Club Clement (Part 6: Post your basses here)

[bompabass]

Doesn't he only work one day a year?
Something tells me with the amount of basses you put out you might have a slightly different work ethic.

Why don't we have a "Like" button?

 

[oilfieldtrash]

wow being compared with Santa .............. Pretty cool!

It's a good thing, Tom - you know...bringing joy to all the good boys & girls

 

[oilfieldtrash]

Speaking of Joy!! Final assembly starts

 

[pitbill]

Tom got everything lined out and it is shipping tomorrow amongst a few others finished ones (I think). Tom has been busy this week indeed. I am just as impressed with the ash body rear as I am the redwood front.

 

[oilfieldtrash]

Well Fellow Clement-heads, the time has come
She ships tomorrow
Tom has been an absolute First-Class act from start to finish during the build! If you're 'On the fence' about a Clement - don't be! Go for it!
Tom - you rule

 

[oilfieldtrash]

...And, that gorgeous Myrtlewood top

 

[PassivAggressiv]

It's a good thing, Tom - you know...bringing joy to all the good boys & girls

And hopefully some of the naughty ones as well!

 

[tjclem]

And hopefully some of the naughty ones as well!

You NASTY girl you!

Off to test drive 4 Woo Hoo!

 

[bompabass]

Enjoy the honeymoon oilfieldtrash and pitbill

 

[eude]

...And, that gorgeous Myrtlewood top

What an awesome bass, congrats to you, and as usual Tom, magnificent work!

Cheers,
Eude

 

[PassivAggressiv]

You NASTY girl you!

Off to test drive 4 Woo Hoo!

LOL. Maybe if I promise to be good, Santa will deliver me into Clement heaven soon.

Mine's next, right? (Not to rush you or anything...)

 

[JoelFT]

So, anyone here just buy that four string Jon that was on eBay? If it was fretted I would have had a hard time not whipping out my PayPal account.

 

[kjpollo]

Tom got everything lined out and it is shipping tomorrow amongst a few others finished ones (I think). Tom has been busy this week indeed. I am just as impressed with the ash body rear as I am the redwood front.

I dont know how he does it so often but Tom gets some REALLY nice ash for the bodies. I have to remember to put up a pic or 2 of the back of mine.

 

[TapyTap]

The Hipshot system seems very interesting, but I do have some concerns about it as I have no experience with any headless hardware. For those with experience with the Hipshot system, maybe you can clear some things up for me:

1) Do you find string installation to be more of a task when compared to standard tuning machines?

2) How does string tuning/saddle intonation compare with the standard Hipshot tuning machines and bridges? Is it easier, more difficult, or just different?

3) When playing the headless, is there ever any noise/rattling coming form the bridge pieces?

4) Do you have any concerns about the tuning knobs or headpiece clamp screws wearing out and not functioning properly?

Thanks for considering my questions.

 

[MrWalker]

The Hipshot system seems very interesting, but I do have some concerns about it as I have no experience with any headless hardware. For those with experience with the Hipshot system, maybe you can clear some things up for me:

I'll try to answer I have a 6-string headless and the double-neck headless, so I have a total of three of these systems. I have earlier played a Warwick Nobby Meidl and I have another old Riverhead headless bass. I'm not that experienced with headless, compared to headed basses, but I have some experience.

1) Do you find string installation to be more of a task when compared to standard tuning machines?

The first time, yes. But when you read the instructions, it seems like a bigger task than it really is. The biggest problem is actually getting the old strings out of the bridge pieces. But there is a small and convenient tool in the box that helps you measure the string before you cut it, insert the ball-end in the bridge/holder, and bend the string end and inset it into the head piece. It's pretty straight-forward once you've done it a couple times.

2) How does string tuning/saddle intonation compare with the standard Hipshot tuning machines and bridges? Is it easier, more difficult, or just different?

It's just different. It's not hard to intonate the bridge system at all. It just seems a little more intimidating since it's busier at the bridge end. But it's not a problem.

3) When playing the headless, is there ever any noise/rattling coming form the bridge pieces?

Absolutely not. i haven't heard any noise at all from these systems.

4) Do you have any concerns about the tuning knobs or headpiece clamp screws wearing out and not functioning properly?

No, I don't really expect this to be of bad quality or prone to breaking. they are busier than a normal bridge, and maybe the system will take less abuse than a traditional setup, but it all depends on how much abuse you are going to expose it to.

I like mine.

 

[oilfieldtrash]

Greetings Clement-heads!
This may be the most significant photo Tom has sent...it shipped! No question, Tom takes customer service to a new level!
I think some others (Pitbill's)are going out at the same time...lots of joy today
Thanks to all who gave me your input and opinions when I first started this quest. I'll be sure to post photos when #262 is in my eagerly waiting hands

 

[TapyTap]

I'll try to answer I have a 6-string headless and the double-neck headless, so I have a total of three of these systems. I have earlier played a Warwick Nobby Meidl and I have another old Riverhead headless bass. I'm not that experienced with headless, compared to headed basses, but I have some experience.

