EUR and AUS Anyone Going To The Guitar Summit Sept '24?

[Karl Kaminski]

Curious about the expo and trying to go to see some of the Exhibitors. As well as any tips on Hotels, getting in/out of Mannheim (flights via Frankfurt), etc etc

It would also be great to GTG with TBers in Germany
thanks in advance for any tips!

 

[Mayo Fan]

I plan to go too, but from here it's doable to drive down and back on the day. So I can't help you with your logistics enquiry.

I've heard great things about Guitar Summit. For many industry pro's it has replaced the Musikmesse (when it comes to guitars and basses) which was the Namm equivalent in Europe.

 

[Karl Kaminski]

Thanks @Mayo Fan, Ive never been to Germany so I had to spend alittle time figuring out best way to arrive 'in country'. I was initially thinking of just the weekend but after some google maps searches I may try to stay longer for sightseeing.

Im mainly going to see the Schoenitz Booth and hear Filipe Moreno play, but it looks like there'll be alot to see over the 3days.

 

[Karl Kaminski]

checking in... anyone?

I believe Filipe is doing a workshop at the Schoenitz booth (in the acoustic section) on SAT... hope to see some TBers

 

[BassmanM]

I am currently en route to Mannheim....

 

[Karl Kaminski]

I’m heading over to the Rosengarten plz now! Beautiful day here, excited to see everything!

Bassist CHARLES BERTHOUD is presenting today at 2pm (?) I don’t think I’ll make it that presentation but I bet it’ll be interesting!

 

[Karl Kaminski]

I guess I got here too early

Doors opened at 11am but they’re stilling cueing up (11:30)… too nice a day to stand in line, coming back at noon.

 

[Karl Kaminski]

wow I had a great time in Mannheim. While I didn't have the time to document the whole thing I mainly focused on the stuff that grabbed my interest and ultimately meeting Jens Shoenitz and his instruments.

I think the general theme in the event was 'modularity' either with an instrument or outboard gear. There were booths with modular pickup-and tremolo bridges, modular pedalboard and effect.

As a general observation, I was disappointed as a bassist. Mostly guitar stuff (well heck, it is a GUITAR Summit) A lot of variants of a 'Jazz Bass' and relic'ing as 'a theme', both of which didn't interest me.

Something that really stood out to me was Marleaux's development of his SPOCK body design; a super lightweight resin over cotton producing a resonant and resilient body structure. Everybody at their booth was so nice and informative... all the basses were sold

Very excited to finally see instruments at the Maruszczyk Instruments booth too

I had a nice time playing a duet with Ms Carter at The Bace Booth

I also finally got the chance to play a Stoll bass. I was pleasantly surprised the fan fret was very completely 'normal' for me to play— though the oversize body isnt my thing as far as playing comfort.

But my main reason for the trip was to see Jens Schoenitz and his basses. They were amazing in every variation; 4,5,6 string, fretted and fretless. The low-end clarity was unmatched out of all the ABGs ive tried since I started my search in 2017. The only instrument that came close to the depth of tone was the Spider Grinder that @rawdge lent me to play. They are truly something to seek out. Not to mention the custom work and craftsmanship.

Filipe Moreno did a wonderful workshop, if you don't know him yet go check him out. His technique is amazing and his virtuosity of 'layering' lines is something to behold! I was so happy I got to hear him play and think about a new way of playing.

 

[Karl Kaminski]

hey @BassmanM (and @Mayo Fan, and @Joshua too), what did you think of the show? See anything new or unexpected that grabbed your attention?

 

[rawdge]

@Karl Kaminski thanks for the images. Cool that you got to. check out Maruszczyk, Marleaux, besides the Shoenitz.

Would love to hear more about Jens Shoenitz 's instrument. Did you get to play the Maruszczyk ABG? Lastly what did you think about the Bace?

 

[Karl Kaminski]

hah, I don't know what else to say- the Schoenitz ARE amazing, well balanced, beautifully built, fast responding. (Think of any of the top bass builders and let's call them "a Mercedes"—these are Bentleys! What would you like to know? I'll try to offer specifics.

yes I played the Maruszczyk bass pictured (black Galli tapes). It was very nice, smooth tone, comfortable bass—very similar to my Furch you've played—maybe with alittle more of an EB feel while playing than a more traditional ABG corpus shape.

the Bace isnt for me. I played all three sizes, they are interesting in that you do get a nice acoustic sensation/presence while playing but the concept ignores some of the more important ergonomics for me. I need access to the full range into thumb position—when if playing in a 'guitar orientation' there is no way to play in 'thumb position' (which I do alot of on my basses UB/ABG/EB). The bace picture is the one with the Galli Synthesis long scale strings on the short scale bace—very comfortable set on that instrument. (It reminded me of playing a short scale hofner 'Beatles bass' but with more expressive quality)

 

[rawdge]

hah, I don't know what else to say- the Schoenitz ARE amazing, well balanced, beautifully built, fast responding. (Think of any of the top bass builders and let's call them "a Mercedes"—these are Bentleys! What would you like to know? I'll try to offer specifics.

yes I played the Maruszczyk bass pictured (black Galli tapes). It was very nice, smooth tone, comfortable bass—very similar to my Furch you've played—maybe with alittle more of an EB feel while playing than a more traditional ABG corpus shape.

the Bace isnt for me. I played all three sizes, they are interesting in that you do get a nice acoustic sensation/presence while playing but the concept ignores some of the more important ergonomics for me. I need access to the full range into thumb position—when if playing in a 'guitar orientation' there is no way to play in 'thumb position' (which I do alot of on my basses UB/ABG/EB). The bace picture is the one with the Galli Synthesis long scale strings on the short scale bace—very comfortable set on that instrument. (It reminded me of playing a short scale hofner 'Beatles bass' but with more expressive quality)

Apologies in advance for all of my questions.

