This fretless Stradi bass is phenomenal

Remco's Groove Lab
Remco's Groove Lab
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Published 2024-06-25
Check out my new fretless Stradi bass! This is the most expressive instrument I’ve ever had, the vibrato, sustain, and definition are spectacular. Here’s the first solo piece with lots of fun double stops, mwah, staccato fingerstyle, slides and some funky improvisation. It took 3 weeks a few hours a day to write, rehearse, and perform this in one take. The first bonding time with a new instrument is always special, but this bass triggers my brain like no other, it’s beyond inspiring to experience its sonic possibilities. Been playing fretless for some time but didn’t know this much definition in tone, sustain and resonance could be present, seems an ultimate blend of modern in-your-face sound and classical finesse with all its benefits.

Marek Dąbek is one of the finest luthiers around today, together with his wife Agnieszka this most wonderful couple builds these amazing instruments with incredible eye for detail. The stunning fingerboard is made of Bocote, with an Amazaque neck and solid roasted Alder body, the top wood is quartersawn Oak with a Shou Sugi Ban finish, all woods are made from one piece. Pickups are Delano Xtender and a custom piezo with Glockenklang preamp, slide pots and coil switch are on the back. It has an Ebony bridge and nut, Gotoh tuners and strap locks, glow in the dark Luminlay side markers and silver eyelets with crushed turquoise. The top wood is treated with fire, Japanese Yakisugi style.
I used Ernie Ball Super Slinky strings, the bocote fingerboard is hard and takes roundwounds well. I used 3 pedals: a Rodenberg 707b clean booster, a Darkglass Hyper Luminal compressor and at some parts a Boss OC-2 octaver. I used my Eich T-1000 amp and recorded into a Focusrite preamp into my laptop into Cubase.
Drums by Jack Irons (RHCP/Pearl Jam). He recorded and mixed it himself, I recorded this take on his stereo mix and mixed it in Cubase. No post processing or plugins used, just some volume adjustments, mastering was done with Ozone. More recordings in the works!
This type of Stradi bass is called Symphony. I named this bass Symphony Cora, after my dear late mother who loved my fretless playing for its soothing sound. I wrote “White Orchid” (   • Melodic Fretless Bass Song with Doubl...  ) beside her during her last months back in 2011 and with this Stradi bass I’m now recording the full band version of the song. I’m fortunate to be friends with Marek and Agnieszka and they were around when we started the studio recording in LA last February, we envisioned it would take the sound to the next level. I played White Orchid on a 5-string Stradi similar to this bass, owned by producer John Heintz, and we couldn’t think of a better fretless sound to fit the song. Only thing was, for my fingerstyle playing I need some space underneath the strings, so for this built Marek made a recess in the extended fingerboard at my plucking position, the result couldn’t have turned out better and I’m very grateful. White Orchid should be out later this year!

Check out my other socials:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Gr00veLab
Instagram: www.instagram.com/groove_a_holic
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Listen to my music:
Apple Music: music.apple.com/us/artist/remco-hendriks/124017863…
Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/4Rej4Q5WWdG3vQHwfNSfwB
Bandcamp: remcohendriks.bandcamp.com/


Thanks for watching!
All Comments (21)
  • @AlexandarShmex
    If someone deserves a bass of this quality, it's you, since you will get the most out of it.
  • @woodyTM
    The voicing is just incredible, you sure can make that bass talk
  • @jessed3884
    the right hand technique gets me everytime
  • @teqfi949
    btw I will buy my first bass next month because of you, thanks for your badass videos and being my inspiration
  • @adamdontdocoke
    The percussive finger picking triplets! My goodness I'm gonna practice that! Your playing is superb and that bass is UNREALLLLL!
  • @Vossst
    One of the coolest fretless tones I've heard. Really interesting eq on it too, the way the bass range sits almost sounds almost like a different instrument doubling the lines.
  • @1satisfiedmind
    My sent me the link to this video and said, basically, "I love this guy..." I can see why. Great playing, tone....everything.
  • @fortissimoX
    Stradi basses are so beautiful. When I first saw them I was blown away! They also sound amazing, but again, in your hands, every fretless would sound amazing. Thanks!
  • @hawtenslaton4307
    Wow man, you were laying down! Oww! Love your groove, thank you for sharing your gift with us today! :goodvibes::goodvibes:😘😘🙏🙏🙏🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠
  • @rafaturek1370
    They say the closer instrument is to imitation of human singing the more captivating it becomes to audience. And i am sure this bass just sang me a song
  • @satevo462
    That might be the first time I've seen, or noticed, a finger picking slap technique. I looked away for a second thought you started slapping, then I noticed how you were doing it. That's awesome.
  • @PepperoniePlays
    Bro I'm pretty sure that bass is illegal in at least 37 countries
  • @FizzyP
    So beautiful! The tone is unique and I dig it.
  • @gabibonza
    You are phenomenal, sir 🔥🔥🔥
  • @GuitarBassCigar
    NGD for you was a great one! Good to see a new vid and this is pretty darn special. Enjoy the new axe and look forward to the next video!
  • @HighlandViking
    It really fits perfectly with your style of playing...more please! 👊😎