Spoombung Zoot Bass

[fleabag]

Fair play Spoom. I guess you're gonna have to raid the piggy bank on this one. Even though you've done the drawings, i have the feeling that its a lot more costly to build a one off to a customers designs, due to the builder not having templates off the shelf.

[GreeneKing]

Just an observation, the body shape at the bottom is very ACG Harlot i.e. very nice indeed. I find my Harlot fits in a stand fine, just a little off centre, or better still a neck hanging stand.

Interesting form/function, ascetic/ergonomic conundrum

Peter

[Spoombung]

[quote name='fleabag' post='384485' date='Jan 18 2009, 10:59 PM']Fair play Spoom. I guess you're gonna have to raid the piggy bank on this one. Even though you've done the drawings, i have the feeling that its a lot more costly to build a one off to a customers designs, due to the builder not having templates off the shelf.[/quote]


Well I commonly hear three stories:

1. No mate, I can't do that, that'll cost you another grand cos I've gotta make a template from scratch, etc. No we don't do one-offs. Clear off.

and...

2. I haven't got that much high tech gear but I'll have a go for you. Might cost you a bit extra

and...

3. That's no trouble. All I've got to do is scan you drawing into my computer and the automated cutting and routing device will produce it for you.

and variations. of the above

See what I mean?

[Spoombung]

[quote name='GreeneKing' post='384486' date='Jan 18 2009, 11:01 PM']Just an observation, the body shape at the bottom is very ACG Harlot i.e. very nice indeed. I find my Harlot fits in a stand fine, just a little off centre, or better still a neck hanging stand.

Interesting form/function, ascetic/ergonomic conundrum

Peter[/quote]

I [i]really[/i] want to play one of those ACG basses!

[GreeneKing]

I'm sure there are some your way, why not start a thread, we're a friendly bunch. I'm in Kendal otherwise you're more than welcome

Peter

[Spoombung]

[quote name='GreeneKing' post='384499' date='Jan 18 2009, 11:11 PM']I'm sure there are some your way, why not start a thread, we're a friendly bunch. I'm in Kendal otherwise you're more than welcome

Peter[/quote]

I did do, Peter: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=34196&hl=ACG+bass"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...amp;hl=ACG+bass[/url]

As far as I know, no one on the board has one in London.

[GreeneKing]

Doh, and I replied to it as well. My new 4 stringer is way and above the best bass I've ever seen, played, tasted, fondled, slept with etc.

Oh and it balances nicely too.

Peter

[budget bassist]

With regards to the pickup conundrum, if you wanted something very interesting, italia do a bass with sideways mounted single coil lipstick pickups, that could be an idea?

[Spoombung]

[quote name='budget bassist' post='384579' date='Jan 19 2009, 12:34 AM']With regards to the pickup conundrum, if you wanted something very interesting, italia do a bass with sideways mounted single coil lipstick pickups, that could be an idea?[/quote]


Wow. Thank you. You may have saved me.

[budget bassist]

No worries Should be interesting to see if you do go with it!

[josh3184]

those facial expressions are absolute genius, best build thread pics in ages Liking the sideways coils, how would that affect the tone tho?I'd imagine getting a signal from such a long length of the string would get quite a unique sound. Would there be any way to pan from one end of it to the other?

Edited January 19, 2009 by josh3184

[Spoombung]

[quote name='josh3184' post='384881' date='Jan 19 2009, 12:38 PM']t Liking the sideways coils, how would that affect the tone tho?I'd imagine getting a signal from such a long length of the string would get quite a unique sound. Would there be any way to pan from one end of it to the other?[/quote]


Yeah. I'm wondering the same thing. The combination of say, an EMG at the bridge and those lipstick things further down might look somewhat incongruous.
Thinking about pickups is giving me a headache - and the project can't start till I've made up my mind about them.

[BigRedX]

For pickups I'd have a look at [url="http://www.q-tuner.com/"]Q-Tuners[/url] - alexclaber has them on his bass so he'll be able to give you a good idea of how they sound, I'd also look at the ACG pre-amps for Wal-type tones, especially the 01 model if you're going for a two pickup bass which gives you the most flexibility, however that means getting Alan to build the bass for you as it's now the only way of getting this version of the pre-amp.

