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Ristola Instruments

NickyBass

NickyBass

Supporting Member
Nov 28, 2005
6,523
4,128
Southern New Jersey
#1
I have read through the handful of threads that mention Ristola basses and it seems there is a pretty high opinion of them. I've been playing one and I was wondering how they compare to other boutique basses in the price range. Obviously, they are completely different instruments with unique sounds, but, well, I guess I'm asking since I haven't heard much about them as compared to, say, CB basses. I have an F bass to compare it to, but most of my knowledge of the actual instruments and makers is in the vintage area. So, anyone play one? Also, can the Bart soapbars be replaced with Nordstrands with no mods?
 
#2
I have 2, and have played 3 others. I have owned 2 Alembics, a Tobias, a Mouradian, and some high quality basses from larger companies such as Rickenbacker, Warwick, and the old US BC Rich. I have played basses in stores by companies such as MTD, PRS, Status, Lakland, and Sadowsky. Never seen a Fodera, Fbass, or most of the other names you mostly only hear on Talkbass (not a slam, but people here are often more aware than the average musician of these things).

Mine are both early models; his 3rd fretless, and the 1st Professional Series bass built. First the similarities in all the Ristolas I've played:

They all sound, play, and look great, easily on par with any boutique bass I have experienced. Brian uses a variety of woods and electronics, so the character of each instrument is different. Some are warm and vintage sounding; I played one with a Demeter preamp that had a super clean, hi fi sound. Not my sound at all, but it sounded awesome. The attention to detail in general seems to be very impressive. On the website you can see that whether you like spectacularly topped, flamboyant basses or simpler, painted "classic" looking basses there's something for you. His necks have the perfect feel for me. My 5 string is as comfortable as many 4 strings, and the fretless has a neck that is a joy to play.

The pickup question is out of my league, it would depend on the particular bass; it might be possible to get specs from the manufacturers' websites. If you are thinking about a custom order, I would imagine you could get any pickup you wanted. I don't know what the lead time is, or even if he is taking orders ATM, but unlike some luthiers he actually answers emails.

There are things about mine that I would have changed if they were custom orders, but I can't complain since they weren't. I would never have thought to order a bolt on, painted 5 string, but I played it out of curiosity and the sound was PERFECT for my needs. He knows what he's doing, that's for sure. The only actual negative quibble I could have would be that the batteries in the 5 string went dead quickly. I could have had Brian take a look at it under warranty, but I didn't want to be without the bass so I fixed it myself.

Before my career imploded, I had planned to have a custom made. Perhaps one day I will be able to afford it. I do worry though that if I did that I would never again play my Alembic.

the 5 sounds like this (well, one of the sounds)

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3330729&postcount=35

The fretless looks like this (no clips)

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2952693&postcount=8
 
#3
Thanks for the reply. The one I've been playing is the lightest bass I've ever played. Well...aside from my Hofner. I looks solid and feels great. The tone is nice with the Barts, but it's just not something that I'm used to. I may grow to like it, but was just wondering how much modification could be done with the electronics. That's a nice looking fretless!
So, anyone else???
 
#5
Hey guys. Havn't been around much as I don't have my computer yet and I just moved. Anyway, Brian is a good friend, a great guy and one hell of a builder. If you have an older bass Nicky than you really have to get your hands on one of his newer instruments. Really incredible basses. All the basses I've played of his played effortlessly and sounded wonderful. He'd be able to build you anything you'd want. I wouldn't hesitate having Brian build me a bass. As for switching out pickups, email or call Brian. He sells both Bartolini and Nordstrand pickups through bestbassgear, which he also owns and runs. You'll find him extremely helpful and quick to respond. Which bass do you have? Was it the Ash bodied 4 string from G Guitars with the bartolini J's wired passive?

Hope the F Bass is treating you well.

Be sure to give Brian a call. He's a wonderful person.
 
#6
Hey emjazz, the F bass is great. There have been alot of changes in my little collection and I'm leaning more towards small builders than vintage basses. I realized that there are so many nice new (used) basses out there. I like the Ristola a bit better because it's a four string and it already feels like home. I believe that it is this one http://www.ristolainstruments.com/spalted_myrtle_4.htm ...if not, then it looks exactly like it...grain pattern and all. I will give updates. The more I get to know them, the Barts are sounding great in passive mode. Maybe it's the pre. Or maybe I'm just a passive kinda guy.
 