I have always been fascinated with Schoenitz's acoustic basses. Did Jens give you insight on his approach to buidling his ABG?

The one that you are holding in the pic you posted for example, what would that cost? Do you have any videos of you or someone else playing it by chance?

The Maruszczyk I was always curious about--it's has a contemporary aesthetic. The Schoenitz though in my oppinon are just beautiful. Kind of a "neo-traditionalist" approach.

If you could pourchase one, (which I surely cannot), would you go a 6 string? I think I would even though I have never played a 6 string bass.

What strings does he put on his builds?

 

[Karl Kaminski]

Apologies in advance for all of my questions.

I have always been fascinated with Schoenitz's acoustic basses. Did Jens give you insight on his approach to buidling his ABG?

The one that you are holding in the pic you posted for example, what would that cost? Do you have any videos of you or someone else playing it by chance?

The Maruszczyk I was always curious about--it's has a contemporary aesthetic. The Schoenitz though in my oppinon are just beautiful. Kind of a "neo-traditionalist" approach.

If you could pourchase one, (which I surely cannot), would you go a 6 string? I think I would even though I have never played a 6 string bass.

What strings does he put on his builds?

I gotcha covered with links in my Schoenitz String Demo. His builds and approach are on his website with in-depth details. Like I mentioned in the string demo, (im paraphrasing) "the concept is to take all the centuries of guitar building and apply it to bass and low register" These are not guitars with low bass strings on them, these are basses designed to emit a quick full response in the instrument across all the registers. I don't think the web site vids do the instruments justice, they speak so full and quick on the low end. First thing I did was play the open B and E, I could only muster the words "wow, no really, WOW!" (The ContraGuitar I played had a similar full deep resonance but that was a guitar in low register (1 octave lower- hence Contra Guitar), these are basses in extended low register—B string)

all instruments are custom built to order. Details are on his site with breakdowns but I would looking at a 7K-10K build? I initially thought a 5st keeping with my other 5 strings basses but after the workshop I realize if im going to build it— it doesnt make sense to always be in the 15th position (having a 6th string gets me back down in the middle register which makes most sense for playing chordal parts and arrangements. SO thats a big question for me to deliberate before purchase.

The thing with 5, 6 string basses is not that "everyone should get/need one", but how do you want to play your bass?
I could be happy on a 4st— but not in my gospel group, I could be happy with a 4 or 5st, but if playing arrangements on my bass and im always 'topping out' on the G string 21st or 24th fret, it just makes sense to get a 6st for easier ergonomics.
YMMV with how you (everybody) approaches your music

Again the strings are in the String demo, he custom makes his strings with Pyramid and Lenzner. I was shocked how nice the med and light sets were on his basses. (I demoed similar Lenzner Fisoma set and the med-lights were way too guitar-like for me) When I demoed the Schoenitz heavy set (.118" B), they were ok on the Balor and really nice on the Furch. But in contrast, his lighter sets were much more lively and punchy on his basses! IMO this is a perfect example of the need to find the 'right set for the instrument and your playing'—Not every set is going to bring out the best in a specific instrument.

 

[rawdge]

I gotcha covered with links in my Schoenitz String Demo. His builds and approach are on his website with in-depth details. Like I mentioned in the string demo, (im paraphrasing) "the concept is to take all the centuries of guitar building and apply it to bass and low register" These are not guitars with low bass strings on them, these are basses designed to emit a quick full response in the instrument across all the registers. I don't think the web site vids do the instruments justice, they speak so full and quick on the low end. First thing I did was play the open B and E, I could only muster the words "wow, no really, WOW!" (The ContraGuitar I played had a similar full deep resonance but that was a guitar in low register (1 octave lower- hence Contra Guitar), these are basses in extended low register—B string)

all instruments are custom built to order. Details are on his site with breakdowns but I would looking at a 7K-10K build? I initially thought a 5st keeping with my other 5 strings basses but after the workshop I realize if im going to build it— it doesnt make sense to always be in the 15th position (having a 6th string gets me back down in the middle register which makes most sense for playing chordal parts and arrangements. SO thats a big question for me to deliberate before purchase.

The thing with 5, 6 string basses is not that "everyone should get one, but how do you want to play your bass?
I could be happy on a 4st— but not in my gospel group, I could be happy with a 4 or 5st, but if playing arrangements on my bass and im always 'topping out' on the G string 21st or 24th fret, it just makes sense to get a 6st for easier ergonomics.
YMMV with how you (everybody) approaches your music

Again the strings are in the String demo, he custom makes his strings with Pyramid and Lenzner. I was shocked how nice the med and light sets were on his basses. (I demoed similar Lenzner Fisoma set and the med-lights were way too guitar-like for me) When I demoed the Schoenitz heavy set (.118" B), they were ok on the Balor and really nice on the Furch. But in contrast, his lighter sets were much more lively and punchy on his basses! IMO this is a perfect example of the need to find the 'right set for the instrument and your playing'—Not every set is going to bring out the best in a specific instrument.

 

[rawdge]

Thanks Karl. if o were to get one. And again I am dreaming here, I would sell off all of 2 ABG’s to afford this one. (I would keep the spider)

To your point about strings, I can agree that the instrument picks the string it needs, not the player.

 

[Mayo Fan]

I couldn't make it work in the end, so I had to skip it. Maybe next year. Great write up, doesn't help the fomo

 

[Karl Kaminski]

You’re lucky that you have the option every year. I can’t see being able to make the trip again (unless maybe I go to pickup a new bass)

Hopefully an EU TBer can share some details here next year