Overwater Original Series (four and/or five-string models)

[Kees_SoS]

A five-string from 2005:

[URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/507/ce501.jpg/][IMG]http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/2210/ce501.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Uploaded with [URL=http://imageshack.us]ImageShack.us[/URL]

[Kees_SoS]

A four-string fretless with macassar ebony top from 2011:


[URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/198/30786710150396222740746.jpg/][IMG]http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/7852/30786710150396222740746.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Uploaded with [URL=http://imageshack.us]ImageShack.us[/URL]

For more photos, see [url="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150396222490746.415508.325141415745&type=3"]https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150396222490746.415508.325141415745&type=3[/url]

[Kees_SoS]

Another, 'classic' Original Series from 2011:


[URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/52/30374210150396226395746.jpg/][IMG]http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/6333/30374210150396226395746.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Uploaded with [URL=http://imageshack.us]ImageShack.us[/URL]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]For more photos, see [/font][/color][url="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150396222490746.415508.325141415745&type=3"]https://www.facebook...41415745&type=3[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color]

[Kees_SoS]

It's the same one, but thanks anyway. All tips are welcome.

[quote name='ash' timestamp='1343856780' post='1756549']
[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Overwater-bass-guitar-/251118984755?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3a77db9e33#ht_644wt_922"]http://www.ebay.co.u...33#ht_644wt_922[/url]

Is this of interest or is it the one already referred to in the thread, just spotted it when having a trawl around the bay.
[/quote]

[tayste_2000]

[quote name='Kees_SoS' timestamp='1343933826' post='1757621']
A five-string from 2005:

[url="http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/507/ce501.jpg/"][/url]

Uploaded with [url="http://imageshack.us"]ImageShack.us[/url]
[/quote]

That would be the one I own and use as my main bass at the moment don't know whose picture it is though

[Kees_SoS]

Steve,

I pulled the pic off eBay when it was up for sale on there ;-)

Kees


[quote name='tayste_2000' timestamp='1345725212' post='1780876']
That would be the one I own and use as my main bass at the moment don't know whose picture it is though
[/quote]

[tayste_2000]

Cool, I got its from someone on BC

[Kees_SoS]

Does anyone else out there own one?

[overwaterstephen]

[quote name='BarnacleBob' timestamp='1343725925' post='1754086']
A quick snap of Betty Blue, a very early original ( possibly 79 according to Chris ) with the conturing on the body and Bill Lawrence EB50 humbuckers

BB
[/quote]
I have one identical to that photo! Blue on the front, and a kind of reddish shade on the back. I bought it somewhere around the early 90s in a music shop in London, and haven't really played it a great deal since.

I have no idea what these things are worth, but it is truly a thing of beauty!

[Schnozzalee]

[quote name='Kees_SoS' timestamp='1343934322' post='1757631']
Another, 'classic' Original Series from 2011:


[url="http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/52/30374210150396226395746.jpg/"][/url]

Uploaded with [url="http://imageshack.us"]ImageShack.us[/url]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]For more photos, see [/font][/color][url="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150396222490746.415508.325141415745&type=3"]https://www.facebook...41415745&type=3[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color]
[/quote]

[DGBass]

This thread brought back a few distant memories of a visit to Overwater Guitars in the early 1980's. In particular, the post about Rob Clements from Lindisfarne reminded me of one of the finished basses that Chris May showed me that was a customer order for Rob. It was a dark coloured original series fretless with a bound ebony neck and custom inlays. I'm sure it was also a non standard tuning for a four string( low B or C) and the bass was built with this in mind. The reason for my visit was to order my own Overwater which I have owned ever since and still play. It doesn't get gigged anymore but is used for recording and home playing. It's a leftie twin pickup passive configuration with a five position pickup selector and Kent Armstrong pickups. It was designed so that i could easily upgrade to the active electronics offered at the time, but it sounded so fantastic i never did go back to do this. it's mahogany with a tiger maple top, ebony fingerboard and matching headstock. The hardware is all schaller chrome. Even now it keeps perfect tune, and I cant imagine ever parting with it. 





