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What ever happened to Stenback basses?
- Thread starter Jerry Ziarko
- Start date
I have a Stenback 5 now and a Stenback 4 on the way. He stopped taking custom orders back in August because the backlog was pretty long. He will now build basses in batches and then offer them for sale. Very cool basses at the absolute highest level of quality.....
Yes, that's what it is. I was at Paul's Bass Matters in Nijmegen last week, and Paul has regular contact with Thomas and he told me that Thomas just builds what he wants to build and he'll offer those for sale.
The resale will be very close to the new price. I have only seen a few pop up over at Paul's Bass Matters in Europe and they are all sold before he can even list them.
Thanks for the info. And can you tell me what prices you've seen so far??
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I haven't actually seen the prices because they never actually get to the part where they get listed for sale. They get sold before having to be listed. I would guess around $5500 for a 5.
So he gets over $6500 for a jazz bass. Not impressed for that kind of dough. You could buy a used Fodera for way less than that. Or even a decent vintage 60's JB. So how is this better than a Fodera, F bass, Sadowsky, or a dozen other high priced basses. Personally for that kind of scratch I won't be buying a jazz clone that's for certain.
Not really trying to dis him personally but please tell me how your Stenback destroys all others.
Not that I'll be the least bit convinced. And I own a few multi thousand dollar basses.
Not really trying to dis him personally but please tell me how your Stenback destroys all others.
Not that I'll be the least bit convinced. And I own a few multi thousand dollar basses.
You have to play one to believe it! It really is all that! I tried a buddy's. Acoustically every note resonated in the body like i have never felt before, and I'm super skeptical!
I've played four of them (two 4-strings and two fivers) a few years ago when Tom brought them to the London Bass Guitar Show. I'm not trying to convince anyone to anything, but the fact remains that all four basses sold within the first day of the show. Playing the 5 I thought that Paul Turner would like that - having played his '66 jazz, his Coppollo and knowing what he likes. I shared that thought to him later and he replied something along the lines of "yeah, my Dutch friend named Paul also told me about those". When I met Paul Sips a year later and introduced myself, he said "aaah, so you're the *other* guy who told Paul Turner about Stenbacks". As far as I know, PT has two now and plans more.
What I liked about them, was details like beautifully rounded off fingerboard edges, pickups (both polepieces and covers) following the radius, and many other. Balance was perfect and tone superb. It was definitely the best 5-string jazz bass style bass I've played. It doesn't need to "destroy" other basses or other makers, they can coexist you know.
What I liked about them, was details like beautifully rounded off fingerboard edges, pickups (both polepieces and covers) following the radius, and many other. Balance was perfect and tone superb. It was definitely the best 5-string jazz bass style bass I've played. It doesn't need to "destroy" other basses or other makers, they can coexist you know.
You do have to hear them. Unlike some of the other boutique luthiers who charge exorbitant prices for their basses, Stenbacks are worth every penny. I’ve been playing bass for a long time and have heard, owned and obviously played a lot of basses over that time, and I can tell you that the ones that Tom Stanback is building really are something special. Just my opinion.
I agree with every word! They are definitely worth whatever he is charging!
If I had the money, I would buy one in a heartbeat!
I don’t generally gas over most basses, but Stenbacks are the exception!
drooldrooldrool
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Ok, apologies to all. I was cranky. After all I'm a charter member of the GOF club here. And I'm currently more of an Elrick and MTD, Drozd and Minnieweather fan. I have played a lot of Highend basses but certainly not all. Most of my basses are in my profile.
I've disliked warwicks and the Fbasses I've played but I'm sure all these builders build something I'd like, I haven't had the chance to play them yet. My daily drivers are a few handmade 5s, except the Fenders (all 4s) and several of them have custom mods. I haven't played an Alleva Cupolla either (high end Fender style) and they are that kind of cash, probably wonderfull as well. I'd rather track down a "special" vintage player. A Seattle bassist came in tonight with a sweet 66' P that weighed about 7lbs and sounded and felt fantastic. Or another, like my old 57' P:
I've disliked warwicks and the Fbasses I've played but I'm sure all these builders build something I'd like, I haven't had the chance to play them yet. My daily drivers are a few handmade 5s, except the Fenders (all 4s) and several of them have custom mods. I haven't played an Alleva Cupolla either (high end Fender style) and they are that kind of cash, probably wonderfull as well. I'd rather track down a "special" vintage player. A Seattle bassist came in tonight with a sweet 66' P that weighed about 7lbs and sounded and felt fantastic. Or another, like my old 57' P:
Very nice Fender! Fenders are my preference, but I also think the Stenbacks are great basses as well!
The tone of Paul Turner’s Stenback is drooldrooldrool
You do have to play one, I might add. The immediacy and liveliness of these basses may be even more apparent to the player than to the listener. For me, the tone is 'just' that of a very good jazz bass, but the experience playing one made me buy one.
Here’s what a Stenback sounds on a studio recording.
The simple, yet elegant look of Stenback basses is phenomenal.
- Apr 29, 2003
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- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
why would anyone reply to a request for an opinion that in the request clearly states that you won't be the least bit convinced?
You own a few multi thousand dollar basses. So you're familiar with the concept that at this level "best" and "better" are purely subjective. Probably most accurate to leave it at that. Don't buy it if you dont want it, but the form of that request is a losing battle from the outset. And no, I've never played a Stenback. If they're good, the builders stay in business. If they're not, they lower their prices or quit. Thats pretty much the deal.
What pickups are in that first black bass? Nordstrand? With those (PUs) that particular bass is not a "Jazz" bass. Not that they don't sound great.
From what I understand, Tom Stenback makes his own pickups. So those wouldn’t be Nordstrand pups.
