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Double Bass A. Batchelder & Son Bass

#61
oldfretless said:
If you were looking for a bass in that price range, would you buy that bass or would you opt for one of the Prescott copies, a la Gage or Kolstein? Opinions?
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I think for that much money, it'd behoove anyone to try new and old. Andy Stetson makes a nice-looking copy, too, although I'm on the wrong coast to have tried one.

There is something undeniably sexy about owning a piece of history like the Batchelder.
 
#64
Having played a few of Kolstien's shop's work and the Batchelder I'd purchase the Batch in a second over them in general, all prices being equal. Kolstien's work is excellent and I really liked a bass he'd made when I was there over the summer...I can't remember the details at the moment...I didn't get a chance to play the Prescott copy but I've heard it's equally excellent.

Regardless of the excellence in new construction there is very little substitute for 150 year old wood. That's the edge of the Batchelder over something newer. We discussed this in great length earlier this year in the New build vs. Old Bass thread.

I'm very clear on those differences these days. The new builds I played by Nick Lloyd and Arnold Schnitzer were both impeccable. Great sound, great playing, balanced and fantastic overall. Virtually maintainence free compared to the old basses. In addition many of the old basses I played just sucked. Having a new build is far superior to that.

Regardless the better old basses have a depth and complexity to them the new basses will take way past my lifetime to get to. Basses like my Alsatian Queen have a resonance, a depth, and a vibrancy that nothing new has. For me that Gravitas is worth putting up with the hassles of living with an old bass.

Now having lived a couple months with an old bass I'm convinced the old bass thing is the way to go for me. I think it's a personal choice. Whether that matters out front or on a recording is debateable but I know it makes a difference in how I play and how I relate to my instrument.

The Ghosts in these old boxes are very fun to live with. They give me stuff that I don't have otherwise. I gigged like a madman with my Cleveland bass having bought it brand new in 2005. Its turned into a really great bass in a short time but it's only got me in there. It pales in comparison to the 150 year old Alsatian Queen.
 
#68
Uncletoad said:
Having played a few of Kolstien's shop's work and the Batchelder I'd purchase the Batch in a second over them in general, all prices being equal. Kolstien's work is excellent and I really liked a bass he'd made when I was there over the summer...I can't remember the details at the moment...I didn't get a chance to play the Prescott copy but I've heard it's equally excellent.

Regardless of the excellence in new construction there is very little substitute for 150 year old wood. That's the edge of the Batchelder over something newer. We discussed this in great length earlier this year in the New build vs. Old Bass thread.

I'm very clear on those differences these days. The new builds I played by Nick Lloyd and Arnold Schnitzer were both impeccable. Great sound, great playing, balanced and fantastic overall. Virtually maintainence free compared to the old basses. In addition many of the old basses I played just sucked. Having a new build is far superior to that.

Regardless the better old basses have a depth and complexity to them the new basses will take way past my lifetime to get to. Basses like my Alsatian Queen have a resonance, a depth, and a vibrancy that nothing new has. For me that Gravitas is worth putting up with the hassles of living with an old bass.

Now having lived a couple months with an old bass I'm convinced the old bass thing is the way to go for me. I think it's a personal choice. Whether that matters out front or on a recording is debateable but I know it makes a difference in how I play and how I relate to my instrument.

The Ghosts in these old boxes are very fun to live with. They give me stuff that I don't have otherwise. I gigged like a madman with my Cleveland bass having bought it brand new in 2005. Its turned into a really great bass in a short time but it's only got me in there. It pales in comparison to the 150 year old Alsatian Queen.
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So glad your so happy w/ her, Phil.
It's great bass to be sure.

Bri
 
#70
I’m surprised my opinion that the Butcheldered is ugly would incite TalkDoubleBassers to bombard me with insults: a stupid, ugly, childish, ignorant, closeminded @$$#*!& / troll who crapped his pants. I promise, I'll never call a bass ugly again.

And I think Ken Smith was banned because he didn't follow the rules. I'd like to see him allowed back too. Don't you think he's been grounded long enough to learn his lesson?

Anyhow, I'm certain the original poster doesn't care a tinker's damn about my opinion of aesthetics. And there seems to be some good information on this thread about the bass; at least two people have played it, UncleToad and Bassist14.
 
#71
Bass said:
I’m surprised my opinion that the Butcheldered is ugly would incite TalkDoubleBassers to bombard me with insults: a stupid, ugly, childish, ignorant, closeminded @$$#*!& / troll who crapped his pants. I promise, I'll never call a bass ugly again.

And I think Ken Smith was banned because he didn't follow the rules. I'd like to see him allowed back too. Don't you think he's been grounded long enough to learn his lesson?

Anyhow, I'm certain the original poster doesn't care a tinker's damn about my opinion of aesthetics. And there seems to be some good information on this thread about the bass; at least two people have played it, UncleToad and Bassist14.
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My reason for calling you a troll had nothing to do with your opinion. I could definitely see how many people can think of the Batchelder as being ugly and disfigured.

I called you a troll because you decided to incite everybody by calling the bass 'Crapelder', and now 'Butcheldered'. I just think it's unnecessary and unreasonable. You opinions about the bass are noted and respected by me, but your name-calling is not.
 
#72
dchan said:
...I called you a troll because you decided to incite everybody by calling the bass 'Crapelder', and now 'Butcheldered'. I just think it's unnecessary and unreasonable....
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You missed my favorite, Bastelturd. I think it's clever and witty, and a very apt description of how I think the bass looks. But I'm not convinced that calling a bass names makes me a troll.

Upon reflection, I can see how others judge the bass as beautiful. It has unique characteristics that one may grow to appreciate.
 
#73
Bass said:
You missed my favorite, Bastelturd. I think it's clever and witty, and a very apt description of how I think the bass looks. But I'm not convinced that calling a bass names makes me a troll.

Upon reflection, I can see how others judge the bass as beautiful. It has unique characteristics that one may grow to appreciate.
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Mirror, mirror, on the wall...........:D
 
#77
Ahhh Ken. Hilarious. I wish I had the chance to play that bass. It looks fine to me! I had an older bass a few years ago that I bought from Barrie Kolstein, and it was really rough looking. Such a sweet sound though(though a bit on the quiet side). How often do you look at your bass while you are playing a gig? Everyone here knows that when you are getting a great sound on the job it is so much more inspiring to play.
 
#78
Uncle, you're a gas! :D

I personally prefer the old & the ugly when it comes to instruments. Scarred up old basses, preferably with hat-pegs, F-5s with little sunburst left and wartime D-18s with coruscated tops are some of my favourite things.

There are some really talented builders today making fine, fine instruments, but the depth and the openness that comes from being played for 50 or 100 years is truly magic.

That Batchelder looks tempting to me...........
 
#79
Uncletoad said:
Check this out.

Ken's in the house.....
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That's excellent.... thanks for that. I gotta remember to stop in over there, I miss Ken too.

You know, that is not the prettiest bass I've ever seen. Yet I know if I had it in my house, I wouldn't be able to keep my hands off of it.... and nobody who matters to me would have any issues with its appearance, I don't think. It reminds me of that Dewey Redman title "Ear Of The Behearer" :D I think that phrase fits perfectly here.
 

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