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The best European basses?

#83
Our Bass brothers and sisters across the pond have some very cool instruments to choose from. There are many talented luthiers around the world. Unfortunately, we Americans don't get to see alot of European basses. We see some Ritters, Wals, Droids but not that many others. Either there is no marketing effort to introduce them to the US market or the import tariffs or the weak Dollar make them non competitive. I don't really know. Lord knows we see tons of Japanese basses.

I would be great if you would post sound clips of some of these basses. It would be the first time most of us would have heard them.
 
#88
icks said:
THIS is a MUST see !!!

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Anybody who has one of these beauties, take good care for it. Our guitar-player told me that Kritz stopped making guitars and basses alltogether. :crying: Sad to see this country's only luthier go... And there goes my dream of ever owning one of these, as they'll probably go up in value quiet a bit...
 
#91
Circus said:
Morch (don't know how to do the letter with the o with the slash thingy through it). But I would love one. Wals are also made in England.
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Mörch (pronounced "Meurk") is made in Denmark by supreme luthier Johnny Mörch. He's been in the business since the late 60's.
I can only recommend all of you to try one out if you get the chance. I have a headless 5-string that he built in 1988 and it's a bassist's dream.

I visited his home/work last year and had him change mics and preamp on it (he manufacture his own electronics as well) and I can tell you you wouldn't believe your ears if you heard it.

You can check his site out here:
http://www.morch-guitars.dk/

/Bean
Sweden
 
#96
How about Adamovic? Link Removed

The basses are absolutely stunning (I love the Orion) and Nikola's a rather nice gentleman.

I like his preference for passive electronics, since it's not always easy to find a high end bass without an active pre. I prefer the no-muss, no-fuss, no-hassles simplicity of passive, and let my fingers govern my tone.

I get the feeling once I can afford a high-end beauty, I'll go for Adamovic.
 
#97
Adamovic Basses are fantastic! Have just recorded the Bass tracks for my band's forthcoming debut album and used my custom Jupiter for every track.

The other Basses in the Studio were my Fodera, Sei Jazz and a Warwick Thumb, but the Adamovic nailed the sound I needed for every track, so really didn't need to use any of the others.............

Managed to twist Nikola's arm when having mine built and got an Aguilar pre-amp and EMG pick-up fitted which I love, but the Passive Basses are also superb! Definately check them out!
 
#98
Uff, just found this.
This is old as Bible, but what a great thread. :bassist:
Europe vs US
I doubt that US is winner here.

Status, Wal, JayDee, Hohner (nobody mentioned), LAG, LeFay are all top of the line.
But bros., what a shame 3 absolutely top European names were not mentioned at all.

I'm amazed.
Can't believe that nobody didn't mention arguably one of the best and kult European builders (I remember almost 20 years ago his basses were examples of cosmic design (I was too poor to buy them). He did produce cool basses at those times and much of that we see today as standard on high-end basses (wood choices, graphite, headless design, active electronics etc.).






1. Andreas Schack :bassist: :bassist: :bassist: :bassist: known here as ANDY

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Working now for some time in Europe I re-discover what I knew earlier. European builders remain on the very top edge in design, quality, inovation and STYLE. They are expensive as market seems smaller (??) and overheads higher (as per their explanations).
But in terms of quality and sound, just several US builders can be in same boat.
On the other hands, I've found several inexpensive high-end builders that can easily compete with US builders, so guys don't be lazy, contact them, talk with them and have unique instrument.

2. Loewenherz

Creme de la creme 12000$ and up
(this amazing company builds European Alembics)
Stanley Clarke said after he played one that Loewenherz is only builder that can influence him to re-think his relationship to earlier basses of his choice (Alembic, Ken Smith etc.)

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3. Duesenberg (really cool basses)
Several top bassist's choice.
State of art.
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Some others, great and not too expensive.

Hotwire-Bass
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Ralf Boerjes
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Bass Culture
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Van der End

http://www.vanderend.nl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=44

Some very creative designers and builders from Scandinavia have lot to offer (couldn't remember names).

:smug:
 

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