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Thanks for the heads up Brad. That's an older one, but it looks really nice.
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Hey all....my new bass has been started. Got the spec sheet from Brian some days ago. Looking at an Oct/Nov finish date. If I get photos along the way I'll post them up. Can't wait!
I just bought a used 4 String Ristola from G.C. in Long Island, New York. Brian tells me that it is one of his earliest builds - 2001, or 2002. It is still in excellent condition, feels fantastic, and sounds just as great. It has a Birdseye Maple Top, Mahogany Back, Neck Through, with Maple and Purple Heart, Loaded up with Bartolini Soap Bars, and Demeter Preamp. I love it, will send pics when I have my new beauty and my camera in the same place, at the same time. Also, I would like to join your Ristola Club. Please let me know what I have to do to achieve that.
Congrats on that bass! Even Brian's early basses were really, really nice. I don't believe he made too many neck throughs.
Spoke with Brian and we found a way to get the most chambering out of his design....going to be a great instrument.
Spoke with Brian and we found a way to get the most chambering out of his design....going to be a great instrument.
Saw that on the used site. Looks almost like a twin to my fretless. I played one of his early basses with Bartolini/Demeter electronics, one of the best bass tones I've ever heard. Money well spent. If memory serves, I set up my fretless once, when I bought it it. Hasn't needed it again since 2004, other than slight adjustments for new strings.
I've had my Ristola 5 string for probably 6 years. it started out as a fretted instrument, but never played or sounded right to me so I had Jim Mouradian make it fretless. it is a spectacular instrument now and the bass I probably play most often. it sounds great in almost any setting: jazz, rock, blues, country - you name it.
I also count Brian and his wife Alison as good friends, tho I don't see them as much as I used to since he started thru-hiking. we use to ride bikes together on occasion.
I also count Brian and his wife Alison as good friends, tho I don't see them as much as I used to since he started thru-hiking. we use to ride bikes together on occasion.
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Brian's on fire right now....wait till you all see what he's coming up for my bass. He's really putting a lot of thought and care into the ideas I had proposed to him. Very special project for me.
Update....lower bout is redesigned.....quilted maple top and back with a chambered mahogany center. Body glued together.
Lower bout looks promising, should definitely help for accessing the last few upper frets. Can't wait to see the finished profile.
Was out on vacation a few weeks, so couldn't update any pics, but Brian's really on fire, like you say. Here's a few photos of the progress he's made on my 5 string:
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