Paul Bryant, Matteo Gofriller model 2006. Pics, audio (etc.) inside...

douglas81 · #1 11-27-2006, 12:41 PM

As promised, find below some pictures of the Bryant bass I'm currently trying out. I've given detailed shots of what I consider to be the great and not so great parts of this bass. In all, I would say the craftmaship, fit and finish are good for the money - around £5250 (about $10,250). It's a little plain, and, as some have said before, "rough and ready", but so far it seems to be a solid sounding bass.

I've only been playing DB for a couple of days, but I might brave it and post some audio clips tomorrow - would anyone be interested in that?

http://www.douglaswhates.com/bassima...nt/bryant.html <-- click here for the pics. On my monitor (a high end Sony LCD), the colour and look of these photos are a good representation of the bass in real life.

simandlhandle · #2 11-27-2006, 06:53 PM

The bass looks great . Well done - enjoy.

**Adrian Cho** · #3 11-27-2006, 07:04 PM

Thanks for posting those pics - it's nice to see some more detailed pics of Bryant's Gofriller model. I always wondered about those basses.

bdengler · #4 11-27-2006, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by douglas81

As promised, find below some pictures of the Bryant bass I'm currently trying out. It's a little plain, and, as some have said before, "rough and ready", but so far it seems to be a solid sounding bass.
I've only been playing DB for a couple of days, but I might brave it and post some audio clips tomorrow - would anyone be interested in that?

http://www.douglaswhates.com/bassima...nt/bryant.html <-- click here for the pics. On my monitor (a high end Sony LCD), the colour and look of these photos are a good representation of the bass in real life.

I have Bryant's solo model, and the finish (and color) appear very similar to the one in your picture. I agree the finish is rather "rough and ready," but the bass packs a lot of punch for a smaller 3/4 and is quite a value.

Brian

LOBass · #5 11-27-2006, 11:39 PM

I have some pictures of my Paul Bryant Gofriller model on TB Eye Candy Collection, see: http://www.thetalkbasses.com/ under "Tom Ruttan" tab.

BTW, I find the finish and the workmanship of the Bryant basses to be of a quite high level. The comments from a previous Bryant thread referred to the setup and final adjustments required to improve the playability rather than any criticism of the instrument finish.
Tom

douglas81 · #6 11-28-2006, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrian Cho

Thanks for posting those pics - it's nice to see some more detailed pics of Bryant's Gofriller model. I always wondered about those basses.

I'm only too happy to provide them - I was also curious about this bass before deciding to just go ahead an order one!

With regards to the whole "rough and ready" thing - I'm not saying it's bad looking, it just isn't exactly oozing finesse. For example, some of the purfling is a bit scruffy, and the scroll isn't the finest example I've seen and the end pin in a little bit squint. Also, there's a wee bit of excess varnish in certain points (it's gathered in the corners, for example) and in certain areas, it looks like some fine sawdust, or just plain dust, and a the odd hair has got mixed in with the varnish . Perhaps I'm just too used to seeing immaculately finished classical guitars. Also, my EB (I know, different kettle of fish!) is flawless, with regards to craftmanship and finish. I'm sure a lot of it has to do with the instrument being entirely hand made in the traditional manner. On my travels in and around London, all the shops were quite amazed Bryant can afford to make these basses at such a staggeringly low price, given the material and labour involved.

Again, I can only say that the important thing is that it seems very solid and has an even tone across the instrument.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOBass

The comments from a previous Bryant thread referred to the setup and final adjustments required to improve the playability rather than any criticism of the instrument finish.

I must admit, of all the basses I've tried out, the Bryant is a bit of a killer on the left hand. I think maybe the action at the nut is a bit higher than most that I've played.

douglas81 · #7 11-28-2006, 05:30 PM

http://www.douglaswhates.com/misc/au...yant_3days.mp3

That's the audio clip. I know no one has said they'd be interested, but I had the mic's all set up anyway. I recorded it to listen back to intonation (only been playing 3 days!), so apologies in advance for the rather sedate nature of the clip - on the plus side, it seems to record quite well! It's pizz only - I wouldn't want to assault anyone with my scratchy bowing quite just yet.

