Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
Hey all....just trying to keep this thread alive! I just put some new clips of a new group called Habitual Human up on my Soundcloud page. Check them out. My bass is really starting to open up, and I've found a sound from my bass that I love more and more. I've had my 6 for two and a half years now and it just keeps getting closer and closer to what I had hoped for soundwise. I love my bass! I've learned how important it is to stick with one bass for a long period of time.
Oh wow, has it really been that long already?!?!?
I will give the tracks a listen when I get home.
Picked this up from ryano, sweet bass!
Like many folks here I've owned and own some of the finest basses ever made.
The Ristola bass easily matches the quality and play ability of any of them.
Truly digging it, will rock it hard this Sunday for Worship!
Like many folks here I've owned and own some of the finest basses ever made.
The Ristola bass easily matches the quality and play ability of any of them.
Truly digging it, will rock it hard this Sunday for Worship!
Picked this up from ryano, sweet bass!
Like many folks here I've owned and own some of the finest basses ever made.
The Ristola bass easily matches the quality and play ability of any of them.
Truly digging it, will rock it hard this Sunday for Worship!
Great to hear. Brian hasn't made a lot of basses, but they really are as good as anything out there. I love mine.
What kind of preamp is in that bass?
Hi Andy,
I really dig the music you do with your various groups, and your sound is superb - it really comes out on Improv 2. It'd be even better if there was a little more of you in the mix.
Any plans to post any "solos"?
Quick update on my Ristola: no new photos to share for the moment, as Brian's been down sick for a few days. Hopefully he'll be getting better soon.
And the next shots I'll post should be the body starting to take form.
Glen, thanks very much. As far as solos, do you mean my taking a solo during a tune? The only thing like that is the trio clip on my youtube channel. Look for the Selen Gulun Trio clip. I work on soloing over changes all the time, and soloing in general, but I've been focusing on this other thing as far as playing in a group. My soloing sounds a little too much like other modern bass players right now. Trying to find something new. It may take some time. It takes me a long time to develop things. I just remembered that the last clip on my soundcloud page is my working on soloistic ideas over a loop. The sound quality is bad but you can hear some things I was working on at the time.
As far as your bass, when it's done I'm heading up to visit Brian and check it out. I need a fretless myself.
A few photos from Brian, who's made quite a bit of progress on my fretless.
This Koa top is going to be gorgeous when finished!
The Mohagany fretlines are a little dark than I'd expected, but I'd wanted them to be subtle, and that they are.
the neck, front and back:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
a close-up of the fretlines, done in Mohagany, like the body:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
And the body, front and back, contoured and routed:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
This Koa top is going to be gorgeous when finished!
The Mohagany fretlines are a little dark than I'd expected, but I'd wanted them to be subtle, and that they are.
the neck, front and back:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
a close-up of the fretlines, done in Mohagany, like the body:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
And the body, front and back, contoured and routed:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Hey, can you tell me who made you these pick up covers I want some for my bass, thanks!
Hi Folks,
Haven't had pictures for a few weeks - while the bass was sent to the finisher - but now that it's back photos are coming in floods.
Here's a few I have so far, and should have one of the complete bass in just a few days.
Enjoy!
Bass body, finished:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Bass back, finished:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Bass body, with pickups:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
The headstock, with posts:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Haven't had pictures for a few weeks - while the bass was sent to the finisher - but now that it's back photos are coming in floods.
Here's a few I have so far, and should have one of the complete bass in just a few days.
Enjoy!
Bass body, finished:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Bass back, finished:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Bass body, with pickups:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
The headstock, with posts:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Glen, I saw and played your bass. To me that's the most beautiful bass that Brian has made yet. I like understated and elegant...yours is both. The top looks more like a dark piece of myrtle than koa, which I like. Best piece of koa I've ever seen. As for the sound? As soon as Brian plucked one note on the bass I knew it was perfect, without plugging it in. Of course, this is considering what I like in a bass. Brian and I both feel that that wood combo is where it's at. For me it's all about the low mids, and your bass just has it naturally. I tried the piezo quickly. You can get some really nice sounds from that. Not my thing, but if you like that you'll be really happy with it. With just the mag pickups and the preamp flat I let out a laugh/gasp. Amazing. I have the same preamp, so I boosted the bass and mids and the bass was in my territory right away. Man, I could live with that bass with just the bridge pickup, it's that good. Fretless mwah for days. You're going to be VERY happy Glen! Enjoy!
Hi all. I'm thinking of investing in a Ristola. They look fantastic. Why in the world are these basses not more known and popular? Aren't they easily up there with Roscoe, Stambaugh, and the likes of MTD?
They're as good as the best out there. Brian doesn't make many basses per year so there aren't a lot out there compared to other full time luthiers. Brian has his irons in a lot of fires in life. This is just one aspect of what he's interested in. I can't suggest his work enough though. Really incredible basses.
I've been playing a Roscoe LG-3005 fretless (that I'll be selling) for the past few years; once my Ristola is in my hands - early next week - I'll post my thoughts on the two.
Awesome looking bass, Glen! Can't wait to hear your impressions when it gets to you.
Take care, -Derwin
Take care, -Derwin
Hi Folks,
My new Ristola Fretless Five was delivered on Monday. Following Brian’s advice, I left it boxed up for ~24 hours, to get acclimatized to its new home. Well, almost 24 hours, I couldn’t wait anymore so I opened an hour early!
WHAT A BASS!! What could I compare to this breathtaking experience? I don’t know, maybe meeting Esperanza Spalding, renting the Mona Lisa for a week, something like that.
