Contemplating a NEW Vadim....help...

[Ricky Caboverde]

Hello to all. The title pretty much says it all. After much debating, I have decided that I want a custom instrument. I am planning on building a fretless 5er and have a very specific tonal goal I want to reach. My first fretless when I started playing bass was a bass by Vadim that he built when he was starting out to build basses. I ended selling that bass since fretless was a bit too much to start out on...I've been kicking myself since then. Recently I acquired a bass and a guitar built by a very well known luthier. They were built for someone else, but he ended selling them to me during a financially trying time. Ok, my question is, IS IT WORTH GIVING UP TWO HANDMADE CUSTOM INSTRUMENTS FOR JUST ONE? specifically two R-bass instruments for a Vadim bass made just for me?

Anybody who owns a Vadim or has dealt with him personally, I would love to hear from you.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

I know Vadim and I have dealt with him,aside from being a talented luthier he is very down to earth and extremely easy to work with,he's a low maintenance kind of guy and you can't go wrong with having him make an instrument for you,he's very meticulous and will not let an instrument out of his shop unless he feels that it is nothing short of being ready.

when you talk to him tell him I said hello.

 

[EBMatt]

My buddy Justin (jdoolong) had a Vadim fretless, but got rid of it. He didn't like the sound. I never heard it plugged in, but I didn't like the way it played. But it's all relative.

I'll see if I can find him so he can post.

YO JUSTIN, GET OVER HERE!!!!

 

[Ricky Caboverde]

My buddy Justin (jdoolong) had a Vadim fretless, but got rid of it. He didn't like the sound. I never heard it plugged in, but I didn't like the way it played. But it's all relative.

I'll see if I can find him so he can post.

YO JUSTIN, GET OVER HERE!!!!

Thanks for chiming in guys.
I really hope your friend Justin sees this because I'd like to know if he got his bass second hand (which in that case would mean that the original owner intended to have a certain tone that your friend did not like) or if he actually went through the whole selection process to get sound that he was after...hmm...

 

[Ricky Caboverde]

I know Vadim and I have dealt with him,aside from being a talented luthier he is very down to earth and extremely easy to work with,he's a low maintenance kind of guy and you can't go wrong with having him make an instrument for you,he's very meticulous and will not let an instrument out of his shop unless he feels that it is nothing short of being ready.

when you talk to him tell him I said hello.

Jauquo I totally feel what your saying. Although that bass was an early work (looked nothing like his gorgeous new basses), the wood work was nothing short of breathtaking. So I know that what he has to offer is quality stuff. I'm just uncertain of the sound his bass will give me. He is obviously passionate about his work and affirms that he knows how to get what a player is after, but, my previous bass honestly did not sound that great. I have read other reviews however that state that his basses sound sweet...so I am very curious...I have always loved his work and vowed that I would try to get one of his basses wwhen the time came...This might be the time, I just need some more info before taking that plunge (about $3500 deep...ouch). The most i've spent on any instrument thus far was $2500 on my '69 DelPilar classical (well worth it...and then some). By the way, I'm gonna talk to call him on monday and will tell him you say hi

 

[EBMatt]

Thanks for chiming in guys.
I really hope your friend Justin sees this because I'd like to know if he got his bass second hand (which in that case would mean that the original owner intended to have a certain tone that your friend did not like) or if he actually went through the whole selection process to get sound that he was after...hmm...

He picked it up used. I don't know if you keep up to date with what The Low End has in stock, but it was the one that was selling there a few months ago. I PM'ed him, so he should be around soon.

 

[Ricky Caboverde]

Man...I sOOOO remember that bass...I had some terrible gas and no money

 

[jnprather]

I don't have a whole lot to add except that I am currently in the early planning stages of getting my own custom bass made and Vadim is on my short list of luthiers I am considering. He's a little bit under the radar but at the same time alot of guys around here seem to have experience with him and/or his instruments. This is one of my favorite looking basses ever:

I'm very curious to see how this turns out for you, keep us posted.

 

[Ricky Caboverde]

Will do.
I've talked with him for a few hours already. He is just one of those guys that really gets you excited about getting a custom made bass. You can really sense his passion about building a bass for a player, knowing that it will get alot of use. Awesome guy.

 

[Ricky Caboverde]

By the way the back of the bass you posted is gorgeous. Especially the neck...

 

[dancing_chris]

Hi Anointd,
any news with your custom vadim? have you taken the plunge and what have you come up with?
Cheers.

 

[Lokire]

I don't have much to add, except that I've talked with Vadim a bit and he has a really great attitude. And I love his designs. Some of my faves!

 

[dancing_chris]

yeah they are just amazing looking instruments... have you ever played one (or anyone else here)? how would you describe their "finerstyle-abilty" (i am no slapper )?

 

[Baryonyx]

I've never had the pleasure of playing one, but they do look incredible!

 

[JAUQO III-X]

I know Vadim and I have dealt with him,aside from being a talented luthier he is very down to earth and extremely easy to work with

I've played several of Vadim's instruments and each one looked and played flawlessly and sounded awesome as well.

 

[dancing_chris]

http://www.globalbass.com/archives/dec2000/vadim.htm

for those who havent read it, the man has quite a story to tell too.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Link Removed

 

[Human Bass]

http://www.globalbass.com/archives/dec2000/vadim.htm

for those who havent read it, the man has quite a story to tell too.

This is a very interesting and hilarious interview.

 

[Ricky Caboverde]

Man, am I late....
I'm sorry I didn't catch the revival of my thread...
Yes I have decided to take the plunge, but I am getting the money together at the moment. I am incredibly excited.
So far what I have in mind is a six string unlined fretless bass.
Burled-curly walnut top, walnut bodywith maple veneer between top and body, wenge-padauk-walnut-padauk-wenge neck(with maple veneer between), macassar ebony bridge w/ trble extension, Vadim's own custom electronics with 4-band pre. The top will be gloss with the nek and body in matte. This bass is going to rock my world! Anyways, I will deffinitely keep you guys posted once the build begins. Should be about another few weeks. God bless!

 

[jnprather]

That is awesome to hear, I am glad to hear you are following through on it. I will be watching this thread until that baby is completed!!

BTW, a bunch of Vadim basses just appeared on ebay last week, but none of them were sold. Searching for them under "completed items" will bring them up. Some very nice basses.