Club Clement (Part 7: Post your basses here)

[MrWalker]

Looking forward to my next one, which will be my #14 and Tom's #473, right Tom?
Phoenix 5-string fretted, with a hybrid stabilized amboyna burl top with blue pearl resin, black limba body, shedua/wenge neck with bloodwood fingerboard, Black Hipshot hardware (headed neck) and Bartolini pickups and preamp. Will be one sexy bass!

 

[scottm]

Looking forward to my next one, which will be my #14 and Tom's #473, right Tom?
Phoenix 5-string fretted, with a hybrid stabilized amboyna burl top with blue pearl resin, black limba body, shedua/wenge neck with bloodwood fingerboard, Black Hipshot hardware (headed neck) and Bartolini pickups and preamp. Will be one sexy bass! View attachment 3587231
View attachment 3587232

Wow! That is going to look great!

-ScottM

 

[MrWalker]

Wow! That is going to look great!

-ScottM

Thanks, I believe so, and I know it will play awesome. Tom's basses always do!

 

[Cliff Bordwell]

Very cool, I've a top like that somewhere...

 

[nice_hat]

Good day, my fellow connoisseurs. I am here to put out feelers for interest in picking up a "brand new, but technically second hand" Clement headless 6 string. It's build 467, pictured here with its matching bloodwood knobs.

I am considering the sale becuse I have shifted from working for someone else to owning my own business. The bass has never left my house, has just a few hours of play time on it, basically just enough to get the setup dialed in as I haven't had time with the new business efforts.

I wanted to give a heads up to the Clement crew before I list it officially. I'll list it here and on reverb if I do end up listing it. I don't particularly want to see it go, but cash is King when starting a business.

 

[gscroggin]

Good day, my fellow connoisseurs. I am here to put out feelers for interest in picking up a "brand new, but technically second hand" Clement headless 6 string. It's build 467, pictured here with its matching bloodwood knobs.

I recall seeing the build a few pages back, it's a hot looking bass! Sorry you have to consider unloading it. What are all the specs?

 

[nice_hat]

@gscroggin full specs:

32" scale, 6 string, Phoenix body shape in swamp Ash with zircote top and black laminate layer. Has a bloodwood thumb rest between the pickups. I have both the black hipshot knobs that Tom uses, and a set of bloodwood knobs on it now. Has Schaller strap locks.

Neck is maple with bubinga stringers, bloodwood fretboard. 24 standard frets (plus zero fret), though the board was long enough for 26, so there is a strip of bare wood down at the bottom, makes for cool tone tricks.

Nordstrand big single soapbars, passive with VBT knobs, 1/4" Jack on the side not the face.

Headless bridge, set to 16.5 mm spacing (though the hipshot bridge unit is adjustable, the pickups are spaced for 16.5). Has Labella gold flats on it.

Pro-Tec Case that Tom recommeds is included.

 

[Indiedog]

@gscroggin full specs:

32" scale, 6 string, Phoenix body shape in swamp Ash with zircote top and black laminate layer. Has a bloodwood thumb rest between the pickups. I have both the black hipshot knobs that Tom uses, and a set of bloodwood knobs on it now. Has Schaller strap locks.

Neck is maple with bubinga stringers, bloodwood fretboard. 24 standard frets (plus zero fret), though the board was long enough for 26, so there is a strip of bare wood down at the bottom, makes for cool tone tricks.

Nordstrand big single soapbars, passive with VBT knobs, 1/4" Jack on the side not the face.

Headless bridge, set to 16.5 mm spacing (though the hipshot bridge unit is adjustable, the pickups are spaced for 16.5). Has Labella gold flats on it.

Pro-Tec Case that Tom recommeds is included.

A real beauty!

 

[ahollowhd]

Nice_hat: Almost makes me want to try playing a 6 string again. What is the neck width at the nut and at the 12th fret?

 

[nice_hat]

It’s listed on reverb...

@ahollowhd nut is 59mm, 12th fret is 76mm

 

[naetog]

Bumping this thread!

Did some recording recently with my fretless Phoenix.

Sounded great, as usual. My playing is questionable, but the bass sounds nice!

No sound clips, but at least I got a photo.

Now I'm gassing for another Clement.. medium scale lined fretless 5...

 

[berman3313]

Hi Clement-ers: Looking more closely at one of these. Question about the neck radius for a 32” 4-string. Does this usually involve a compound radius or is it standard from nut to last fret? I’ve found other “boutique” basses commonly go compound from something like 12-20”. Of course, it is possible that these are all custom made for the original owner. And yes, I’m looking for an active, fretted 32” 4 string, if that is allowed in this thread. Thanks!

 

[tjclem]

Hi Clement-ers: Looking more closely at one of these. Question about the neck radius for a 32” 4-string. Does this usually involve a compound radius or is it standard from nut to last fret? I’ve found other “boutique” basses commonly go compound from something like 12-20”. Of course, it is possible that these are all custom made for the original owner. And yes, I’m looking for an active, fretted 32” 4 string, if that is allowed in this thread. Thanks!

All of my basses are 16" all the way. I have made a few with flat fingerboards though. Thanks for considering my basses.

