niceguyhomer Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 I played my mate Russ' new bass last night - it was an Overwater Progress 5 Deluxe and I was really really really impressed with it. I was blown away by the tone of the thing and was just wondering if they (Progress 5s) all sound like that. I'd go so far to say it was the best bass tone I'd ever heard and I have to admit that along with the playability / quality of the thing, it's given me mucho grande. GAS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 The modern OW's are Amazing instruments, I've owned a 36 scale Progress III DLX 5 and a Perception Bolt on 5 I got a few laughs from people when I compared the build and tone of the Progress to a Fodera Emperor..... I still stand by that comment ! Your best bet would be to jump in ya motor, head up the M6 a couple of junctions and go try out some of the stock basses Chris & Laurence keep in their demo room. They are very consistent in terms of feel and playability, you can really hear the differences in the tone woods used, to me much more than any other instrument. ATB Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niceguyhomer Posted February 11, 2009 Author Share Posted February 11, 2009 Thanks Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Agreed; get up there and play some. They're great guys for a start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD1 Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 +1 on Mark's comments. You need to try a few as the different woods really make a difference. My experience is that sometimes it is the less bling one sitting in the corner not attracting too much attention that can sound the best. They all feel and play great. They usually have a few there you can try. They are top blokes and know their stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Jones Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Do they still build basses (to order) with the old 80s Explorer-ish body shape? I have serious gas for something like that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 They did not so long ago. I'm sure they would if you asked nicely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 There are rumours that there's going to be a 30th anniversary re-issue this year... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grossey Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 That one is my dream bass, (thanks to Craig Adams from the Sisters of Mercy/Mission/Cult/the Alarm). But can anyone tell me what this model was actually called? Reissue would be great (must be in black tho), 11th months to my 40th......I wonder???? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 A number of people mentioned Overwaters to me when I sold the Smiths. I found the sound on the instruments I have played to be a little too scoopy in the upper mids for my needs but I haven't played any recent Overwaters (ie made in the last 6 years) so I'm really curious to try some out next time I'm near a stockist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 It's known as the Overwater Original. Just to whet your appetite here's my two... The fretless is apparently the first 5-string Overwater made. Maybe time for an Overwater thread in the porn section? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunbass Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Yupp.... had my Tulipwood Evolution for 6+ years.... most versatile Bass I.... have had.... am never disappointed with it in any way. They put out what you put in.....the neutrality of the tone puts some people off admittedly, but this that the sound is completely processable at your amp..... further electronic adjustment is via trim-pots inside the cavity, If you need a bit more "Sturm and Drang" or "slice and dice".... this helps to personalise the instrument output etc... to your needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 I first played an Overwater "Oringinal" as BRX calls it in the late 80's when I was a student. Still possibly one of the best basses I've ever played. Rich. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josh3184 Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 [quote name='niceguyhomer' post='406109' date='Feb 11 2009, 11:29 AM']Thanks Mark[/quote] If you do go up then take me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyparrot Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 I have heard a few, and played, and they seemed to vary in my opinion. Last night i was trying out an overwater perception delux and it was nice, but the corvett $$ that i compared it to blew it away, IMOP. Had much more balls, and a nicer more full tone. I found with the O/W turning up the bass control made it sound wooley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Whatever the origin of a bass, it's so personal in terms of the tone you're after. As far as I'm concerned I echo what Al kindly said about my bass, it's just jaw droppingly wonderful. I [i]expected[/i] to love it, and upon seeing it in the case at Birmingham New Street where the deal was done, thanks to Ben, I new I wouldn't be disappointed, but actually getting it home and plugging it in was just the [i]best[/i]. I've tried one or two Overwaters, and I loved them all for aesthetics, tone and playability. I'm yet to play one I don't like. Al, I'm more than happy to bring it to one of you're gigs so you can try it live mate, so you can be sure. Alternatively I'll bring it up to your gaff and you can try it through your gear at home. I [i]must[/i] add mate, that your Spector sounded [i]immense[/i] the other night. I wouldn't be in any hurry to move that on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 (edited) I'm