This bass is superb; the finish and craftsmanship cannot be beat, in the same league as any high-end custom bass that you can buy today. But probably not a better price/quality ratio out there.
How about some photos:
The bass, overall:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Some body close-ups:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Played it most of the afternoon on Tuesday, here are my first impressions:
The Looks:
Like Andy said: understated and elegant. The woods go together so well, rich brown Mahogany complemented by the beautifully figured Koa top (haven’t seen another piece of Koa that looks like this). I wasn’t sure how to set the Koa top – dark side in or light side in. I was leaning toward dark in, but Brian suggested the opposite, to play on the contrast of the light koa with the ebony, and he was spot on. The fact that the top wood is not too thick gives the great movement due the bass’s contour.
The ebony fingerboard is gorgeous, and there’s an overall harmony brought by the matching ebony ramp and knobs. One of the understated aspects is the very subtle Mahogany fretlines. They are really cool looking, but in some lighting situations are hardly visible. That’s ok, I’ll just use my ears!
One of the things I first fell in love with is the form of the Ristola bass body. No paradox of choice here. Unlike many builders, Brian has just one body style to choose from. You could say, hey, looks like any classic double cut, but there’s something in the curve and proportions that make it very appealing.
The Feel:
This bass is so well balanced. When I slipped the strap over my shoulder, and felt the way the Ristola settled in, my first reaction was, “wow, my Roscoe never felt like this!”.
The neck is sleek and narrow, smooth and even from the headstock to the body, that you don’t even know it’s there. You can just concentrate on the fingerboard; you’re not getting hung up because the neck is getting in your way.
And the fingboard: the best I’ve played. Acrylicized ebony, hard and smooth, amazing fretless tones right under your fingertips. MWow!
The Sound:
I opted for Delano pickups, a piezo bridge and Nordstrand 3-band pre-amp. The sonoric possibilities seem endless. I love the combined sound of the piezo with the bridge pickup, and I also love the warm roundness of the neck pickup. One of the cool things with the Nordstrand is the passive volume tone adjustment – an added plus that’s a pleasant surprise. Still looking forward to hours of finding tonal combinations that move me.
And, last but not least, the Man himself:
Over the past few months, it has been such a pleasure to interact with Brian. He was available and answered my unending questions, before I decided to have a bass built by Brian and after I placed my deposit. He makes himself available, which I really appreciated - one thing I was looking for when choosing a builder. Brian is full of good common sense and bass wisdom, so you know that what he says is true; you can have complete confidence in what he recommends.
I live in Paris, and the logistics and packaging for getting the bass to me in impeccable condition were simply flawless.
This is one bass you won’t be seeing FS/FT in front of on the classified forum!
My new Ristola Fretless Five was delivered on Monday. Following Brian’s advice, I left it boxed up for ~24 hours, to get acclimatized to its new home. Well, almost 24 hours, I couldn’t wait anymore so I opened an hour early!
WHAT A BASS!! What could I compare to this breathtaking experience? I don’t know, maybe meeting Esperanza Spalding, renting the Mona Lisa for a week, something like that.
This bass is superb; the finish and craftsmanship cannot be beat, in the same league as any high-end custom bass that you can buy today. But probably not a better price/quality ratio out there.
How about some photos:
The bass, overall:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Some body close-ups:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Played it most of the afternoon on Tuesday, here are my first impressions:
The Looks:
Like Andy said: understated and elegant. The woods go together so well, rich brown Mahogany complemented by the beautifully figured Koa top (haven’t seen another piece of Koa that looks like this). I wasn’t sure how to set the Koa top – dark side in or light side in. I was leaning toward dark in, but Brian suggested the opposite, to play on the contrast of the light koa with the ebony, and he was spot on. The fact that the top wood is not too thick gives the great movement due the bass’s contour.
The ebony fingerboard is gorgeous, and there’s an overall harmony brought by the matching ebony ramp and knobs. One of the understated aspects is the very subtle Mahogany fretlines. They are really cool looking, but in some lighting situations are hardly visible. That’s ok, I’ll just use my ears!
One of the things I first fell in love with is the form of the Ristola bass body. No paradox of choice here. Unlike many builders, Brian has just one body style to choose from. You could say, hey, looks like any classic double cut, but there’s something in the curve and proportions that make it very appealing.
The Feel:
This bass is so well balanced. When I slipped the strap over my shoulder, and felt the way the Ristola settled in, my first reaction was, “wow, my Roscoe never felt like this!”.
The neck is sleek and narrow, smooth and even from the headstock to the body, that you don’t even know it’s there. You can just concentrate on the fingerboard; you’re not getting hung up because the neck is getting in your way.
And the fingboard: the best I’ve played. Acrylicized ebony, hard and smooth, amazing fretless tones right under your fingertips. MWow!
The Sound:
I opted for Delano pickups, a piezo bridge and Nordstrand 3-band pre-amp. The sonoric possibilities seem endless. I love the combined sound of the piezo with the bridge pickup, and I also love the warm roundness of the neck pickup. One of the cool things with the Nordstrand is the passive volume tone adjustment – an added plus that’s a pleasant surprise. Still looking forward to hours of finding tonal combinations that move me.
And, last but not least, the Man himself:
Over the past few months, it has been such a pleasure to interact with Brian. He was available and answered my unending questions, before I decided to have a bass built by Brian and after I placed my deposit. He makes himself available, which I really appreciated - one thing I was looking for when choosing a builder. Brian is full of good common sense and bass wisdom, so you know that what he says is true; you can have complete confidence in what he recommends.
I live in Paris, and the logistics and packaging for getting the bass to me in impeccable condition were simply flawless.
This is one bass you won’t be seeing FS/FT in front of on the classified forum!
