Owen Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 I am going through a bit of an older bass phase (what I really want is a pre-CBS 5 string Jazz and P with 35" scale). Next week I might change, who knows? Clive Brown is a name which comes up at the very outer reaches of Google regarding building nice old Fenders, but can I get any solid info on the man? Can I heck. It is probable that he just does not need the publicity etc that the WWW would offer him, he is probably ticking along nicely with a dedicated fan base. Does anyone have any more info on him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozbass Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 As far as I know, Clive is a re-finish expert (specialising in reliced finishes) rather than a builder. Also, as far as I'm aware, he's based in Ripon. He's notoriously difficult to contact and has a very long waiting list. His work is also very expensive - but very good from what I've seen. If you're really serious about a pre-CBS type P with 5 strings, take a look at Alleva Coppolo - Jimmy is receiving extraordinary plaudits for his work. Some say his basses are the closest you'll get to an old Fender but in a 5 string version. I've only played his 4s but they are quite something to behold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share Posted February 23, 2010 (edited) Thanks Loz, in the very few bits of info about Clive (first name terms now!) that there are on the net there seem to be oblique references to stuff he has built. Maybe I am misreading things. I have seen some pics of his work and it does indeed look very fine. (if anyone cares to discuss relics then, ummmm.... I do not. I am not buying for anyone else). It is probably something to do with my slightly tragic anorak completist traits as well. I think that my main pleasure in the more mature instrument comes from the fact that because I played on a beaten up Jazz for so long I just got used to not having to look after the instrument I am playing. Since I moved to 5 strings MANY years ago this changed but I have been playing some older 4's recently and just MASSIVELY enjoy not having to care about whether it is hitting the arm of the chair, whether my coat zip is damaging the finish or how close is that shelf. The Alleva stuff looks very fine indeed, and would probably tick all my sonic boxes, but I also crave a bass that I do not need to cherish and nurture. Edited February 23, 2010 by owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozbass Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 Hi Owen, haha - sadly, I'm not on first name terms with Mr Brown! You could well be right and he is a builder as well as a re-fin expert, it's just that I've only ever encountered his name in connection with sprays and vintage restoration (his reputation is enormous!) I've not really tried too hard with respect to contact - I think I know a way of getting hold of CB and can PM if you're eager. I know what you mean - being relaxed about the bass and the environment in which you're playing is important (I've never really perceived bass-playing as a contact sport but the concerns are ever-present). I've seen a few Allevas come up over on Talkbass recently that might fit the bill. I think many of Jimmy's customers (I can claim first name terms here - woohoo!) are busy pro players so some of the second user ACs show signs of having been to work. I can also claim with some confidence that these basses sound and feel 'old' and played-in. Good luck with the search! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdy Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 [quote name='lozbass' post='755874' date='Feb 24 2010, 10:20 AM']Hi Owen, haha - sadly, I'm not on first name terms with Mr Brown! You could well be right and he is a builder as well as a re-fin expert, it's just that I've only ever encountered his name in connection with sprays and vintage restoration (his reputation is enormous!) I've not really tried too hard with respect to contact - I think I know a way of getting hold of CB and can PM if you're eager. I know what you mean - being relaxed about the bass and the environment in which you're playing is important (I've never really perceived bass-playing as a contact sport but the concerns are ever-present). I've seen a few Allevas come up over on Talkbass recently that might fit the bill. I think many of Jimmy's customers (I can claim first name terms here - woohoo!) are busy pro players so some of the second user ACs show signs of having been to work. I can also claim with some confidence that these basses sound and feel 'old' and played-in. Good luck with the search![/quote] He's right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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