very nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemmywinks Posted December 11, 2010 Share Posted December 11, 2010 [quote name='warwickhunt' post='1054539' date='Dec 10 2010, 09:43 PM']Sorry! If it helps; if you find an Amber one I'll let you have my Green one... and I'll get it defretted. [/quote] I'll get on it right away, just set an eBay search for "Bolin bass - 4 string - Amber - BIN under £40". Not holding my breath.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stingray5 Posted December 11, 2010 Share Posted December 11, 2010 That is one damn fine looking bass you have there, WH. The 5-string too. Niiiice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozbass Posted December 12, 2010 Share Posted December 12, 2010 Always been a massive fan of the body shape (if not the headstock design) - an extremely refined and elegant take on the LP. The craft work looks superb too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted December 12, 2010 Author Share Posted December 12, 2010 [quote name='lozbass' post='1055780' date='Dec 12 2010, 10:48 AM']Always been a massive fan of the body shape (if not the headstock design) - an extremely refined and elegant take on the LP. The craft work looks superb too[/quote] There are a few subtle design merits that are not apparent from any of the pics; the edges of the bass are not as deep as the centre (convex curve on the top so it has a flat backed, sucked lozenge shape... if that is possible ), the neck isn't a traditional 4 bolt design with all four bolts going in at 90 degrees to the body, as two of the bolts anchor at a 45 degree angle and there's the retractable strap extension arm which means that the strap button fixing is moved out so that it is the equivalent of a traditional top horn and closer to the 12th/14th fret position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 I can contribute to this thread by saying, one of the local music shops in nottingham had/has a Bolin... however, I never played it.... That is all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted December 13, 2010 Author Share Posted December 13, 2010 [quote name='budget bassist' post='1056878' date='Dec 13 2010, 01:33 AM']I can contribute to this thread by saying, one of the local music shops in nottingham had/has a Bolin... however, I never played it.... That is all![/quote] If it's the same one it was in that shop a couple of years ago, I called up about it when on the hunt for one. IIRC it's a 5 string and despite it being there for at least a year when I called, they wouldn't budge on their price of about £2k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon1964 Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 [quote name='budget bassist' post='1056878' date='Dec 13 2010, 01:33 AM']I can contribute to this thread by saying, one of the local music shops in nottingham had/has a Bolin... however, I never played it.... That is all![/quote] Yep - Music Inn on Alfreton Road. I've not been in there for a while, but its been there a long long time if they've still not sold it. Huw from the Beer Monsters (Nottingham rock and blues band) plays a Bolin five String, but its the only other one I've seen in the flesh. Very nice it is too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 I love these Bolin basses. My Veillettes have a similar vibe... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 (edited) I'd post a pic of mine, but it is here already. If I was honest I have a love hate relationship with mine. I have sold it and bought it back once already (as I have with my Demeter and my Streamline - if you ever buy anything from me, be prepared to sell it back) The Piezo is lush beyond. The EMG DC that was in it was harsher than........... a harsh thing. I now have an EMG P in it which is much nicer, but there is a volume differential now. It is out on loan at the moment but IIRC there is massive trim-pottage in the control cavity which I shall dive into when it comes back. I do not really like the neck profile, which is odd because I am really a bass tart and will go with any bass usually. I love the shape, I love the weight, I love the wood, I love the locking machines. I have just put a piezo bridge on another bass and am experimenting with pre-amps to see if I can replicate the piezo lushness (did I mention that the piezo sound was lush?). The ACG pre in a box I have seems to be quite close at the moment. The Piezo in the Bolin is all I thought they should be but I had never actually heard. I am not particularly fussed about the airy top end (but it is certainly there), it is the rich as chocolate low end which sends me (maaaan). The bottom end seems to extend all the way down. It is not a muddy rumble, just really clean and smooth with real LF extension. It sits REALLY well with acoustic instruments in a way that all my active basses over the years do not quite manage for me (and I have come to the stage where I am not particularly bothered what anyone else thinks). I might get the neck re-shaped. I might sell it. I might leave it as it is - it is safe to say no other bass has snared me with it's sound quite like this one. It is well phit. Edited December 14, 2010 by owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 They appear on Ebay in the US now and again and the going rate seems to be sub $1000. If I played guitar I would be all over this one like a rash [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320629150781&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...e=STRK:MEWAX:IT[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redstriper Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 [quote name='owen' post='1058050' date='Dec 13 2010, 11:48 PM']The Piezo in the Bolin is all I thought they should be but I had never actually heard. I am not particularly fussed about the airy top end (but it is certainly there), it is the rich as chocolate low end which sends me (maaaan). The bottom end seems to extend all the way down. It is not a muddy rumble, just really clean and smooth with real LF extension.[/quote] Now I'm interested Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 So Mr Hunt, if I was to wander into the Fat Ox on Friday night, would I hear the Bolin in action? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted December 14, 2010 Author Share Posted December 14, 2010 [quote name='JPJ' post='1058345' date='Dec 14 2010, 11:22 AM']So Mr Hunt, if I was to wander into the Fat Ox on Friday night, would I hear the Bolin in action?[/quote] I'd even buy you a pint to influence your view! I'm defo taking the Bolin, just torn between the PRS or my Streamer for the other... not taking all three as there's a silly amount of bliddy instruments knocking about on stage as it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted December 16, 2010 Share Posted December 16, 2010 [quote name='warwickhunt' post='1056909' date='Dec 13 2010, 07:19 AM']If it's the same one it was in that shop a couple of years ago, I called up about it when on the hunt for one. IIRC it's a 5 string and despite it being there for at least a year when I called, they wouldn't budge on their price of about £2k[/quote] Yeah, some of the prices on their gear is a tad, shall we say, optimistic... I don't think they shift too much gear though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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