BassicLee Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 (edited) Hi all, I’m in the process of putting together a custom build spec with the guys at Alpher Instruments, in Saltaire (Yorkshire). So far I’ve chosen the woods, and hardware, but am now mulling over the mind-field that is electronics. I’ve decided that I want to have as much flexibility with tone as possible, so I’m favouring active circuitry, with a passive switch. Now comes the problem. What do I go for, pickup and pre-amp wise? As standard, Alpher use John East pre-amps, and Wizard pickups. Not a bad start. What do you guys recommend, though? It’d be good to get some opinions. J Here is the spec, so far: Body wood: Swamp Ash (1-piece) Neck wood: Wenge (1-piece, quarter-sawn) Fingerboard: Madagascan Rosewood Top wood: Highly figured spalted maple Body Veneer: Wenge Bridge: Hipshot Mono-rail (19mm spacing, 4 string) Tuners: Hipshot U-Lite tuners, with D-tuner Scale: 34 inch Jack: Neutrik Locking Jack I'll try and keep you all updated with the process, once it all begins, I'm off to meet the guys at Alpher in a couple of weeks to put the finishing touches to the spec, and get things rolling! Cheers! Edited February 9, 2014 by BassicLee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jellyfish Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 I've just started my build with Alpher Instruments, it's extremely exciting isn't it? I opted for the John East simply based on two things. The first being that it is an extremely good preamp and is very versatile. The second being that nothing is permanent! It can take more than just a few minutes to decide that you prefer a certain preamp, so I was happy with it knowing that if I really had experience with another preamp that I preferred, I could switch it. I have no doubt though that it will do what I want it to do. I opted for two humbuckers because I prefer humbuckers! It's as simple as that. Wizard pickups are rather sought after and quite rare on the second-hand market, that's all I know about them, but it speaks volumes to me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassicLee Posted May 17, 2013 Author Share Posted May 17, 2013 Cheers Jellyfish. You'll have to keep me updated on your build, too. I'm going to try and get and play some basses with East pre-amps in. I've had a look at some YouTube videos, but they don't really tell you enough. I'm not sure what type of pickups to go for. I quite like the idea behind the combo set that Wizard do, again with the view to keeping plenty of options for different styles of music. I didn't realise they were quite so sought after. Can't wait to get this project started properly, and then to see it all come together. Exciting stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassicLee Posted September 8, 2013 Author Share Posted September 8, 2013 Finally getting myself sorted and uploading some pictures of the bass that Alpher Instruments are building for me! Really pleased with the progress so far, here are a few snaps... [attachment=143280:970501_407867312666881_723787055_n.jpg][attachment=143281:1238071_421396117980667_2057624676_n.jpg][attachment=143282:965212_10151443714721814_1779418760_o.jpg] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted September 8, 2013 Share Posted September 8, 2013 The body looks great. Bodes well for a corker :-) Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 Love the spalted maple top - the wait must be a killer though.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alembic63 Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 that top is beautiful.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassicLee Posted September 15, 2013 Author Share Posted September 15, 2013 Thanks guys. As soon as I saw the top wood, it sealed the deal on getting a custom bass build. Alpher Instruments have just about finished another bass, ebony top, swamp ask body, ebony neck and board. It looks incredible. I recommend checking out the photos on Facebook and Instagram, if you haven't already seen it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprocket123 Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 (edited) That s a real nice project bass mate ! Edited October 3, 2013 by sprocket123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassicLee Posted October 15, 2013 Author Share Posted October 15, 2013 Quick update.. The guys at Alpher have been speaking to a laser cutting company about the inlay for my fretboard, so hopefully that will be going ahead soon. In the meantime, they have sent me this shot of the headstock. The insert wood is from the same cut of spalted maple that makes the top of the bass body. [attachment=146181:Headstock.jpeg] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassicLee Posted December 1, 2013 Author Share Posted December 1, 2013 Morning all.. Quick update on my build with Alpher. The fretboard is now going to be macassar ebony, as we though the rosewood board that I had originally specced wasn't quite right, lovely as it was. So, attached photos show the new board, slotted and glued to the neck. There will be side dot markers in white, but nothing on the face. I had originally looked at having an inlay done, but now it'll just be clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimBobTTD Posted December 1, 2013 Share Posted December 1, 2013 Super nice. Alpher seem to be one to watch; their work is boss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassicLee Posted December 15, 2013 Author Share Posted December 15, 2013 Another update from Alpher Instruments.. The neck is now radiused and fretted. [attachment=150509:Radiused Neck.jpg][attachment=150510:Fretted Neck.jpg] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassicLee Posted January 1, 2014 Author Share Posted January 1, 2014 (edited) Updates from Alpher! Received the below photo, with the first coat applied to the body. This spalted maple top is just incredible. [attachment=151318:1554577_476728362447442_1957250794_n.jpg] Edited January 1, 2014 by BassicLee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted January 1, 2014 Share Posted January 1, 2014 That looks fantastic! Like seriously lush! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassicLee Posted January 1, 2014 Author Share Posted January 1, 2014 [quote name='Myke' timestamp='1388595714' post='2323846'] That looks fantastic! Like seriously lush! [/quote] Thanks Myke. Really happy with it so far. Hopefully there will be more photos in the coming weeks, and it'll be in my paws soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rk7 Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 Lovely!! subscribed. RK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 Alpher really do seem to be putting out some good stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassicLee Posted January 3, 2014 Author Share Posted January 3, 2014 [quote name='charic' timestamp='1388755140' post='2325621'] Alpher really do seem to be putting out some good stuff [/quote] Definitely. Had to believe that they've been going for such a short amount of time. Everything I've seen them build so far has been incredible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jellyfish Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 When I went to pick up my lovely Alpher bass, Chris showed me your body. It's amazing the work that goes into sanding and filling the wood just to make it useable. Looks like it's going to be a stunning bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassicLee Posted January 3, 2014 Author Share Posted January 3, 2014 [quote name='Jellyfish' timestamp='1388781379' post='2326088'] When I went to pick up my lovely Alpher bass, Chris showed me your body. It's amazing the work that goes into sanding and filling the wood just to make it useable. Looks like it's going to be a stunning bass. [/quote] I wish I lived closer to be able to pop in! Your new bass looks awesome. Part of a very exclusive club! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jellyfish Posted January 4, 2014 Share Posted January 4, 2014 I also wish I lived closer... But it was worth the trip from Birmingham to pick my bass up and meet Chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zapp Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 That is an incredible looking top on the body. Looking forward to seeing this finished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassicLee Posted January 7, 2014 Author Share Posted January 7, 2014 A couple more pictures, with the 2nd coat now applied to the body. Humna humna humna.... [attachment=151814:Bass 7.jpg][attachment=151815:Bass 8.jpg] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted January 7, 2014 Share Posted January 7, 2014 This bass is going to be a BEAUTY! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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