British Basses

[molecule]

Here it is, my new Zoot Jazz Maniac, exactly nine months after I confirmed my choice of Fraylin pups and chrome finish on the hardware.

I knew it would be a long wait for it to be built, but I never expected to be still be lockdown when it arrived!  So I was never able to visit Mike Walsh to see the bass under construction, or to collect it in person.

I am indebted to itu for first suggesting Zoot in a long list of builders he posted here last June, that I explored during the first lockdown before settling on this Jazz Maniac.

[Grahambythesea]

Very smart, Bro. How does it play?

[TheGreek]

I had a Zoot for a while - very flat neck IIRC.

I think that we're spoilt for choice for home grown Basses. I've owned many on the list - loved my GB Rumour - probably one of the best basses I've ever played and Bernie is a pure gentleman.

Also had Overwater/ Wal/ Shuker/ Status - all quality instruments which I'd have no hesitation recommending.

[molecule]

It sounds a lot like the Spector Coda, but the action is lower and it is much lighter. I've  tried weighing it and I think it is just under 4 kgs, which is lovely.

[Mokl]

That looks fantastic,  would love a Zoot.

[Merton]

Lovely bass! Love my Zoot. So much so that I’ve just ordered a second one 😱🤪

Agree with @TheGreek that we’re spoilt for choice thesedays - Zoot, ACG, Shuker, Nernie Goodfellow, Status, Alpher, RIM, etc etc.

[chris_b]

. . . . plus Anaconda, Manson, JD, Watson and Sei, to name a few more.

Edited March 23, 2021 by chris_b

[Hellzero]

And Wal ! How could they have not been mentioned ?

[EBS_freak]

50 minutes ago, Hellzero said:

And Wal ! How could they have not been mentioned ?

They are in the list on page 1!

[Merton]

1 hour ago, Hellzero said:

And Wal ! How could they have not been mentioned ?

Nah. Paul Herman doesn’t have a clue!*
 

 

 

 

 

*😜

[Grahambythesea]

14 hours ago, molecule said:

It sounds a lot like the Spector Coda, but the action is lower and it is much lighter. I've  tried weighing it and I think it is just under 4 kgs, which is lovely.

But can you get a good P sound, you know the one like Duck’s or Jamerson’s. Wasn’t that the point of specifying a PJ mix? Work on it!

[Crawford13]

2 minutes ago, Grahambythesea said:

But can you get a good P sound, you know the one like Duck’s or Jamerson’s. Wasn’t that the point of specifying a PJ mix? Work on it!

I really find the beauty of a PJ is getting the warm P sound but with a bit more definition. 

I never try to get a P sound or a J sound out of a PJ. 

[PatrickJ]

After 5 years of playing and trying numerous different brands / types of bass I've decided I'm J bass type of guy.  
I've been compiling examples of J inspired basses made by British luthiers, figured I'd share on this thread.

ACG RetroB

Anaconda Ultra J

GB Spitfire

Overwater Hybrid J

 

Sei Jazz

Shuker Custom J

Status T Bass

I have an ACG and Shuker, now to collect the rest 😁

 

Edited May 15, 2021 by PatrickJ

[Merton]

10 minutes ago, PatrickJ said:

After 5 years of playing and trying numerous different brands / types of bass I've decided I'm J bass type of guy.  
I've been compiling examples of J inspired basses made by British luthiers, figured I'd share on this thread.

ACG RetroB

Anaconda Ultra J

GB Spitfire

Overwater Hybrid J

 

Sei Jazz

Shuker Custom J

Status T Bass

I have an ACG and Shuker, now to collect the rest 😁

 

Don’t forget @Cosmicrain and his Zoot Funkmeister

[PatrickJ]

5 minutes ago, Merton said:

Don’t forget @Cosmicrain and his Zoot Funkmeister

I couldn't find a decent picture of a 34" scale 4 string Funkmeister.  @Cosmicrain - do you have one?

Edited May 15, 2021 by PatrickJ

[Merton]

8 minutes ago, PatrickJ said:

I couldn't find a decent picture of a 34" scale 4 string Funkmeister.  @Cosmicrain - do you have one?

Albeit an MM/J config but you get the idea.

I’ll get a pic of mine too, but it’s 32” scale

[Merton]

[EBS_freak]

5 minutes ago, Merton said:

This looks great 

[Reggaebass]

8 minutes ago, Merton said:

Ah, is that my bass Merton 😁

[Merton]

12 minutes ago, EBS_freak said:

This looks great 

It’s bloody marvellous. Wasted on me (as are all my basses really) but I love it

[Merton]

10 minutes ago, Reggaebass said:

Ah, is that my bass Merton 😁

Let me see....

 

 

 

 

 

No. No it isn’t 😁

[Russ]

On 15/06/2020 at 15:29, Barking Spiders said:

Would love to have a Jaydee and for a boutique manufacturer the prices are pretty reasonable with the top end at under £3k compared to Wals at around £6k

Wal have announced they've had to stop taking orders for the time being, as they currently have a four year waiting list! So there's obviously no shortage of people willing to pay £6k for one... 

I wonder if they've ever considered an import model? Not Chinese, but maybe Eastern European, like Spector?

[PatrickJ]

13 minutes ago, Russ said:

Wal have announced they've had to stop taking orders for the time being, as they currently have a four year waiting list! So there's obviously no shortage of people willing to pay £6k for one... 

I wonder if they've ever considered an import model? Not Chinese, but maybe Eastern European, like Spector?

I just don't get the Wal thing 

[LukeFRC]

5 minutes ago, PatrickJ said:

I just don't get the Wal thing 

a point of view that has saved you a bundle!

[Russ]

2 minutes ago, PatrickJ said:

I just don't get the Wal thing 

I think they're lovely, unique instruments with peerless build quality and a sound all of their own that can't be easily replicated. But they are a bit of an acquired taste.