On the subject of jack socket placement, I'd think twice about fitting a Strat-type socket to the back of the bass. I have a Lace Helix Bass with this arrangement and getting the angle right to plug in the lead while the bass is strapped on is ridiculously tricky. I personally like the arrangement on the [url="http://www.gusguitars.com/product.php?model_id=7"]Gus Basses (pic second from the right)[/url] far more user friendly for a rear-mounted socket.

[Spoombung]

[quote name='BigRedX' post='384932' date='Jan 19 2009, 01:28 PM']For pickups I'd have a look at [url="http://www.q-tuner.com/"]Q-Tuners[/url] - alexclaber has them on his bass so he'll be able to give you a good idea of how they sound, I'd also look at the ACG pre-amps for Wal-type tones, especially the 01 model if you're going for a two pickup bass which gives you the most flexibility, however that means getting Alan to build the bass for you as it's now the only way of getting this version of the pre-amp.

On the subject of jack socket placement, I'd think twice about fitting a Strat-type socket to the back of the bass. I have a Lace Helix Bass with this arrangement and getting the angle right to plug in the lead while the bass is strapped on is ridiculously tricky. I personally like the arrangement on the [url="http://www.gusguitars.com/product.php?model_id=7"]Gus Basses (pic second from the right)[/url] far more user friendly for a rear-mounted socket.[/quote]

I\ have been looking at the Q-Tuners bout would really like to hear some soundfiles. Does alexcaber live in London by any chance?

I was wondering about those Lace Helix basses. Gosh, you must have a huge collection.

I realise I could kill two birds with one stone by asking Alan to make the bass because his system sounds great - I would still like hear soundfiles, though, or better still find someone who has one of his basses down here in London.

[gilmour]

[quote name='Spoombung' post='384387' date='Jan 18 2009, 09:32 PM']I'm wondering whether I can squeeze a small pick up in the middle of the bass before the knee curve starts. I'll have to do some research. Actually thinking about what pickups to use is starting to aggravate me a bit. Why on earth is the nothing like the Wal pickup around? Juicy depth and hi-fi clarity.[/quote]

If you're looking for scope for more tones from what I've heard I'd agree with Red's suggestion about an ACG. Alternativley why not try to do something in the bridge?

A Piezo in combination with the Bridge pickup, that would give you a broader range of tones, and wouldn't affect the aesthetic of the bass?

A [url="http://www.lightwave-systems.com/lightwavepickup/LightWavePickup.htm"]lightwave system[/url]? Although they do make the bridge look really chunky

or even a combined [url="http://www.graphtech.com/products.html?SubCategoryID=18"]Piezo/Midi system[/url]

[Jarhead]

I really want to try one of those lightwave pickup systems, sounds like it could be great. Good concept at any rate.
Zach

[7string]

[quote name='Spoombung' post='384496' date='Jan 18 2009, 11:09 PM']I [i]really[/i] want to play one of those ACG basses![/quote]

If you arrange a time to visit Alan and can grab a flight to Glasgow, I wouldn't mind driving you down to ACG.

[Spoombung]

[quote name='7string' post='385440' date='Jan 19 2009, 09:37 PM']If you arrange a time to visit Alan and can grab a flight to Glasgow, I wouldn't mind driving you down to ACG.[/quote]

That's a nice idea. Maybe I should do that. Might be a logistical nightmare for a single parent, but where there's a will there's a way.

[Spoombung]

[quote name='gilmour' post='385360' date='Jan 19 2009, 08:36 PM']If you're looking for scope for more tones from what I've heard I'd agree with Red's suggestion about an ACG. Alternativley why not try to do something in the bridge?

A Piezo in combination with the Bridge pickup, that would give you a broader range of tones, and wouldn't affect the aesthetic of the bass?

A [url="http://www.lightwave-systems.com/lightwavepickup/LightWavePickup.htm"]lightwave system[/url]? Although they do make the bridge look really chunky

or even a combined [url="http://www.graphtech.com/products.html?SubCategoryID=18"]Piezo/Midi system[/url][/quote]


Interesting suggestions. I'm all for design by committee - in fact that's how great bands happen.

