LeftyBassist.com

I never heard of them, but they're apparently a new US made lefty-friendly builder with some interesting options/customizations. I personally don't dig the "Michelangelo" headstocks, but I'm sure some other master painter could be requested :

http://cgi.ebay.com/Left-handed-fretles ... 3eff418248

http://cgi.ebay.com/Left-handed-fretles ... 3eff419999

http://cgi.ebay.com/Left-handed-SJ-bass ... 3eff416d1e

I met the guy who makes them about 2 weeks back, and posted a link to his site in the "Lefty Friendly Bass Companies" thread. So, if you've never heard of Scream, it's your own fault!

Sorry if you've been asked this before, but did you get a chance to play any of them?

Cool they look nice. Here's his site:

http://screambasses.com/about.html

Nice little writeup about our plight as lefties...

And he does the P and J styles with graphite necks also.

Just hope no one comes down on him about the tele headstock or the Stingray copy.

No. Pete (Conrad, the Scream guy) said he still had a thing or two to do to the Jazz and I was welcome to try it out when he had it finished, but I don't see how I could like it as much as the fretless Jazz I already built myself, or the fretted Jazz I'm currently working on. Still, I could drop by and try out any of those basses for you if you think you're interested in one. Pete's only about 5 miles away from me.

Thanks for the offer, but no real need right now. I was just curious to know how they feel/sound.

You probably won't need telling that this guy is pretty much in direct competition with Rodent, who I rate highly enough to have bought 2 of his instruments. The necks in particular are as good as anything I've ever owned or played. Healthy competition is good I think, so just trying to get some kind of comparison.

Just came across this one on the bay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Left-handed-SJ-G-ba ... 3f00794c74

Looks quite good! I wonder what it will sell for eventually.

So do I.

Pete

Technically you are correct Andy in that all business selling a similar product compete with one another on some level, but I'm of the belief that there's enough difference between Regenerate and Scream (ie. graphite necks) that they're not vying directly for the same customers.

I also think that within a year as Regenerate gets more popular that Rod won't be able to fill orders fast enough to feel the cut of lost orders to other builders. I'm looking forward to when he hits the big time and has to hire me to run his factory though.

Plus Rod and Pete both seem to be the kind of guys who enjoy the camaraderie between bass builders more than the competition.

Similar product? Seems to me Rod focuses on Precision-type basses, while Pete's more of a Jazz bass builder. If you think those are similar, I encourage you to check out the 400 'P vs J' threads on Talkbass........

Rod will be well able to speak for himself once he gets a chance to draw breath, but I think the point Andrew is making (and if it is then on that point I agree with him) is that Rod's approach is more focussed on getting the best from traditional materials, while Pete is more keen to explore the possibilities of newer materials and construction methods (carbon fibre isn't that new as a neck material btw - one of my former students turned up to a lesson with a Yamaha bass sporting a CF neck around 5 or 6 years ago; and the Bond guitar as used by Charlie Burchill of Simple Minds dates all the way back to the mid 80's) - perhaps we should say 'alternative technologies' rather than 'newer materials'.

Where they do cross over is in the production of instruments inspired by Fender originals, specifically the 'J' and 'P' designs. Also they are pitching their respective products at around the same price point, which will put them in the thoughts of the same buying sector.

Personally I'd love to see someone do a comparison of instruments from the two stables - not to say which might be better, but more to compare the results that the different design philosophies yield.