• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

NBD - D'angelico Premier Hollow body

ctbass

ctbass

Jun 21, 2005
503
128
Colorado
#1
My First Hollow body. Saw these at NAMM and played one. Felt great and the price point was incredibly affordable. Starting a new project that we are still trying to figure out; Gov't Mule, Galactic, Jeff Beck, jam bandishy kind of thing. So I thought this would work well. I have to say this bass sounds great. Great tone, extremely playable. I really have no others to compare it to, but I am really digging it.

My one complaint....and it's kind of a big one; the neck dive makes it virtually unplayable standing up and neck heel strap button is utterly worthless. I have had to rig a strap to the headstock which looks wonky and is definitely taking some getting used to

Now - No one gets more frustrated every time they walk into GC than I do. But...after I had to call D'Angelico myself because the salesperson didn't call them to order it for me, GC did call me back and the ordering and delivery process went smoothly. The bass arrived completely out of whack set up wise. But the onsite tech at GC worked with me for 30-40 minutes and got it set up.

So, there you have it.
(photo is stock photo but the same color I bought)

Thanks Everyone
 

Attachments

  • DAPBASSTBLCSPO-WF-768x2007.png
    DAPBASSTBLCSPO-WF-768x2007.png
    910 KB · Views: 535
  • Like
Reactions: mikewalker, Sands, tindrum and 1 other person
#2
My local GC told me yesterday they no longer have a business relationship with D'Angelico. I am not sure which party terminated the agreement 6-8 weeks ago, nor an "official" reason, but was rumored to be a disagreement over store pricing - again, third hand info. This is frustrating; I don't want to travel to NYC for a feel, nor purchase sight unseen.
 
Last edited:
#3
ctbass said:
My First Hollow body. Saw these at NAMM and played one. Felt great and the price point was incredibly affordable. Starting a new project that we are still trying to figure out; Gov't Mule, Galactic, Jeff Beck, jam bandishy kind of thing. So I thought this would work well. I have to say this bass sounds great. Great tone, extremely playable. I really have no others to compare it to, but I am really digging it.

My one complaint....and it's kind of a big one; the neck dive makes it virtually unplayable standing up and neck heel strap button is utterly worthless. I have had to rig a strap to the headstock which looks wonky and is definitely taking some getting used to

Now - No one gets more frustrated every time they walk into GC than I do. But...after I had to call D'Angelico myself because the salesperson didn't call them to order it for me, GC did call me back and the ordering and delivery process went smoothly. The bass arrived completely out of whack set up wise. But the onsite tech at GC worked with me for 30-40 minutes and got it set up.

So, there you have it.
(photo is stock photo but the same color I bought)

Thanks Everyone
Click to expand...

Have you tried a 3-4" wide neck strap? I use a 3.5" cotton strap for my EB-3 and I don't even notice it, nice bass BTW.
 
#4
Hello everyone.
I bought my first D'angelico Premier Bass - my first Hollow Body - as a Xmas gift to myself, at a incredible sale price (check Thomann.de).
I was looking for an fretless bass when I found this sale, the game changed.
Once I couldnt find reviews or tests for that specific bass, I've sent an email to D'Angelico ansking for info and they answered saying they stopped producing the bass, no more explanation given.
I took the risk (I had the 'confort' of a 30 day money back-no questions asked return policy) and ordered the bass.

As positive points, it's an excelent and beautiful bass for the price. Great sound, round and 'acoustic' feel and, after a good and long setup (the bass came with an horrible setup from the factory, I mean, no setup at all! it's annoying)

it's very playable. But.....

The neck is much longer than it's supposed to be, (35 inches!) and, once I'm a short arm man, it's a bit challenging. And it's so unbalanced! As CTbass says, it's almost unplayable standing.
Once I'm a diver, i've tried to use 1/2 kg dive weight to the bridge side of the strap, and it helped a lot.
CT, maybe you can try it, along with a wide strap, it helped.

I'm still to find the precise weight and to find the right way to attach the weight to the strap, and obviously it's annoying, but I'm happy with the sound, playability, and looks.

here it goes along with the Sire bass:

IMG_2829.jpg

All the best from Lisboa!

J
 
#7
I went ahead and ordered a Premier. I live in Mexico and good instruments are hard to find and usually much more expensive than in the US. I found a new one from an authorized dealer with a 30 day return policy. $800US, free shipping, 2nd day delivery.
It came with a nice D´Angelico gig bag which I wasn´t expecting.
Unplayable out of the box! Horrible high action. I replaced the strings with GHS Precision Flats. The bridge and truss rod adjusted easily and the bass plays great. The neck seems very stable.
Great tone range for a passive bass
I wanted a 35¨scale version and this is what I got. My Lakland 5 strings are 35¨but I have never seen a 35¨four string . I do not care for short scale basses. Had this been 32.5¨I would have returned it. The string spacing is 19mm which is the same as my other basses.
I haven´t gigged with it yet. So far I am very impressed with it.
 
Last edited:

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back