An early Xmas present for myself - or - why I'm shitting my pants right now (1149 hits)
Category: Sound & MusicRating: 1.53 on 50 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Zandy1123 (View user info) at 2004-12-14 14:36:28 EST
I'm a musician.
And like any musician, I get really...I mean REALLY excited about the prospect of getting a new instrument. I love getting new basses. I love the way they smell, the way they feel, the way they sound...but, usually, I get tired of them pretty quickly and my attention is soon directed toward the next piece of gear I'm going to buy.
That being said, I've been pretty content with my current line-up of basses. I have a 1998 Fender Standard Jazz Bass (American made), a 5 string Alembic Epic, a custom fretless Warwick Fortress 4 string (self-customized...actually, I had some help...ahem...), and a Michael Kelly 5 string fretless Firefly acoustic bass. They're all great basses and they each have their own individual strong-points. I've been so content with this stock of basses, I haven't added to or subtracted from it in almost 5 years!
But about 6 months ago, I was introduced to a new kind of bass...a new WORLD of basses, if you will. I was introduced to Ritter basses. Not John Ritter basses...Jens Ritter basses. Jens is from Germany and builds some of the sweetest basses I've ever seen.
Check it: www.ritter-basses.com They're all works of art - and fabricated completely by hand!
So, I had the opportunity to meet up with Jens in NYC back in July. He was at Rudy's guitar shop near Times Square, talking to people, showing off some of his basses. It was on this fateful day that I first played a Ritter...it was a feeling that I can not easily describe, so I won't even try. Needless to say, though, that it was the closest thing to a "spiritual" encounter that I will ever experience. In other words.......
<ejaculates>
These basses are expensive. I mean EXPENSIVE! Like...a CHEAP Ritter is about $3,000. The one I played in NYC lists for about $7,800!!!
Now, I'm not a rich man. Hell, I'm not even poor. In fact, I'm pretty much broke. So, the idea of actually getting my hands on one of these instruments is about as far from reality as Marilyn Manson putting out a Christmas album.
However, my luck changed a few weeks ago when I found a Ritter bass for sale for $2,250! I was floored...there's no way I could pass up such an opportunity. So, I've sunk myself into some more debt (woo personal loan!) and I will have my brand new Ritter Classic 5 on Thursday. I'm shaking with excitement.
Below is a picture of the bass. Keep in mind that this bass is less expensive than his other basses because it is made of simple woods with a simple finish. This does not, however, detract from the sound or playability of the bass as EVERY other element of the instrument is identical to the more expensive Ritters.
My new baby....
User Reviews
Submitted by Zandy1123 (user info) at 2004-12-28 13:16:29 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
yessir, Chinaman...the thing is amazing!
I want to ditch work and go home to play :)
Submitted by Zandy1123 (user info) at 2004-12-28 13:15:08 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Yew - the bass was shipped from California and the action was stupid low (with no fret buzz). But over the past couple weeks, the bass has adjusted to the climate change and the action lifted considerably. So, 2 nights ago, I went to town on the truss rod to get the thing back in line.
The adjustments for this bass are simple - like any other bass. 2 way truss rod and bridge adjustments. All I needed to do was tighten the truss rod a bit and the action came right back down - it's perfect once again. Seriously - STUPID low action. At the 24th fret, the strings sit about 2mm (less than 1/8") off the fret!!! It makes playing a BREEEEEEZE.
matt27032 - Les Claypool's basses are made by Carl Thompson. Jens Ritter borrowed some of Carl's shaping ideas for his own instruments. The big knob is a little less pronounced than on the Carl Thompson basses...but the effect is the same: they're sculpturesque!
One of these days, I'll record some solo tracks so you can check out the sound of the bass. It really has a WIIIDE range of tonal capabilities...I don't even mess with the EQ settings on my rig anymore. I can take care of everything on the bass! For the most part, I leave the bass boost up at around 80%, I put the treble boost at 50% and I kill the mid boost altogether. I leave the pickup blend at about 50-50, but I switch the bridge pickup to humbucking (instead of humbucker). The result is a BIG, THICK, THUMPY sound...it's amazing. But for my solo stuff (2 hand tapping, harmonics etc), I bring the mid boost up, lower the bass boost to 50%ish and the thing just sparkles!
I could talk about this bass for hours :)
Submitted by RyuFu (user info) at 2004-12-28 13:12:24 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I have a 4-string Fender Jazz Mexican and a 5-string Music Man....
I want a Ritter now, but I have no more money because I got meself a new car for Christmas.....
................
So it plays nice, eh?
Submitted by matt27032 (user info) at 2004-12-28 12:57:59 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
looks like Les Claypool's rainbow bass or whatever he calls it w/ only one type of wood, nice
Submitted by Totally_useless (user info) at 2004-12-28 12:35:07 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Dude, that fucking ROCKS.
