The Rolls Royce of Basses

[basslayer]

For what it's worth this conversation, you are supposed to be driven in a Rolls Royce while you drive a Bentley.

 

[wishforbass]

Last Saturday Suzzy Quatro said on BBC radio that the 1957 Fender Precision her father gave her was "the Rolls Royce of basses". Well, I thought a very great bass, but not a Rolls Royce, more of a Massey Fergusson (American readers may prefer John Deere).

This set me thinking, what bass would qualify as a Rolls Royce? My nomination would be a Status Series-3, but I would love to know what is your absolute luxury bass?

Classic luxury cars ,
1_ don't have much opinions ,so it shouldn't be complex .
2_ good weird opinions
3_not much curve ,old style feeling
4_the car has usually not common windows and not much comfortable design .
5_ color ,the color of this car choose from colors that have old feeling but high quality .


It's not defently fender ,fender is a ford .

It's rickenbacker.

 

[pbassnut]

Last Saturday Suzzy Quatro said on BBC radio that the 1957 Fender Precision her father gave her was "the Rolls Royce of basses". Well, I thought a very great bass, but not a Rolls Royce, more of a Massey Fergusson (American readers may prefer John Deere).

This set me thinking, what bass would qualify as a Rolls Royce? My nomination would be a Status Series-3, but I would love to know what is your absolute luxury bass?

If you're thinking British made ... Wal maybe? I've only had my hands on one of those bad boys over the years, but I could tell instantly that it was a super high quality bass.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Wal

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I remember Ric's being advertised as the "Cadillac" of basses, if so, Alembic is the Rolls.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I've only actually seen/touched a Wal Bass once, Percy Jones early model, superbly made, but HEAVY.

 

[ahc]

Well, there's these Gem Encrusted $150K + examples in @wintremute 's NAMM thread.

Winter NAMM 2018 (ultra Pic-heavy)

 

[silvertone]

I've stood in front of several Ritter's played by Phil Lesh.
I've also seen him play custom Alembics.

They both sound good with my personal bias weighing heavily toward the tone of the Alembic.

Also - IMHO to my ears, my bass hero has always sounded best playing Modulus.

I have to say, per the original poster's question - that while Jens Ritter makes incredible basses that delight my eyes and ears, Alembic is way more about involving the purchaser's particular vision when crafting a custom bass, and to that extent, Alembic for the win = Rolls Royce of Bass Guitars.

 

[jamro217]

I don't know what the Rolls Royce of basses is, but whatever it is, I'd probably rather have the Mercedes-Benz of basses.

 

[CapnSev]

Alembic = Rolls Royce
Ibanez = Toyota
Fender = Ford
Gibson/Epiphone = GM

Does that make EBMM Chrysler?

 

[Whil57]

Minus some hand made bass by Stratavarious's great grandson, and talking at least small size company, producer and marketer of basses, i would also go Alembic

 

[Hand slap]

Minus some hand made bass by Stratavarious's great grandson, and talking at least small size company, producer and marketer of basses, i would also go Alembic

I owned a Ken Smith White Tiger for a while, it was pretty nice. That is close, IMO, but Alembic fetch more cash.

 

[Paulabass]

Alembic = Rolls Royce
Ibanez = Toyota
Fender = Ford
Gibson/Epiphone = GM

But what is the Lada of basses?

 

[xnewyorka]

Yes, a Wal is heavy. So is a Rolls-Royce.

Must include the Dingwall Prima Artist for consideration. Also the Vigier Arpege III and Mayones.

 

[Chef]

One man's rolls is another man's precision.

 

[SactoBass]

Alembic, Ritter, Wal, the high end Dingwalls, Fodera. Those are all awesome basses! But for some reason, I would rather have one of these (Manson JPJ sig bass):

 

[MVE]

I'm going with Alembic.

Has anyone said Alembic?

 

[Obese Chess]

Alembic is the Rolls Royce.

Ritter would be the Bugatti.

 

[40Hz]

One man's rolls is another man's precision.

Yep. And in Suzy's case I think the fact it's a vintage PB her father gave to her made it a Rolls as far as she's concerned. You can't put a dollar price on something like that.

 

[wintremute]

Another vote for Alembic. Part of being "Rolls Royce" is the years of high quality and luxury that makes the name meaningful. Alembic has that.