[7string]

When I was putting together the spec for my ACG 9, I decided to throw the whole kitchen sink at it and include piezo and MIDI. With a change in my recording setup, I ended up dropping the MIDI.

Ghost (Graphtec) make a piezo preamp onto which fits the MIDI preamp, so no extra wiring is necessary. They also make replacement saddles which have the piezo element in them and these plug into the preamp. No soldering thank goodness! Hipshot make a bridge with the piezo element already in them.

[url="http://www.graphtech.com/products.html?SubCategoryID=14"]http://www.graphtech.com/products.html?SubCategoryID=14[/url]

Edited January 19, 2009 by 7string

[Spoombung]

[quote name='7string' post='385592' date='Jan 19 2009, 11:19 PM']When I was putting together the spec for my ACG 9, I decided to throw the whole kitchen sink at it and include piezo and MIDI. With a change in my recording setup, I ended up dropping the MIDI.

Ghost (Graphtec) make a piezo preamp onto which fits the MIDI preamp, so no extra wiring is necessary. They also make replacement saddles which have the piezo element in them and these plug into the preamp. No soldering thank goodness! Hipshot make a bridge with the piezo element already in them.

[url="http://www.graphtech.com/products.html?SubCategoryID=14"]http://www.graphtech.com/products.html?SubCategoryID=14[/url][/quote]


I can see I might have to rethink this project and give Alan another call...

[BigRedX]

The Lightwave system would be worth looking at if you're after really deep bass, although, I would definitely combine it with a traditional pickup, for more conventional electric bass type tones. The latest pickup/bridge design is a bit better than the one on my Sabre A, but it's still far too complicated to adjust which means experimenting with different sting types something that LightWave encourage is too much of a chore. Also according to the LightWave site they aren't currently supplying the system to 3rd party builders, although I have noticed at least one new Ritter Raptor has appeared since this notice went up, maybe the cost of a Raptor includes a complete Sabre bass for the pickup system?

[7string]

Just for a bit more info, Alan built a prototype bass which had 1 magnetic p/u with a piezo bridge and ran these into the 2 inputs of the ACG pre.

With my 9 (and some other ACG's now) it's 2 magnetic p/u's and piezo bridge. A switch selects either the bridge p/u or the piezo so you can shape the piezo tone. On most of the other basses I have seen, you can only blend in a piezo signal, so if you don't like the sound of the piezo, that's tough luck. This way you can shape the piezo tone and mix it with the neck magnetic p/u. Edited January 19, 2009 by 7string

[Spoombung]

[quote name='7string' post='385618' date='Jan 19 2009, 11:42 PM']:lol:


Just for a bit more info, Alan built a prototype bass which had 1 magnetic p/u with a piezo bridge and ran these into the 2 inputs of the ACG pre.

With my 9 (and some other ACG's now) it's 2 magnetic p/u's and piezo bridge. A switch selects either the bridge p/u or the piezo so you can shape the piezo tone. On most of the other basses I have seen, you can only blend in a piezo signal, so if you don't like the sound of the piezo, that's tough luck. This way you can shape the piezo tone and mix it with the neck magnetic p/u.[/quote]

He's an ingenious fellow, that much is clear and his star is in the ascendency. I'm going to have to think about this again. I still remain convinced the only way to way to be sure about an instrument builder is to pick up an example of their work. Tactile is truth.

[Spoombung]

Okay, it's time to think about the headstock.

As the neck will be quite narrow at the nut I'd like something that's quite slim. I dislike paddle-like headstocks like this:



Although I like the way the fingerboard slopes down to the headstock and doesn't end abruptly at the nut, I'm not that keen the Wal (although it obviously has an iconic, nostalgic appeal to me now)



What I'm after is a bit slimmer and more elegant something like this:



My all time favourite has got to be the Sei bass:



It really is exquisite - so I think I'm going to sketch something out along those lines in 2 + 2 combination and maybe try a 3 + 1