Nice bass. Virtually no fret buzz? That's crazy! Especially with such a low action. Where's the spring adjustment? On the bottom right of the back there?
But what made me cream in awe was the stackable EQ knobs. Fucking INSANE!!!
Have fun.
Submitted by Zandy1123 (user info) at 2004-12-20 09:37:17 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I got the bass last thursday.
it rules SO HARD!!!
Submitted by Davros (user info) at 2004-12-17 17:54:40 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I have no idea about musical instuments.
But your passion for this bass earns you a +2.
-Dave
Submitted by VerbOrgy (user info) at 2004-12-14 19:14:54 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Thtas awesome. I did have som reservations about neck through designs on guitars and basses, but what you just told me I didnt understand so well before. Thanks for the lesson. I may have to talk to you when I build my first guitar.
Submitted by arcane (user info) at 2004-12-14 18:46:01 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Look on the brite side now you can pay that off by playing live!
Submitted by rock_music (user info) at 2004-12-14 18:34:58 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
You and I are on the same page, man. I'm getting myself a new SG for Christmas. It's a bit cheaper, but at least I'm paying it with my own hard-earned cash.
Submitted by AwesomeJohnson (user info) at 2004-12-14 18:13:41 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
The sustain, listen to it.
I don't hear anything.
Well you would though, if it were playing.
Submitted by Chinaski (user info) at 2004-12-14 18:01:28 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I worked 5 weeks this summer under the table for 8/hour , hard, sweaty hot farm work. my crippled abs and sunken pecs glistening moistly in the moonlight. masturbating into spider webs. sticking my dick in a paper wasp nest.
yet none of this compared to saving up 1200, which i will use to buy my FIRST balm ass guitar . i've been playing for almost 8 years motherfucker! and i havent ever had a decent guitar!
that's about to fucking. change.
mark my words.
Submitted by Zandy1123 (user info) at 2004-12-14 18:01:22 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Verb - I've heard a couple people on the Ritter Yahoo group complain of some pickup noise...however, for both of those people, it seems to be a simple grounding issue.
Everything else I hear is that the electronics are completely silent.
The sustain is fantastic...Jens likes to use a long neck tenon with LOTS of bolts to keep the joint rock solid. I actually asked Jens about his feelings regarding neck-thru and bolt-on designs. I'm sure you know, but for a long time, everyone thought that if a bass was neck-thru, it was truly superior. But Jens suggests otherwise...
Basically, with a neck-thru bass, you have a mass of wood that is essentially the same length as the strings and it is physically coupled to the strings at both ends. This setup encourages sympathetic vibration between the neck and strings...so, when you pluck an A (440Hz), the neck will have the tendency to resonate sympathetically. The problem is that when the neck starts to vibrate, it takes energy away from the strings, thus resulting in less string sustain and more sound going into the body of the bass.
With the bolt-on design, the neck is no longer the same length as the strings. Instead, the neck-body combination introduces a significant dissimilarity between the neck/body and the strings. So...the neck/body is less likely to vibrate sympathetically and therefore, less likely to suck energy away from the strings. According to Jens, the trick is to make the neck/body joint as stiff and stable as possible to maximize this effect (or lack thereof)...hence the 10 screws.
yeah...so...awesome sustain :)
Submitted by Zandy1123 (user info) at 2004-12-14 17:46:35 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
hidden - totally! It's funny...when I started the acoustical engineering program at my college, I thought I might end up doing musical instrument design. During my whole freshman year, I wanted to be a luthier...but somewhere along the way, that idea faded.
until I met this Jens guy - that meeting totally rekindled my desire to build basses with true engineering in mind.
If my dream of being a rockstar don't pan out, I might call Jens up and see if I can get an apprenticeship...that would be SWEET!
Submitted by VerbOrgy (user info) at 2004-12-14 17:42:30 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Also, the neck tenon on most of those basses is really long. How is the sustain on these things? Looks like theyd play one note forever. I may have to look into getting one of these...
Submitted by VerbOrgy (user info) at 2004-12-14 17:38:48 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Hey Zandy how is the tone knobs on those things? I almost bought a Tobias bass a while back but there was a freaky amount of pickup noise when the active was on and the tone knob was past 5 or so.
Submitted by hidden101 (user info) at 2004-12-14 17:33:56 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
yes, i've been reading a lot about Ritter basses since you posted this and i can see A LOT goes into these masterpieces. no wonder they cost so much. it looks like it costed a fortune just to design these things. i'm quite impressed.
using science to build a better instrument. i always said if i had the resources, that's what i'd do. looks like Ritter did it right.
Submitted by Zandy1123 (user info) at 2004-12-14 17:24:23 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by hidden101 (user info) at 2004-12-14 17:20:06 (#)
Ranking: 2
clearly, Ritter basses are the coolest basses on the planet.
