- Jun 6, 2004
- 6,351
- 543
- 66
- Disclosures
- Owner and builder Clementbass
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.
- Status
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,935
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
"curmudgeon"
So that is how you spell that word........
Alternate spelling is p - h - i - l.
- Jun 6, 2004
- 6,351
- 543
- 66
- Disclosures
- Owner and builder Clementbass
What a great word, I'll have to make sure I use it at least once a week. I work with a load of curmudgi (plural??)
I'll wait for my print copy.
Please bear in mind, Phil is a crotchety curmudgeon. That was actually a good review from Phil.
LOL. Phil definitely has his moments.
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,935
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
They are mailing out today, but please keep in mind, with bulk mail, it can take up to two weeks for delivery.
Please bear in mind, Phil is a crotchety curmudgeon. That was actually a good review from Phil.
It must be, because the tone in Ed's youtube review was amazing!
They are mailing out today, but please keep in mind, with bulk mail, it can take up to two weeks for delivery.
No problem! Lookin' forward to receiving it!
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,935
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Whether or not something sounds "good" or "bad" is of course a subjective opinion. It didn't float Phil's boat, but Ed liked it (and recorded it!) and I was also extremely impressed by the tone. I can see, though, where you might want to have a preamp to coax certain tones out of that bass (which is why my 4-string Clement fretless is going to have a Nordstrand 3-band EQ).
Tom.
I read the review, and Ed's review is great! 
He has a balanced and very good review, and points out all the strengths and the couple weak spots to be found. Very trustworthy, and what we definitely have come to expect from Ed. And i agree all the way, too.
The other review is so so... Honestly, it got me thinking that either someone served him kidney pudding for dinner that day or I'm an uninspired bass player. The review comes across as confusing and contradictory. But I won't start a flame war over it. As Tom B points out above here, tone is subjective and what is "good" and "bad" is definitely a point of personal preference. I do, however, expect a reviewer for a magazine to be a little more objective in his descriptions. And definitely so when he's writing in a corner called "bass lab." Sounds too objective and scientific to be pounding out lines that are close to insults. Maybe you should rename his column "Phil's soap box" instead?
I fully respect his opinion, i just don't quite respect the way he's voicing it.
I think I see what you want to achieve with the "on the bench" thing, but don't you think that calls for a more objective "benchmark" review?
To everyone who's thinking of getting a Clement bass:
Keep in mind that Tom is a WYSIWYG builder with a twist.
It's not "What you see is what you get" (as with factory instruments)
It's "What you SPECIFY is what you get"
And that's a very rare thing in this price class.
So if you want a preamp... specify one and if you prefer a higher nut (personally I don't see why you'd want a nut that's higher than what it needs to be allow open strings to ring clearly), then by all means... SPECIFY ONE!
I know for sure that whether Phil has his boat rocked or not, my Clement basses rock mine and will do so for years to come. And they do so without breaking my bank (or my marriage).
He has a balanced and very good review, and points out all the strengths and the couple weak spots to be found. Very trustworthy, and what we definitely have come to expect from Ed. And i agree all the way, too.The other review is so so... Honestly, it got me thinking that either someone served him kidney pudding for dinner that day or I'm an uninspired bass player. The review comes across as confusing and contradictory. But I won't start a flame war over it.
As Tom B points out above here, tone is subjective and what is "good" and "bad" is definitely a point of personal preference. I do, however, expect a reviewer for a magazine to be a little more objective in his descriptions. And definitely so when he's writing in a corner called "bass lab." Sounds too objective and scientific to be pounding out lines that are close to insults. Maybe you should rename his column "Phil's soap box" instead? I fully respect his opinion, i just don't quite respect the way he's voicing it.
I think I see what you want to achieve with the "on the bench" thing, but don't you think that calls for a more objective "benchmark" review?
To everyone who's thinking of getting a Clement bass:
Keep in mind that Tom is a WYSIWYG builder with a twist.
It's not "What you see is what you get" (as with factory instruments)
It's "What you SPECIFY is what you get"
And that's a very rare thing in this price class.
So if you want a preamp... specify one
and if you prefer a higher nut (personally I don't see why you'd want a nut that's higher than what it needs to be allow open strings to ring clearly), then by all means... SPECIFY ONE! I know for sure that whether Phil has his boat rocked or not, my Clement basses rock mine and will do so for years to come.
And they do so without breaking my bank (or my marriage). 
I know for sure that whether Phil has his boat rocked or not, my Clement basses rock mine and will do so for years to come.
+1
I know my C. Bass is the best sounding bass I have at the moment. That is, until I get my hands on my next Anne.
Wise Words Walker!!
I've yet to play mine, or even see it in the flesh, but the whole process has been a pleasure.
Its a full blown custom bass. You want a pre, you can have one, you want frets, you can have them too! You want it finished in pink with green spots....... well maybe not!!
Davey
I've yet to play mine, or even see it in the flesh, but the whole process has been a pleasure.
Its a full blown custom bass. You want a pre, you can have one, you want frets, you can have them too! You want it finished in pink with green spots....... well maybe not!!
Davey
- Jun 6, 2004
- 6,351
- 543
- 66
- Disclosures
- Owner and builder Clementbass
"You want it finished in pink with green spots....... well maybe not!!"
Homey don't play dat!
What, are you saying you would?!?
- Jun 6, 2004
- 6,351
- 543
- 66
- Disclosures
- Owner and builder Clementbass
I agree with Mr.Walker's comments above. Tone is a VERY subjective thing and maybe even more so with a fretless. All I know is I have owned a LOT of high end basses and the tone on both of my Clements is to die for. I have received more comments about how great the tone is of my basses since I got my Clements than ever before. I can't speak for anyone else, but after a long time and a lot of money searching I have finally found my tone! And in 32" scale basses that play great! Amazing!
THANKS TOM!!!
THANKS TOM!!!
Hi,
I ordered the following configuration: (for anyone keeping track this is Clement Bass #183)
Just sent Tom an email to inquire about a 5-piece maple neck with bloodwood stringers.
By the way, I am basically a guitar player who dabbles with the bass for recording. I came across these wonderful basses and just had to have one! My main axe is a Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster in Graffiti yellow.
Regards,
Joe
I ordered the following configuration: (for anyone keeping track this is Clement Bass #183)
- 4-string configuration
- Body Shape: Clement Singlecut Ryan
- Body Wood: Spanish Cedar with figured redwood top
- Black Veneer under top
- One-piece bolt-on hard maple neck*
- Fretless ‘Lined” macassar ebony fingerboard
- One Nordstrand Pickup: parallel wind Dual Coil passive electronics (volume/tone)
Just sent Tom an email to inquire about a 5-piece maple neck with bloodwood stringers.
By the way, I am basically a guitar player who dabbles with the bass for recording. I came across these wonderful basses and just had to have one! My main axe is a Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster in Graffiti yellow.
Regards,
Joe
- Status
