Callowhill Basses? What do you think?

Mr. Majestic · #1 11-19-2007, 10:45 AM

I have recently been introduced to Tim Cloonan's work at Callowhill Basses and I have been just blown away. He has several models that are very unique, but the ones that give me GAS pains the most are his newest J-Bass ventures. I believe he calls the J(unk)-Basses.

What do you guys think? Have any of you played any of his instruments?

http://callowhill.net/

cnltb · #2 11-19-2007, 11:29 AM

To me the shape doesn't work( aesthetically ).

ProgRapture · #3 11-19-2007, 11:33 AM

They look fantastic, but I'm not a huge fan of superjazzes.

Mr. Majestic · #4 11-19-2007, 11:40 AM

I used to be a big fan of single-cuts and high end basses but here lately I really have been shifting over to the "super jazzes" out there. I am ordering a Nordy from Nordstrand and currently own a Devon Daimond J. I really dig the Jazz basses, but lean more toward the modern looking ones. I wish I could put my hand on one of these Callowhills, I think Tim builds for several other makers out there and I believe it would be a great instrument.
I kind of dig the headstock, also.

Nedmundo · #5 11-19-2007, 12:13 PM

I met Tim Cloonan at a bass builders' showcase in Philly a couple of years ago, which included Matt Pulcinella. I tried a Callowhill Infini four string unplugged. It felt amazing, and can't have weighed more than about seven pounds. I tried a fiver too, but don't remember much about it, probably because I wasn't interested in fives. They were beautifully made, no doubt about that. I spoke with Tim for awhile about pickup design, his building experience, etc. He is a very nice guy, whose confidence and professional attitude made a positive impression.

Joelc73 · #6 11-19-2007, 01:05 PM

Tim is the real deal. He's very talented and incredibly detail-oriented. His instruments are wonderful creations.

tlcbass · #7 11-19-2007, 01:52 PM

Dudes, Tim Cloonan is the real deal. Everything I've ever played from him has been awesome! I've currently got my hands on a fretless MJ5 and it is amazing. Plus Tim is a really cool guy, very easy going, very reliable.

Mr. Majestic · #8 11-19-2007, 02:19 PM

Tim is a straight-up nice guy who is a great luthier. I sell ash to him and have grown to appreciate his ability. I sell ash to many different builders and take interest in many of there instruments. I try not to get carried away too much and go on a buying spree, but I am genuinely interested in his basses and appreciate all of your input. I think just from looking that his basses are great, and would like more input of players that actually play them.

**j-raj** · #9 11-19-2007, 02:20 PM

yes Tim is the real deal and very cool person, I consider him one of my great friends in the industry.

cybersnyder · #10 11-19-2007, 02:31 PM

Why doesn't he list the J5 on the website? There's a price listed, but I can't find any other details.

Mr. Majestic · #11 11-19-2007, 02:55 PM

I think he will update his site shortly. Here is a link to his myspace account, it shows several J's, check them out in the pics.
http://www.myspace.com/callowhill

roadkill2309 · #12 11-19-2007, 03:52 PM

Dude, with that logo and stuff, I always find his basses to look really hip-hop/gospel-esque.

Not a bad thing, just an observation.

Mr. Majestic · #13 11-19-2007, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadkill2309

Dude, with that logo and stuff, I always find his basses to look really hip-hop/gospel-esque.

Not a bad thing, just an observation.

I really dig that headstock, but I think I like that logo more. Really separates his from the others out there.

flipper_gv · #14 11-19-2007, 04:33 PM

look great, must have great vintage tone by looking at the pickup configuration

Matt Fat Cat · #15 11-19-2007, 04:46 PM

The basses look great... for that price range, you can get many different luthiers to build a bass. For $2700, the bass better have me jaw dropped and drooling or... I'm gonna design the bass to my spec's. If these basses are "your thing"... I say buy 2 of them!

Mr. Majestic · #16 11-19-2007, 05:31 PM

I believe $2700 is for the flagship DH6. In the world of custom instruments, I don't think that's too bad. I mean if you compare that to a MTD @ $5000, a Ken Smith @ $4000, and a Fodera @ $9000. I have owned many high-end instruments and just like life you get what you want or you get what you settle for. Either way, I believe a luthier at the top of their game should be able to charge whatever the market will support. I know many luthiers that could build me something for less, and I will probably get them to in the future, but I don't think $1850 for a custom, "to my spec", bass is too much for these J-Basses.

rwelcome · #17 11-19-2007, 10:13 PM

Tim is a great human being. His stuff is well thought out, and he really focuses on detail. If I didn't make my own stuff I'd totally consider a Callowhill. He has some models with woodburning on the sides of the headstock that looks amazing.

jeremyr · #18 11-19-2007, 10:17 PM

I've played the Jazz V prototype thats pictured above (it was built for a friend of mine) and the DH6.

Top of the line quality and light as a veather. That Marcus Jazz has more bottom then a big woman at a county fair. It really is just ridiculous. The playability along with the tonal response is just nuts.

The DH6 has to be the lightest and easiest 6 string I've ever played. I relaly can't say enough good stuff about the callowhill basses.

g4string · #19 11-19-2007, 10:28 PM

I think I am making a phone call tomorrow! Those basses look nice!

Mr. Majestic · #20 11-20-2007, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwelcome

Tim is a great human being. His stuff is well thought out, and he really focuses on detail. If I didn't make my own stuff I'd totally consider a Callowhill. He has some models with woodburning on the sides of the headstock that looks amazing.

I checked out his website and saw the woodburning on the headstock, really cool and unique. I also checked out your site and you have some really amazing instruments. You know, I really am glad we moved out of the dark ages of bass design and contruction. I mean, just 25 years ago we had like 3 unique choices, all of which had production and profit as their main driving force.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremyr

I've played the Jazz V prototype thats pictured above (it was built for a friend of mine) and the DH6.

Top of the line quality and light as a veather. That Marcus Jazz has more bottom then a big woman at a county fair. It really is just ridiculous. The playability along with the tonal response is just nuts.

The DH6 has to be the lightest and easiest 6 string I've ever played. I relaly can't say enough good stuff about the callowhill basses.

Thanks, this is exactly the input I am looking for and precisely what I thought.