Thomas Wilburn Posted July 31, 2003 Share Posted July 31, 2003 My roommate just started ordering one of these basses, and they're so cool looking I thought some other people might want to take a look at them. The electronics are not so hot, but the woodwork--amazing. I especially like the flame model. WishBass.com Four String Riot the myspaces, we hates it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 There was an extensive discussion of this bassmaker over at Talkbass.com. Go over there and use the search. Otherwise, caveat emptor. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcr Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 It's the kind of bass I could really enjoy as part of someone else's collection (like a roommate). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnb Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 My bass cost a lot more than $200, but I would have gladly paid more for it. I wonder if you can say that about these basses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chest Rockwell Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 It's the kind of bass I could really enjoy as part of someone else's collection (like a roommate). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The LowEnd Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 I would suggest checking out TB on the wishbasses. Your roommate might want to cancel his order. There has been a lot of threads about the wishbass over there. Thanks, Brian www.thelowend.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Sweet Willie_ Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 I'm skeptical about the quality, but I would be willing to try one to see how it plays and how it sounds (see: dcr's comment about the roommate). I definitely agree w/ Jeremy (as usual) -- caveat emptor. I'm not really enamored by the body shapes featured in the gallery. I'm more of a traditionalist. $300? Where do the savings come in: labor time, wood quality, electronics? Eliminating the middle men doesn't totally explain it to me... other than maybe distinguishing from the lower end production models (i.e., sub $600 basses). spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWBass Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 Well......I just asked him if he could do this! Traditional J-style body 2 Kent Armstrong active pickups 5 string config.($ for the extra string) wide neck with 4 string spacing at the nut and fanning out slightly at the bridge. Graphite reinforced neck(he does neck thru only) Fretted "DWBass" logo engraved on the headstock inlaid with 'real' pearl!! In white for a total of > > >[drum roll please] > > > $490+finish+shipping!! I'm going for it! www.myspace.com/thefunkfather Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SplitNick Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 I went over to TB...even though it isn't perfect the fellow on that site seems to be quite happy...I am definitely considering one of these basses when resources are available...Even if it doesn't sound like a $ 3000.00 bass its ok... We must accept the consequences of being ourselves-Sojourn of Arjuna Music at www.moporoco.com/nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 Good luck, DW! I hope you ordered a truss rod and an adjustable bridge...those are extras. Oh, yeah, and some kind of finish, that's extra too. We all want a report when you get the bass. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chest Rockwell Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 Ok.Ok. Enough skirting around the issue. The bass is FUGLY!! It reminds me of a petrified cat turd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClarkW Posted August 2, 2003 Share Posted August 2, 2003 I would be interested in getting the Super Longhorn just to be able to play on a fretboard all the way up to the pickup. Of course, the sustain is probably going to be crap on those notes, especially on a fretless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fonz Posted August 2, 2003 Share Posted August 2, 2003 at those prices can you really go wrong? i don't know if i myself would playsomething that looks like that. gotta wonder what all those holes do to tone. Eeeeeehhhhhhhhh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted August 2, 2003 Share Posted August 2, 2003 The holes give it a more transparent tone. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wraub Posted August 2, 2003 Share Posted August 2, 2003 IMO it seems like it be a situation where the builder has more ideas than execution skills. Or maybe he really is on to the next big thing, ahead of the curve, leading the pack... They certainly are unique. I have visited Wish's site many times, and his prices alone are indeed recommendation, but, again, the apparent execution is what would make me leery, at best. But it is hard to be sure with pictures on the 'net. And those prices... Peace, wraub I'm a lot more like I am now than I was when I got here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcr Posted August 2, 2003 Share Posted August 2, 2003 Yeah, the price really is a two-edged sword, isn't it? On the one hand, you say, "$300?! How could I go wrong?" But on the other you say, "$300?! How could that pay for pickups, hardware, and the 16 laminates of 7 of types of wood, and still make it worth a guy's time to build?" (Enter Giffen's paradox.) I haven't had any experience in them aside from looking at them from my armchair, but even from my armchair I can deduce that corners are being cut SOMEWHERE. Maybe he loses money on every bass, but makes it up in volume. I still say the right question isn't "How could I go wrong?" but "How could you go wrong, roomie?