You are more than qualified to answer!

The biggest problem is actually getting the old strings out of the bridge pieces.

Funny, I never would have guessed this would be the case.

But there is a small and convenient tool in the box that helps you measure the string before you cut it, insert the ball-end in the bridge/holder, and bend the string end and inset it into the head piece. It's pretty straight-forward once you've done it a couple times.

So, as long as you can get the string anchored at the bridge end of things, it sounds like you can use any length of string you want...providing the speaking length of the string will reach past the nut and the rest of the string will be long enough to fit into the head piece. In other words, a long scale string could be used on a medium scale bass with the headless system without any problem. Is this correct?

It's just different. It's not hard to intonate the bridge system at all. It just seems a little more intimidating since it's busier at the bridge end. But it's not a problem.

Very nice to hear this. Do you find it a bit awkward to tune the string with your right hand rather than your left? (...assuming that you tune this way )

Absolutely not. i haven't heard any noise at all from these systems.

Excellent!

No, I don't really expect this to be of bad quality or prone to breaking. they are busier than a normal bridge, and maybe the system will take less abuse than a traditional setup, but it all depends on how much abuse you are going to expose it to.

I think my greatest concern is that the threads might become stripped and the gear loosen over time if one makes frequent string changes. I would definitely try my best to take good care of the hardware.

I like mine.

Well your input is very important to me and really helps me out. I really respect your opinion. Thank you.

 

[jbybj]

I haven't changed my strings yet, but I can tell you that I love the feel and response when tuning. Very precise, and easy to dial in. And I think you answered all your own questions when you write the word "Hipshot". For a long time I have found their products to be of outstanding quality, durable and functional. I would never expect an errant rattle from a Hipshot bridge, or a Clement bass.

I also really like the balance of mine. I think the missing headstock is a big factor.

The Hipshot system seems very interesting, but I do have some concerns about it as I have no experience with any headless hardware. For those with experience with the Hipshot system, maybe you can clear some things up for me:

1) Do you find string installation to be more of a task when compared to standard tuning machines?

2) How does string tuning/saddle intonation compare with the standard Hipshot tuning machines and bridges? Is it easier, more difficult, or just different?

3) When playing the headless, is there ever any noise/rattling coming form the bridge pieces?

4) Do you have any concerns about the tuning knobs or headpiece clamp screws wearing out and not functioning properly?

Thanks for considering my questions.

 

[TapyTap]

I haven't changed my strings yet, but I can tell you that I love the feel and response when tuning. Very precise, and easy to dial in. And I think you answered all your own questions when you write the word "Hipshot". For a long time I have found their products to be of outstanding quality, durable and functional. I would never expect an errant rattle from a Hipshot bridge, or a Clement bass.

I also really like the balance of mine. I think the missing headstock is a big factor.

I wouldn't expect Mr. Clement to use the headless system if he didn't think it to be of excellent quality. It's really nice to get your opinion...and thanks for the photos of your bass! Beautiful.

 

[MrWalker]

So, as long as you can get the string anchored at the bridge end of things, it sounds like you can use any length of string you want...providing the speaking length of the string will reach past the nut and the rest of the string will be long enough to fit into the head piece. In other words, a long scale string could be used on a medium scale bass with the headless system without any problem. Is this correct?

Yes, this is correct. You need the "speaking" length, and the string anchor is not var from the "ordinary" location on a standard string. The string is then cut approximately 10mm longer than the top of the headpiece. You use the accompanying tool to measure it. So on a 34" bass, you need 35-36" string length, maximum. You need a shorter string than you would need if you are stringing a "normal" bass.

Very nice to hear this. Do you find it a bit awkward to tune the string with your right hand rather than your left? (...assuming that you tune this way )

No, it is not really a problem at all. I have 2 5-string and 1 6-string system, and the only thing is to get used to the tighter space between the string knobs. But as mentioned above, the responsiveness is great, it takes very little adjustment to get it in tune.

I think my greatest concern is that the threads might become stripped and the gear loosen over time if one makes frequent string changes. I would definitely try my best to take good care of the hardware.

I know that Steinberger owners are a little worried about their systems, as the string jaw seems to break over time. The Hipshot system seems to be much more solid than the Steinberger system was. I haven't owned one of those, but I had a friend who owned one and we struggled really hard to get hold of a new string jaw (MusicYo had them in stock... but refused to ship to Norway... I mean... it's a tiny part and it would be in an envelope... customer non-service).
But the Hipshot string jaw is much more solid, and I doubt it will ever break.

And if they do, I'm sure that Hipshot will be around for decades to come, and I'm sure they will be able to stock necessary replacement parts. I see little reason to worry.

Well your input is very important to me and really helps me out. I really respect your opinion. Thank you.

Thanks!

To be honest, the only fear I have over these systems are the risk of breaking or bending the tuning pegs by bumping them into something.

Cheers,
Jon