three

Absolutely lovely and the Alembic inspiration is certainly evident. Excellent carving - the tummy contour is particularly pleasing. Do you have a weight and nut width for this? I’ve lifted some fairly substantial Peaveys in the past, though some even more substantial Alembics? I’d be surprised if this didn’t offer more comfortable balance than many of the latter

6 hours ago, msb said:

Almost the same footprint and weight as the SL112.

I noticed this - only around 2lbs lighter. Seems a little curious

If these are part of the same tonal family, I’d expect smooth, warm bloom. I find the SL112 lovely for fretless

1 hour ago, also played on said:

Hi Mike, do you have access to any sound samples of the bass please?. The ones on the Gillet site are listed as private access only. cheers

It looks like the Gillett site is no longer maintained. If it helps, there's a useful review here: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2salHCvRN0

and demonstration here:

I've been having a good look at the Gator Icon series - possibly a useful solution for wider-bodied short-scales.  The ads indicate a semi-rigid construction and the video shows a fairly substantial car running over the bag.  I'm not suggesting that the bag should stand-up to such abuse, though I'd be interested to know (if any owners can comment) whether the Icon cases have a rigid plastic layer in the edges and front/back face under the ballistic nylon outer?  The video appears to show (car side view) fairly serious distortion of the case, and if I'm not mistaken, the overhead view of the car has the case face upwards, and the side-view, case face down.  Again, I'm not suggesting that the case should stand-up to being left in the road, but good to know just how rigid it is (I've always liked Protec's approach here though Protec cases are a bit narrow).  

I had the great pleasure of owning the slimline fretless version of this bass (without the piezo).  The quality of craftwork here is sublime - we're definitely in Fodera or Alembic territory in terms of attention to detail and quality of materials.  The innovation and smart thinking that has been applied in the design of the instruments is phenomenal and all the plaudits are entirely justified.    A bit of a wood-engineering marvel.  I can't speak for the fretted instruments but haven't heard any other electro-acoustic fretless that comes as close to an upright.  The preamp in the Gillett is also a thing of beauty - again, really well thought- through and beautifully effective.  A super-rare, utterly unique and distinctive premium bass from a premium seller.    

49 minutes ago, ped said:

Just an update on this. I don't necessarily want to gig with my 60s Fender case (maybe a thief magnet, and I don't 100% trust the handle!) and the aforementioned Fender Short Scale gig bag is very light and offers little protection for anything more than carrying around on one's back.

 

I went to Gear4Music in York to try a case which on paper fits the mustang quite well - my bass is about 42" from strap button to headstock (I think the reissues may be a tiny bit longer due to more body behind the bridge) but I'm happy to report that the Gator Icon guitar case fits perfectly. There's a removable cushion at the bottom which would offer extra room if you needed it.

 

I'll post a proper pic later but it's a great case, comfortable handles and straps, lots of pockets, rain cover, semi rigid, light weight...

 

https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Gator-ICON-Series-Bag-For-Electric-Guitars-Black/5DL2

 

 

Thanks, these look really impressive.  There's quite a selection in the Icon range too, including a bag for 335 type guitars, so something for wider bodied short-scale basses (always problematic in my experience).  The Icon bass-specific case appears to come in at around £150 too - pretty competitive for a premium bag

I've used both TinyTone and Jack's Instrument Services extensively, and both with excellent results (the two companies are closely connected and co-located).  Living in Manchester, it's just a short hop over to the workshop, though as far as I know, access is by appointment only now - it used to be a walk-in operation.  Strongly recommended, great materials, choice and product from TinyTone, and Jack's work is exemplary.  These aren't the cheapest operators in the market, but if you want quality, this is usually a little more expensive.

31 minutes ago, scrumpymike said:

This was my radical solution to neck-dive on a lovely pre-Chowny SWB-1. Knocked together from half of an old aluminium billy-can and 3mm strip. I decided the mod had to be easily reversible so there was just one small additional screw hole drilled into the back of the bass. The only costly part was getting it powder-coated. It was a fairly big job but looked surprisingly unobtrusive and worked a treat. Another one I regret selling.

 

 

Thanks Scrumpymike - this is exactly what had inspired me.  I remember seeing this a few years ago and thinking what a brilliant idea.  I will of course credit you if I can ever get my nascent solution to work, though of course, I'm not considering this as any form of commercial venture!  I'm trying to avoid drilling any holes in the bass and working out how I can use the existing Schaller straplock system as a contributory support.  I really need to get in touch with some of the design engineers with whom I used to work - the thought of being able to play the SC on a strap (without the ergonomics issues) is very appealing. 

15 hours ago, three said:

As above, Wilcock and the Spector Shorty and Bantam would be much appreciated. Alembic also build a Darling shortscale but they’re very rare. Again, thanks Anzoid, a brilliant piece of work

Oops, apologies - I see there's a Bantam in there!

