Finbar

Yeah, its pretty high on my wanting list too :/

Ahaha, I don't want a mishmash. Overcomplicating a bass is one of the things I absolutely abhor. But having a lot of things to choose your simple elements from is a nice luxury I may play 7 strings, but I have pretty boring tastes apart from that. I don't need piezos/MIDI outputs/headless/singlecuts/13 band EQs to have a bass I enjoy. Thanks to anyone who's written something though. Ideas are forming, and I may well ignore everyone in the thread As soon as I've rustled something up, I'll probably let you all see my initial thoughts I REALLY need to get my hands on a bass with fanned frets - preferably a six or more stringed one. Even if only for half an hour!

[i]Initial post edited for clarity and specs.[/i] Okay, so now I'm earning some more money, I have vague gear related plans. After I've made my rig a bit bigger, I'm looking at saving for a second bass from Mr Jon Shuker. I think with the initial sound of this thread, I may have come across as sounding like I had less of an idea of what I wanted than I do. So just to clarify, here's a rough spec as far as I've thought it through. Some of it I've banded between myself and Jon a bit, some of it is straight off the top of my head: 7 strings (BEADGCF) 24 frets Birdseye maple fretboard - I LOVE the look of these, especially with that high gloss Two way truss rod Carbon fibre reinforcement Medium frets Graphite nut 16mm string spacing at bridge Gotoh GB707 tuners Either an ABM or Hipshot 7 string bridge, depending on availability, and what Jon reckons to them. Side LEDs (possibly frontal too, though it depends how garish I'm feeling...) most likely in red. I'll be going for something like Ash for the body, as I think it should have a bit of heft (but not too much) to it, and should also give me a nice bit of bite. For the neck, I'd like to stick some Wenge in there, for a bit of growl, and some flamed maple (more for the looks to be honest), with the emphasis on the maple. Most likely a 5 piece. As I mention further down in this thread, I have been doing a bit of research into other basses and things for how I'd like the looks to turn out, and I ended up finding it right here in this board! I LOVE the finish on Rich's Shuker J5, and I think I will be going for something very similar - it looks especially nice because it doesn't look too glossy, and the sunburst doesn't go all the way to a black - that deep wine red at the edges is beautiful. The red sets off the maple fretboard particularly well. The neck specs will be based on the last bass Jon built for me, which are in turn based on the neck specs of the Conklin I used to own. However, I think I'm going to try and push the neck depth a little slimmer this time. I'm wary of doing it too much though, and taking out the natural curve of a neck which makes it feel ergonomic to play. I'll see what Jon says! I'm leaning towards a bolt on neck at this stage. Either an ABM or Hipshot 7 string bridge, depending on availability, and what Jon reckons to them. Black hardware (I thought about straying from black for this one, but it looks so much classier than every other colour really...) Recessed Dunlop straplocks (had these fitted on my other bass, and they're also a nice touch to me) So with all that in mind, here is I guess more specifically what I'm looking for input on: Firstly, to get this out of the way - is graphite a possibility for the neck? I know this would mean no birdseye fretboard, which I would dearly love, but the benefits of graphite seem tremendous, and I do like the feel of it. I'm guessing to have one made to the dimensions I want would be a one-off custom job to make the tool for it and therefore be prohibitively expensive? If somebody can clarify and confirm that, I'll just forget about it Top wood. I would like something a bit more exotic than a quilted/flamed maple. I've always been a fan of burled woods, and seeing Rich's J5 has again made me think the burl maple would be an excellent choice. I'd love to see some examples of some slightly more unusual woods that would look good under a coloured finish though, if anyone has any pictures lying around, as I haven't decided on this by any means Fanned frets. As has been mentioned, I would love to give something with fanned frets a go. Ideally a 6/7+, but even a 4 would give me a good idea to start things from. If ANYBODY can help with this (I'm in Sheffield, which pretty much counts d-basser out ), I would be in indebted to them. I am very much looking into the possibility of taking a road trip to London to try Dingwalls and have a bit of a nice weekend holiday Having read a lot about them, there are very few bad words spoken about fanned frets on the internet. If they are as natural to play as everyone seems to say, then the concept makes complete sense. I would love a bit less tension in my C and F strings, and a tad more in my low B. Again, what seems to be the 'norm' for fanned frets? 33"-36" seems to be what I'm thinking of - but I'd like to see what other people are using in that respect. Electronics. ACG filter preamp is looking so so tasty, but would I use all of it? Probably not. Jon's JJ Burnel passive circuit is ALSO looking very tasty, and sounds rather good in the JJ sig bass, I must say ^_^ I am looking for an aggressive pick tone, and I'm not sure that's the ACG's forte, though I'm sure it can give it a good go. Has anybody had any experience using the ACG in this context? If I decide to go for active circuitry, I will definitely get Jon to put an active/passive switch in, and if I go passive, I will definitely get Jon to route the cavity out to accommodate one in the future I am so far undecided on pickups. Any suggestions on this front are very much welcome. I have a couple of ideas in mind, but this is one of the last areas to have attracted my consideration. I'd still like to see some lovely pictures of more bizarre basses (preferably 7s), as the ones I've looked at have been a constant inspiration, as well of a constant reminder of what NOT to do I hope that clears it up for people, and many thanks to anyone who's suggested ideas before - they all go in the melting pot

