Jon Hill Basses

[Big Jimi Cee]

Being that we have a very diverse and knowledgeable community of Bassists that frequent this site, I am wondering if anyone has ever ran across or played one of Jon's basses.

I am looking at a used fretless that is out on the west coast so I have to do everything via phone or email and without flying out I can't get my hands on it until we would move further into the sales process, so I want to do as much up front investigation in order to keep from having to go through a lot of shipping hassles . With that said, I was wondering what others may know about his basses.

I do know that Jon had his own shop in Cleveland (that should be reason enough not to buy it) but has since moved the shop to Florida where Jon is the head of woodworking for Dean Guitars and has recently with the backing of Dean reopened Hill Custom Guitars which will specialize in basses for now.

I have actually exchanged email with Jon about the bass that I am looking at and he has been a pleasure to deal with (as opposed to Ken Smith). He has indicated that he is going to try to provide the information he has on the bass in question this week, but again, I would like input from others. I have reviewed the Talk Bass forums and everything there was positive.

So if any of you fellow denizens of the low frequency world have any input or experience with these basses it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

JC

[MOONDOGGY]

I've heard great things about these basses. Since moving to Kent, I've been hearing a lot about them since they were made locally. I was actually tempted to put an offer on a 5 string fretted on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Beautiful-Jon-Hill- ... 1c0e034bea

(If the link doesn't work, do a search in completed items for 'hill bass'.)

I know Stefan Lessard from Dave Matthews has a couple Hill basses that he uses live (and assuming in the studio as well). He plays top notch production basses like Modulus, Warwick Dolphins, etc.. From what I've seen, Hill basses are the only boutique customs that he plays (Other than his Ken Smith bass).

However, other than the body shapes, Hill basses aren't very unique. Every one I've seen had Bartolini guts and typically had maple and purpleheart necks and bodies. Based on the woods, construction, and electronics there's dozens of other manufacturers that build similar basses.

Even though Ken Smith can be a bit of a jerk to deal with, his basses are pretty unique. He has his own pickups, preamps, and some hardware. He also does a lot of research to find the best sounding tone woods. I don't think there's much on a Smith bass that can be bought off the shelf.

If you'd like, I have 2 Lado basses (5 & 6 string) that are mostly hardwoods (fl maple, purpleheart, figured walnut) and have Bart guts. They're also 34" scale with multi-laminate necks. These would sound about the same as a Hill bass. If you want to try them out, they'd give you a good idea of what to expect in that Hill bass.

[Big Jimi Cee]

I have been looking for a used fretless and for what I want to spend and what I have found to be available the Hill has caught my interest. There are a ton of Warwick and Fenders available in the price range that I want to spend but neither is my cup of tea.

I have spoken with Ken Smith about a new neck for one of my Smiths and in his typical fashion he doesn't understand what the customer wants, if he can't sell you a new bass for 4 grand or more it can't be done or he doesn't want to deal with it. I respect that he wants to sell up but I just want a new tire, not the whole car.

I wish your Lado 5 was a fretless, I would jump on that in a heatbeat. I think you analysis about the Hill is spot on, the one I am looking at is passive with Bart pups, so if I get the darn thing I will probably throw in a Bart or Aguilar 3 band preamp. I still like the fact that it is a hand built and not a production bass, though there is nothing wrong with production basses.

Indeed Stephen Lessard is using the Hill and Smith basses more so than his Modulus's and I have seen the Jon Hill has been working a little with Victor Wooten, while I am in no way in this league I think its a testimony to Jon's talents.

Thanks for the input, I truly value your observations and opinions.

I am supposed to hear from Jon Hill tomorrow as to when this particular base was built and the actual construction and from there I will probably make my decision. Hope fully I can get some more input from some others before I make my decision.

Also many thanks for the link to the one on ebay, That will help in what I want to make my offer at.

[MOONDOGGY]

I just found this on eBay. It's a DP (Dave Pushic) fretless 5. I'd say his work is similar to Hill's with probably a little less attention to detail.

http://cgi.ebay.com/CUSTOM-FRETLESS-5-S ... 439bbf55fd

I don't really like how the outside purpleheart laminates on the neck just stop at the 9th fret. Hill, like most luthiers, probably would've tapered the thicker maple neck laminates to allow the outside laminates or stringers to run the length of the neck. But..... some may like that look!

Regardless, keep us posted with if you get that Hill bass and definitely post pics!!!!

[bassist_25]

I remember reading a post on Talkbass from a poster who was at a NAMM show and was refused by Ken Smith to play a bass with a pick. Okay, Smith basses don't have pickguards, and there are always two sides to the story. Smith responded to that post by making an analogy of how a Porsche dealer sizes you up before letting you test drive a car. I thought, "What a fuckin' douchebag."

[Big Jimi Cee]

Well I went ahead and did it. I bought the Jon Hill Fretless and I am truly impressed. I have been blessed with being able to find unbelievable deals on used basses and this is no exception. I found this bass at a Guitar Center in California and while at fist glance it wasn't exactly what I wanted I started talking the manager of this particular store about the bass and the more that he and I talked, along with Dan's (Moondoggy) input and swapping emails with Jon Hill himself I decided to go ahead and by the damn thing.

By the photos that I had be given by Guitar Center I was firmly convinced that I was going to have Jon Hill refinish back to natural wood. Well I open the case and it is a beautiful metallic green with no unfinished wood anywhere I think I will let it be. I has Bart pups with 2 band active electronics. I haven't played it through my bass rig yet but even through an old Fender JAM with one cheap 12 it sounds good. The craftsmanship and playability are unbelievable. As soon as I get a good shot of it I will post it.

If anyone one wants to check it out, I am bringing it to the Hawks Blues Jam at 30 Something on Sunday (Shameless plug for the Hawks)

I have quickly become a fan of Jon Hill basses.

Dan, thanks for the input you helped me make my decision. If you are in town on Sunday come to the jam, it's a great time you can play the Jon Hill or my Smith.