So , this is a video of my Freedom P5 , full nitro, TI Flats killer bass !
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Freedom Custom Guitar Research - A visit (pics and some comments)
- Thread starter kumimajava
- Start date
Nice thread!! I've been eyeing this interesting 'crews maniac sound' bass.
Can anybody shed some light on this brand? It's not cheap, and i would like to know a bit more before i pull the trigger...
Cheers!!!
Can anybody shed some light on this brand? It's not cheap, and i would like to know a bit more before i pull the trigger...
Cheers!!!
Is there anything specific you'd like to know?
in general, here in japan, they seem to hold a mid-market/price postiion, somewhat similar to Atelier-Z. Most of the basses of theirs I've tried have been nice, but not remarkably better than other similiarly-priced local instruments.
There is one exception: their fretless 4- and 5-strings (most of them are 5-strings, and the model is "Jackson"-5) usually come with a very nice poly coating on the fretboard, and can get reather close to the Pedulla Pentabuzz sound, for much less, and with more conventional ergonomics. If that's what you're after, they're a great choice; nothing else in the same price-bracked that I've found comes as close
I hadn't seen this thread before, sorry I missed it for the last four years! Really fantastic post, I'd love to try one of their basses someday. And after reading the details, even more so! Clearly a lot of thought went into them.
I've been looking at 'uncle' model- a pj 4 string semi hollow.. which looks very nice.Is there anything specific you'd like to know?
in general, here in japan, they seem to hold a mid-market/price postiion, somewhat similar to Atelier-Z. Most of the basses of theirs I've tried have been nice, but not remarkably better than other similiarly-priced local instruments.
There is one exception: their fretless 4- and 5-strings (most of them are 5-strings, and the model is "Jackson"-5) usually come with a very nice poly coating on the fretboard, and can get reather close to the Pedulla Pentabuzz sound, for much less, and with more conventional ergonomics. If that's what you're after, they're a great choice; nothing else in the same price-bracked that I've found comes as close
1700$ second hand on ebay, which seem a bit expensive for a mid market.
I have also been looking at bossa, but i'm leaning towards a 4 string with a more traditional look... Anything you can recommend?
Thanks!!!
I hope you come across some that you can try - as you say, there is a lot of thought that goes into them. They don't tend to release any models just to jump on the bandwagon, until Fukano san is fully satisfied that it performs exactly as he wants.
This is one of the reasons it took them so long to come out with a 6-string Dulake; the construction and feel is actually rather different than the 5-string. But the sound is rather glorious
Is the Uncle fretless? I have a vague recollection that the semi-hollows were fretless.
I'm not sure what the secondhand bass market is like where you're at (your location lists Israel?) - but the uncle would typically retail aroud 2,000 USD locally if memory serves me right; not sure how much more expensive that'd be after postage, customs, etc.
Perhaps my "mid market" comment was somewhat misleading ... Crews are usually in the 2,000 - 3,500 USD "new" bracket; they have some special/custom models that are considerably more. So the mid-market comment was meant to say: above Fender, below Fodera/Sadowsky NYC, price-wise. In the grand scheme of things - these are great quality instruments.
Regarding Bossa - I believe that they are now out of production, and locally, the earlier models are highly regarded. They are said to be solid, and rather stable. I spent a long time trying to find the "right" OBJ-5, since i like the look & the idea of how the elctronics are set up... But every time i tried one, it just didn't sit well with me. Nothing at all with any of the instruments - necks were all fine, balance was ok, but somehow I just didn't mesh with them.
Unfortunately the ebay listing is one of those scammer that just list item on local site with a big markup and do not own the inventory.
I was curious so here you go with the original listing :
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
138kJPY so about 1250 USD (it's tempting to offer it to you for 1500 USD
)
Unfortunately the ebay listing is one of those scammer that just list item on local site with a big markup and do not own the inventory.
I was curious so here you go with the original listing :
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
138kJPY so about 1250 USD (it's tempting to offer it to you for 1500 USD
Good spot - I saw the Digimart listing, but didn't realise it was the same one that turned up on eBay.
Many of the larger music shops do post directly abroad, certainly Ikebe & Ishibashi do... perhaps Shimamura also?
Also - the listing does say that it is a fretless-to-fretted conversion (at Shimamura - so should be a good quality job!)... So perhaps my memory of the Uncles being "fretless" may be correct afterall!
Yes it is israel...
Ok, so now i understand it is a quality brand, i thought mid market in japan is like usa fender...good information thanks! It's what i wanted to hear
Thank you for the heads up! I didn't realise it was a scam, cause the rating of the shop was 100% positive... And i never heard of digimart, is it safe to buy from the shops there? Is there any ebay shop that you know of that has an actual inventory?Unfortunately the ebay listing is one of those scammer that just list item on local site with a big markup and do not own the inventory.
I was curious so here you go with the original listing :
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
138kJPY so about 1250 USD (it's tempting to offer it to you for 1500 USD
Thx again
Digimart is Japan's largest instrument aggregator/portal - they don't have any intventory themselves. Many of the shops that use it, also have their own websites, where you can buy stuff from directly. But there are also many (smaller & even large ones) that mainly use Digimart, especially for used gear.
The shop that's selling the Uncle is part of the Shimamura Gakki chain, which is one of the 4 large music store chains in Japan. I couldn't find this particular model on their own website, but that's not uncommon - many shops keep their Digimart or Rakuten websites more up to date than their own homepages. Shimamura's own "used" section on their own website is much less up to date than their inventory on Digimart.
