Veillette / Archtop / Bass For Sale
ArchtopDesigned to 'bridge the gap' between our Paris models and standard electric basses, the Archtop is a new direction in bass instruments.The undersaddle pickup, blending smoothly with the Citron magnetic pickup, covers all the territory from straight-ahead electric tones to crisp, acoustic-like sounds (and upright-like fretless tones), and every flavor in-between.The thick, gracefully carved solid Spruce top, large body chamber, and soundhole maximize the tone, look and feel of these elegant instruments, which are beautifully suited to jazz players, acoustic music, and intimate ensemble playing. A 24-fret neck and deep treble-side cutaway give the player full access to two-octaves of range, and the rugged construction and stability of all our instruments makes for worry-free travel and gigging, without sacrificing the rich tone and vibe of a truly high-class instrument. |
Length 42.5-43.5"
Width 12.5"
Depth 2-2.25"
Weight 8-9.5 lbs.
Veillette Archtop:
by Jonathan Herrera, Bass Player Magazine, May 2007
ARCHTOP
Veillette's Archtop bass aims to straddle the murky line between acoustic bass guitars. archtop "jazz boxes," and vintage thudmatic hollowbodies. To accomplish this. Veillette used an ebony and wenge dovetail bridge, a soft cedar top, a D- TAR Eclipse preamp to blend between magnetic and piezo sounds, and a chambered body. I'd say mission accomplished. The Archtop is a fascinating bass; its tones range from familiar magnetic-pickup-driven slice to thick, dull, and warm acoustic-y thump.
As with the Centaur, the Archtop's construction and components are top-shelf. The instrument has a cozy, understated vibe thanks to the burnished lacquer finish and richly stained woods. Playability is excellent; the small body snuggled into my body without protest (if only they all did that), and the shallow-C profile neck was instantly comfortable. Its balance is just okay, as it tends to neck-dive due to the smallish body.
The Archtop's electronics are refreshingly simple. A D-TAR Eclipse preamp handles blending and buffering between the bass's piezo and magnetic pickups. EQ is limited to treble rolloff, like a passive bass's tone controL The limited electronics put the focus on technique and touch and highlighted the two pickups' distinctively different colors. With the Citron soapbar soloed, the Archtop has a midrange-heavy sound; notes have a pliant give, rather than an edgy immediacy Rolling down the tone brings the sound closer to a traditional solidbody, with fat fundamental. The soloed piezo sound didn't shine with the tone full up, but as I rolled it down, the Archtop's most compelling sounds emerged. Despite its size, the Veillette's treble-attenuated piezo sound is huge and round, not unlike an upright. The Archtop captures the unique dynamic of an acoustic's attack and decay response. Veillette quite cleverly used a soft cedar top in order to absorb energy from the string, and it worked. Blending in a bit of the Citron pickup brings the Archtop into clearer focus: The setting is ideal for capitalizing on the buttery mids and sweet treble for solos and other delicate passages.
HALF & HALF
Both the Centaur and the Archtop truly capture what boutique bass building ought to be about: smart, competent luthiers dreaming up unique solutions to players' enduring challenges. You won't find either Veillette bass at your local music mega mart, but I hear Woodstock is lovely in the summer.
Veillette Guitars, USA 
Veillette Guitars are built by Joe Veillette, Martin Keith, and Ande Chase in Woodstock, NY. Experiences gained as players & performers have defined our idea of what instruments are really for. Though we appreciate fine marquetry, artistic woodworking techniques & exotic woods, these things don
Please call me regarding ordering, terms and conditions. All the best - Joe Veillette