BMason · #8 11-30-2006, 08:24 PM

I've been waiting forever to get a good look at a Bryant. Thank you.

Cairobill · #9 12-04-2006, 05:53 AM

I've got one of these. It's strung with Spirocores. I love this bass - it was built by one Englishman in Hastings from start to finish yet didn't cost the price of a small house.

I did a gig not so long ago where the amp went down - A guy out front remarked that there was little effect on the bass, you could still hear it and feel it. It puts out a lot of full, fundamental sound yet it is a 3/4 with very easy access across the shoulders. The bass is deep front to back though, almost tubby....

Bryant's got a definite aesthetic going on. His instruments are built to last and to age well and the finish is not as, umm, 'glossy' as some, but they are very well built. We were chatting about basses, wood selection etc and he pointed out that a number of 'great basses' from the 18th and 19th century were built with the nearest available wood, which quite often included floorboards. i.e he's more interested in what makes a bass work that what makes them look good if you get my meaning. That's not to say that his basses aren't sexy to look at, but it's their fundamental quality that is attractive rather than simple cosmetic elements - I like that. Too often a bass can look perfect but sound like a hunk of crap because the wood is choked by the inch thick (but meticulous) varnish job that covers it.

My impression was that he seems to be into building 'honest' basses, where you can see the streaks in the varnish from where he applies a thin layer, let's it oxidise, applies a thin layer let's it oxidise and so on and on. As a result the finish may be a bit 'streaky' to some eyes but the sound...the wood sings freely...amazing.

They have got serious integrity, these basses. No short cuts.

I love mine...I'll post some pics at some point...

C

douglas81 · #10 12-04-2006, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cairobill

it's their fundamental quality that is attractive rather than simple cosmetic elements

Exactly my evaluation of the instrument. There's certainly no style over content here.

**Adrian Cho** · #11 12-04-2006, 09:57 AM

I don't want to put these basses down especially since I've not seen one in the flesh but from seeing the photos posted in this thread and reading the descriptions, this is simply what I'd call a bass with some rough and hurried finish and craftsmanship. It's basically a case of getting what you pay for. As douglas81 said, a lot of people are amazed that Bryant can sell these basses for the low price that he does. He focuses on an instrument that plays and sounds good and that is fundamentally well constructed but some of the finer details suffer. We all know the problems of a varnish that is too heavy or overly glossy as Cairobill has described but what douglas81 is talking about (scruffy purling, rough cut scroll, fine sawdust, or just plain dust, and the odd hair mixed in with the varnish) is just plain rough and hurried work. It is entirely possible to build a bass that plays and sounds great AND is beautifully finished with attention to the details. However if you're on a budget as many of us are and want something that plays and sounds great then it seems the Bryants may be a good bet.

Cairobill · #12 12-04-2006, 12:57 PM

I think the thing to remember with the Bryant basses is that each is an individual instrument every bit of which is carved and selected by one man who has a secure aesthetic and who knows his history. That was an element which swung me - I met him at his house, tried 4 and took one home on approval.

Regarding their...erm...'rustic' quality - I wouldn't say it's the result of rushing the construction...I don't think he knows the meaning of the word hurry, he's not prolific enough for that...

But bang for the buckwise they are definitely tip top.

C

Roger Davis · #13 06-22-2011, 04:42 AM

To bring this thread up to date: A couple of months ago I went to see Paul Bryant and purchased Bass No 83, a smallish model based on a George Panormo design. It really sings and I am so pleased with it. The comments by others on the finish rather put me off trying one for a year or two but having now bought mine I have no problem at all. To me it has all the hallmarks of an individual hand-built bass. You can almost (metaphorically) see the craftsman's hands in the finish. If you want a great finish then go to China perhaps. Hm.

As a previous poster put it, there is integrity there. Paul says he is now stopping building so he can concentrate on cruising the canals in his narrowboat. Let's hope he hasn't stopped for ever.