The Newest Bass from Atlansia and H. Noble

[girlonbass]

Atlansia of Japan makes some of most innovative and, I think, cool basses ever built. But, for some reason, they are largely unknown outside of Japan.

Yesterday I got a sneak peek at the latest offering from H. Noble. If you'd like to see a pic check out this article.

I'd love you hear what everyone thinks.

"Stay Tuned!"
Terri

[Immigrant]

Wow! That IS beautiful!

Thanks for another informative post!

[bassteban]

*Some reason* would, I think, be the fact that they are far too unusual to be terribly commercially successful, although I doubt that's the builder's aim. VERY nice-looking, IMO- and as stated, innovative.

[girlonbass]

Originally Posted by bassteban

*Some reason* would, I think, be the fact that they are far too unusual to be terribly commercially successful, although I doubt that's the builder's aim. VERY nice-looking, IMO- and as stated, innovative.

I think you're right. For me, I'm a bit of a website snob connoisseur and I think the Atlansia site is very difficult to navigate.

I've been GASsing for an Atlansia Victoria for years. Unusual, but beautiful. IMHO

Terri

[girlonbass]

There's a followup article on the one I posted a few days ago. More hi-res pictures and specifications now. Would love to hear what everyone thinks. You like? You don't like? Why?



thanks,
Terri

[Arnie]

has anyone have an estimated retail price range of these basses?

[elgecko]

It looks like a scuba bass!

[DiabolusInMusic]

I think it looks ugly as sin, but I would be very curious to try it out just to play with the electronics. I wonder about neck dive.

I had a good laugh though when the fellow mentions they have another design feature other luthiers are copying, the mono-rail bridge, like Atlansia invented it. I am pretty sure Ibanez has used them for a decade now.

[Dan B]

Looking at the bass, I think it would look quite stable actually, considering the upper horn goes to the 12th fret. The electronics are interesting to say the least. The pickups are rotatable, so you can orient the pole pieces however you want. So far, he's the only luthier that I have seen do that.

As for the monorail bridges; I think part of that is his design of the monorails. Sure, Ibanez might've been using one variant, but he could've designed another variant and patented THAT variant. That goes for other innovations that he came up with, ie the adjustable nut. Sure, Warwick has theirs, but it looks like Noble's design offers adjustment for each individual string.

I think his designs are more exercise ideas than production models. Sure, he builds them for people, but I think is aim is to make something that is a bit different and original for bass.

[SBsoundguy]

I'm not big on the fish fin.

[Luke19Boarder]

Don't really love the color ... and that fact that it doesn't look like there's much to anchor your thumb in the pickup region ... and it's not 5 strings. Everything else about it seems incredible though, I love the shape.

[girlonbass]

Originally Posted by DiabolusInMusic

I had a good laugh though when the fellow mentions they have another design feature other luthiers are copying, the mono-rail bridge, like Atlansia invented it. I am pretty sure Ibanez has used them for a decade now.

Firstly, I am not a fellow if you please.

Originally Posted by Dan B

As for the monorail bridges; I think part of that is his design of the monorails. Sure, Ibanez might've been using one variant, but he could've designed another variant and patented THAT variant. That goes for other innovations that he came up with, ie the adjustable nut. Sure, Warwick has theirs, but it looks like Noble's design offers adjustment for each individual string.

It's not my intent to debate who invented what, but H. Noble's designs date back to Aria Pro II from the late seventies and at least one Atlansia bass dating back to 1985 has a monorail bridge so who knows who invented it. Dingwalls have had them for years as well. Same with the screw nut. My '92 Corvette has one.

I'm just impressed with the level on innovation that goes into his instruments.

I'm really curious to know what people think of it from a design standpoint. I'm thinking people will love it or hate it. Seem's I may be right.

As to pricing, as of yesterday it hadn't been set. But I'm curious too.

Please keep up the feedback!

thanks,
Terri

PS See the Ibanez article with information about monorail bridges

[bootsox]

I'm not sold on that bridge, that no break angle thing has always proven to be detrimental to the tone.

[girlonbass]

A few people have been asking about the price of this bass. It's listed now at the bottom of the article.

[NightTripper]

That is amazing! FINALLY someone has come up with something new. I wonder how it sounds?

[TheEmptyCell]

That's probably the most futuristic looking bass I could stomach to play. I really like the integrated jack plate/ cord holder/ volume knob. Too bad the pickups don't slide up and down (neck to bridge), too. Then you'd need individual trim pots to adjust each pickup volume before the master volume.

[Steveaux]

Fugly.

I'll pass.

[hrodbert696]

I think it's gorgeous. I'd rock it in a second if I had the cash. 500,000 yen is apparently about $6200 at current exchange rates

[Emmaporkchop]

I've liked everything I've seen from Atlansia. First I had heard from them was from a review in Bass Player back in the 90's. I like any company coming up with something different design-wise. They're on a short list of basses I'd like to have some day (along w/ Wal, Zon & Pedulla).

[DWBass]