#7
NickyBass said:
Hey emjazz, the F bass is great. There have been alot of changes in my little collection and I'm leaning more towards small builders than vintage basses. I realized that there are so many nice new (used) basses out there. I like the Ristola a bit better because it's a four string and it already feels like home. I believe that it is this one http://www.ristolainstruments.com/spalted_myrtle_4.htm ...if not, then it looks exactly like it...grain pattern and all. I will give updates. The more I get to know them, the Barts are sounding great in passive mode. Maybe it's the pre. Or maybe I'm just a passive kinda guy.
Click to expand...

Nicky, talk to Brian about the bass and find out what preamp is in it as well as if that bass has the Bartoini Classic Bass (CB) pickups in it. If you have the CB Barts than you're in the right direction. If you have a Bart preamp than I suggest you try something else. Brian will help though. He sells a lot of different brands.

Great to hear that you're diggin the F.

Cheers.
Andy.
 
#8
Here are the specs:
-Model - Exotic Series 4 string
-Body - Swamp Ash - Splated Sycamore Top
-Neck - 34" Scale maple / bubinga neck
-Fretboard - Morado
-Tuners - Hipshot Ultralight
-Bridge - Hipsho 'a' stlye
-Nut - bone
-Pickups - Bartolini BC4CBC soapbars
-Pre - Aguilar OBP3
-vol-blend-treb-mid-bass-active/passive switch-mid freq select
-Weight - 7 lbs 10 oz.
 
#9
So, I decided to keep this bass stock. I am really liking the tone now. After spending some time with it, I can say that it is one of the most comfortable basses that I've played. It is extremely light and it balances nicely on a strap. Sitting down, it does slide a bit, but it's not very much trouble since the bass is so light.

The construction is flawless. I haven't compared it to many other high end basses, but I can't find anything out of place. The neck is just a dream. It gets more comfortable the more I play it. (Not only am I getting more comfortable with the neck...but, it literally physically FEELS more comfortable as well.) I can't explain why, but I don't think that the previous owner played it much.

The electronics are layed out nicely. It looks like some of the wiring has been neatly taped with electrical tape, but I think that this was done by the previous owner. My only gripe with the layout is the volume knob feels too close when I'm slapping. I'm afraid that I'm going to hit the knob...although I never do. Active basses are nice, but I need a passive switch. Alot of my playing is in passive mode, so it's nice the this bass has the option with a switch, instead of a push/pull knob. It ruins the groove groove when I accidently hit the knob and put the bass into active mode. The Aguilar pre is nice, but like I said, I'm not to into active pres, so I can't really compare it to anything. The bass has a large array of tones. All of them completely usable. It's hard for me to explain tone in words, but I'll try. In passive mode, I could get a nice smooth, laid back tone. I wouldn't quite call it a vintage tone, but it is very warm and creamy (?) with a hint of growl. It is sensitive to dynamics, so when I dig in, I can get a bit more bite. When I switched to active mode, I prefered to just season it a bit, and I like the results. It's easy to get carried away with tone sculpting, so I try to just add a bit where needed. I liked the idea of setting the active knobs for slap tone, and flipping the switch back to passive for fingerstyle. I haven't tried this in a real world setting, but it seems like it could work.

I emailed Brian and he got back to me the next day. He was very nice and remembered me from a Best Bass Gear order I placed. I would definitely consider another bass from him, but for now, this one is serving me great.
 
#11
I've communicated with Brian on numerous occasions, and count him as a good internet friend. He's always had time to share - even while he was building his house.

As a builder, I can think of three other builders that I would excitedly order a custom bass from ... and Brian is at the top of my list. Top notch work all the way :bassist:

My only regret is not knowing of him until after I relocated from Boston to Seattle.

all the best,

R
 
#12
I've decided to order a bass from Brian. I'm already starting the bass sell off to fund it. I'm going with a 6 string fretless.
-Spanish Cedar body
-Figured mahogany top ( Most likely)
-Nordstrand dc6 & Aguilar pre.
-Morado fingerboard?? He has to check on this. Not sure if it can hold up against the roundwound strings.
-Neck - 34" Scale maple / bubinga
-Hipshot Ultralight tuners
-Hipshot 'a' stlye bridge
-Bone nut.

There are a lot of things that I have to iron out, including string spacing and neck width, but I was thinking that I'd leave the exact measurements to him and just give him a general idea. Hopefully we can get started this month. I'm really looking forward to working with him. It's been a joy already and we haven't even started.

So, anyone else play a Ristola?
 