collecting my second Overwater tomorrow & really intrigued as to what it'll sound like. I have an Overwater J bass which I really like. For me it has easily enough of a vintage vibe for my soul stuff and plenty of flexibility from the East pre if I want a more modern zing. Here's what the J sounds like (in the hands of a far better player than me!): The new one is a Perception 5 bolt on which I'm hoping will be my 'go to' rehearsal bass which has to stay at the studio. I did actually buy the J for precisely this purpose but like having it around the house too much Edited February 13, 2009 by molan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 [quote name='BigRedX' post='408321' date='Feb 13 2009, 10:21 AM']It's known as the Overwater Original. Just to whet your appetite here's my two... The fretless is apparently the first 5-string Overwater made. Maybe time for an Overwater thread in the porn section?[/quote] As far as I recall, this is the Overwater 'C' bass. I almost bought a fretless one off the bassist with Lindisfarne about ten years back, wished I had now. I have a J series 5 string (35", tulipwood body, flame maple neck, rosewood board, 3tsb, Ultrajazz pup's, J-Retro) and its the best bass I have owned by a country mile and then some. I'll be gigging it tomorrow night and grinning sickeningly like a cheshire cat throughout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
overwater Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 (edited) [quote name='JPJ' post='409144' date='Feb 13 2009, 11:21 PM']As far as I recall, this is the Overwater 'C' bass. I almost bought a fretless one off the bassist with Lindisfarne about ten years back, wished I had now. I have a J series 5 string (35", tulipwood body, flame maple neck, rosewood board, 3tsb, Ultrajazz pup's, J-Retro) and its the best bass I have owned by a country mile and then some. I'll be gigging it tomorrow night and grinning sickeningly like a cheshire cat throughout.[/quote] We named the 'Original Series' so - after the event as it were - back then ('79 when I designed it), it was just the bass we built... The C Bass was a 36" scale variant first built for freelance bass player Andrew Bodnar when he joind the Thompson Twins live band in the early 80's and tuned C F Bb Eb (4 semi-tones lower than regular tuning) and pre-dated our early 5 strings - an example of which you see here! Chris Edited February 14, 2009 by overwater Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreeneKing Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Carlisle isn't far away Alan. Take Haze up for some retail therapy/baby clothes shopping and pop in. Very welcoming bunch. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 [quote name='overwater' post='409328' date='Feb 14 2009, 11:45 AM']We named the 'Original Series' so - after the event as it were - back then ('79 when I designed it), it was just the bass we built... The C Bass was a 36" scale variant first built for freelance bass player Andrew Bodnar when he joind the Thompson Twins live band in the early 80's and tuned C F Bb Eb (4 semi-tones lower than regular tuning) and pre-dated our early 5 strings - an example of which you see here! Chris[/quote] Thanks Chris - that's what I thought, but it's always best to get the answers from the person with the best knowledge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funkypenguin Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 One of my friends has an overwater 5 and hers one of the best sounding instruments ive ever played. The EQ is just so useable in real world situations (i.e. studio and gig). plus you can pick the woods/tweak the design to your liking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SisterAbdullahX Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 [quote name='stunbass' post='408384' date='Feb 13 2009, 11:21 AM']Yupp.... had my Tulipwood Evolution for 6+ years.... most versatile Bass I.... have had.... am never disappointed with it in any way. They put out what you put in.....the neutrality of the tone puts some people off admittedly, but this that the sound is completely processable at your amp..... further electronic adjustment is via trim-pots inside the cavity, If you need a bit more "Sturm and Drang" or "slice and dice".... this helps to personalise the instrument output etc... to your needs.[/quote] Years ago, when I was in my first "proper" band, I had the use of a Chris & Andy's bass, which I believe was the forerunner to Overwater. It had a Jazz shaped body and a Bill Lawrence Music Man style pickup and MM scratchplate. I believe it had a bound and blocked fingerboard as well. It was red with a red headstock! It was great. The thing I remember most about it was it had thin frets at the bottom of the neck, graduating to wide flat frets in the higher register. I was told at the time that this was supposed to aid intonation. I would imagine they're very rare! Anyone else seen one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kees_SoS Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 Hey guys, I found this thread a while ago whilst Googling for info on Overwater Original Series basses. I'm considering commissioning one, so I've just posted a topic in order to get some info from owners. The topic can be found here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/182873-overwater-original-series-four-andor-five-string-models/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/182873-overwater-original-series-four-andor-five-string-models/[/url] If you have any useful info you could share with me, please take a look. Regards, Kees Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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