LukeFRC

[quote name='skelf' timestamp='1380746380' post='2230084'] Some short vids documenting varies parts of the build progress. This may not be the best way in the world to build basses but it is the way I worked it out. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrL57IBamNw[/media] [/quote] you've got the video set as private!!

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1380636892' post='2228227'] So, I find it hard to believe that the majority of people who order a custom bass have any idea what they want, other than some pretty bookmatched bullshit. [/quote] I do wonder why this thread continued beyond that point! I read the whole of the "won the wal pickup on ebay" thread over on the other side - it was fairly clear from the bat that the fella wouldn't get the thing done anytime - to make production yes would take a while but to knock out a wal like pup... well I was trying to work out if I would be able to do it myself (or at least learn too.. and while it would take a while it would be possible - where you would get stuck would be getting the pickup to interface with a preamp!

OT... I think the thing I found odd about the thread we're talking about wasn't "this has just happened with X, Y and Z" but more general leading to everyone to go on a massive guessing game. Like you could be the best builder in the world, and you have a bad day, or something breaks, or your mum goes into hospital, or you slip with a chisel or anything... or, and more likely - some of us are utter ******s when it comes to being a customer that a relationship sours or something - and that get's bandied about the internet - but nobody hears about the 1000 happy customers - and when those customers do try and defend the builder it all becomes a bit odd.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1380733868' post='2229750'] Quite. Damn this free forum, staffed by fallible human volunteers! [/quote] +1

[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1380577021' post='2227487'] I agree in principle about the wood but there are [b]some manufacturers out there like Chris Celinder, who get remarkably consistent results from passive wooden instruments. [/b]I don't think the pickups or preamp have much effect on the sound of a bass at all outside of very coarse adjustments. I've tested the outer limits with at least two pickup suppliers and preamp manufacturers and am pretty confident I know what can be achieved. Re: jigs, I'm talking about expectation management not build process. [/quote] which explains why people pay the money they do for Celinders.... I would argue that there are a fair few builders around who don't have that level of luthiery to build towards a tone/or sound pallet. It's how I understand custom instruments to end up with a sound that you really don't understand how on earth they would work in a mix!

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1380576503' post='2227475'] But why do people always mention the 'poor technique' thing....its quite derogatory. It sounds like people are saying 'my cab isn't coloured thus I'm a better player'. [/quote] because if you learn to play in a certain style and then play through a full range bass cab -[b] or through a PA[/b] then any deficiencies in your playing, in timing, and the attack you give the strings, and how you move your hands over the fretboard will become a lot clearer than through a more coloured cab.... the counter argument would ask how much that matters in a live mix.... I had a similar thing with my warwick. I went from playing P bass through a warm valvey head into a warm middy cab to playing my warwick into a trace elliot combo at church... apart from sounding like we were back in the 80's the active pickups, the Eq and the bass had such a bright tone and fast attack it sounded like a machine gun... but that quickness of attack really showed up the timing issues.

[quote name='Gamble' timestamp='1380571923' post='2227378'] Thanks chaps! You're right, it's one that's popped up in a local shop - I very nearly handed over my credit card when I played it but I've calmed down a bit now, 2 grand does seem like a lot of money. I knew it was expensive but wasn't sure if it was overpriced as I haven't seen many 80's Thumbs for sale, of course there's the argument that any bass is worth what you're prepared to pay but I never like to hand over my hard earned without checking to see if it could be better spent first. Any further comments or advice will still be gratefully received, I might see if I can raise some money before I buy it and just call it fate if it sells before I get there. [/quote] check out the one in bass gear too... £500 cheaper

Yum! looks great! How does it sound?

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1380556787' post='2227037'] I honestly believe that 99% of players ( myself included) could be perfectly well-served by a decent quality off the shelf, mass-produced bass. From my own experience, the difference between a good mass produced bass and a custom built job in terms of the usefullness of the final product is often minimal . I'm not saying this to be inflamatory or provocative , but a good Fender Jazz Bass, for example, will do just the same job for you as a custom -made Celinder or Alleeva Coppolo or whatever, and you can have just as much fun playing it . Of course lots of high end basses have their own strengths and are great instruments to own and use , but a whole industry has grown up around the questionable idea that ditching one perfectly good bass for a subjectively better one will make you a more satisfied player and therefore a happier person . Listen to some of the bass comparisons that crop up on Basschat every so often and there is no automatic direct correlation between top priced boutique basses and the best overall sound . There are players out there who have discovered that their own individual style does actually neccessitate a custom -made instrument , but they are few and far between . [/quote] What I don't understand is the business model most these UK based guys work on. With few exceptions I can't work out what their unique selling point is. I mean when I first started on basschat everyone was going mad about Shuker - and I'm sure they're good basses but I can't work out what makes them any different than a similar super jazz that someone else could make. ACG have their preamp and a bit more considered body shapes (I'm a designer/visual artist so that's where that opinion comes from) which sets them apart a bit, ... but apart from that I can't think of many who stand out of the "newer" builders - If you think of the slightly older UK builders if I said JD, Wal, Status or Overwater, then you can Imagine what the bass would look, and to a certain extent sound like. Some of the newer lot.... I don't get what it is that they are doing particularly. IMO it would make more sense to come up with something exceptional and sell that, rather than make whatever the (uneducated) punter wants. I guess I also think that a hand built bass isn't nesserally better than a 3D CNDed bass fretted by a robot (a la Warwick) when it comes down to the finished product... I'm guessing the tolerances on a computer can be far far smaller.... [quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1380559426' post='2227087'] Are people not reading my comments properly? It's not about going elsewhere or chosing other vendors... I am guessing Shockwave's choices for going with those manufacturers are because they offer something that other vendors dont. Jon Lett's guitars are certainly unique looking and not something that is readily available off the shelf and are in a style that is not typical or other luthiers. SGD pickups certainly have a rep over on talkbass - and I don't know, but it wouldn't surprise me if Shockwave had ordered one of those Wal inspired pickups. Now you tell me where you can readily get hold of a set of those. I know another certain luthier was working on getting some manufactured, but I know he wouldn't sell them outside of his basses, as they form part of the unique selling point of his basses. I would certainly suggest that people do their homework. Find you perfect luthier. Find your perfect pickup maker. Great. But if you want a XYZ product that is only available from Mr ABC, then you are in a put up or shut up situation (there's that phrase again for me to be misquoted on again). There are many luthiers that have certain reputations... but the top and tale of it, you have to deal with them if you want their product that badly. Jeez. You want something like a Morgan car? You join the (long) queue... you don't know exactly when it will be made... you just sit and wait until your number comes up? Not good enough? Buy one second hand or put up and shut up? You aren't going to get a new Morgan any other way. Yes, you can buy something else and take your money elsewhere... but you won't have a new Morgan. It doesn't matter what stories good or bad you are told... if you want something, in a way, you have to play their game despite you being the customer (and of course, the customer is always right). Totally wrong I know... but that's how it is when the seller has something that you want that you can't just pluck off the shelf. Yes, you shouldn't have to play the BS games... just depends how much you want that final product. Do you get it now? [/quote] I get it. As an apendium, Most electric bass guitars are a bit more low tech than a new Morgan, and something like Wal inspired pickups could be built at home if you wanted too and put in the time/effort.

Just on the flipside of your letter.... Alan at ACG, Chris and the Guys at Overwater, Rob and Dawn at Status Chris at Alpher, Aaron at whatever Aaron armstrong's pickup making business, Alex at barefaced apart from Alpher and ACG I've not bought from them, but in talking to all of them and the way they conducted themselves, I would trust them 100% in their integrity and communications. The good guys should be celebrated I think!