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Atkinson basses... who owns one?

#261
The '51 is like a force of nature. Like something lying underneath everything that's bigger than you can imagine. Totally solid foundation. The 5er I'm still playing with, but the pick ups -DiMarzio Ultra Jazz sound very much like the Delano Jazz pickups on my CB (Bordwell) bass. That's very good BTW. They cut through with a very concise high end (even with flats) but there's this huge bottom that stock Fender Jazz pups will never get close to. More soon. Here's some more pics. I have another gig there tonight (my GF owns the joint....;). www.flamingocantina.com
 

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#263
Moe Monsarrat said:
The '51 is like a force of nature. Like something lying underneath everything that's bigger than you can imagine. Totally solid foundation. The 5er I'm still playing with, but the pick ups -DiMarzio Ultra Jazz sound very much like the Delano Jazz pickups on my CB (Bordwell) bass. That's very good BTW. They cut through with a very concise high end (even with flats) but there's this huge bottom that stock Fender Jazz pups will never get close to. More soon. Here's some more pics. I have another gig there tonight (my GF owns the joint....;). www.flamingocantina.com
Click to expand...


Yeah regarding the '51, I've got a Fender CS '55 reissue that I feel the same way about, those single coil pickups really punch but the tone is airy enough that it doesn't trample the other guitars. I may have to call Dan soon, glad you're enjoying your new toys!
 
#267
Moe Monsarrat said:
The '51 is like a force of nature. Like something lying underneath everything that's bigger than you can imagine. Totally solid foundation. The 5er I'm still playing with, but the pick ups -DiMarzio Ultra Jazz sound very much like the Delano Jazz pickups on my CB (Bordwell) bass. That's very good BTW. They cut through with a very concise high end (even with flats) but there's this huge bottom that stock Fender Jazz pups will never get close to. More soon. Here's some more pics. I have another gig there tonight (my GF owns the joint....;). www.flamingocantina.com
Click to expand...

You're right, Moe. Nothing sounds like a '51. The only drawback is the possibility of hum, thanks to the lone single-coil. But that's a small price to pay for the awesomeness. :bassist:
 
#268
Ok, after having played three gigs with the new Atkinson hollow Jazz 5 string, I'm ready to write a review.
When I asked Dan to make this bass I had a sort of vision of what it might be like. As it turns out it's even better than I imagined. This bass has a very warm tone that's unique. It has this throaty thing that's quite charming & then there's there's BIG bottom available with the turn of a knob. Sweet all the way in my world. I use flats on my basses because they sound best for the material I play-reggae, country, & western swing. With a set of Chromes on, the Dimarzio Ultra Jazz pick ups have plenty of edge & mid range sizzle to cut through the mix. Dial in a some bottom end & it's a flat out bulldozer. On the two gigs in a larger venue-The Flamingo Cantina, I played through our house rig, a classic 1974 Ampeg SVT w/8X10 cab. Since that rig is always on a riser about 25 feet behind me I turn it down fairly low & put some bass in the floor monitors. It was earth shaking through the twelve 18" speakers mounted under the stage. The small venue was an intimate bar. I rolled off some bottom & played thru 2 LBS Prosound cabs each with one 8" Eminence bass speaker powered by a Carvin 1000w head. The tone was buttery & warm....utterly charming. The fit and finish is impeccable & the neck is a dream. Both body & neck were custom made by USA Custom Guitars. The hollow chamber & distinctive F hole set it apart from any other bass & so far have presented zero feedback issues. In short, I have ordered two basses from Dan. I could not be happier with both of them & shall keep them. Both are new additions to his line of basses & I wish him success with them. Trust me, you will be in love if you order either one of these basses. Thanks so much Dan. Moe
 
#271
Moe Monsarrat said:
Ok, after having played three gigs with the new Atkinson hollow Jazz 5 string, I'm ready to write a review.
When I asked Dan to make this bass I had a sort of vision of what it might be like. As it turns out it's even better than I imagined. This bass has a very warm tone that's unique. It has this throaty thing that's quite charming & then there's there's BIG bottom available with the turn of a knob. Sweet all the way in my world. I use flats on my basses because they sound best for the material I play-reggae, country, & western swing. With a set of Chromes on, the Dimarzio Ultra Jazz pick ups have plenty of edge & mid range sizzle to cut through the mix. Dial in a some bottom end & it's a flat out bulldozer. On the two gigs in a larger venue-The Flamingo Cantina, I played through our house rig, a classic 1974 Ampeg SVT w/8X10 cab. Since that rig is always on a riser about 25 feet behind me I turn it down fairly low & put some bass in the floor monitors. It was earth shaking through the twelve 18" speakers mounted under the stage. The small venue was an intimate bar. I rolled off some bottom & played thru 2 LBS Prosound cabs each with one 8" Eminence bass speaker powered by a Carvin 1000w head. The tone was buttery & warm....utterly charming. The fit and finish is impeccable & the neck is a dream. Both body & neck were custom made by USA Custom Guitars. The hollow chamber & distinctive F hole set it apart from any other bass & so far have presented zero feedback issues. In short, I have ordered two basses from Dan. I could not be happier with both of them & shall keep them. Both are new additions to his line of basses & I wish him success with them. Trust me, you will be in love if you order either one of these basses. Thanks so much Dan. Moe
Click to expand...

Thanks so much for the feedback. It makes me smile to know those basses are in good hands, getting lots of use. :bassist:
 
#272
One of these will almost definately be my next purchase... love your work Mr Atkinson!

I just need two things:

a) Some money... it's coming in a slow trickle...
b) a friend in the States who i can have it shipped to (have one option, will have to start buttering them up)

Keep it up so that when I've got enough stashed away I can come calling!
 
#277
Sure. The B string on the Atkinson hollow Jazz bass does not exhibit any floppyness found in some basses. Dan sent the bass to me with Diaddario Chromes on it. I also have some basses with TI flats on them & those strings seem to have a little less tension. When I ordered this bass I made a choice between 34" & 35" scale. After playing a custom Elrick 5 string for many years with a 36" scale, I went for the 35". I'm glad I did because I don't have to "lay off" when I hit a note on the B. I own a number of 34" scale 5 strings. Most are Fenders or clones. They require a lighter touch on the B string. It is difficult for me to remember to do this while I'm singing a lead vocal part, which is most of the time. It's like having lines on my fretless bass w/dots in between the lines....too much to look at & figure out while I'm singing(I play unlined fretless basses w/the dots ON the notes). The Atkinson 5 string has a clear concise tone on the B string . Strength to be sure, but with a hint of the Jazz growl. I'm still exploring all the aspects of the tone variations available on this wonderful instrument & will continue to give updates as it reveals itself to me.
 
#280
As soon as my Warwick Streamer sells, I may be giving ol' Dan a jingle.

Sonic blue Jazz, rosewood with binding and dots, not blocks- and I want it beat up!
Can you also "relic" a BadAss II bridge and a Hip-Shot D-Tuner Dan???
 

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