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Carl Thompson Bass

#41
I tried ordering a bass from Carl Thompson: e-mailed Aaron as instructed by the web site; Aaron gave me Carl's number; I called Carl who sounded not interested in my business and didn't really answer any questions - just went on a lot of tangents and name dropping. He seems pretty arrogant in his youtube videos too.

After seeing a lot of people not get what they wanted after waiting about 4 years I just got a used CT 5 string (from ebay/ looked like the guy tried to sell it here too). It's pretty nice but I actually prefer playing my Warwicks.

I also put an order in with Pete Hilton assuming that he builds the CT basses anyway and ordered exactly what I wanted (since the CT bass from ebay isn't exactly what I would have ordered had I went forward with Carl)... a really fancy 6 string fretless (see the newest 6 string bass on Hilton's web site - that's mine!) for the price I got the used CT 5 string and it took about 6 months.

With all of that said, I don't regret buying a CT and a Hilton though I do kind of think a Wal or a Fodera would have been more useful for me. I think they'd be more playable while I got the CT and Hilton as pieces of art. A Cliff Bordwell is next on my list- check his stuff out too. I think there's a really cool Wal Mark III on ebay right now. I hope that helps with your investment decision. Lastly, check out CT's youtube channel too to make sure he's someone you feel comfortable sending $6-8k to for your dream bass.
 
#45
Wow i didn't know that was an option. That was a huge deciding factor for me aboout wals was if i could handle the weight. However, how much tone do you sacrifice by using a different kind of wood. Alot of that deep resonant tone comes from a thick dense wood. I would love to hear your Wal Mach II man! And i see alot of ppl have been suggesting foderas but i always see them going used for like 7-12k and thats just a little outrageous if you ask me no matter how good it is. I i dont know how much they go for used.
 
#48
i've owned 4 different CTs (3 i still have) and i've also owned Foderas and have played most of the big talked about luthiers and for my money, NOTHING compares to a CT. the light weight, the continuous design improvements, perfect balance and ergonomic form factor...oh yeah, and they are beautiful works of art. to me, the thing that's best about a CT is that it doesn't get in the way of playing bass and at under 6lbs you can play for hours with no soreness.

that being said...they aren't for everyone...and the ordering process REALLY isn't for everyone. carl is a busy guy...he's got TONS of basses on order and doesn't take the time to call you every step of the way, in fact you probably won't hear from him until your bass is ready (except now with youtube, you might see your bass in the works). your bass may take double or triple the time to be ready as you are quoted (maybe even more), but when it is ready...you will be happy...or carl will make it right. yes, at times instruments are built and people wanted something else, so they get something else. it isn't a sophisticated operation with databases of specs...it's a couple of guys making beautiful functional art by hand. when they are ready, they are ready. everything that comes out of that shop has carl's personal stamp of approval. if you aren't in it for the wait, then keep your eyes on the used market...every now and then a new bass pops up for sale to help fund the operation and keep things going, or it is a bass that wasn't what someone wanted.

if these are things you cannot deal with, then don't order a bass from carl. if you need to be coddled and kept in the loop on every step of the instrument making process, don't order from carl. good things do come to those who wait though and carl's basses have a reputation for being amazing for a reason...cause they are. his basses aren't for everyone, but those of us who have discovered his instruments and feel that they are for us...nothing compares. ordering a carl thompson bass is a HUGE investment in both time and money. if you aren't in for that, then look elsewhere.

as for the folks who have never played one and are advising against getting one...you make me laugh. got any other pointless advice?
 
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