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What's the deal with Waterstone?

Frettage

Frettage

May 30, 2009
233
4
Louisville, CO
#1
Someone recommended I check out Waterstone for a nice hollowbody bass, but something seems odd. All of a sudden, no dealers seem to be carrying them at all (Musician's Friend had a bunch in their last catalog, now they only have one and all of the other models say discontinued).

A check of Waterstone's website shows that they don't have many models available, and prices seem to be slashed to half for models such as the Indra. Are they just clearing out inventory for 2010, or is this company closing its doors? That'd be a shame, because it looks like they make some nice instruments for decent prices.
 
#3
This seems like a pretty big change. Take a look at their website from March of 2008:

http://web.archive.org/web/20080331120754/www.waterstoneguitars.com/bass.shtml

Then compare to their current website (note how few models are available, and also how few color choices for each model—also note that some models are shown but aren't available for order):

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

They don't seem to have much listed on eBay. I could only find one model available at a dealer, the 12-string at Musician's Friend.
 
#4
I found one used in a local store, and was initially quite excited. I don't know if it was representative of the factory or the previous owner, but everything was loose on it (pickguard, pots, etc.) and the neck had a bit of twist to it. Soured my thoughts on the brand.
 
#8
I had an Indra for a while. I liked it ok, but I have a thing about only one f-hole, and another thing about the VVT (which could be easily changed), so it's somewhere else now.
 
#10
Musician's Friend acknowledges they are clearing their inventory, but they didn't say why. I emailed Waterstone about it, but they ignored my question (although they've been good about answering other emails). I'm starting to worry they may not be around much longer. I'm wondering whether I made the wrong choice buying from them (still waiting for it to arrive).

Either way, they really need better marketing. Their website seems amateurish, and there's very little info available online. Maybe it's just my background in advertising and graphic design, but I see a lot of opportunity for improvement.
 
#13
I just purchased a TP-12 from them today. Having it shipped overnight and should have it Friday. When I spoke with the rep, he said they had a few different 12's and 8's coming in in about 4 weeks. He claimed that they don't keep them around too long and sell out quickly. The current models are a 32 inch scale as it was no different tonally than a 34 and easier to play. The model that Musician's Friend is selling is probably "new old stock" and is most probably the 34 inch scale version, because according to the Waterstone rep they have none of the new 32 inch scale models.
 
#18
Frettage said:
Be sure to let me know what you think of it!
Click to expand...

It came this morning. First impressions:

1. Well made - seriously! The build quality is excellent. An excellent value. It's a very pretty guitar - I got the cherry burst and it has a hint of flame in the top.

2. Came pretty well set up to play right out of the box.

3. Speaking of the box, Mr. Singer included a t-shirt, baseball cap, several picks and two sets of strings! The coolest, though, is the autographed poster of the guitar's namesake.

4. There is neck dive, as to be expected with 12 tuning machines.

5. "Sounds like a runaway pipe organ!" A very accurate description. The sound is huge, and I can just see that I'm going to have to work hard at the hand muting thing. If you're not careful, this thing will get away from you, which is kind of cool.

6. It is going to take some time to build up the hand strength. I played the thing for about 30 minutes straight and my left index finger is sore! Plus, it works best for me with a plectrum - normally I play finger style - so now I need to get my picking chops up. There is some work to do before I break this out at a gig, but that's part of the reason I bought this guitar - I wanted a kick in the ass.
 
#19
On the pick thing just run through scales like you would a guitar and increase the tempo gradually you should be shredgroovin' in no time it's what I do to warm up I play with a pick mostly.

BTW be careful to not twist your wrist when picking it's bad. Just use your forearm for upstrokes and the shoulder for downstrokes.
 
#20
If you can set the action fairly low (sometimes you will need to fiddle the bridge post inserts a bit) you can get away with a silly low action. The sound of the octave strings masks the rattle from the root string. You can then play with a fairly light touch on your fretting hand.
They can play really well due to the shorter scale..
Waterstone 12vers have become my main basses...

emac.
 

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