Contemporary American makers

[ekspain]

Hey peeps!

I'm in the market for a new bass, and I'm exploring various options.

It seems there are some great luthiers in the U.S at the moment

and it would be great to get some feed back from anyone who may know

anything. anyone try anything from Chris Weigand from Heartland

or Nick LLoyd in Cinncinati?? Those are the two makers I'm looking at,

at the moment. Both their work looks great. Any thoughts out there??

thanks! EKSPAIN

[Eric Hochberg]

Both of those makers build beautiful basses. I've played one from each and thought they were both great.

[ekspain]

Surely. But could you perhaps describe your experiences.

[marvin spangles]

I have a hybrid La Scala by Arnold Schnitzer. I think it is an outstanding bass particularly for Pizz. It does bow really well too. It has a very sweet tone with loads of character. It is a perfect bass for gigging in many different ensembles. I use it for Jazz, folk/rock and classical. It amplifies really well too. In fairness I have only experienced about 8 different basses and they tend to be all under $8000 so I can't compare to high end instruments.
peter

[Eric Hochberg]

Originally Posted by ekspain

Surely. But could you perhaps describe your experiences.

The Lloyd bass was being shown at the 2005 ISB. It had a full and even sound bottom to top, played very easily and was gorgeous to look at. It did not sound like a particularly new bass and had character.

I played the T-Weigand bass last summer when he was taking it around the country to show. It had a shorter SL, I think 39", and had a huge sound in the apartment I saw it in. I'd say the sound was on the brighter side, but with a lot of depth and really ballsy. It was set up more for orchestral playing so it wasn't particularly easy for me to get around on jazz wise, which is what I do, but the classical player auditioning it put it through it's paces so I got to hear it from that perspective.

Arnold's Ergo bass from 2005 was my favorite at the ISB. Very even, rich sounding and totally fun to play and look at.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by marvin spangles

I have a hybrid La Scala by Arnold Schnitzer...

As I understand, their quality and value aside, these are German-made with neck-sets and finishing done in the USA. Don't seem to fit the OP's category of being produced by "contemporary American makers."

[Ken McKay]

Originally Posted by ekspain

Hey peeps!

I'm in the market for a new bass, and I'm exploring various options.

It seems there are some great luthiers in the U.S at the moment

and it would be great to get some feed back from anyone who may know

anything. anyone try anything from Chris Weigand from Heartland

or Nick LLoyd in Cinncinati?? Those are the two makers I'm looking at,

at the moment. Both their work looks great. Any thoughts out there??

thanks! EKSPAIN

You can't go wrong with a Lloyd.

I have never seen Chris Weigand's bass in person, but they look very interesting in photos.

Another suggestion is Aaron Reiley at the Guarneri House in Grand Rapids Michigan. He makes a couple different sizes. Nice orchestra basses.

[Don Higdon]

http://www.aesbass.com/handmadebasses.htm

Mine:AES Walnut

[BostonPop01]

I'd recommend checking out Bill Lakeberg (of the Cincinnati Bass Cellar). I ended up purchasing his recent ISB silver medal winner right after it got back from the competition. I've had the chance to compare it to several renowned contemporary and pedigreed basses, and have yet to be disappointed.

[Paul Warburton]

+1 for Arnold. (as usual).
EDIT: Experience with, only once. His very first bass owned by Bill McCrossen. Big, wonderful sound with unbelieveable tonal adjustment. (avoiding his most a hated word action).

Oops.

[JKincaid]

I have one of Chris Threlkeld-Weigand's small-model basses and I love it. I swear it's the easist instrument I've ever played. It's extremely responsive (as I've played a number of them, I feel confident in saying this is a general characteristic of his basses.) It has a clear, deep, rich sound. Because of the small size it doesn't have that big cushion that his larger models do but it definately holds its own in the orchestra.

[robobass]

I just played a Jeff Bollback bass that's being used in the NY Phil. Excellent!

[JKincaid]

I like his tailpieces.

[billyfalconer]

Originally Posted by ekspain

Hey peeps!
It seems there are some great luthiers in the U.S

Anne Cole in New Mexico, and Kai Arvai. (Kai Arvi is North American, but not US, if that actually matters to you. Your thread title says American, but the body of your message says US; they are not synonymus.)

[pathdoc2]

Sal Giardina makes very few basses but they are of excellent quality. He is located near New Orleans.

http://www.salvadorgiardina.com/index.html

Check out the natural double bass on his page. It is a thing of unmeasurable beauty.

[marvin spangles]

Originally Posted by drurb

As I understand, their quality and value aside, these are German-made with neck-sets and finishing done in the USA. Don't seem to fit the OP's category of being produced by "contemporary American makers."

Yes of course you are right they are originally German. However Arnold does make his own basses (AES basses) which have a very strong reputation.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by marvin spangles

Yes of course you are right they are originally German. However Arnold does make his own basses (AES basses) which have a very strong reputation.

I'm well aware of that. I think Arnold draws a firm distinction between the basses he personally crafts under the AES label and those sold under the New Standard label. So, the La Scala really isn't a proper exemplar.

[Jason Sypher]

Daniel Hachez of New Mexico (Robertson Violins)
Ed Maday

[A. Munk]

Hannah does indeed make great sounding basses
http://www.maynebass.com/

[pathdoc2]

OMG, Hannah makes beautiful instruments. What a cool woman.