---
my thoughts exactly :)
Submitted by Zandy1123 (user info) at 2004-12-14 17:23:05 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by hidden101 (user info) at 2004-12-14 17:08:04 (#)
Ranking: 2
sounds like an absolute delight to play. now i want one.
---
Oh man...these basses really are a treat. Jens uses computer-aided fret-dressing machinery called "Plek." It analyzes the tension, mass and displacement of each string at each fret and then adjusts the fret heights accordingly. The result is ridiculously low action...the strings are about 2mm from the frets at the 24th fret - and there's NO buzz...unless you beat the shit out of the strings. But as long as you're playing normally, no buzz.
Also, and this is one of my favorite things...with the strings so close to those bigass pickup covers (which are made of ebony, by the way - sweet!), your fingers don't have to travel very far to be ready for the next 'pluck." I'm not sure that makes sense verbally...but it makes sense when you play one of these basses.
I spent a couple hours with Jens when I met him in NYC - he explained to me a lot of his design elements. He was schooled as a mechanical engineer, so everything he does has a solid foundation in real physics. I told him I'm an acoustical engineer and he just started talking technical with me...it's some pretty amazing shit.
Submitted by wardy (user info) at 2004-12-14 17:22:25 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
ATTN: GHEY MENZ
Submitted by Girlwithaclue (user info) at 2004-12-14 17:22:25 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
That is a beautiful bass. Enjoy
Submitted by hidden101 (user info) at 2004-12-14 17:20:06 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
whoa, holy shit, i want a fretless Raptor.... http://ritter-basses.com/ritter-basses-baesse/ritter-basses-raptor.htm
the Jupiter is pretty fuckin' nuts, but i don't think you'd look too cool trying to play that in a rock band.
clearly, Ritter basses are the coolest basses on the planet.
Submitted by hidden101 (user info) at 2004-12-14 17:08:04 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Notice how close the strings are to the pickups...amazing! Also, the action on these basses can be set EXTREMELY low with ZERO fret buzz. I know a lot of luthiers make that claim, but the Ritters actually deliver on that promise.
===========================================
sounds like an absolute delight to play. now i want one.
Submitted by hidden101 (user info) at 2004-12-14 17:04:42 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
i agree. Yamaha and Ibanez do make the best inexpensive stuff. my last acoustic was an Ibanez, and it was amazing for the mere $400 i shelled out for it. the onboard EQ was great and it had a cutaway and a thin body. now, most acoutics with a cutaway and thin body sound like pure shit, but this one had a rounded back to add tone, and it sounded oh so nice. i miss it.
anyway, i really like Yamaha, too. that fretless bass was a cheap old thing, but it was better than fretless basses that i played in music shops that cost four times as much.
Submitted by Zandy1123 (user info) at 2004-12-14 16:55:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Verb - definitely! The electronics are pretty amazing - you can read more about them here: http://ritter-basses.com/ritter-basses-info/ritter-basses-masterbars.htm
The onboard EQ is sweet - you can see the 5 knobs, but what you can't see is that 3 of them are stacked, offering even greater tweaking options. I'll probably spend a couple weeks trying to get them to sound just right.
Notice how close the strings are to the pickups...amazing! Also, the action on these basses can be set EXTREMELY low with ZERO fret buzz. I know a lot of luthiers make that claim, but the Ritters actually deliver on that promise.
Submitted by VerbOrgy (user info) at 2004-12-14 16:44:35 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Sweet bass. With an 18 volt preamp that basses active has to be loud and punchy as fuck.
Submitted by Zandy1123 (user info) at 2004-12-14 15:53:40 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by bossk (user info) at 2004-12-14 15:45:53 (#)
Ranking: -2
I'm always so glad when someone gives me the opportunity to cry about how broke they are right after bragging on their completely superfluous bass collection. And then they buy a new one. I may not be able to go on, worrying about you.
---
Seriously, boss...why don't you tell me how you really feel!
First, I didn't cry at all about how I'm broke...did I? I mentioned it simply as a fact and then continued with my story.
Second, I didn't once brag about my bass collection, I merely listed the basses in my collection.
Third, my collection is far from superfluous...I have specific needs/uses for each bass. For example, the Fender is my primary stage instrument, while the Alembic is my primary studio instrument. I use the Michael Kelly acoustic for acoustic performances (go figure) and I use the Warwick fretless on stage and in the studio on just a couple tunes that require a fretless. Please tell me how this is a "superfluous bass collection."
Finally, yes...I'm buying a new one. I'm replacing my Alembic with the Ritter. I'm hoping that the Ritter will have more use on the stage...the Alembic is just too damn heavy for live shows.
I wish I could -2 you right back.
