I worked with Tom Clement of Clement Basses ( @tjclem ) on making my first custom bass. It was started sometime in January, and by mid March I had it. I wanted to use it for a while before I posted a review.
Tom was very helpful in the handholding process that I needed in order to choose options. He was extremely communicative and transparent about the process, and just a pleasure to work with when you're spending a few thousand bucks on an instrument. Check out the gallery link to see the bass and take a look at the big specs. I can safely say that with Tom you'll have plenty of options and great communication.
One of my main concerns was weight when I started looking for a bass. Tom has produced a couple of pretty light basses which was one of the big reasons I went with him. My bass ended up being unfortunately heavier than expected, but I have to stress that the bass sits so well, is balanced well, and is extremely comfortable with regards to actually playing it / where my hands go / etc. I came off of an Ibanez SR506 that I thought was light - this Clement is supposed to be heavier, although I never weighed it myself since for some reason it feels lighter and much more comfortable, so I stopped questioning it. I previously used a Gruv Gear Duo Strap for my Ibanez, and haven't put it on the singlecut Clement yet but found that I don't need to - it's comfy with just a left shoulder strap.
I ponied up additional $ for the case, and am glad I did. It's a very very nice lightweight case, well worth the $150 for protecting my investment.
I opted to try Nickel Plated DR Sunbeams for it. I've never used them and just figured I'd try something new. This is where I ran into, really, the only problem I had with the bass. I took some necessary time inspecting the bass for any damage, loose hardware, etc (none), and checked out the action and intonation before really playing it (all was set up pretty well, the B string was out of whack but that was a quick intonation thing). I was a bit upset when I plugged it in and heard it amplified - the tone sounded pretty thin, clanky, almost plasticy if I had to pick another word. I did what I could with the EQs on my bass and my amp but the tone just wasn't there......fast forward a few weeks and now it sounds great. Really, the tone improved worlds over. I firmly blame it on the strings - I've never had strings change that drastically.
Now that the string problem has resolved - the bass/electronics have more of a mid presence to them, and the Nordstrand active system does more than enough to provide variety of tone. I typically set it and forget it, although I'll play with it every now and then and am pleasently surprised as to what it can do.
Last part - the craftsmanship. It's awesome, what more can I say. The neck is very comfortable for a 6 string and has a certain thumb groove that goes up the back of the neck for the second octave - never felt something like that but it works very well for comfort and serves a good function for my hand placement. I didn't do much adjusting the action when I first got it, but it could use a set up within the next few weeks/months as the temps and humidity start to really rise in Southeastern Pennsylvania (it was delivered in cold and dry mid-March from Florida).
Tom did a fantastic job. If I ever decide on another custom bass I'd easily go with another Clement, and would be very curious to check out the chambered Anne basses he is making. I'd be happy to answer any questions about the bass or the ordering process if anyone has any.
Gallery | Tom Clement Instruments
Tom was very helpful in the handholding process that I needed in order to choose options. He was extremely communicative and transparent about the process, and just a pleasure to work with when you're spending a few thousand bucks on an instrument. Check out the gallery link to see the bass and take a look at the big specs. I can safely say that with Tom you'll have plenty of options and great communication.
One of my main concerns was weight when I started looking for a bass. Tom has produced a couple of pretty light basses which was one of the big reasons I went with him. My bass ended up being unfortunately heavier than expected, but I have to stress that the bass sits so well, is balanced well, and is extremely comfortable with regards to actually playing it / where my hands go / etc. I came off of an Ibanez SR506 that I thought was light - this Clement is supposed to be heavier, although I never weighed it myself since for some reason it feels lighter and much more comfortable, so I stopped questioning it. I previously used a Gruv Gear Duo Strap for my Ibanez, and haven't put it on the singlecut Clement yet but found that I don't need to - it's comfy with just a left shoulder strap.
I ponied up additional $ for the case, and am glad I did. It's a very very nice lightweight case, well worth the $150 for protecting my investment.
I opted to try Nickel Plated DR Sunbeams for it. I've never used them and just figured I'd try something new. This is where I ran into, really, the only problem I had with the bass. I took some necessary time inspecting the bass for any damage, loose hardware, etc (none), and checked out the action and intonation before really playing it (all was set up pretty well, the B string was out of whack but that was a quick intonation thing). I was a bit upset when I plugged it in and heard it amplified - the tone sounded pretty thin, clanky, almost plasticy if I had to pick another word. I did what I could with the EQs on my bass and my amp but the tone just wasn't there......fast forward a few weeks and now it sounds great. Really, the tone improved worlds over. I firmly blame it on the strings - I've never had strings change that drastically.
Now that the string problem has resolved - the bass/electronics have more of a mid presence to them, and the Nordstrand active system does more than enough to provide variety of tone. I typically set it and forget it, although I'll play with it every now and then and am pleasently surprised as to what it can do.
Last part - the craftsmanship. It's awesome, what more can I say. The neck is very comfortable for a 6 string and has a certain thumb groove that goes up the back of the neck for the second octave - never felt something like that but it works very well for comfort and serves a good function for my hand placement. I didn't do much adjusting the action when I first got it, but it could use a set up within the next few weeks/months as the temps and humidity start to really rise in Southeastern Pennsylvania (it was delivered in cold and dry mid-March from Florida).
Tom did a fantastic job. If I ever decide on another custom bass I'd easily go with another Clement, and would be very curious to check out the chambered Anne basses he is making. I'd be happy to answer any questions about the bass or the ordering process if anyone has any.
Gallery | Tom Clement Instruments
