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Atelier Z
- Thread starter Snakeman1066
- Start date
I’ve never played one but I just saw a bunch at Ikebe in Tokyo last night. They’ve been around for at least a couple of decades. Looking forward to pics and a report!
Top quality basses. The ones I’ve handled have been on the heavier side so that might be something to be aware of.
I tried one for a few songs and quality was top notch. It had a clear pickguard so the look was impressive as well. The sound was a typical jazz bass sound and pretty lively.
The only downside according to his owner was the neck. It lacked a bit of rigidity and the truss rod needed to be adjusted twice a year every year at season changes. I should mention I live in Eastern Canada where the humidity is 90% in summer and 30% in winter !
The only downside according to his owner was the neck. It lacked a bit of rigidity and the truss rod needed to be adjusted twice a year every year at season changes. I should mention I live in Eastern Canada where the humidity is 90% in summer and 30% in winter !
Tokyo resident here. Atelier Z is a legit brand with quality craftsmanship. Danny at BassJapanDirect sells them last time I checked.
They definitely are heavier, using traditional tuners. They sound more on the bright side as well. Not my cup of tea but they are legit.
They definitely are heavier, using traditional tuners. They sound more on the bright side as well. Not my cup of tea but they are legit.
Fantastic basses. Check out Christian McBride's tone on this fretless Atelier Z.
Quality and build along the lines of Sadowksy Japan, perfect QC , slightly overbuilt and heavy.
Bright tone. Great active Jazz basses.
Also, adjusting a truss rod twice a year is indicative of an incredibly stable neck. Never owned a bass that moved less than that.
I sometimes have to tweak a truss rod based on venues and rehearsal spaces due to change in humidity and temperature.
Bright tone. Great active Jazz basses.
Also, adjusting a truss rod twice a year is indicative of an incredibly stable neck. Never owned a bass that moved less than that.
I sometimes have to tweak a truss rod based on venues and rehearsal spaces due to change in humidity and temperature.
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I played a gorgeous Atelier Z '70s style ash/maple J with an over-the-top pink to white fade translucent finish last year at BassFreaks in Brussels. If you want that '70s punch and slice they are hard to beat. This one was under 9# and sold soon after I bought it.
No longer made, but the chambered DAL series with alder back and ash top sound fantastic on all the online demos I've heard.
No longer made, but the chambered DAL series with alder back and ash top sound fantastic on all the online demos I've heard.
More than anywhere, I think the higher end Japanese companies with dignity (AtelierZ, Moon, Bacchus etc) make a bass I would feel comfortable buying sight unseen. There is a QC and consistency ethos you don’t get elsewhere.
I had one a while back and it was very well made with great action and sound, and a little heavy for a 32” scale.
Just scored a new Beta 5 Custom from Kurosawa Gakki Ochanomizu. Build quality, playability, and tonal palette are all outstanding.
Mine is also quite light for a 5 string at 4.27kg. The grain on the 2 piece ash body is fantastic.
Just brought this back from Japan.
Outstanding bass. Up there with the best hand made instruments. I have had canadian dingwalls, Sadowsky and various rickenbacker, fender high end basses and I would argue this sits above them in terms of attention to detail.
I love it.
Outstanding bass. Up there with the best hand made instruments. I have had canadian dingwalls, Sadowsky and various rickenbacker, fender high end basses and I would argue this sits above them in terms of attention to detail.
I love it.
Beautiful bass… just an FYI , now is a great time to buy Atelier Z’s via the various Japanese sites as the yen is so weak against the US dollar. I just pulled the trigger on a gorgeous new Beta 5 with all the bells and whistles for about what a new Fender Ultra II Jazz would cost me…
I think this year is when I get a M245 in the classic Natural finish with the clear pickguard with the Deep Joints and Bart pre. I've been a big fan of Atelier Z before I started playing the bass, because Tomohito Aoki is my favourite bass player and is who represents Atelier Z in my eyes.
Do it now while the yen is still weak…I think this year is when I get a M245 in the classic Natural finish with the clear pickguard with the Deep Joints and Bart pre. I've been a big fan of Atelier Z before I started playing the bass, because Tomohito Aoki is my favourite bass player and is who represents Atelier Z in my eyes.
She now plays bass for Aooo
while occasionally supporting Yaosobi. Yesterday Aooo opened for Yaosobi at an open-air festival in Japan, but another bassist played with Yaosobi