Submitted by bossk (user info) at 2004-12-14 15:45:53 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
I'm always so glad when someone gives me the opportunity to cry about how broke they are right after bragging on their completely superfluous bass collection. And then they buy a new one. I may not be able to go on, worrying about you.
Submitted by Jeanneee (user info) at 2004-12-14 15:35:05 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Awesome.
Submitted by Sassmasterr (user info) at 2004-12-14 15:25:11 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
whoopdy-shit, who cares about the new bass?
<green with envy>
Submitted by Zandy1123 (user info) at 2004-12-14 15:23:41 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Lyric - don't fret (ha! pun!) - I bought the Alembic whilst I was a poor student also. Come on...it's a steal at $900 :-)
GLALL - yes, I know!!! woo!
hidden - I love Yamaha basses. Yamaha and Ibanez make fantastic inexpensive instruments...especially basses.
Submitted by hidden101 (user info) at 2004-12-14 15:18:42 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
beautiful.
i have a '75 Rickenbacker. i'm not a bassist, though. i like acoustic guitar. classical nylon strings are especially fun to play. i haven't played electric guitar for a long time, but it sure is easy after playing nothing but acoustic for a while.
anyway, if i ever get another bass, i'm getting a fretless jazz bass. i used to play my friend's fretless Yamaha and i fell in love with it.
Submitted by GodLovesALittleLovin (user info) at 2004-12-14 15:16:48 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
\\\\\\=2!!!!!!!exclamation!
Submitted by Lyric (user info) at 2004-12-14 15:16:45 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I would be extremely interested, except that right now I'm a poor-ass student who keeps giving all my money to that big fucking building up on the hill in order to get me an edumacation.
Some day... *sniff*
^
|
|
|
|
|
this is me being melancholy.
Submitted by GodLovesALittleLovin (user info) at 2004-12-14 15:16:23 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
You know Zandy. You know.
Submitted by Zandy1123 (user info) at 2004-12-14 15:11:46 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Lyric -
I'll probably be selling my Alembic Epic 5 string if you're interested. It's a beauty - 7 piece neck (maple and mohogany I think) with an ebony fingerboard (24 frets), mahogany body with a zebrawood top. I'll be looking to unload it for about $900.
Submitted by AwesomeJohnson (user info) at 2004-12-14 15:07:40 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I know where you could steal a pretty sweet Ritter 5 string...
Submitted by Lyric (user info) at 2004-12-14 15:04:09 (#)
Ranking: 2
5-strings make me tingle in my happy place.
So do bass players, and musicians in general.
My bass-harem consists only of a single white Fender Precision. *sigh* One day, I shall own a 5-string.
Submitted by Lyric (user info) at 2004-12-14 15:04:09 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
5-strings make me tingle in my happy place.
So do bass players, and musicians in general.
My bass-harem consists only of a single white Fender Precision. *sigh* One day, I shall own a 5-string.
Submitted by rad1101 (user info) at 2004-12-14 15:00:55 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Zandy, pay attention to ETS posts in the next couple of days. He's doing something very cool.
Submitted by Zandy1123 (user info) at 2004-12-14 14:57:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
hahaha...I suck pretty hard too. Our collective lack of talent could ruin all of Ubersite!!
Submitted by rad1101 (user info) at 2004-12-14 14:54:59 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
BASS off, i'm in.
I am freaking horrible, and will own you all with my lack of talent
Submitted by AwesomeJohnson (user info) at 2004-12-14 14:53:34 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm pretty sure its like a surf off, but with bass playing.
Bass solos, take one: doooooo dododo dododo dododo doooooo dododo dododo dododo
Submitted by Zandy1123 (user info) at 2004-12-14 14:51:01 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
whoa...rad...are you serious? You'll be my slave monkey?! Can I call you Clarence?!?
A BASS OFF eh?
I'm down!!
How does a BASS OFF work?
Submitted by big_wigger (user info) at 2004-12-14 14:48:34 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
BASS OFF!
Submitted by rad1101 (user info) at 2004-12-14 14:47:16 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I will be your personal slave monkey if you let me borrow your axe for a week.
Submitted by Caulaincourt (user info) at 2004-12-14 14:46:57 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
The design looks like a multi purpose dildo but five-strings are fucking great.
Submitted by TigerLilly (user info) at 2004-12-14 14:40:37 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Merry Christmas Z-man!
Enjoy that new gift!
Submitted by Zandy1123 (user info) at 2004-12-14 14:40:33 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
<ahem>
Submitted by AwesomeJohnson (user info) at 2004-12-14 14:39:39 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
John Ritter - "Apparently there's this new scandal about how you can see my scrotum hanging out of my blue boxer shorts for a split second on episode 161 of Three's Company. Someone asked me if maybe I did that on purpose. You bet I did."
free scrotums for everybody!
Submitted by munkeypants (user info) at 2004-12-14 14:38:09 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
yay for zandy!!