jay-syncro Posted May 5, 2020 Posted May 5, 2020 (edited) Atelier Z M245, hand made in Tokyo. I've owned a few Atelier Z basses in the past, a Beta, Beta Deluxe but none of them compare to this. The M245 is their top of the range instrument and it is an absolute stunner. IMO It combines everything good about a 70's Fender (i.e. Ash, blocks, binding, girthy sound) but without the downsides (i.e.ridiculous weight, terrible build quality!). It comes complete with the Bartolini XTCT preamp that features dual stacked pickup volume controls, vintage tone control, bass and treble controls with a mid sweep in the control cavity. Combined with Atelier Z's own single coil pickups it sounds immense. Despite it's 70's vibe and chunky hardware it weighs just 8.6lbs! It comes complete with the nice Atelier Z gig bag shown. It has a couple of small lacquer dings and some discolouration patches but on the whole it's in great condition. Specs: Scale 34" Neck Maple1P Fingerboard Maple20F Body Ash2P Tuningkey GOTOH GB-30 Bridge ATELIER Z BB419 Pickups ATELIER Z JBZ-4 Preamp Bartolini XTCT+Spectrum boost Controls 2Vol.Treble,Bass/sw(Active ON/OFF) Color N Price ¥275,000(without tax) Edited June 27, 2020 by jay-syncro 4
AndyTravis Posted May 5, 2020 Posted May 5, 2020 (edited) That’s so cool - here’s a genuine query I’ve often been puzzled by. The “Atelier Z” logo on the pickguard, is it a sticker you can remove? Edited May 5, 2020 by AndyTravis 1
jay-syncro Posted May 5, 2020 Author Posted May 5, 2020 2 minutes ago, AndyTravis said: That’s so cool - here’s a genuine query I’ve often been puzzled by. The “Atelier Z” logo on the pickguard, is it a sticker you can remove? Yes mate, it's just a sticker. I quite like it but understand why some people might prefer the clean look. 1
AndyTravis Posted May 5, 2020 Posted May 5, 2020 2 minutes ago, jay-syncro said: Yes mate, it's just a sticker. I quite like it but understand why some people might prefer the clean look. A beauty either way - look very slick. Also saw Jerry Barnes with Chic last summer - his model (I think based upon this) sounded epic. Very nice bass - good price too! 1
three Posted May 5, 2020 Posted May 5, 2020 13 minutes ago, AndyTravis said: A beauty either way - look very slick. Also saw Jerry Barnes with Chic last summer - his model (I think based upon this) sounded epic. Very nice bass - good price too! Absolutely love this too - I also saw JB testing his to destruction in Manchester last summer 1
AndyTravis Posted May 5, 2020 Posted May 5, 2020 6 minutes ago, three said: Absolutely love this too - I also saw JB testing his to destruction in Manchester last summer At Castlefield? And we didn’t meet for beers?! Our standards are slipping.
jay-syncro Posted May 5, 2020 Author Posted May 5, 2020 I also saw Chic at a festival a few years back. I remember thinking that the sound engineer must have been a bass player, JB's Atelier Z was the star of the mix! Thinking about it, I've only ever seen him play that one bass. If only I had such dedication 😬 1
Apothem Posted May 5, 2020 Posted May 5, 2020 Wow wow..... I've got the same in shiny black (although with the earlier version of the preamp) and I vouch every word, stunning quality. GLWTS 1
bassfan Posted May 5, 2020 Posted May 5, 2020 That’s very nice. Aside from the pick guard and price what’s the difference between this and the JB sig? I’ve looked and drooled over the jb many times! 1
AndyTravis Posted May 5, 2020 Posted May 5, 2020 1 minute ago, bassfan said: That’s very nice. Aside from the pick guard and price what’s the difference between this and the JB sig? I’ve looked and drooled over the jb many times! Pickguard...price 😂 Bridge on jb is old school. inlays are abalone and not pearl 1
jay-syncro Posted May 5, 2020 Author Posted May 5, 2020 (edited) 4 minutes ago, bassfan said: That’s very nice. Aside from the pick guard and price what’s the difference between this and the JB sig? I’ve looked and drooled over the jb many times! About a grand I think! 😁 I think the sig model has abalone blocks and a standard Fender style bridge rather than the high mass Atelier Z number. Edit: Andy beat me to it Edited May 5, 2020 by jay-syncro 1
tomthebass Posted May 5, 2020 Posted May 5, 2020 8 minutes ago, bassfan said: Awww man. Now I have sadowsky and atelier GAS. Ha! Had a go on one of these in Tokyo having just walked out of another shop with a Sadowsky. How stupid was that?!! 😂 1
tomthebass Posted May 5, 2020 Posted May 5, 2020 PS also Francis Hylton of Incognito fame plays one of these 👍 1
BlueMoon Posted May 5, 2020 Posted May 5, 2020 These are truely great basses. I have one with a JHJ pickup arrangement and it is awesome. Jamie has some great basses and a good seller. 1
oneinchman Posted May 5, 2020 Posted May 5, 2020 This bass is simple fantastic. I love mine and I have the feeling Atelier Z basses do not necessarily get the love which they deserve. 1
jay-syncro Posted May 5, 2020 Author Posted May 5, 2020 22 minutes ago, BlueMoon said: These are truely great basses. I have one with a JHJ pickup arrangement and it is awesome. Jamie has some great basses and a good seller. Agreed, thanks Keith 👍🏻
Apothem Posted May 6, 2020 Posted May 6, 2020 (edited) 15 hours ago, jay-syncro said: About a grand I think! 😁 I think the sig model has abalone blocks and a standard Fender style bridge rather than the high mass Atelier Z number. Edit: Andy beat me to it I would add: different preamp (AZ EQ-M vs Bart XTCT) and pickups placement, '70s on JB and '60s in general for all other AZ basses. Having said that, they can still sound very Marcus. Edited May 6, 2020 by Apothem 1
jay-syncro Posted May 6, 2020 Author Posted May 6, 2020 3 hours ago, Apothem said: I would add: different preamp (AZ EQ-M vs Bart XTCT) and pickups placement, '70s on JB and '60s in general for all other AZ basses. Having said that, they can still sound very Marcus. Ah yes, good spot 👍🏻
MikanHannille Posted May 6, 2020 Posted May 6, 2020 I love me some good Atelier Z. Had a white JHJ M245m years ago! I'm sure missing it! 1
jay-syncro Posted May 7, 2020 Author Posted May 7, 2020 21 hours ago, MikanHannille said: I love me some good Atelier Z. Had a white JHJ M245m years ago! I'm sure missing it! They look amazing, did the humbucker do a convincing Musicman impression?
MikanHannille Posted May 7, 2020 Posted May 7, 2020 2 hours ago, jay-syncro said: They look amazing, did the humbucker do a convincing Musicman impression? Yes! Slightly bassy, but pretty much there if you cut the bass a bit. Maybe add a bit of mid. But the zingy-ness of it is pretty much nailed. 1
Gunsfreddy2003 Posted May 7, 2020 Posted May 7, 2020 I’ve got an AZ 5 string and it’s an amazing instrument - love it to bits and this is a bargain price. 1
jay-syncro Posted May 8, 2020 Author Posted May 8, 2020 12 hours ago, Gunsfreddy2003 said: I’ve got an AZ 5 string and it’s an amazing instrument - love it to bits and this is a bargain price. Thanks 👍🏻
jay-syncro Posted May 10, 2020 Author Posted May 10, 2020 I removed the neck pickup cover today and made a notable discovery.. I sound nothing like Marcus Miller with it on or off. Damn. 3
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