Sammybass Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 Hello everyone! I won't bore you with my history of being a bass player, suffice to say I have noodled since my first Westone Concord 1 when I was 12, and owned most of the major brands over the years. When I hit my 50th birthday I decided to treat myself and put some feelers out to various local luthiers. A few responded and I instantly felt a connection with Bruce Hartley at Bassworks. https://www.facebook.com/bassworksluthiery/ http://www.bassworks.co.uk I had a clear concept for "The Mule". Precision body, Tele neck, MM 'bucker, one volume control, roasted flame maple neck, black hardware and the icing on the cake - silver metallic flake! The Mule is going to be a predominantly live bass so I wanted something to catch the lights and stand out on stage. Following an hour long FaceTime with Bruce - the spec was laid out in much more detail (more on this later) and Bruce went to work on a quote for the cost. When the quote came it was a big surprise! My handmade dream bass was going to cost far less than a new EBMM Stingray, and the quote even included a Hiscox case!! So I instructed Bruce to crack on! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammybass Posted January 12, 2020 Author Share Posted January 12, 2020 What follows is pretty much my conversation with the affable Bruce as The Mule takes shape.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammybass Posted January 12, 2020 Author Share Posted January 12, 2020 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubis Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 Nice, is yours going to be along the lines of the MM4-T on his website? 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammybass Posted January 12, 2020 Author Share Posted January 12, 2020 Mine IS the MM4-T on his website! 😁 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard R Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 Oooh - those are nice basses. Spent far too long on the FB page. Repeats: "Must learn to play the one I have, must learn to play the one I have, must learn.. " 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 Looks like it’s gonna be a lovely bass!! Just looked on his Facebook page looks like he does quality work! but one question what’s with all the holes in the back of the body? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammybass Posted January 13, 2020 Author Share Posted January 13, 2020 I think he will chamber the body for weight loss if required. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammybass Posted January 13, 2020 Author Share Posted January 13, 2020 So, Bruce is an incredible engineer with a background in precision manufacturing (think aerospace, not Leo) and he utilises CAD/CAM all the way through the process. The Tele headstock was tweaked for optimal string alignment. It's also slightly thicker than a Fender - the Hipshot tuners will be sunk into the surface. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammybass Posted January 13, 2020 Author Share Posted January 13, 2020 Hardware and pickups arrive. All the metal stuff is Hipshot. Pickup is a Bartolini MM 'bucker. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammybass Posted January 13, 2020 Author Share Posted January 13, 2020 ...which was tested for size in a dummy rout. As I've come to expect from Bruce, it's an exact fit. Woodscrews? Not today my good man - hex bolts into brass inserts. Nice! 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 That Facebook page is pure porn! Love it! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 Can I suggest you consider moving the pickup a tiny bit further from the bridge, as on the G&L L1500 (below) and L1505 - it adds a lot more girth to the sound, which you may find useful in the absence of a MM-type active EQ. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammybass Posted January 14, 2020 Author Share Posted January 14, 2020 Thanks Japanaxe, but I’m way further down the line than that 😃 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassworks Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 Hi folks, thanks to Sam for creating this thread and for all the kind words from you Bass fans. It means a lot. Just picking up on a few questions raised.... Jimothey asked about holes to the rear of the body. If that was to do with Sam's Custom PMM4-T, then if they are underneath the bridge they are holes for the Hipshot string ferrules for through-string option on the Hipshot bridge. If they are beneath the pick up: I use a tri-point PU height setting and lock-down configuration. Basically the three screws at the rear of the bass set PU height. Because there are three the PU cannot wobble so it's a breeze to set up. When the PU heights are set the top screws (3 in the case of this Bartolini MM PU) are simple screwed in to lock down the PU in the desired position set by the rear screws. I have to credit Joe Zon of Zon Guitars for the engineering solution here. The only bass I have ever seen with this feature was one of his. There may be others. Have a great day and keep it Funky! 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 @Bassworks thanks for answering my question I had never seen that done before and like everyone else has said your basses look awesome mate!!........👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassworks Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 My own JPJ5 in action folks... I'm currently finishing off a complete re-finish of this bass as she never got a photoshoot and went straight into recording and gigging. The audio is the actual bass recorded at Rockfield Studios in Monmouthshire, cunningly re-synching a live video of the song from a gig in Kent. Hope you enjoy the noodling!... 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 On 14/01/2020 at 11:30, Bassworks said: My own JPJ5 in action folks... I'm currently finishing off a complete re-finish of this bass as she never got a photoshoot and went straight into recording and gigging. The audio is the actual bass recorded at Rockfield Studios in Monmouthshire, cunningly re-synching a live video of the song from a gig in Kent. Hope you enjoy the noodling!... Welcome to the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammybass Posted February 21, 2020 Author Share Posted February 21, 2020 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammybass Posted February 21, 2020 Author Share Posted February 21, 2020 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammybass Posted February 21, 2020 Author Share Posted February 21, 2020 So it's kind of turned into a photo-diary! As you can see, Bruce approaches design from an engineer's point of view, as well as a bass player and luthier. His method of fitting the frets is incredible - and his bull-nose fret ends are beautiful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si600 Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 You're never going to lose that on a dark stage! It's looking very nice, I like the little things such as the recesses for the machine heads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammybass Posted February 21, 2020 Author Share Posted February 21, 2020 I know - that was the idea! Yes Bruce's attention to detail is monumental. I think he does that to add a little extra mass to the headstock and still get the tuners to fit through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pea Turgh Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 Absolutely stunning work! It looks like there will be no overspray in the neck pocket, just wood on wood contact. Lovely mix of colours. Amazing detail!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 Stunning metalflake. I love the frets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.jpg.7e18f76540598a8efc0e6ca9be453059.jpg)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.