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Leduc basses

#22
Hollow Man said:
So I played my first one today, and.... I want one. I realize this ultimate purpose of this thread (i.e. the location and eventual acquisition of a Leduc) might be better served in the WTB Forum, but I'm also looking for more information about Leducs in general. I've been to the website, but sadly, I speak no French, and the English version is, in a word, atrocious. I'd love any information people have about the various models, and especially information about the line that Christophe Leduc had crafted in Japan (like, how to tell between one of those and a 'true' French Leduc).

And, um......... anyone have a bead on one? Know any stores that might stock this sort of thing? I checked a lot of the usual suspects tonight (The Low End, Austin Bass Traders, Bass Central, etc) tonight with obviously no luck, but I would love to hear if there are any other suggestions, particularly reputable dealers in Europe or Asia who might carry a used or new Leduc. Thanks!
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There were some basses made by Sanox in Japan, which were called "belle ile".Leduc only designed them.
Unfortunatly Leduc basses are not very well distributed...the easiest way is to mail them ;)
 
#23
EddieJackson said:
There were some basses made by Sanox in Japan, which were called "belle ile".Leduc only designed them.
Unfortunatly Leduc basses are not very well distributed...the easiest way is to mail them ;)
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Yeah, I found one. I've spoken with Christophe Leduc several times via email, and he is really a very gracious and helpful person. He gave me the scoop on all of his models (to include the ones he helped design for Sanox, which aren't really his, by his own admission).
 
#24
i had the pleasure of working in a shop in the states (that is now long gone) that carried leduc. i got the chance to play several of his models (incluidng ubass, pad(auk), maraud, and some customs). my favorite by far was the maraud. bass player actually reviewed the maraud one month. the bass *is* marcus miller's tone. i was never crazy about the headless aspect of the bass, but if you want a marcus sounding bass, none is better than the maraud.

as far as i had heard, christophe stopped building entirely a few years ago, but sounds like that isn't the case. none-the-less i have some experience with his instruments and am happy to share info if needed.
 
#25
cosmicevan said:
as far as i had heard, christophe stopped building entirely a few years ago, but sounds like that isn't the case. none-the-less i have some experience with his instruments and am happy to share info if needed.
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No, Christophe is still building, albeit at his own pace. He told me he's booked out past a year, since all he's doing now is custom work that people request of him. But he is still taking orders, for anyone who's willing to go for it!
 
#26
In fact, Christophe was forced to sell his business around 1983 (I guess).He tried to become bigger but it didn't work...
Later in 1986, he managed to buy back the "Leduc" brand again, that's when he started making these masterpieces we all know : Maurad, MNV, Modern, U bass...
Seems to me that the team is only 3 persons nowadays.
 
#29
A '92? Wow, that is going back a ways, particularly for a bass that wasn't exactly built to be a road warrior like a P Bass.

I'm really hoping that Christophe would consider going over mine, touching it up a bit (including evening out the neck, where the ebony stringers have shrunk in comparison to the surrounding maple), and giving it a clean bill of health.

I hadn't even considered asking him to add any upgrades, but if he's willing to, I think I'd give him the green light. In our email exchanges, it sounds like 2004 is when he changed a few things electronically, to include new pickups, a different piezo, and adding MIDI control.
 
#30
Hollow Man said:
Hey, my old thread! And thanks for asking!

A TB'er who had purchased one of the two that Brian at The Low End had offered to sell his. I'm in DC and he's in Baltimore, so I drove up this past weekend. It sounds amazing, but the condition is not exactly stellar. I've emailed Christophe Leduc about possibly having him go over it, so we'll see what he says.

Either way, it's quite nice to have one. It's got an incredible woody/acoustic sound to it, and I'm surprised at how similar it can be to my Rob Allen Mouse in that regard. The previous owner put some F Bass rounds on it, but I'm thinking of swapping them out for some flats, although not sure what brand.

Here's a pic from The Low End's sold gallery... when I get more time, I'll take some of my own and post them.
CIMG7108.jpg
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I tried a Leduc just like that in a London store, in 1996. It might have been one of-, if not the, best bass I've played. So, congrats! :)
 

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