franzbassist Posted December 18, 2009 Share Posted December 18, 2009 (edited) After just over four months since placing my order, I picked up my Veillette Archtop from Phil Ward, Joe's UK rep, this afternoon. Obviously it's early days and I haven't given it a good run out yet, but all I can say is... Wow. It is quite simply stunning. Spruce arched top over poplar body. Maple neck. Ebony fingerboard, bridge and tailpiece. It weighs just 8.5lb and balances perfectly (yes, I was surprised as well). Fit and finish is superb. Electronics are a regular Citron soapbar and a DTar piezo pickup in the bridge, with just a single tone control, run through a DTar 18v preamp. The tone is just incredible. Fretless is my favourite type of bass to play, and this just [i]sings[/i]; every note sustains beautifully, with that wonderful swell and blossom you associate with a quality fretless. The magnetic pickup gives you a pretty conventional electric tone, but dial in the piezo and roll off the tone and it gets very upright indeed. I've played a lot of basses in my time, many of them "boutique", and I have to say I think this tops the lot. Joe Veillette and his team are true craftsmen, and in Phil he couldn't have a better UK rep. Enjoy... Gareth PS Sorry about the rubbish flash photos, better ones will follow when next the sun shines. Edited April 30, 2010 by walbassist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfoxnik Posted December 18, 2009 Share Posted December 18, 2009 That is gorgeous! Knowing some of the basses you've owned or still own Gareth, that's high praise indeed!! I think it's the simplicity of it's design that catches the eye most... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted December 18, 2009 Author Share Posted December 18, 2009 [quote name='silverfoxnik' post='688016' date='Dec 18 2009, 08:59 AM']I think it's the simplicity of it's design that catches the eye most...[/quote] Thanks Nik! Yes, I know what you mean; quite traditional and yet very contemporary at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted December 18, 2009 Share Posted December 18, 2009 Very nice.....looks like LaBella strings? A lovely simple design that lets you get on with the playing - enjoy. On a different topic - where did you get on the amp setup? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted December 18, 2009 Author Share Posted December 18, 2009 [quote name='BassBod' post='688053' date='Dec 18 2009, 09:37 AM']Very nice.....looks like LaBella strings? A lovely simple design that lets you get on with the playing - enjoy. On a different topic - where did you get on the amp setup?[/quote] Yep, La Bella strings indeed. Very nice they are too. Have decided to keep my current Markbass LMK and two EA cabs. Too mch of a hit, financially, to sell any of it in current climes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted December 18, 2009 Author Share Posted December 18, 2009 Some more photos, taken this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdwardHimself Posted December 18, 2009 Share Posted December 18, 2009 luke's lavaly mate. Very interesting design, not the sort of thing you usually see anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7string Posted December 18, 2009 Share Posted December 18, 2009 Ooooooooo. Wonderful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted December 18, 2009 Share Posted December 18, 2009 Beautiful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatback Posted December 18, 2009 Share Posted December 18, 2009 Work of art, that. fatback Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philw Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 Thanks Gareth. Glad you're enjoying it. Flattery won't get you a better deal on the next one you know (no, actually, thinking about it, it might). Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peted Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 That is lovely. Haven't seen that brand before, but it's giving me fretless GAS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted December 22, 2009 Author Share Posted December 22, 2009 [quote name='philw' post='689414' date='Dec 19 2009, 10:10 PM']Thanks Gareth. Glad you're enjoying it. Flattery won't get you a better deal on the next one you know (no, actually, thinking about it, it might). Phil[/quote] Thanks Phil. Make sure you add pictures of your acoustic to the thread as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leftybassman392 Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 Absolutely gorgeous. I'm not normally a huge fan of acoustic basses, but that is just obscene! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gypsymoth Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 VERY nice - I've got some VC's, and have had a chance to play a current Veillette 12 (guitar) as well, which was stunning in every way. so I'm quite sure you are not overstating your satisfaction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted January 9, 2010 Author Share Posted January 9, 2010 Thanks for all the kind words guys. Having now gigged the bass and played it most evenings over the last few weeks, I have to say it is without doubt the best fretless I've ever owned. The sustain is just incredible and the variety of tones lurking inside it is amazing for such a simple setup. I am so pleased with it I want to get a fretted version as well.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purpleblob Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 [quote name='walbassist' post='707257' date='Jan 9 2010, 11:47 PM']Thanks for all the kind words guys. Having now gigged the bass and played it most evenings over the last few weeks, I have to say it is without doubt the best fretless I've ever owned. The sustain is just incredible and the variety of tones lurking inside it is amazing for such a simple setup. I am so pleased with it I want to get a fretted version as well....[/quote] Whoa, hold on a sec. as an admirer of the collection of Wals you've owned in the past - are you saying this is better than the Wal fretless you owned ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarcher Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 Thar is so nice, Are those rotodound black nylons she's wearing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted January 10, 2010 Author Share Posted January 10, 2010 [quote]Whoa, hold on a sec. as an admirer of the collection of Wals you've owned in the past - are you saying this is better than the Wal fretless you owned ?[/quote] Better? No, just different. This bass has a much more organic, natural, and less "processed" sound than the Wal. [quote]Are those rotodound black nylons she's wearing?[/quote] They're La Bellas, and very nice they are too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 That's one of those basses that makes me do a sex wee. What's the string spacing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purpleblob Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 (edited) [quote name='walbassist' post='707287' date='Jan 10 2010, 12:25 AM']Better? No, just different. This bass has a much more organic, natural, and less "processed" sound than the Wal.[/quote] [quote name='walbassist' post='707257' date=''Jan 10 2010, 11:47 AM']...I have to say it is without doubt the best fretless I've ever owned[/quote] Sorry the word "best" interpreted therefore as better came from your quote above. Anyway... I've listened to/watched a couple of these basses on youtube and they do have a very "organic" sound, I think that is a good representation of the tone etc. Anyway, nice bass. EDIT: Typical grammar mess of mine, tidied up Edited January 10, 2010 by purpleblob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted January 10, 2010 Author Share Posted January 10, 2010 [quote]What's the string spacing?[/quote] Wider than a Wal, my guess is 18mm. [quote]Sorry the word "best" interpreted therefore as better smile.gif came from your quote above.[/quote] Not to worry, my wording may have been less than imprecise in the first place. Cheers Gareth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted January 11, 2010 Author Share Posted January 11, 2010 [quote]Wider than a Wal, my guess is 18mm.[/quote] Measured it last night and it's 19mm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBeatNut Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 Verrrry nice. Just about perfect looks for me and 19mm spacing too. The only thing I could think of that [i]might[/i] make it even more perfect would be a 2nd mag pickup. We must arrange that A/B session with my [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=31111&hl="]RA Deep 5[/url] some time when the weather is a bit less of a pain. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted January 11, 2010 Author Share Posted January 11, 2010 [quote name='BigBeatNut' post='709523' date='Jan 11 2010, 10:40 PM']Verrrry nice. Just about perfect looks for me and 19mm spacing too. The only thing I could think of that [i]might[/i] make it even more perfect would be a 2nd mag pickup. We must arrange that A/B session with my [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=31111&hl="]RA Deep 5[/url] some time when the weather is a bit less of a pain. Andy[/quote] Thanks Andy. Yes, an AB session would be good as I've always loved Rob's basses. Drop me a PM when the snow clears? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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