FS/FT - Jeff Berlin Patchwork

[dharmashawn]

Dean USA Jeff Berlin (SN 09-00382) with original hardshell case. $1000

At this time this is a one-of-a-kind Bass, as this is the prototype for their planned production model. I am not sure if they are going to do it; the tag states NAMM 2009 and I have yet to find/see another one around.
The Bass plays flawless and is amazingly fun to play.

Then why sell it? Well, I have recently been playing my newly acquired Clement 32” and I am considering a Pete Hilton 32”.

People that have played this Bass immediately comment on the slim neck and flat fingerboard. The frets are low profile/medium-wide, which coupled with the flat fingerboard gives the bass ridiculously low action.
The Bartolini pickups are custom wound to Jeff’s specs and unique to his models. The wider spacing gives the Bass a variety of tones to choose from despite the lack of active eq.

True, this is a Dean and $1000 for a Dean seems crazy; however, this is not yr typical Edge or Hillsboro model. It is a finely crafted, made in the USA, Bass from a company that is normally associated with the low > mid price instruments they also produce.

Other specs:
• Exotic Patchwork Top - (Paduk, Spalted Maple, Zebra, Koa, Walnut, Purple Heart, Bubinga, Burled Maple)
• Alder Body - (There are a couple small dings on the bottom, but absolutely nothing on the beautiful face.)
• 34" Scale
• Bolt-On Maple Neck
• Ebony Fingerboard
• Abalone Dot Inlays
• Schaller Tuners
• Black Hardware
• Schaller Bridge

Thanks for looking and
Be Well



http://s1091.photobucket.com/albums/...n%20Patchwork/

[antontanzil]

Myself and Joe Porter (Players School Teacher) was actually the first 2 people to play this bass when it was sent to Jeff. That time Jeff was on his Asian tour with Scott Henderson and Dennis Chambers.

I was in his office with Joe when we saw the unopened case, and Joe told me it has just arrived earlier, the Dean guys drop it at the school. And we decided to try it before Jeff does

Very-very nice Bass, similar neck profile, sound, etc from Jeff's own Bass, the strings that came with the bass were kind of bright though, but then Jeff puts on DR Low Beams, and I played it again and it's just right on. Forgive me to say I don't really like the neck PU being to close to the neck, it made me hard to do slapping. But again, Jeff doesn't. But one thing I remembered very well, the fingerboard is flat, neck is slim, very nice to do some fast playing there. And with a low eq boost from the amp, this bass is fat as any bass could be!

So why did Jeff let it go? If I may ask...
And is it a 32" scale? It felt like a 34" to me...

[dharmashawn]

I have no idea why Jeff did not keep her.

It is a 34", but I have recently discovered the joy/fun of the 32" scale and absolutely Love it!!

[EduardoK]

Originally Posted by dharmashawn

It is a 34", but I have recently discovered the joy/fun of the 32" scale and absolutely Love it!!

Not to hijack the thread but you're very welcomed to join the "official medium scale bass club"

[Low Main]

At a quick glance, it looks like they may have moved the neck pickup down away from the neck and closer to the bridge a little bit.

I have an original run Czech Republic Berlin Exotic from 1999-2000 on the bench getting set up at the moment. I'll have to go compare the pickup location of that one to this one. It'll just be an eyeball comparison unless someone has pickup location specs for this bass.

Either way, the pickups are spaced well apart from each other and you can get a lot of tonal variety from these basses.

For Lakland fans, the pickup placement on the Jerry Scheff bass is almost identical to the Berlin bass. The bridge pickup on the Berlin is 1/8" closer to the bridge (or 1/8" farther away from the 20th fret).

The Czech and US Berlin basses are very nice indeed. Never tried the lower priced Asian manufactured ones though.

[dharmashawn]

*Boom* - Ding pics have been added - up top or here:

http://s1091.photobucket.com/albums/...n%20Patchwork/

[Wilbyman]

I keep looking at this...can you describe the greyish/round mark on the back of the neck at the heel? It looks a little like a cig burn. Is is deep, through the finish, or just a discoloration? Sorry to pester you.

[dharmashawn]

That (mark) was disclosed to me by Dean prior to purchasing.

The mark appears to be from a mis-drilled neck bolt. It is plugged up with putty and is only really an eye sore. The location is way up on the neck and does not affect playability what so ever.
If you go to the Dean website and look under Basses > Jeff Berlin > Patchwork you can see that this is the Bass used for the pictures as the mark is visible.

I think of it as "Character"

[Rumblefisher]

Originally Posted by antontanzil

Forgive me to say I don't really like the neck PU being to close to the neck, it made me hard to do slapping.

Sounds to me like you in fact DID like it.

I'm just kidding, thanks for the history post, it was fun to read.

[dharmashawn]

Okay, going to try one last round and offer the bass up at an even $1000 for a few days.

After that We'll just keep her, as she does play well with others!!

[Low Class]

Found a video of this bass:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRRwK4BianA

[dharmashawn]

pm's replied; there is still some interest so we'll keep her posted here

[4Fretless]

Hi from the Netherlands,

Is the bass still available?

Take care,


Rob

Originally Posted by dharmashawn

This is the prototype which the DEAN USA Florida factory made for Jeff to play for a few months and give the go-ahead on. There are a couple small dings on the bottom, but absolutely nothing on the beautiful face.

• Exotic Patchwork Top (Paduk, Spalt, Zebra, Koa, Walnut, Purple Heart, Bubinga, Burled Maple)
• Alder Body
• 34" Scale
• Bolt-On Maple Neck
• Ebony Fingerboard
• Abalone Dot Inlays
• Schaller Tuners
• Black Hardware
• Schaller Bridge
• Bartolini Pickups

Going to try a few more days and then keep, as she is fun to play


$1000 $900

Still trying to move her:
Reasonable Offer anyone?


http://s1091.photobucket.com/albums/...n%20Patchwork/

[dharmashawn]

Originally Posted by 4Fretless

Hi from the Netherlands,

Is the bass still available?

Take care,


Rob

It is.

[dharmashawn]

Day Before the Bay - bump

[dharmashawn]

New Pics added and Album Changed (on all previous posts as well)

http://s1091.photobucket.com/albums/...n%20Patchwork/

[dharmashawn]

Still Available - Taking reasonable offers