Product: Wendler Electrocoustic Fretless Bass
Price Paid: US $750
Submitted
05/01/2002
at
08:02pm
by
brian gingrich
Email: briangingrich<at>ameritech dot net
Features
:
9
Solid cedar Body. Ultra Thin. Very Lightweight. Made in Branson, MO. Fretless.
Electronics are ultra simple - volume and blend of the piezo pickup. All passive. Maple neck w/ phenolic fingerboard.
Transparent Satin finish. Hipshot lightweight tuners.
Nice Kaces gig bag included with price. Comes standard with Thomastik Jazz flatwound strings.
this is unlike any other bass on the market, period.
Sound
:
10
All other ABGs that are trying to capture a psuedo upright tone should just pack up and go home. This is the one that does it. You will need an amp, but you won't -
1) Feedback
2) Be carrying a huge hardshell case or gig bag into that coffeehouse
3) Have to battle with a diving neck all night long
4) Fight string imbalances from the pickup
5) Be wondering what other basses out there sound and play better
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
Setup was wonderful. The bridge is similar to a ABG bridge, so it's not as simple as raising the saddle pieces to adjust the bridge action - - but it can be done.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
This bass will withstand normal wear and tear, granted you take care of it as you would a nice ABG and not a beat up Fender Squire.
I would use it without a backup - - with the passive electronics, there's nothing to really go wrong.
Customer Support
:
10
Dave Wendler is the fellow who runs the shop and makes the instruments. You won't find a straighter shooter than Dave. He's very quick to answer questions either via email or phone. Contact him at www.electrocoustic.com or email dave@electrocoustic.com
I believe the bass has a lifetime warranty.
Overall Rating
:
10
I've owned lots of the high end attempts at ABGs and semi-acousitc bass guitars in hopes to getting something fairly close to an upright tone for jazz and folk sessions and gigs. This is by far the only bass that I feel has got it right. It has the right balance of 'thud' and sustain - and it's a gas to play. It just feels right.
If you're in the market for something like this, buy one of these basses. You won't be sorry - - and it's a fraction of the price I paid for most of the other basses I've bought in this category.
Product: Wendler Electrocoustic Fretless Bass
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted
05/17/2001
at
01:19pm
by
Don Ray
Features
:
10
I own a 2001 Wendler Electrocoutic Fretless Bass made in the USA. The body is hand carved cedar offset double horn, maple neck with phenolic fingerboard with hipshot ultra light tuners. There is a magnetic bridge pickup and a piezo bridge, passive electronics with a blend and a volume. With special wiring there is no need for a preamp or batteries. It has an ebony bridge. optional tortoise guard and light flatwound strings. Included is a heavy duty gigbag.You don't need anything else as this fretless has tons of tone and plays great.
Sound
:
10
The bass weighs around 6lbs! It has tons of tone strong fundamentals and smooth piezo full range.Totally quiet you can mix your desired tone from more electric bass to acoustic with no feedback. I play it thru an Eden amp with eden and mesa boogie speakers. I leave the tone controls flat,pure tone. The same goes for the studio, I run it direct into the board. Beautiful fretless sounds.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
This is a handmade bass, it has a beautiful natural finish and played great right out of the shipping container. I tightened the truss rod slightly because of the climate in Canada and I like the action a little lower. Easy to adjust truss rod is at the headstock.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
As long as you treat your instrument right no reason it should last for years. The body is hand carved resonate cedar so you can't treat it like heavy hardwood bodies, treat it like a fine Martin. Very comfortable to play I would not worry about a backup but I always bring a fretted bass with me.
Customer Support
:
10
I have been playing bass over 25 years and dealing with Dave Wendler has been the best buying experience I have had. Most music retailers etc want your money but really don't have the time for service. Not Dave he will email/phone you right back and get you the instrument that you want. Customer service is an 11!
Overall Rating
:
10
I have a 61,66 Fender P Bass, Fbass 5, Martin Acoustic bass, an old upright. this bass has tones these other basses don't. Dave Wendler's engineering has produced a very musical tool. If you like fretless bass it's worth buying. Check it out at www.electrocoustic.com