I'm gonna take a punt at F#BEADGCFBb?

All this hype, epic anticipation thread, and now they're available... nobody's bought one? I think I'll probably drop £150 on one sometime soon, now I can afford it Even if I don't like it as a pre/distortion unit, I wouldn't mind having a good quality DI around the place.

Don't you drive? Oh well. If you sort something transport-wise, let me know and I may try and blag a day off. [quote name='umph' post='286726' date='Sep 18 2008, 05:02 PM']me? i doubt it unless i can get some kind of transport[/quote]

[quote name='cheddatom' post='286424' date='Sep 18 2008, 08:45 AM']Sew the seads of a dead relative! do it now so they can have their funeral on the 11th.[/quote] Bit early for that. Give it a week or two. Maybe I'll just start with some illness first before moving onto full on death. You going down btw Mikeee?

Working that day. Sucks :/

Considering getting a second 1212L and running them both at the same time. The single one can cope, but I really miss having my old 4x12 cab! The 1212L is awesome though, so I see no reason to go and buy another big clunky 412 when 2 1212Ls will do me fine

It looks pretty ugly though. Its an amp, not a car.

I saw the thread - I'm considering it! Although... I now have a pedalboard which doesn't fit all my pedals on, and have nearly completed it. I don't think I can cope if any more GAS arises :/

I run mine with a QSX PLX1202 and have no problems with it. I've also got no noise problems (again, only tried it live myself), though mine apparently has quieter valves in it than the stock ones, so maybe my view on it isn't the best one if you're looking at a stock SVP. I may return to a valve head at some point though, so I don't know if I'll hang onto my SVP past that. Good bit of kit though, so might keep it for when a more lightweight amp is needed

[quote name='man_at_arms84' post='273340' date='Aug 30 2008, 08:26 PM']Ahhh you missed us, we were down in sheffield again on thrusday just gone. PLayed at the Corporation with Storm of Light. What band do you play in? You from round Sheffield way?[/quote] Ah, didn't know you were on that bill! Might have nipped down otherwise :/ Are you in Sheffield a lot then? Yeah, I'm in Sheffield - go listen www.myspace.com/maeslostempire - that's what I are doing.

Yup, Casbah. Would have loved to have heard that head and cab combo though. Would have been amazing. I'll have to make sure to catch you next time you swing through too Might bring earplugs though [quote name='man_at_arms84' post='273126' date='Aug 30 2008, 01:29 PM']Thanks very much mate. Was that in the Casbah with Mirimar Disaster? Yeah we were late and arrived litterally 10 mins before Mirimar finished, so for time reasons I just used Mirimars' cabs. Shame, the matamps really make the VBA sing.[/quote]

Nope, and no further plans to. I found just not buying noisy pedals was a far better way round things

Lol, year old thread.