Carl Thompson Thread.

[Raspatue]

If there are any Carl Thompson owners on this forum, please show off your instruments.

Here are mine:


This is my fretless 4 string

[attachment=164336:IMG_7074.JPG]


And here is my fretted 6 string

[attachment=164337:carl_thompson_6string_bass_620.jpg]

[attachment=164338:carl_thompson_6string_bass_close_620.jpg]

[attachment=164339:carl_thompson_6string_bass_skraa_620.jpg]


Hope there are other Carl thompson basses out there that need to be flashed.

[paul_5]

I'd desperately love a Thompson, having been a lifelong fan of Primus.

It's unlikely ever to happen though.

[Raspatue]

Well.. a year ago i thought so too, but now i have two.. anything can happen.

[paul_5]

[quote name='Raspatue' timestamp='1401882320' post='2467766']
Well.. a year ago i thought so too, but now i have two.. anything can happen.
[/quote]

Well done Raspatue!

[Spoombung]

I finally played one early this year. The owner claimed it was once played by Stan Clarke in RTF and had been purchased for £23,000 by a rich girlfriend (I didn't know whether to believe him or not). Truly astonishing instrument in terms of balance, feel, dimensions and ergonomic brilliance. When you play one of these instruments you suddenly realise why the design is so influential - in fact Carl Thompson is the MOST influential designer of the bass guitar after Leo Fender. Some people don't understand - they think it's all about scrolls, ornate woods and cosmetics, etc.

Er, no I don't have one, I'm afraid but I admire this example on Talkbass:

[BassBod]

Would love to try one..but doubt if there are any around Bristol! Keep those photos coming...please....

[Spoombung]

The carving and thought put into how an instrument relates to the human body...that's what i admire. Just simple things like the way the lower horn is carved on the back. It's all designed in harmony with human dimensions.

[Spoombung]

The other thing I like is there is great emphasis on keeping the body as thin as possible (hence the raised bit where the controls are). A thin-bodied bass feels so much nicer than some big Fender lump.

Edited June 5, 2014 by Spoombung

[winterfire666]

i love the look of them (and the sound based on primus gigs) and would love to try one but they very rarely come up in the uk and when they do they are a bit steep for me :^)

[BigRedX]

According to his web site he won't be taking any new custom orders...

[winterfire666]

i was looking at he possibility of a custom ct but just couldn't justify the cost, so i went for a xylem instead which are obviously very CT inspired anyway :^)
there must be some more owners on here, how about some more pics :^)

Edited June 5, 2014 by winterfire666

[Spoombung]

[quote name='winterfire666' timestamp='1401986667' post='2468966']

there must be some more owners on here, how about some more pics :^)
[/quote]

i don't think there are. I've never seen a CT owner here on Basschat. They're incredibly rare here - and are usually owned by Americans.

[Raspatue]

No there are not many of them in europe. but there are some..

That one you postet Spoombur looks like a 70s CT bass.. very nice..

[Kiwi]

I heard Carl doesn't build his instruments - can anyone confirm that?

[BassBod]

My understanding is he built a lot (small scale, lo tech) in the 70's but though the 80's and 90's he's built a team of younger guys to do a lot of the bench work. Pete Hilton seems to be one of the most skilled guys to have come out of the Thompson worshshop. My impression is Carl is a musician at heart, and luthier by circumstance, partly thanks to Dan Armstrong and his NY repair shop in the late 60's.

[Raspatue]

Do anyone know what these basses would go for if one were to sell them.?

[BassBod]

Look at Evilbay...and probably take half off the BIN? I would imagine they are in Wal figures, but there is always someone who will pay more for perceived value.

[Raspatue]

There are not many on Ebay though..

[BassBod]

Look at historical auctions, there's been a few...very overpriced (IMO) or look at the Low End website, he's had a few over the years and seems to get new ones sometimes.

[Raspatue]

Ok thanks.. thinking about selling my 6 string.. not sure yet.