franzbassist Posted June 9, 2008 Posted June 9, 2008 (edited) Not exactly a build diary, as this bass will be finished in the next month or so, but I thought folks might like to see my "Otter" bass being made by Brook Guitars in darkest Devon. It's the first 5 string they've built, with neck profile the same as my Ken Smith BMT. Top is spruce with Myrtle sides and back. Edited September 4, 2008 by walbassist Quote
john_the_bass Posted June 9, 2008 Posted June 9, 2008 ooh ya fighter. I was looking at Brook guitars when I was looking at buying a top end acoustic guitar - these were way way out of my price range, but looked like bloody lovely. I hope they play/look as nice as they sound. Fretted I take it? Are you having a pickup fitted? Quote
franzbassist Posted June 9, 2008 Author Posted June 9, 2008 [quote name='john_the_bass' post='215542' date='Jun 9 2008, 04:42 PM']ooh ya fighter. I was looking at Brook guitars when I was looking at buying a top end acoustic guitar - these were way way out of my price range, but looked like bloody lovely. I hope they play/look as nice as they sound. Fretted I take it? Are you having a pickup fitted?[/quote] Yep, fretted indeed. Toyed with fretless and banjo frets as options, but in the end figured fretted was the best option. And yes it will have a pickup; latest version of the Snake by Headway. No frills. Quote
7string Posted June 9, 2008 Posted June 9, 2008 Very cool. That's going to be one classy instrument. Quote
franzbassist Posted June 16, 2008 Author Posted June 16, 2008 Just heard the ETA on the bass is 20 July! Quote
franzbassist Posted July 15, 2008 Author Posted July 15, 2008 [quote name='walbassist' post='219850' date='Jun 16 2008, 02:05 PM']Just heard the ETA on the bass is 20 July![/quote] At least it was due then. I've just heard from Brook that there will be a delay. New pictures though.... Nice shape to the bridge Fantastic myrtle back and sides Quote
bnt Posted July 15, 2008 Posted July 15, 2008 Have you thought about the strings - gauge, Lo B vs Hi C, etc? It may take a bit of looking to find the right 5-string acoustic set for you (I imagine). Quote
franzbassist Posted July 15, 2008 Author Posted July 15, 2008 (edited) [quote name='bnt' post='240097' date='Jul 15 2008, 02:52 PM']Have you thought about the strings - gauge, Lo B vs Hi C, etc? It may take a bit of looking to find the right 5-string acoustic set for you (I imagine).[/quote] Brook use Elixir as standard and I'm more than happy with that. The bass will sport a low B as it'll be used plugged in most of the time so unplugged volume will not be an issue. Edited July 15, 2008 by walbassist Quote
franzbassist Posted September 4, 2008 Author Posted September 4, 2008 It's going to be with me tomorrow, and Simon has sent me a few pictures to whet my appetite! WOW! Quote
Kiwi Posted September 4, 2008 Posted September 4, 2008 I'm drooling at the wood grain. The couple of issues I've had with ABG's is that the examples I've tried can't compete with acoustic guitars for volume and they tend to lose a lot of sustain up the dusty end of the neck. How do you think your Brook instrument will measure up on these aspects? Quote
franzbassist Posted September 4, 2008 Author Posted September 4, 2008 [quote name='Crazykiwi' post='277208' date='Sep 4 2008, 05:00 PM']I'm drooling at the wood grain. The couple of issues I've had with ABG's is that the examples I've tried can't compete with acoustic guitars for volume and they tend to lose a lot of sustain up the dusty end of the neck. How do you think your Brook instrument will measure up on these aspects?[/quote] We shall know tomorrow CK! This is the first 5 string Brook have made so they were actually more worried about the low B, which as I said above isn't such as issue for me, as this bass will, ironically, mainly be used plugged in. Speaking to Simon today he's really pleased with the bass. We went for a deeper body than they use for their 4 string ABGs, one of which I have played and was wonderful, but not by much. Apparently the bass has very good projection and shape to the notes, and is also very even around the fingerboard. Quote
franzbassist Posted September 6, 2008 Author Posted September 6, 2008 [quote name='BassBod' post='278627' date='Sep 6 2008, 03:05 PM']And the verdict is ????[/quote] That I am p****d off with Business Post, who "forgot" to pick it up from Brook on Thursday night! Quote
7string Posted September 6, 2008 Posted September 6, 2008 I had the same problem with them when my Tyler bass has sent to their Gloucester depot instead of the Glasgow depot. I won't be using them or UPS in future. Quote
BassBod Posted September 7, 2008 Posted September 7, 2008 Ooooerrr...sorry to hear that. Hope it arrives safe and sound! bB Quote
franzbassist Posted September 7, 2008 Author Posted September 7, 2008 [quote name='BassBod' post='279311' date='Sep 7 2008, 08:28 PM']Ooooerrr...sorry to hear that. Hope it arrives safe and sound![/quote] Thanks. Must admit I am a bit worried about such a delicate instrument being stuck with the courier so long. Quote
franzbassist Posted September 8, 2008 Author Posted September 8, 2008 The Otter has landed, safe and sound, and perfectly in tune! And wow, what a stunning bass. I am so happy with it. It's just the most beautiful thing. They carved the neck perfectly, the string spacing is right on, and the b string is very strong. The tone across the bass is wonderful and chords really ring out. The combination of woods is really classy, and I love the headstock. Sublime. I'll try and get some pictures later. Quote
john_the_bass Posted September 8, 2008 Posted September 8, 2008 Good stuff, can't wait to see the final pics - looks great in the pics you've posted and I assume the attention to detail and the quality is superb? Quote
Merton Posted September 8, 2008 Posted September 8, 2008 That is grand. Makes me want a proper acoustic bass now. Quote
Darkstrike Posted September 8, 2008 Posted September 8, 2008 Stunning bass! How wide is it at the nut? Quote
franzbassist Posted September 8, 2008 Author Posted September 8, 2008 [quote name='Darkstrike' post='279593' date='Sep 8 2008, 12:05 PM']Stunning bass! How wide is it at the nut?[/quote] The neck and string spacing mirrors my Ken Smith bass, which is really comfortable. So the measurements are: String Spacing: 9mm at the nut, 18mm at the bridge Fingerboard Width: 1 3/4" at the nut, 3" at the 24th Fret And thanks for the compliments guys, I have to admit the bass has surpassed my expectations. It's beautifully put together and sounds amazing. Quote
Alun Posted September 8, 2008 Posted September 8, 2008 What a lovely bass. Any chance of some soundclips? Pretty please? Cheers Alun Quote
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