If it doesn't set off explosions or earthquakes, is it "as described"?
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songwriter21
I have an obsession for wood. The musical kind.
That, and the pickup looks crooked, too. Sheesh.
songwriter21
I have an obsession for wood. The musical kind.
I support a luthier's mastery and vision, but this wood would've gone to way better use with some exquisite furniture, drums, or possibly classical instruments. Imagine a full-size harp made of this stuff....
No mention of a Hard Shell Case.
That is a real deal breaker for me!
That is a real deal breaker for me!
If you have a gig every day and put aside 50$/gig, it will take you more than 54 years to buy this bass. So here’s my financial advice : it is not, I repeat, not a good deal.
I tried reading the description 3 times and just gave up. I'm all for artistic expressions but that crossed the line into pretentiousness REAL fast - but then again maybe that's how you convince the super rich to buy even more stuff.
I mean, that would be a bargain for a good-condition Stradivarius (Napoleon's own Strad was sold at auction for 'only' $3.6 million in 2010) but this is not a Stradivarius for the likes of Josha Bell or Leonidas Kavakos to play the works of Mozart and Vivaldi on the world's greatest stages with the world's best classical musicians, where it's a prestige thing and the predominant reason for the value is the age and corresponding rarity (whether or not they actually sound or play better than a modern instrument built by the best luthiers around today remains a topic of heated debate).
For sure that is some beautifully figured mahogany, and I'm sure it sounds great and all, and I'm sure the dude who built it knows his stuff but yeah the kinda wonky string alignment reminds you that this is not an instrument to be played. This was created much in the same way as one of the great painters would create their artwork.
I saw a video with Ove from his gear check channel on YouTube where he was reviewing a $20k Alembic and discussing its value, and discussed what 'value' meant. He drew the comparison with a Manet or a Renoir painting. The cost of the painting doesn't come down to the value of the paint, or the canvas, or the hours that the painter put in. Those come in to a lot less. No, when we go into 'art' territory, it has to bring an entirely new aspect. In this case, the rare materials and the artistic approach are what give the value to it (and again, nobody has actually paid that sum for it - so the value is still very much 'theoretical').
Rich people buy expensive paintings by famous long-dead artists because 1) they might care about art and want to look at the paintings but mostly 2) it's a safe, solid investment that will never depreciate in value. I'm not sure this instrument will fall into this category.
Truth is, a well-made acoustic bass made of high-quality wood will probably sound just as good and probably play better. Might be a bit less cosmetically-appealing, but whatever.
I mean, that would be a bargain for a good-condition Stradivarius (Napoleon's own Strad was sold at auction for 'only' $3.6 million in 2010) but this is not a Stradivarius for the likes of Josha Bell or Leonidas Kavakos to play the works of Mozart and Vivaldi on the world's greatest stages with the world's best classical musicians, where it's a prestige thing and the predominant reason for the value is the age and corresponding rarity (whether or not they actually sound or play better than a modern instrument built by the best luthiers around today remains a topic of heated debate).
For sure that is some beautifully figured mahogany, and I'm sure it sounds great and all, and I'm sure the dude who built it knows his stuff but yeah the kinda wonky string alignment reminds you that this is not an instrument to be played. This was created much in the same way as one of the great painters would create their artwork.
I saw a video with Ove from his gear check channel on YouTube where he was reviewing a $20k Alembic and discussing its value, and discussed what 'value' meant. He drew the comparison with a Manet or a Renoir painting. The cost of the painting doesn't come down to the value of the paint, or the canvas, or the hours that the painter put in. Those come in to a lot less. No, when we go into 'art' territory, it has to bring an entirely new aspect. In this case, the rare materials and the artistic approach are what give the value to it (and again, nobody has actually paid that sum for it - so the value is still very much 'theoretical').
Rich people buy expensive paintings by famous long-dead artists because 1) they might care about art and want to look at the paintings but mostly 2) it's a safe, solid investment that will never depreciate in value. I'm not sure this instrument will fall into this category.
Truth is, a well-made acoustic bass made of high-quality wood will probably sound just as good and probably play better. Might be a bit less cosmetically-appealing, but whatever.
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And that doesnt even consider the electric...how long would you wait to start modding on it?
The Tree: The Four Elements - The Element Water Electric LP Ribbecke@Healdsburg Guitars | Healdsburg Guitars | Reverb
Beautiful, but NO !! ( I will wait for the Chinese fake)
If someone offered me a million buck to quit playing bass, I'm out. So I guess my lack of dedication would lead me to say it's not worth it ....to me.
Btw...for those who didnt make the connection, these guitars were built by Tom Ribbecke, who made Jack Casady's "Diana" bass.
So what does it do differently than any other 4 string acoustic bass, that is worth the extra $997,500 USD? Asking for a friend.
it's a fretted ABG. it's worthless.
Butter knife and some Bondo -- solved!