 

[FretFree]

Hi Clement-ers: Looking more closely at one of these. Question about the neck radius for a 32” 4-string. Does this usually involve a compound radius or is it standard from nut to last fret? I’ve found other “boutique” basses commonly go compound from something like 12-20”. Of course, it is possible that these are all custom made for the original owner. And yes, I’m looking for an active, fretted 32” 4 string, if that is allowed in this thread. Thanks!

Ha! @tjclem beat me to it! Ask Tom!

 

[Aroneng]

Hi Clement-ers: Looking more closely at one of these. Question about the neck radius for a 32” 4-string. Does this usually involve a compound radius or is it standard from nut to last fret? I’ve found other “boutique” basses commonly go compound from something like 12-20”. Of course, it is possible that these are all custom made for the original owner. And yes, I’m looking for an active, fretted 32” 4 string, if that is allowed in this thread. Thanks!

While the question was related to fingerboard radius (and some have preferences for single radius or compound radius), I think Tom’s secret sauce is in the neck profile - making his basses very easy to play and to move around.

 

[Indiedog]

While the question was related to fingerboard radius (and some have preferences for single radius or compound radius), I think Tom’s secret sauce is in the neck profile - making his basses very easy to play and to move around.

Secret Sauce.

Yup...that is a good explanation for the special qualities Tom's basses have. I ended up with mine because I was purchasing a flute from a local Craigslist guy...I mentioned bass and he said his Clement was up for sale. He plugged in and started playing. Between the SOUND that it made and how lightly and easily the owner played it, I fell in love. Completely knocked out. Once I played it, I realized how perfect the neck is. And since mine is a fretless, that is very important. Mwaaaaah!

 

[tjclem]

I will be at an event on Long Island March 22nd. If any of you are in the area pleas come by. LONG ISLAND MUSIC EXPO

 

[naetog]

If anyone is still on the fence about Tom's basses, just do yourself a favor and order one.

I'm almost a year into my fretless Phoenix, and feel like I've had a good chance to compare it to many other basses in that time.

There's an indescribable comfort to them. Yes, the sound is fantastic, the fit and finish are both wonderful (Walnut tops are hard to beat for me), but it's the playability that's the best thing about them.

It took me a few practice sessions to realize it's because they are properly balanced.
Everything is easier to play on this bass than anything I've ever had (and I've been through at least 60 basses; from cheap Ibanez, to Skjolds, and many many many things in between). That's not too say any of those other basses are bad at all, but, again, that intangible thing that happened with my Clement has spoiled me.

I've probably played my Pedulla Buzz five or six times in the last year, and the balance on it is just terrible compared to the Phoenix body shape.

It's also stupid light and easy to play for hours on end. Almost every other bass I've picked up in the last year has weighed noticably more, and balanced terribly.

Not fighting with your bass is a revelation. Thank you, @tjclem , for helping me realize this.

Now here's a photo of it in the studio in January:

 

[berman3313]

If anyone is still on the fence about Tom's basses, just do yourself a favor and order one.

I'm almost a year into my fretless Phoenix, and feel like I've had a good chance to compare it to many other basses in that time.

There's an indescribable comfort to them. Yes, the sound is fantastic, the fit and finish are both wonderful (Walnut tops are hard to beat for me), but it's the playability that's the best thing about them.

It took me a few practice sessions to realize it's because they are properly balanced.
Everything is easier to play on this bass than anything I've ever had (and I've been through at least 60 basses; from cheap Ibanez, to Skjolds, and many many many things in between). That's not too say any of those other basses are bad at all, but, again, that intangible thing that happened with my Clement has spoiled me.

I've probably played my Pedulla Buzz five or six times in the last year, and the balance on it is just terrible compared to the Phoenix body shape.

It's also stupid light and easy to play for hours on end. Almost every other bass I've picked up in the last year has weighed noticably more, and balanced terribly.

Not fighting with your bass is a revelation. Thank you, @tjclem , for helping me realize this.

Now here's a photo of it in the studio in January:

View attachment 3737386

That is one beautiful set up. To bring your story to life - would love to hear some sound samples. Between the Phoenix and your awesome pedalboard - the sounds should be nectar for the the audio gods!

 

[tjclem]

If anyone is still on the fence about Tom's basses, just do yourself a favor and order one.

I'm almost a year into my fretless Phoenix, and feel like I've had a good chance to compare it to many other basses in that time.

There's an indescribable comfort to them. Yes, the sound is fantastic, the fit and finish are both wonderful (Walnut tops are hard to beat for me), but it's the playability that's the best thing about them.

It took me a few practice sessions to realize it's because they are properly balanced.
Everything is easier to play on this bass than anything I've ever had (and I've been through at least 60 basses; from cheap Ibanez, to Skjolds, and many many many things in between). That's not too say any of those other basses are bad at all, but, again, that intangible thing that happened with my Clement has spoiled me.

I've probably played my Pedulla Buzz five or six times in the last year, and the balance on it is just terrible compared to the Phoenix body shape.

It's also stupid light and easy to play for hours on end. Almost every other bass I've picked up in the last year has weighed noticably more, and balanced terribly.

Not fighting with your bass is a revelation. Thank you, @tjclem , for helping me realize this.

Now here's a photo of it in the studio in January:

View attachment 3737386

Really happy you like it and thanks for spreading the word.