#13
NickyBass said:
I've decided to order a bass from Brian. I'm already starting the bass sell off to fund it. I'm going with a 6 string fretless.
-Spanish Cedar body
-Figured mahogany top ( Most likely)
-Nordstrand dc6 & Aguilar pre.
-Morado fingerboard?? He has to check on this. Not sure if it can hold up against the roundwound strings.
-Neck - 34" Scale maple / bubinga
-Hipshot Ultralight tuners
-Hipshot 'a' stlye bridge
-Bone nut.

There are a lot of things that I have to iron out, including string spacing and neck width, but I was thinking that I'd leave the exact measurements to him and just give him a general idea. Hopefully we can get started this month. I'm really looking forward to working with him. It's been a joy already and we haven't even started.

So, anyone else play a Ristola?
Click to expand...

He really is a great person isn't he? Glad you're getting so much out of the process already.

That sounds like a really special bass. Weren't you a strickly 4 string passive bass guy until recently?:D That's one heck of a jump to 6 string fretless!
 
#15
emjazz said:
That sounds like a really special bass. Weren't you a strickly 4 string passive bass guy until recently?:D That's one heck of a jump to 6 string fretless!
Click to expand...


+1

Make sure you want to do this as a player, not just because you can afford it. I made that mistake of commissioning a 6-string and later finding out it hurt my hand. I should have stayed with a 5.:(
 
#16
Basso Gruvitas said:
+1

Make sure you want to do this as a player, not just because you can afford it. I made that mistake of commissioning a 6-string and later finding out it hurt my hand. I should have stayed with a 5.:(
Click to expand...

Nah! Don't listen to John!!!! He's a big baby......;)

Truthfully, the design of an instrument plays a bigger part in comfort. Brian's basses are so comfortable to play, not to mention they're 34" scale lengths, which helps tremendously on a 6 from what I've found.

I also just sold Nickybass my F Bass 6er so he's got some 6 stringin under his belt now. Nicky, you may want to go with 18mm at the bridge instead of 19mm like the F. You'd end up with a narrower neck and it's also easier on the hands. Just something to think about. If you already feel comfortable on the F though than you may just want to go with that.
 
#17
emjazz said:
Nah! Don't listen to John!!!! He's a big baby......;)
Click to expand...

I resemble that remark.;)

emjazz said:
Truthfully, the design of an instrument plays a bigger part in comfort. Brian's basses are so comfortable to play, not to mention they're 34" scale lengths, which helps tremendously on a 6 from what I've found.

I also just sold Nickybass my F Bass 6er so he's got some 6 stringin under his belt now. Nicky, you may want to go with 18mm at the bridge instead of 19mm like the F. You'd end up with a narrower neck and it's also easier on the hands. Just something to think about. If you already feel comfortable on the F though than you may just want to go with that.
Click to expand...

Cool - 6-string experience helps. Then you know what you're getting into.

So Andy, what are you playing now? I guess that Fender Squire worked out...?;)
 
#18
Basso Gruvitas said:
So Andy, what are you playing now? I guess that Fender Squire worked out...?;)
Click to expand...

Yeah, but it had too many strings so I took two of the strings off. I think I'm getting the hang of it.....

I got an older bolt on Ken Smith. The only thing I don't like is the short upper horn. Bloody useless. I'm glad that I tried the thinner spacing at the bridge though from the 19mm that I'm used to, not to mention I love the 34" scale length. I'll never go back to a longer scale again.
 
#19
emjazz said:
Weren't you a strickly 4 string passive bass guy until recently?:D That's one heck of a jump to 6 string fretless!
Click to expand...

Yes, and I blame you for that.;) j/k. Actually, I still am a 4 string passive guy. The Ristola that I have is now my main player, and I do run it in passive mode 99% of the time. But, I do get calls that I turn down due to lack of a b string. I decided that I'm going to keep the F bass for those gigs, and the fretless 6er is for me. Actually, since I bought the Risotla 4string, I haven't had the desire to play any of my other 4's, so alot of them are going. We all know that GAS can't be cured by the perfect bass, it only moves to a new area.
 
#20
Oh, and Andy, thanks for the advise on the 18mm string spacing. I'm going to look for a few 6ers in shops around me to try out. Imagine that conversation at GC. "Yeah, it plays great, but let me just get out my digital calipers." John--I hear you man. We haven't started yet, so I'm not completely set on a 6 string. It will be a player either way. I have a 4 string fretless that I'm selling to fund this one. I'd say I play it about 35% of my practise time, and maybe 10% of my gigs, so the new one will see alot of action. The F feels very comfortable, so I'm not worried about my hands. The only thing that I'm hesitant about is the 'pick me up factor.' I can't walk by the Ristola 4 without picking it up. I'm sure a 6 would scream to be held, but that 4 just feels so good in my hands.
 

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