Here's a link to the same bass, in Shimamura's "Rakuten shop":
https://item.rakuten.co.jp/shimamura-used/10137812/
While I can't guarantee that everything would go smoothly, I have bought two instrments from Shimamura via Digimart this year - and no issues with either (both of those instruments were also NOT listed on Shimamura's own page - same as the Uncle
. Each instrument came from a shop branch at the opposite end of Japan, but both played great, had been serviced competently, and pacakged well. What i don't know is their take on international postage - since it's not listed on their website. I know that Ikebe and Ishibashi (another 2 of the 4 large chains) have posted abroad - so Shimamura very well may do too.
If you're seriously considering this instrument, I'd recommend sending them an email (write in English & use Google Translate into japanese, and copy in below), telling them about your situation. Alternatively, if you'd like, I could call them on your behalf & inquire how bes to arrange an international transaction - admittedly, my Japanese skills are rather poor, but I think I should manage.
Good luck!
Well I’m not sure it’s technically a scam, IF the bass has not sold by the time you place your order they will buy it on your behalf, get the margin and ship it to you. But they’re basically listing at inflated price bass they do not owe. I had several of my listed instrument appearing on ebay that way and it was very annoying. Yep try to contact the shop directly. More and more those shop are listing on Reverb directly which does make a lot of sense, nothing hard to ship out from Japan.
The bass looks cool though
Not odd at all. If you visit or live in Tokyo or large metros in Japan -it is common practice not just bass - permeates all consumer products.
I don't know Japanese, but have read enough online to notice that the whole technical terminology of luthiery seems lifted from the English, including names of woods.
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I picked up a FCGR Dulake Flat with a maple fingerboard in "0:00" color (aka "Midnight") while in Osaka earlier this year. It is an absolutely amazing instrument (though almost impossible to photograph). Flawless construction, the fretwork is a work of art, and it sounds and plays amazing.
The electronics allow for a ton of versatility in tone. In active mode, the "tone" knob mellows out the sound, but the active treble can be bumped up to keep it from sounding muddy and muted. I find with the tone all the way up, the bass is pretty bright, so I roll it back a little. Passive mode keeps the tone adjustment but brings a much more vintage sound.
The Armizio one-point joint is really cool. Pulling off a dovetail neck joint that tightly is a sign of the skill involved in making these basses (and it's crazy that you can remove the bold and let string tension alone hold the neck in place). It seems like loosening it dampens overtones and probably absorbs some energy in sustain, which really does change the way the instrument plays.
I'd headed to Japan with the idea of possibly picking up a Sugi while there. I've played them before and loved them. The shop I was in in Osaka, Miki Bass Side, had several Sugis (including one with an amazing jungle inlay) as well as an STR. The Sugis are great instruments, I didn't fall in love with the STR. But when I plugged in the FCGR, I knew right away that I was holding something really special.
The electronics allow for a ton of versatility in tone. In active mode, the "tone" knob mellows out the sound, but the active treble can be bumped up to keep it from sounding muddy and muted. I find with the tone all the way up, the bass is pretty bright, so I roll it back a little. Passive mode keeps the tone adjustment but brings a much more vintage sound.
The Armizio one-point joint is really cool. Pulling off a dovetail neck joint that tightly is a sign of the skill involved in making these basses (and it's crazy that you can remove the bold and let string tension alone hold the neck in place). It seems like loosening it dampens overtones and probably absorbs some energy in sustain, which really does change the way the instrument plays.
I'd headed to Japan with the idea of possibly picking up a Sugi while there. I've played them before and loved them. The shop I was in in Osaka, Miki Bass Side, had several Sugis (including one with an amazing jungle inlay) as well as an STR. The Sugis are great instruments, I didn't fall in love with the STR. But when I plugged in the FCGR, I knew right away that I was holding something really special.
Wow, grats on that Dulake Flat, it looks fantastic! The joint is really interesting, something I guess you just have to experience for yourself.
Good luck on your Sugi Search! I own a 4-string and I'd love to have a 5'er some day. That jungle inlay one looks really cool, it has even more bats! Is it active? I'd be really interested to know what Sugis you get to check out and more importantly what you decide to get!
The jungle Sugi is active. Really beautiful, and [Invalid or Expired Link Removed].
I didn't phrase my post above very well. During my trip in April, I had the idea of picking up a Sugi but ended up getting the FCGR Dulake Flat instead. I'd still love to own a Sugi, but I pick up new basses at a rate of one every 20 years, so it might be a while.
In the meantime, I'm still completely in love with the Dulake. It's such a joy to play - I have a new inspiration to practice daily and am really digging in on some stuff. The sound guy at a gig earlier this week was going on and on about how great the bass sounded in the mix - wish I could say "it's all in my hands, dude".
BTW, Miki Bass Side in Osaka is the second store I've ever walked into and seen a Carl Thompson hanging on the wall (the other is Bass Collection in Shibuya, Tokyo). See the pic - the one on the left is from 1975 and can you yours for $14k. The one on the right is priced in the "if you have to ask, you can't afford it" category.
Ah, I see it now, I read "I'd headed" as "I'm headed", my mistake. Still, what an incredible trip that must have been!
Always nice to get compliments from the sound guy! Yeah, hands are great but basses do actually sound different too.
I've yet to run into a Carl Thompson, that must have been an experience. Funny how the $14k is the affordable one lol
- Nov 30, 2004
- 235
- 55
- Disclosures
- Artist: Aguilar Amplification, Effectrode pedals, Alleva Coppolo Basses, Moollon Basses
Soon getting this Retrospec P5
I will try to make a demo video once I get it.