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Wilburn Posted August 2, 2003 Author Share Posted August 2, 2003 I still say the right question isn't "How could I go wrong?" but "How could you go wrong, roomie?" Well, I told my roommate about the buzz on Talkbass yesterday, and he's wavering. If he buys it, I'll give it a shot and let you know. He was already planning on putting in his own bridge, pups, etc. Four String Riot the myspaces, we hates it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebrownbass Posted August 2, 2003 Share Posted August 2, 2003 Funny, I've never thought of this guy and his basses as musical instruments. I want several of them. Not as tools to work with, but weird works of art. Just like Grandma Moses and all the primitive painters, this guy is out there making sculpted musical instruments. I want one, even more than one. I might even play them on stage, for a lark during one tune. I wouldn't dare get a fretted one...if he set the frets himself, I don't think they'd be true. But the absolute weirdness of the thing...that's what I'm attracted to, in a weird way. "Let's raise the level of this conversation" -- Jeremy Cohen, in the Picasso Thread. Still spendin' that political capital far faster than I can earn it...stretched way out on a limb here and looking for a better interest rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dukbut Posted August 2, 2003 Share Posted August 2, 2003 Well have I got a deal for you! I own 2 Wishnevsky 6 string guitars. An arch top that is a great guitar, I bought it off of E-BAY. And a flat top I bought from the builder, it is a total POS. So from my prospective you have a 50/50 chance of getting a decent instrument. The good ones are good and the bad ones are useless. Now that cleared things up for every one didn't it. DUKBUT "If you wish to better understand seemingly incomprehensible things, help another to better understand." Dalai Lama Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Sweet Willie_ Posted August 2, 2003 Share Posted August 2, 2003 Originally posted by jeremyc: The holes give it a more transparent tone. spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike H. Posted August 2, 2003 Share Posted August 2, 2003 I poked in on the "gallery" link on the site. I saw a non-adjustable bridge, and the holes where the strings come through the body were off-centered. Bad. IF I did one, I'd want a "100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back". IMHO, if it's to good to be true.... http://www.identity5.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cup Posted August 3, 2003 Share Posted August 3, 2003 I think an analyst would find his creations very interesting. Cup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnb Posted August 3, 2003 Share Posted August 3, 2003 Originally posted by davebrownbass: I want several of them. Not as tools to work with, but weird works of art. I was thinking the same thing. of course I would have to buy a house with a basement or office first, 'cause there is no way my wife would let me put bass sculptures on the living room walls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Gollihur Posted August 3, 2003 Share Posted August 3, 2003 http://www.bassinside.com/2003/august/wish.htm 1000 Upright Bass Links, Luthier Directory, Teacher Directory - http://www.gollihurmusic.com/links.cfm [highlight] - Life is too short for bad tone - [/highlight] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wraub Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 He makes around 30 at a time, and he ships 5 a week? (Thanks for the great link, DBB!) That may explain some things, like those unevenly spaced strings that Mike noticed. His design philosophy is refreshing, to be sure, and that interview does help me "get" what he's trying to do. I would call his attitude admirable, in many respects. But I would bet if he made, say, 20 at a time instead, a little more detailing could be accomplished without raising the prices outrageously. Still, I do really dig that "scroll" bass. Peace, wraub I'm a lot more like I am now than I was when I got here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Sweet Willie_ Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 Originally posted by wraub: Still, I do really dig that "scroll" bass. Peace, wraubJust to be perfectly clear from the get-go, wraub (and E), the Seismic Sweet Willie Sugar Bass #001 should look nothing like any of the basses in the galleries from the Wish Bass website! (I don't really have any problems with the pricing, though. ) spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 Interesting "all wood" philosophy. However, I've seen enough warped necks on basses with truss rods, I don't think I want to see a bass without a truss rod after a few years! My Ashbory has no truss rod of course, but the rubber strings don't put much tension on the neck. There's no visible truss rod on a Danelectro but I always assumed that there must be a non-adjustable one hidden in there somewhere. The North Carolina area is known for fine furniture making so there is a tradition there of wood and wood working. Fret placement is very scientific so I'm not really ready for a folk art version of frets. I suppose I'll have to try one of the fretless basses one of these days. I'll put a Wish Bass on my "lottery list". I'll probably have to win one of those mega Powerball jackpots to afford everything I've got on that list so far, another $300 wouldn't kill me. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Sweet Willie_ Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 Originally posted by jeremyc: I suppose I'll have to try one of the fretless basses one of these days. I'll put a Wish Bass on my "lottery list". I'll probably have to win one of those mega Powerball jackpots to afford everything I've got on that list so far, another $300 wouldn't kill me.DBB gave me some lottery numbers to play in my recent "gear review" thread. You should feel free to share them. I would be just fine sharing a mega-jackpot with you, Jeremy. We could pose for the picture holding the big cardboard check together and then start making our appointments with various luthiers... spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orphan wells Posted August 5, 2003 Share Posted August 5, 2003 OK. I have been talking to the Wish bass guy through e mail. i came up with everything i want in my next bass: 5 string, 35 1/4 scale, 24 frets, 5 piece wenge/maple neck with graphite and trussrod, ebony fretboard, custom body shape(not too complex), crotch walnut one piece body, passive neck and bridge EMG's with with aguilar OPB-3 on-board preamp, and a custom string-in-line headstock. i think that's all. anyway, he gave me a price of $500. If i provide the pickups and preamp. I can't help but to be scared of paying that litte for thoes specs on a bass. Anyone else see something weird here? I didn't come here to play. I came here to make babies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClarkW Posted August 6, 2003 Share Posted August 6, 2003 Originally posted by orphan wells: OK. I have been talking to the Wish bass guy through e mail. i came up with everything i want in my next bass: 24 frets, , ebony fretboard, Anyone else see something weird here?I thought the allure of ebony fingerboards was that they were a little more durable and got a slightly different sound on fretless instruments. Maybe it would sound different, but I don't know if the extra $75 or so that he charges for the ebony fingerboard is worth it if you're going to put frets on it anyway? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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