 

Edited June 9, 2021 by dangoose
remove dead url link

[tayste_2000]

Beautiful, I"m just working toward picking an 83/84 fretless Original Bass, so then I'll have 3 in that shape

[Kees_SoS]

Never seen a left-handed Original Series before. Impressive!

Any more Original Series owners out there (particularly of five-string examples)?

[tayste_2000]

Finally pictures




For those wanting to read a bit more about it


http://www.tayste.co.uk/2013/02/02/my-basses/

[wateroftyne]

A friend of mine, and a bloody good player, Rod Clements, was in the studio yesterday with his....

[Kees_SoS]

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1359918965' post='1962059']
A friend of mine, and a bloody good player, Rod Clements, was in the studio yesterday with his....


[/quote] This looks like a really early one, with the carved body, more extreme headstock shape and Bill Lawrence pickups. Thanks for sharing!

Any more Original Series freaks out there? I'll be ordering a custom five-string within the next few weeks.

[BigRedX]

[quote name='Kees_SoS' timestamp='1364750212' post='2030397']
... I'll be ordering a custom five-string within the next few weeks.
[/quote]

Go for it! And I hope you'll start a thread in the Build Diaries section with plenty of progress pics.

[Leen2112]

[quote name='Kees_SoS' timestamp='1343730501' post='1754189']
That green fretless is gorgeous. I wished I'd known about it ;-) Apparently, it's also a very rare colour.
When I was OW last month, Martin Lee told me the current owner had bought it from someone who hadn't touched it for years. Consequently, it was in really bad shape ; so much so, that the pots had to be drilled out.

Re the pickup spacing, I'd just mail the main man (Chris May). He's always very forthcoming with this kind of stuff.
[/quote]

Hello, I think you must be talking about my green fretless (the link doesnt work) Yup, what Martin said Is true. The electrics were working but not in very good condition. To get the volume pot fixed they ended up scrapping it all and as old parts arent made anymore they custom made (bodged) some new ones in. I find the weight not very balanced but as I don't use it for gigs It's not a problem. I couldnt say how much difference the old electrics compare as in tone etc as I pretty much took it to Overwater as soon as I got it. Sorry if this reply is a year out of date, I just saw it today when it re-surfaced.

Cheers Leen.

[Kees_SoS]

[quote name='Leen2112' timestamp='1364821738' post='2031230']
Hello, I think you must be talking about my green fretless (the link doesnt work) Yup, what Martin said Is true. The electrics were working but not in very good condition. To get the volume pot fixed they ended up scrapping it all and as old parts arent made anymore they custom made (bodged) some new ones in. I find the weight not very balanced but as I don't use it for gigs It's not a problem. I couldnt say how much difference the old electrics compare as in tone etc as I pretty much took it to Overwater as soon as I got it. Sorry if this reply is a year out of date, I just saw it today when it re-surfaced.

Cheers Leen.
[/quote]

Yes, I was referring to your bass, Leen. We spoke about it on the Overwater page on Facebook a while back. It's an absolute beauty! I've never seen another in that colour.

Please let me know should you ever decide to part with it, as I want to add a fretted/fretless pair of '80s Original Series to my collection at some point.

[Kees_SoS]

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1364756267' post='2030519']
Go for it! And I hope you'll start a thread in the Build Diaries section with plenty of progress pics.
[/quote]

Will do!

[Kees_SoS]

Not long now. Martin should be starting my bass early next month for collection in early September.

BTW, I PM'd you the other day with a question about your basses.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1364756267' post='2030519']
Go for it! And I hope you'll start a thread in the Build Diaries section with plenty of progress pics.
[/quote]

[Kees_SoS]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]For anyone who's interested, I've just posted a build diary for my five-string Original Series fretless:[/font][/color][url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/213384-overwater-five-string-original-series-fretless/page__gopid__2157007#entry2157007"]http://basschat.co.u...07#entry2157007[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color]

[Stonehamman]

I have just come across this thread - I am now the proud owner of the ex Mark Feat 5 string fretless. It does, indeed, have Ken Smith electronics installed. I got it in a deal from Nick Smith.

 

[TheGreek]

4 hours ago, Stonehamman said:

I got it in a deal from Nick Smith.

So he's now down to only 500 basses?