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Birdsong Cortobass?

#41
mksolid said:
I myself have wondered about all those $3500 jazz bass copies. What makes those private shop versions of the jbass style worth all that money, exactly?

>>>> Absolutely nothing. For slightly more than half that price you can get an instrument made to your specifications using equal or better materials and components resulting in an instrument that is superior in every way. If you really want one of those Jazz clones, everything used in their construction is available from numerous suppliers. If you're able to do some of the assembly and finish work yourself, you can easily make a better Super J clone and save big $$. These designs are very straightforward and parts are available all over the internet. I can't imagine spending upwards of 4K on an instrument based on a simple, mass production design that is approaching 50 years old. That emperor has no clothes. Leo must be rolling in his grave.

Slug
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#42
Lo end PUNCH said:
Checking out this guy's site, it's aparent that he does'nt do 5 or six string instruments, ...
Active electronics?
String spacing options?
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Scott's a good dude and if you shoot them an email, I'm sure he'd be happy to answer any of your questions directly. I think he stopped hanging about here after the earlier part of this thread pissed him off a bit. Talkbass's loss, actually, because he and I have traded a variety of emails that were very informative and well thought out.

The 5-string question used to be addressed in the FAQ at the Birdsong Cortobass site ([Invalid or Expired Link Removed], but I don't see it now. As I recall, he experimented with it, but couldn't get the B-string to sound good enough on the short scale to really please him. And he won't build a guitar for you that he wouldn't want to play himself. Now, if he comes up with a way, he may introduce one, but it won't be until he designs one that he would want to play.

Active electronics: I think I saw that in the FAQ. String spacing: not exactly sure what you mean, but the HipShot bridge does allow some lateral movement and may be sufficient to address your needs.

Millard
 
#44
I never had the chance to play a CT or Birdsong. Honestly im sure they play amazingly like so many other basses, realistically when you get to *THAT* kind of price, craftsmanship is no longer an issue, I bet if I put a Birdsong / Fbass / FBB / Nordstrand all next to each other they would be nearly equal in construction and finish.

Personally, CT's and Birdsong are the two most visually unappealing thing i've ever seen.

Not one thing I like about them visually.
 
#46
Rakie said:
I never had the chance to play a CT or Birdsong. Honestly im sure they play amazingly like so many other basses, realistically when you get to *THAT* kind of price, craftsmanship is no longer an issue, I bet if I put a Birdsong / Fbass / FBB / Nordstrand all next to each other they would be nearly equal in construction and finish.

Personally, CT's and Birdsong are the two most visually unappealing thing i've ever seen.
everyone has their own opinions,which is great ,it gets us thinking and just from being on talkbass,we all can see all the differences but what I love is that talkbass has expanded my knowledge and appreciation of many other types of basses:) !!!!


arcellus said:
That Hy5 looks pretty sweet to me..
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this weekend is the "Birdsong Gathering" in Wimberley ,Texas and alot of info will be coming our way in the next several days.....:hyper: :hyper:
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#47
CTbass&birdsong said:
everyone has their own opinions,which is great ,it gets us thinking and just from being on talkbass,we all can see all the differences but what I love is that talkbass has expanded my knowledge and appreciation of many other types of basses:) !!!!
Click to expand...


yup, im sure they play amazingly, im just more into the pretty stuffis :smug: :smug: :smug:
 
#48
I made a reply on this thred almost a few years ago! Scott is building me a custom 5 that will be strung high (picallo). His work has continued to improve. It's some amazing stuff. I mentioned that I don't really need a short scale bass (over a year ago).....and I really don't/ at least for "bass" bass playing. This bass will have a unique voice, though. Strung much higher, It will add a whole new color to my set.
www.birdsongguitars.com
check 'em out. Tell 'em Brado sent you!
 
#51
Well, it's been a few years since the last posting in this thread, and hopefully the whiners are gone by now (especially that ridiculously unprofessional moderator that ripped into Scott's products early on...I can't recall his handle....."bonehead" or "hamhead" or something like that).

Anyway, I have been researching shorter scale basses, and of course I came across Birdsong's website. Those are some REALLY nice looking basses! I really like the Cortobass and the Skyrider. And I like the 31" scale design. Kudos to Scott for making high-quality, pro-level, shorter scale basses that fit a niche in the market. When it comes to pro-level shorter scale basses, Birdsong is clearly a very strong contender.
 
#52
I continue to play mine (one of which is the first he ever sold to anyone) and they continue to delight. It has reached the point where I have almost zero interest in any other bass. Pretty much nothing I pick up feels or responds like this nor sounds as good.

And there is something about supporting a fellow citizen building high quality products within our borders from parts built by other citizens within our borders that feels right, especially these days.
 
#53
Because of Birdsong's website and what I've read here and elsewhere on the net I went ahead and called Scott last week to order a Cortobass. The information I've encountered is so extensive and positive it doesn't even feel like a blind buy to me.

Already have my serial number (10C-191).
 
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#55
Hambone said:
Where were YOU shown disrespect. Your instrument, however, was shown plenty. Sort of like you do Asian P bass copies? Get over it. If you can't take criticism of your product, you don't belong in the biz.

For you to have respect, you must EARN it.

BTW, I'll express my opinion, any time. You can express yours too, anytime.
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Wow. What an abrasive, abusive and derisive comment to make- and to refute its disrespect to the recipient is just plain obtuse.

FWIW, this is indeed a reason for some of the bad rap TB suffers from in various circles. Too bad. Don't mean to drag it too far- I just saw it. Had to comment- just my OPINION...
 
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#56
millard said:
and Scott is a man of his word. He will take it back if you don't love it. Assuming you can afford the bass to begin with, it is essentially a no-risk transaction.
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I had a great talk with Scott and we hit it off right away. He's a good soul and if I had any hesitation before our phone call I didn't by the time we got around to setting up the build.

I decided to get the bass while I still have a job. I figure I can always sell it if need be. There seems to be no shortage of praise on the instrument and I am fairly fussy about keeping my gear in great shape. Of course, it's not going to be the first thing I try and sell should I become unemployed!
 
#58
Wraithwrider said:
Hambone - Interesting name.

Here in the UK 'Ham' is pig and 'Bone' can mean stupid.

Personally opinionated bigot seems to sit better and I'm glad that TB isn't inundated with folk of the same ilk.
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LOL!! One thing we all can count on is, every public group or gathering will have a few "under-evolved" types, so Bonehead was simply fulfilling that requirement. Hopefully he has been relocated to some place where they don't have computers (perhaps padded rooms with soft music and locked doors).

Anyway, enough of that subject. This string is about Birdsong basses, and how nice they are! Well, at this point, all I can say is how nice "looking" they are since I don't own one....YET!:D
 
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#59
SactoBass said:
LOL!! One thing we all can count on is, every public group or gathering will have a few "under-evolved" types, so Bonehead was simply fulfilling that requirement. Hopefully he has been relocated to some place where they don't have computers (perhaps padded rooms with soft music and locked doors).

Anyway, enough of that subject. This string is about Birdsong basses, and how nice they are! Well, at this point, all I can say is how nice "looking" they are since I don't own one....YET!:D
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Ah... but the scary thing is that Hambone now claims to be a custom builder himself. Check out the website in his sig.

I wonder if he's prepared to receive it in the same way he dishes it out. I'll keep an eye out for any posts in which he's beating his own chest and then - frankly his basses look like nothing special - maybe I'll be as constructively critical of his work (which I haven't seen, obviously) as he was to Birdsong. Well hey, if he can't take it he shouldn't be in the business after all.
 
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