9 hours ago, crazycloud said:

Not on mine, and I tried moving the strap pins to different locations. My small bodied Series had by far the worst ergonomics of an bass I've ever played.

Haha, yes - unless one has the height and physiology of SC, the sbss Alembics are a challenge. The first time I played one (a SII), I was staggered at just how far the nut is pushed out to the left (on a RH bass, of course). That said, in terms of playability and tone, they’re stunning. My - as yet unrealised - solution to balance and ergonomics involves a rather radical departure. If anzoid can include a shorty Alembic in his images, the weirdness should be fairly clear. For all my moaning, the sbss Alembic is probably my favourite in terms of aesthetics and tone.

As above, Wilcock and the Spector Shorty and Bantam would be much appreciated. Alembic also build a Darling shortscale but they’re very rare. Again, thanks Anzoid, a brilliant piece of work

Lovely interaction with Darren as he purchased some strings from me. Rapid payment and utter clarity and reliability throughout. An upstanding pillar of our community. Thanks Darren!

30 minutes ago, MJJS said:

Mine has the front strap pin on the horn, so not as bad as the original positioning.

Probably a good idea and I've thought of this too - I suspect that it improves both balance and reach.  I've often thought of a radically different approach too but need a very good design engineer to help with this.  I used to have access to loads of the latter and need to renew my acquaintances.  Apologies if this is a bit of a derail and kudos to the original poster - what an excellent idea and some brilliant work!

59 minutes ago, MJJS said:

One for the collection SC Alembic 

 

Ahh, the short scale that feels like a 35”.  Utterly beautiful but utterly horrible on a strap (IMO)

1 hour ago, Beedster said:

 

I wonder if that change in approach has anything to do with the classified sections here?  

Everything Chris - you know me too well!

I used to do this live all the time, and decades ago, though only when playing with larger/hired PAs.  With a decent DI box, monitor mix and good engineers, I didn't encounter any problems and didn't have to lift anything more than the bass/case.  I loved the simplicity and had some of the best bass tones I've experienced.  I've sort of gone backwards and now mess about a lot with backline and preamps.

I tend to favour basses that have a recognised core 'characterful' tone, for example, Wal, Alembic, Steinberger, Warwick (Thumb), Spector (Haz and EMG), and at some time have owned all in that list.  This isn't to say that other brands/basses don't have a characterful tone, just that perhaps those in the first list have a pretty specific and recognisable sound.  I've also owned and enjoyed Fender, Fodera, Shuker, Sei, Overwater, Wilcock etc. (and many more, absolutely nuts though fun) but find these, however brilliant and useable, to be a bit more 'vanilla' in their tonal palette.  For me, most of the time, if using a 'characterful' bass, then relatively simple 'bass - lead - preamp - power amp', permits emphasis and focus on the elements of the bass that constitute its particularity.  Use of effects, and even exaggerated use of eq or compression, can tend to mask (semi-) unique tonal qualities.  Oh, and I still use and enjoy plenty of 'vanilla' basses (there term isn't employed here as any kind of pejorative).  Further, I hear and enjoy lots of brilliant bassists that use effects with brilliant results, it's perhaps just not for me.  

A lovely looking board, do you have details of nut width and weight? Also, what’s the nut material?

These are suberb basses and some of the nicest necks I've played on a Fender-type bass

Lovely! I much prefer these to the customs in terms of playability and tone and was fortunate to play a good few in the late ‘70s. Also good to see this has the xlr 

A beautiful bass and my favourite neck and colour configuration for a Jazz (well, this and the dot and bound '66 in pretty much any colour).  I had a natural '76 for years - again, a stunning instrument with monumental tone and an incredibly low and playable action.  There were some great basses from this period and I've no doubt that this is one of them.  Unfortunately, it's pretty much short-scale only for me only now, and weight is always an issue.  I think my '76 was around 11.5lbs so this one is relatively light!  I'm pretty sure that the weight and density of the timber has something to do with the big, three-dimensional and (potentially) very aggressive tone on these.  GLWTS, for what it's worth and IMO, a very reasonable price for this condition and vintage 

A real quality bass and some very nice re-finish work and mods.  

Maybe an idea to shave back the silks a bit at the nut and E saddle.  I used to find it difficult to find strings that would fit properly back in the day - I think the Ripper is a 34.75" scale.  No problem now and many strings no longer use silks

I agree entirely with Walshy and grenadillabama. Restoring this to original spec would cost a fortune. The current mods look very cool to me, though I’d tidy up the input a bit. I had an active circuit and SD P pickup fitted to mine and it’s never had the classic Ripper tone since. I’ve had a look at creating or procuring a typical Ripper plate - very expensive indeed unless you get really lucky. Only pic of mine I have to hand, you can just about see the middle pickup - modded Rippers look brilliant (to me), even if they lose their core tone. Baggy lemon keks and a permed mullet - gotta love the ‘80s