Update: I like the pickup sound (but they are a bit too large) and I really like the EQ/pre-amp tonal range. The downside for me though is still the slightly poor quality of the build. The neck truss rod doesn't behave well at all. I found it much more difficult than usual to get the neck relief I like (low) without fret buzz and the rod doesn't adjust the gap very well. I tried to get the neck totally flat to check fret levelling, but it cannot be adjusted to flat with strings off. I found that fret 9 was sitting a little high, so I dressed that fret then reset the relief etc etc. I spent a lot of time on relief/string height adjustments but was never able to get action/relief perfect for my liking without a little buzz. In the end I ended up with a reasonable compromise; its OK, but not great. If I compare the quality of this bass for the price with say Sire or Ibanez it doesn't really stack up. My Sires are absolutely perfect and my Ibanez vary between perfect and almost perfect in terms of build quality and ability to getup perfectly. I think he should have gone Sire or Ibanez…………Not sure I'll ever get comfortable with the shortness of the fingerboard to pickup gap; its about half that of the Sire MM V9's
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Charles Berthoud Signature Bass
- Thread starter Acoustic356
- Start date
I've never even heard of this guy before this thread so I'm no fan boy. Having said that, it seems pretty clear to me that the dude possess 'some form of talent' and he's certainly 'put in the time to earn their place in a given market / industry' so what's the problem? Hell, with a million subs I'd bet he qualifies as a professional too.
I think this post is about his signature bass, not Charles per se. He is, obviously, an absolutely incredible bassist but this thread is supposed to be about his bass; not him.
I recently found Charles on Youtube. He's a monster player..
And yet there a few people suggesting that he's not worthy of the signature bass.
I'd say his playing skills are absolutely world class. On that basis I'd say he deserves a signature
There is no "worth", there is no "deserving": signature instruments is something between a manufacturer and a musician, not a presidential medal. Both parties strike a deal and expect the model to sell, in whatever numbers they expect it to. Nothing more, nothing less, an certainly no recognition of lifetime achievements.
Well, as a guy who normally doesn't read these type of threads, I've actually wade through all 9 pages of this misery.(must be bored this morning). I've come to the same conclusion I normally do.
A: The endorser is usually a very good or popular player . Some will love 'em and others not so much, and some don't know of the player at all. Then, the senseless arguing of their worth as to deserving a sig model. Hey if they pay you, or free bass, good on ya.
B: Seems most signature models are just one of their production basses with a few tweaks associated with the endorser to sell more of same. Whatever, just more marketing tactics. This particular bass looks to be a C4 Exclusive with a few changes. Nothing special IMO. You can buy a Sandberg or Maruszczyk using their configurator, or Warmoth and have your own sig model.
C: As my grand dad used to say "Opinions and a$$ h@!es, everyone has them, and they usually stink" (mine included)
So like who ya like, and play what whatever is feels/sounds good to you.
A: The endorser is usually a very good or popular player . Some will love 'em and others not so much, and some don't know of the player at all. Then, the senseless arguing of their worth as to deserving a sig model. Hey if they pay you, or free bass, good on ya.
B: Seems most signature models are just one of their production basses with a few tweaks associated with the endorser to sell more of same. Whatever, just more marketing tactics. This particular bass looks to be a C4 Exclusive with a few changes. Nothing special IMO. You can buy a Sandberg or Maruszczyk using their configurator, or Warmoth and have your own sig model.
C: As my grand dad used to say "Opinions and a$$ h@!es, everyone has them, and they usually stink" (mine included)
So like who ya like, and play what whatever is feels/sounds good to you.
He's at his best when he uses his monstrous chops not for his usual flashy wanking, but rather, goes for lyrical beauty with complex chording to do the seemingly impossible:
Hey man, I experienced this as well so here's something to consider to help get it right for you: I left the lengthy review on sweetwater about this bass so feel free to chime in if you agree too with but this may help your action sitch: I have a very good tech and being a very picky player I have spent about $120 and a few hours on mine to get it set-up well. Check it out: First, I put lighter gauge strings on it. 40-95s. But the real culprit was the Tusque nut was just cut too low to get the action where I like it, Ibanez SR style.. I kept comparing it to a cheap Ibanez I've had for 15 years wondering how it still felt better. The fix: I had my tech install a new bone nut to raise the strings at the top which allowed for lower action across the board. However, even then, in order to drop the A and G strings low enough we had to sand down the bottoms of one or two set screw sliders of the bridge a bit. This took very little effort because dude, this bridge is poopie. I'm sorry, it's just not good. It's a soft metal with a spray coat of black powder coating on it which is disappointing because tightening the saddle set screws down literally chews at the bridge to the point where I see burrs now and when adjusting intonation (which I've done like 5 times now after all the tweaks) sometimes they want to fall into the spots where the burrs are developing so be aware of that. Only tighten the bridge set screws to about finger tight and don't crank em like you would a fender.. Even then it will still probably happen.. Anyhow, my next upgrades will eventually be locking tuners because these Gotoh are also poopie. I have to tune between pretty much every song... Hope that helps. Good thing this bass is so beautiful and the tone is so great or I would have returned it. I'm curious if anyone believes the angle of the bass is a bit awkward for standing as well. I also added a strap post lower (towards the ground) to make the angle a bit more ergonomic for the wrist. Mine is set up and playing like a beast now man. Best of luck!
Welcome to the real business world - much easier for a customer to choose a hyped 'notable' model over the many no-name models by reading specs, reviews, etc. to make an educated choice. We live in a lazy, impressionable world...
Hey Roche. I'm 100% with you concerning the issues with the bridge. I don't know if the problem is with the break angle, but no matter what I do (bass is intonated well and I paid for a setup also) the freakin' saddles are buzzy and annoying. I kept thinking one of the knobs or something in the control cavity was buzzing, but nope. It's the saddles. I haven't figured out a way to shut them up yet. I'm not having any issues with the tuners, but I play fingerstyle chill music, and maybe don't thrash the strings enough to notice the problem. Ergo-wise, though... it's a comfortable bass for me sitting or standing, but I also use a ridiculously wide strap so the bass tends to stay where I put it.
If it's not loose set screws (There are 4 in each saddle), you may check underneath to find some black dust or metal shavings rattlin around underneath/between the saddles. Wouldn't surprise me. I experienced rattle when leaving the set screws loose but since the nut swap and setup I've corrected that issue and they are all tight, no rattle.
Considering all the expensive and custom basses I had in the past, if I could only go back and stop myself, Schecter is putting out great stuff at an affordable price. So what it's made in Korea or Indonesia. I remember when Fender MIJs came out, everyone shunned them. Now everyone wants them. But the bass, save money and invest it in becoming a better player.
I got to play one in Guitar Center yesterday. It was similar to most Schecters that cost half as much. I would not pay $1,500 plus tax for this bass. $700 plus tax would have been a much more reasonable price.
Thanks for your detailed experience, I thought it would have been better than that, I'm glad I never ordered one.
