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Adler Basses...anyone?

#65
emjazz said:
How about the Northeast in the States first!!!!! The two basses that I'd really like to try are Bee basses and Adlers and they're no where to be found out here.
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The best way to get any brand of instrument in your area is to start asking music stores to carry them. There is one thing that motivates businesses to carry a new product... they have to know that they are losing money by not having an instrument in their store.


Mike
 
#66
adlerguitars said:
The best way to get any brand of instrument in your area is to start asking music stores to carry them. There is one thing that motivates businesses to carry a new product... they have to know that they are losing money by not having an instrument in their store.


Mike
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I hear ya Mike. The difficult thing is that Boston is just such a big vintage market that not much past a fender sells here. It's really strange seeing how there's Berklee and all. It's just such a rock and roll town though. When you do see a 5 string it's pretty much a fender copy of some sort or else a musicman. As far as jazz goes, it's really a big upright town. Not much outside of that for jazz bass players. I'm actually able to play jazz the most when I'm on a gig with an upright player.
 
#68
adlerguitars said:
That's a surprise, I would have thought just the opposite...

Of course, I'm in California so what would I know about Boston :)
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It surprised me as well. Friend's of mine have a shop in Boston. It's the only shop that carries great bass gear in all of Boston. They used to carry more higher end basses like F bass, Mike Lull, Roscoe and such. Those basses would just sit there for months and months. From a shop owners point of view, that's a terrible postion to be in. You know, it doesn't help that our economy gets worse by the day....... :scowl: I've tried to get those guys to try some cool new stuff out there but it just doesn't make sense for them right now.

Actually, the only high end anything they do well with are Tyler guitars.........I think it's just because Tyler has a great reputation and very few dealers.

You know, while I'm talking about this, it also has to do with how builders deal with their dealers. You can't expect your dealer to sell an item for one price and then sell it direct for another that undercuts your dealers. That happens a lot. Also, now with all of the internet shops (people who sell over the internet and don't have a store front) it's becoming impossible for shops to sell most brands. People will go into shops to try something and than go online to find a lower price. Also, most builders look the other way when a dealer sells an item under the price that it's supposed to go for. I have more respect for people like Jim Bergantino who sets his items all at the same selling price. Than, if you want what he offers, you pay the price period. No haggling. That makes it fair for all of the dealers. That way if a customer comes into their shop and likes what they play or play through, they will buy it there which than allows the seller to be valued for the time that they put in.

I only mention all of this because I know that it comes into play when store owners look at what brands to sell. Sorry for the length of my rant.
 
#70
Hey there Mike,
I was curious if you could tell us all more about your experience with Villex pickups. Seems like you are quite happy with their performance and that you are using them more than the other brands. What is it that you like about them? Also, please tell us more about the different pickup models you are having Mr. Villex make for the different basses you are making. I.E.--Jaquo's bass, Chuck Rainey's, etc.... Are you using single coil, split coil, or dual coils? Any special specifications? Has Mr. Villex worked with piezos with you at all? I'm curious because no one has asked these questions in any other forum, and you have the best first-hand knowledge.

As for selling direct, builders shouldn't sell direct to any customers the dealer's are working with, especially local buyers. If the customer lives several states away from a dealer, I don't see the harm. Customer etiquette is the real problem, the customers aren't loyal at all.... If the salesman sells you on it, buy it from him, and no one else, but if he doesn't, then you should have the right to shop elsewhere.
 
#71
adlerguitars said:
I was just saying that I've made 4 basses with maple tops and I know exactly where each one is at (2 are currently in at my shop). So if you played on in Philly over the weekend it wasn't mine.


Mike
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Hey Mike, Just checked out your site (I've heard of and seen a few of your basses in posts here and was always intrigued, but I get sidetracked easily..) Of course the intruments look fantastic, but I must comment that the Flash animated bass galleries are FANTASTIC!!! I love the interactive (rather than photo-linked-to-page) nature is a great way to do it. Kudos to you or whoever did it for you!!!
 
#74
JAUQO III-X said:
DZ with all due respect is entitled to his opinion.I have played Basses from many different Luthiers and there has been some hits and a few Misses(a very subjective opinion in most instances).It just comes down to the Fact that every Adler,Alembic,Conklin,Fodera,Warrior etc no matter how well they may be constructed will not allways give us what we may be looking for.I own a Fodera and it is Funky and very Versatile to and for me but a few people just didn't dig it after playing it.the bottom line is to each His/Her own.There is one very very highly respected Luthier(That I highly respect as well)That I feel makes a great Bass and every chance I get to play one of his Basses I do and I have yet to play one that had that I Got TO Have it factor.if and when I do come across one of His Basses that I am really feeling then I will Purchase that one Bass from him.
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Jauqo makes a great point here; many of the highest quality basses sound very different in the hands of different players. Different players are also looking for different things with respect to tone. I would not be able to identify any specific frequncies that I felt were lacking in an instrument that I did not care for tonally, it is either happening for me or it is not. I would like to try an Adler some time. I might just have to start bugging the guys at Bassnw about carrying them. ;)
 
#75
DaveAceofBass said:
I was curious if you could tell us all more about your experience with Villex pickups...
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I don't use them so much any more, but that isn’t because I didn't like them. I'm having private label pickups made now because I'm a control freak! :p

William's pickups sound very clean run active or passive. I personally like to run them active with a good, clean preamp. Jauqo has switched to Adler pickups in his 4 and 8 string basses but is sticking with Villex in his Sub Contra basses (for Sub Contra I think they are the best out there right now). Garry Goodman swears by them and is having them put in each of his new basses as they come on down the line. I remember Stew having great things to say about them as well (when he played the 11 at NAMM).
 
#76
Stewmc5222 said:
hey emjazz,

where in southern New Hampshire are you? my family lives in the central NH and I'll be touring through your neck of the woods this winter.

from the lows,

Stew
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Hey Stew, I was hoping not to need to hijack the thread for this but your web site's still down. I'm in Western Mass and would love a shot to see you play, is there a schedule somewhere I can check out to see when you're close by?
 
#77
LajoieT said:
Hey Mike, Just checked out your site (I've heard of and seen a few of your basses in posts here and was always intrigued, but I get sidetracked easily..) Of course the intruments look fantastic, but I must comment that the Flash animated bass galleries are FANTASTIC!!! I love the interactive (rather than photo-linked-to-page) nature is a great way to do it. Kudos to you or whoever did it for you!!!
Click to expand...
"Mike's Web Guy" (he hates when I call him that :) ) is Tim at TEgrafx. Those interactive menu's were actually an idea he wouldn't tell me about... it was one of those "I'm not sure how I'm going to do it yet and no I'm not telling you what 'it' is" kind of moments.

You can find him at Invalid Link Removed.

Mike
 
#80
LajoieT said:
Hey Stew, I was hoping not to need to hijack the thread for this but your web site's still down. I'm in Western Mass and would love a shot to see you play, is there a schedule somewhere I can check out to see when you're close by?
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hey man,

you can check out my road schedule here, at the Link Removed.

and to keep things Adleresque, I was most impressed with the Villex pickups. they were quite tonally versatile and close to transparent. I particularly liked the sets on the 11 and on Jauqo's 8. nice stuff!

:cool:

from the lows,

Stew
 

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