Atelier Z or Dragonfly (Harry's Engineering)?

[Quadzilla]

Looking at possibly picking up a new axe.

Digging some of the basses I've seen by Atelier Z and also Dragonfly (Harry's Engineering).

Anyone here had their hands on both? If so, pros / cons of each?

Thanks!

 

[Adam Wright]

Both are hard to beat. It's really a toss up. I've had several Atelier's and they've all been amazing. I currently have a Dragonfly CS5 and have a Fat J on order. Tonally, the Atelier's are more vintage J on steroids ala Marcus. The Dragonfly is a bit more polite set flat but can get super spanky and "in your face" if you boost the treble and bass. For me, the Dragonflys win in the playability department. The Atelier heel block tends to be..well, blocky for lack of a better term and it's difficult to get to the last fret(if that's your thing). The upper register on the Dragonfly is unbelievable. I'd buy either of these over one of their boutique US counterparts.

 

[Quadzilla]

Both are hard to beat. It's really a toss up. I've had several Atelier's and they've all been amazing. I currently have a Dragonfly CS5 and have a Fat J on order. Tonally, the Atelier's are more vintage J on steroids ala Marcus. The Dragonfly is a bit more polite set flat but can get super spanky and "in your face" if you boost the treble and bass. For me, the Dragonflys win in the playability department. The Atelier heel block tends to be..well, blocky for lack of a better term and it's difficult to get to the last fret(if that's your thing). The upper register on the Dragonfly is unbelievable. I'd buy either of these over one of their boutique US counterparts.

Thanks for the insight! Leaning towards the Dragonfly. I'm told their preamp is one of the best made too.

 

[Pierre Ganseman]

best bass i ever had in stock

 

[Quadzilla]

I now have both and they are awesome!

 

[Pierre Ganseman]

indeed, getting this made i think, withn a J at the bridge

 

[Quadzilla]

indeed, getting this made i think, withn a J at the bridge

Nice! There is an active, orange Dragonfly P for sale in the classifieds. My local buddy was the orogiori owner. He ordered via Bass Japan Direct. As I recall, he paid $2,500ish. That was less than a year ago. The new owner is asking less than half that. Quite a bargain in my humble opinion...

 

[Pierre Ganseman]

Nice! There is an active, orange Dragonfly P for sale in the classifieds. My local buddy was the orogiori owner. He ordered via Bass Japan Direct. As I recall, he paid $2,500ish. That was less than a year ago. The new owner is asking less than half that. Quite a bargain in my humble opinion...

yes , I know Danny well. He's helped me tons getting Atelier Z , Dragonfly , Moon Dealership. I owe him for life or at least a good while

cheers

 

[Adam Wright]

I now have a PJ4 Atelier Z and a Dragonfly 24 fret PJ5 on order from Danny Stewart. Recently got to play the Moody Theatre in Austin,Tx where they film the Austin City Limits television show and I played my CS5 the entire set.

 

[Pierre Ganseman]

I now have a PJ4 Atelier Z and a Dragonfly 24 fret PJ5 on order from Danny Stewart. Recently got to play the Moody Theatre in Austin,Tx where they film the Austin City Limits television show and I played my CS5 the entire set.

oh hey Adam i think we spoke about an Enfield at some point. I personally have a Fat J from harry and will order SJ soon i think.

 

[Pierre Ganseman]

 

[Quadzilla]

Oh my!

 

[mb94952]

I now have both and they are awesome!
View attachment 2972707

You're killin' me Quadzilla ! I just discovered Danny Stewart on Youtube. That man can PLAY !. I went all over his website and read about how Dragonfly are some of the "best basses ever created" in the industry. I've always been a MIJ freak, but these boutique MIJ's are in a league of their own. Price wise, less than Fodera and Alembic for sure, so in the world of Rolls Royce basses, probably a good deal. I see there is Bacchus, Dragonfly, Ateliere (not sure if I spelled it correctly, don't know how to pronounce it). Anyway, this is a WHOLE new world of MIJ I just discovered and would love to learn more, or just drool over them. All this because I watched a Greco video by Danny (about 20 times ! his playing is so enjoyable to watch !)

I see you own both MIJ heavy weights. This is 2019, and I didn't even see when you did this thread. Are you still a fan ? Thanks Quad. - Mike

 

[Seth Shonefeld]

oh hey Adam i think we spoke about an Enfield at some point. I personally have a Fat J from harry and will order SJ soon i think.

Did you ever get an Enfield?

 

[mb94952]

Bo rules. I lOVE her playing so much.