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Ristola Club

Very nice, Andy! Looking at the fretboard, the frets look very narrow. Did you choose a more narrow fret wire? Then again, it may be that I'm looking at the pictures on my phone. Never the less, that's an awesome looking bass that I'm sure will deliver the goods when it's completed.
 
Andy & Glen, both of your new basses are looking great. I'm really excited to see your basses completed and to hear your comments once you've received them. Please keep the pictures coming.

I imagine you'll both have a ton of great sounds with your present and upcoming basses!
 
Off to the finisher with Glen's bass. Brian and I made some last minute decisions today as he was finishing up. Because of a space issue (and to keep from cutting out more of the beautiful maple than we need to) he'll put the batteries in the electronics cavity. He put the output on the side instead of the top this time. I always prefer a top output, but in this case with the top being thinner than normal it was safer to do it this way. He did make it shallower so I can still use a right angle cable. Here are some last pics before it got packed up:

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That is gorgeous Andy, you must be very excited, it doesn't look that far away now!
Will you convert your current Stambaugh 6 to fretless when this comes along?

My Ristola 6 will most likely stay as it is. Thought of making it a fretless, but honestly, I think I'd just have a fretless built more like the new bass in the future.

Sounds like the finisher takes up to 8 weeks to get the basses back. I'll be sure to put up some finished pics when it arrives.
 
Your bass looks awesome Andy!

Can't wait to see both our basses back from the finisher, 6-8 weeks is a long wait...

Who knows, maybe the lower bout you've designed with Brian will become his standard, and mine'll be the last one made with the old style. Or maybe the new lower bout will only be available on Ristola Andy Dow Signature basses! :)
 
Your bass looks awesome Andy!

Can't wait to see both our basses back from the finisher, 6-8 weeks is a long wait...

Who knows, maybe the lower bout you've designed with Brian will become his standard, and mine'll be the last one made with the old style. Or maybe the new lower bout will only be available on Ristola Andy Dow Signature basses! :)

I really like the shape of Brian basses. The body shape feels a bit like my Spector, with better upper fret access, when strapped on IMO. If Brian could curve the body ala Spector, that's the only enhancement that might work a bit better for me, but I'm very content with the body shape of my Ristola.

That being said, I like the tweaks Andy and Brian have done on Andy's new bass.
 
Off to the finisher with Glen's bass. Brian and I made some last minute decisions today as he was finishing up. Because of a space issue (and to keep from cutting out more of the beautiful maple than we need to) he'll put the batteries in the electronics cavity. He put the output on the side instead of the top this time. I always prefer a top output, but in this case with the top being thinner than normal it was safer to do it this way. He did make it shallower so I can still use a right angle cable. Here are some last pics before it got packed up:

My Eshenbaugh J5 had a very thin top... looked great but it eventually separated at the grain in a couple of places over the control cavity. Mike Forrester repaired the cracks and reinforced the control cavity area from the inside. That's one way to get around a thin top. My bass is better than new.

I'm digging that bridge, are those Hipshot saddles?
 
There should be a sound difference with the bridge...we'll see. That was my intention though.

Those are indeed Hipshot saddles. I wasn't expecting to see the metal plate underneath the saddles...was hoping it would be all wood other than the saddles. If Chris put it there though I'm sure there's a good reason. He's made quite a few wooden bridges by now. Really love the look, and really hoping it changes the sound in the way that I was expecting.
 
I'm new to TB but I've really enjoyed everyone's posts, pics, and perspective in this club. I'm smitten with Ristola (the build, the woods, the craftsmanship, the tone from the few I've heard). Seriously thinking about giving Brian a call and I think (hope) I have the war chest for it. Just wanted to ask current Ristola-owners: is anyone gigging in the Philly area? I've been doing a lot of looking and am pretty sure a Ristola fits with what I'm looking for, but still don't feel like I've heard enough in action to be positive. Though I guess part of the fun of a custom build is the leap of faith!
 
Hey all....this Ristola 5 string (great bass) is for sale for only $1000 today!!!!

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/fs-ristola-exotic-5-string-custom-bass-1014734/

Great way to get an amazing 5 string for no money (considering what it is).

Patro, this is a great way to check out Brian's work!

It's an older bass, but I'm sure it's still in great working order. It was originally an old friend's bass. He plays for John Brown's Body.

Hope you're all well!