Ristola 6 string bass

[emjazz]

I'm letting go of my favorite bass to date as Brian will be making me a new one soon. Here's the catch, I can't let this one go for another three to four weeks as I'm having my other bass refretted and need it back before this one's out the door. However, being the economy that it is, I figured I'd list it as it may take some time to sell.

Until I get some pictures up, you can see the bass at http://www.ristolainstruments.com/flame_maple_6.htm.
A newer picture of the bass is below.

The only difference from the description is that it has Delano dual coil pickups now (fabulous pickups) and it has a ramp between the pickups.

It has a few small pin sized marks in the finish and a slightly larger one on the back that just happened (by me at Brian's shop......nice). It's in great condition and is just one year old.

So, here's the scoop:

ash body
flame maple top
maple/bubinga neck
pau ferro fingerboard
34" scale
18mm string spacing
Delano dual coils
Aguilar OBP-3 preamp with push/pull midrange
series/parallel switches for each pickup

The bass comes with a case, but one shoulder strap ripped out at the bottom. You can still carry it with the side handle. It's a soft/hard case and will help protect the bass in shipment.

I've owned F Bass, Roscoe, Fodera, Ken Smith, Stambaugh.....all great basses. Brian Ristola's basses are up there with those names for sure, and it's the one that I've preferred in the end. I'm sure that whomever ends up with this great bass will be as happy with it as I've been.

The bass is $2400 shipped within the US. No trades.

PM me with any questions. Thanks.

[emjazz]

....and be sure to vote today!!!!!!

[west*coast*bass]

Nice bass Andy...

Voted!

[emjazz]

Originally Posted by west*coast*bass

Nice bass Andy...

Voted!

Thanks Mark! I love this bass. It's the most difficult bass that I've had to sell. The only comfort is knowing that my next bass will have everything that's great about this one with all of the things that I need to be different in a bass (scale length, string spacing, number of frets).

[west*coast*bass]

What are the differences between this one and the new one?

[emjazz]

Originally Posted by west*coast*bass

What are the differences between this one and the new one?

The new one will be a 33" scale, 26 frets, 16.5mm string spacing, 2" nut width, cherry body, ebony board. It'll be quite different actually. I think I'll be going with Kent Armstrong dual coils and an ACG preamp in it.

[west*coast*bass]

Nice...

[emjazz]

Just wanted to bump this and say that I had it out on two gigs this weekend. With the newly installed OBP-3 preamp it sounds bigger and punchier than it did before. Great bass!

[rythmicillusion]

BUMP

I've played this instrument, and it is truly phenomenal. In addition to a great sound and excellent playability, the construction and finish work is startling. I have *never* played a bass with such a good fit and feel. If I was looking for a 6 string, this would certainly be it.

emjazz is also someone that I do not hesitate to make a deal with. Tons of integrity, easy to work with and one of the best laughs on the eastern seaboard! Oh yeah, and a scorching motha on the bass...

[emjazz]

Originally Posted by rythmicillusion

BUMP

I've played this instrument, and it is truly phenomenal. In addition to a great sound and excellent playability, the construction and finish work is startling. I have *never* played a bass with such a good fit and feel. If I was looking for a 6 string, this would certainly be it.

emjazz is also someone that I do not hesitate to make a deal with. Tons of integrity, easy to work with and one of the best laughs on the eastern seaboard! Oh yeah, and a scorching motha on the bass...

Thanks Andy.....and give me a call soon!

[Dave Muscato]

Heyo,

- Could you describe the neck profile?
- Is the ramp removable? Do you have any pics of the bass with it?
- Soundclips?
- How's the weight & balance?

Thanks,
Dave

[emjazz]

Originally Posted by Dave Muscato

Heyo,

- Could you describe the neck profile?
- Is the ramp removable? Do you have any pics of the bass with it?
- Soundclips?
- How's the weight & balance?

Thanks,
Dave

Hey Dave. I'll get pics of the bass as it is within the next couple of days. My camera isn't at home at the moment.

The neck profile is one of the things that attracted me to Brian's basses. It reminds me of the Roscoe's that I used to have, with just a little more depth to it. It's a flattened C profile. One of the most comfortable necks that I've played.

The ramp is on with double sided tape. It comes off easily with no marks.

The balance is perfect. It's one of the reasons why I got it after having a couple of Roscoe SKB's and then an older Smith. The weight is right at 10lbs. Someone came by last week to check it out and brought a scale as he has back problems. He mentioned himself that because of how it's designed the bass feels lighter then it is. I would a agree. As someone who also has back problems, I can play a couple of hours with this bass strapped on with no issues. With other basses I've not been able to sleep at night. I don't have that problem with the Ristola.

Also, the bass is effortless to play. It really takes the bass out of the equation as far as playing is concerned.

I'll try and get some soundclips up before the holiday as well as pictures.

[Dave Muscato]

Is this the same bass, with the ramp on? I found it on your MySpace page:



Also, what's the nut width? Do you still have the Barts?

Best,
Dave

[emjazz]

Yeah, that's the bass at Toad in Cambridge. I'll get better pics in the morning.

The spacing at the bridge is 18mm and the width at the nut is 2 3/16th".

I took the Bart pickups out after less than a week with them in. I hated them in this bass within one note of one gig. They're long gone. I then had Nordstrand Dual coils and now the Delano's. The Delano dual coils are such great pickups for this bass. They made the bass much more responsive and articulate.

[Dave Muscato]

Cool. I've never tried Delanos but heard good things. Is the ramp radiused to match the fingerboard?

[emjazz]

Originally Posted by Dave Muscato

Cool. I've never tried Delanos but heard good things. Is the ramp radiused to match the fingerboard?

Indeed it is.

The Delanos are really fabulous pickups. They are very clear but warm sounding pickups. They're very dynamic. Every slight change in technique or placement of your fingers comes through. Harmonics jump out in a way that didn't occur with the other pickups that have been in the bass.

[emjazz]

Here's a quick picture of the bass. Note that it looks a bit washed out here as my camera is having some issues.

[emjazz]

Here's the small hit the bass took recently. It's small and doesn't go through the finish to the wood.

[Dave Muscato]

Originally Posted by emjazz

Very nice! You have PM.

[rythmicillusion]

Please, somebody buy this before I opt into a ****** credit card agreement!