Introducing Elwray Basses WN4 - properly.

[Marco.EB]

Hello folks!

 

Thanks to those who followed the first steps of finalzing the project. I deleted the video and the content of the first post. Now I can introduce properly the very first (not prototype) Elwray Basses WN4. The Logo is not yet applied for the simple reason I'm still looking for a clean and neat solution (and the Schaller S-locks are on their way)

 

In a few words, I wanted to build a "back to basics" bass, with no fancy stuff but with the details that matters. That's why I chosed the walnut body with no top, the maple neck, the passive operation (I prefer VTVT this way I can put different caps on each pickup, more smoothness on neck pickup and more growl on bridge one), The B-style bridge (simple, efficient, reliable, quick release), the Res-O-Lite tuners to minimize the neck dive, Graphtech nut because IMHO it's the best, fake pearloid because I prefer the consistancy in the matter and it's not from nature (woods, except from the ebony, are european woods), truss-rod is currently a hex one bevause I couldn't find any Muiscman style in stock nut it'll be with those in the future, stainless steel medium frets from Sintoms because it's the a classic and the size seems the best option to me, body design and overall bass design is made to obtain a lightweight bass ; this very one is 3.4Kg or 7.5lbs and the 23rd fret is really accessible thanks to the fretboard shifted towards the nut (and the shape of the body). I rather use my skills to make a very good "basic" bass instead making fancy colors and tops with exotics woods from dying tropical forests. I really wanted to have dual coils pickups to enjoy the full noiseless experience, and passive shouldn't fail you in the middle of a gig/rehearsal/playing (and doesn't need batteries). I'll made a propre video as soon as I'll have the good gear to film it.

As for the neck shape, to be honest it's done with my feeling, I can't say if it's a C or D profile but it's between a thin Ibanez-like and a old fat Fender style. I'd say medium (I've read somewhere that thin necks are not really good for lot of playing, but I'm not a kine). I played a bit with chrome/black details to a add a bit of 'life" in the hardware instead of the "all black" gear.

 

So here's the specs of the bass:

 

Body:

- two bookmatched pieces of walnut

- no top but available on demand

- hand carved body shape on the back

 

Neck:

- bolt-on neck (5 bolts with flus mounted chrome ferrules)

- flamed maple with walnut inserts (4mm) 

- ebony fretboard (rounded edges)

- dual action truss-rod at the heel with 4mm hex key covered by a matched piece of walnut

- 40mm nut width, Graphtech Black Tusq XL

- Sintoms stainless steel medium frets with rolled edges

- 34" scale

- radius 16"

- fake pearloid side dots (2mm) and round fretboards markers (6mm)

- angled headstock with flamed maple top, tuners layout 2 + 2 (angled)

 

Electronics:

- Bartolini M34C dual coils humbuckers (EMG35 enclosure) - those are "Original Bartolini" (I'm stll open to use Seymour Duncan SSB4 pickups)

- passive operation VVT (on this version but mainly VTVT), blackwood knobs

- 500K ohms pots with 0.047uF cap

- Switchcraft chrome stereo barrel jack

 

Hadrware:

- Hipshot B-Style 5B400BB (Black Brass version), flush mounted

- Gotoh GB350 Res-O-lite tuners black

- black screws / chrome screws

- Schaller security S-locks black

 

And here's the pictures of the final bass (without logo and straplock buttons) :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's the video : 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 27 by Marco.EB

[Marco.EB]

Update: I'm torn between EMG and SD, but so far my preference goes to the EMG for several reasons. After discussing with Doug from Bartolini, I'll try the M43C (dual coil original bass) in the next one and if it's not THE pickup, I'll stick with EMG. They have a wide range and a nice P sound and bridge sound as well.

I'm waiting wood for the next one and the final configuration will unveil itself.

[tobiewharton]

Really liking the look of it Marco!

[Marco.EB]

9 hours ago, tobiewharton said:

Really liking the look of it Marco!

 Thanks! I'm waiting the wood to make the 3rd "proto", exactly the same configuration but with Bartolini pickups.

 

I know that the look could be a bit "standard" for some people but I choose to make a design I like and at the same time something quite.. classic.

 

From there I'll choose between the 3 pickups sets to make a proper introduction to a definitive version. 

Edited February 29 by Marco.EB

[Marco.EB]

Hello hello people

 

Didn't want to make too many updates for nothing... So now I am at 4 basses finished (or almost) including 2 as I consider good for sale.

 

Not really the question to sale or not to sale now but I'm more into a pickup contest... I can't decide between 3, or, more accurately, 2 sets of pickups. I've made a video (not including the fretless who is made with Jazz Bartolini 9J1) for you to help me. After many trying (I just received the Bartolini's today so I need a bit of recoil) I tend to exclude the EMG set ; it is good but for my tastes, too 'expected' sound... I'd rather go for a sound with more growling mediums. So far I still prefer the SSB for fingering, they have that smooth but 'in the face' sound. But the Bart's (coming right from USA) have some lovely, lovely clear highs and some crisp details in it. I recorded a very mediocre video with the Adam Nitti as a "reference" and just playing all open or bridge tone off (my most used configurations), sorry for P lovers.

 

I'd like you to give your opinion on this, if you have 5 minutes.

 

Here's the beasts on the wall:

 

 

The fretless is just a beautiful monster with a flamed maple / ash body and Ziricote fingerboard with fretlines. (black tuners are coming)

 

Here's the vid;

 

https://youtu.be/BQT2Eme2dIM

 

Thanks !!

 

You can also go to youtube and like the comment related to the pickup you enjoyed the most.

Edited March 26 by Marco.EB

[Marco.EB]

Updated introduction, with a defintive version.

[Marco.EB]

I did my best to make a demo. Added to the first post.

[Marco.EB]

Update : I've created a website, sorry so far it's french only but compatible with Google Translate ; www.elwraybasses.com

 

And both last models fretted and fretless have already been sold.

 

So I have to make a new batch (still processing the costs) of 4 basses; 2 in four and 2 in five strings. 

 

I'm currently looking for a machine (I found it but in USA) for radiusing fretboards, with a sanding belt, not with the router tool, with new templates and custom orders to Bartolini it may costs some $$. I'm still into a passaround but as I asked in my Nitti's sale post, I'm wondering what is  happening for a donation, poassaround, well anything which is "free" and pass through the border?

[BassTool]

On 22/03/2024 at 22:52, Marco.EB said:

Hello hello people

 

Didn't want to make too many updates for nothing... So now I am at 4 basses finished (or almost) including 2 as I consider good for sale.

 

Not really the question to sale or not to sale now but I'm more into a pickup contest... I can't decide between 3, or, more accurately, 2 sets of pickups. I've made a video (not including the fretless who is made with Jazz Bartolini 9J1) for you to help me. After many trying (I just received the Bartolini's today so I need a bit of recoil) I tend to exclude the EMG set ; it is good but for my tastes, too 'expected' sound... I'd rather go for a sound with more growling mediums. So far I still prefer the SSB for fingering, they have that smooth but 'in the face' sound. But the Bart's (coming right from USA) have some lovely, lovely clear highs and some crisp details in it. I recorded a very mediocre video with the Adam Nitti as a "reference" and just playing all open or bridge tone off (my most used configurations), sorry for P lovers.

 

I'd like you to give your opinion on this, if you have 5 minutes.

 

Here's the beasts on the wall:

 

 

The fretless is just a beautiful monster with a flamed maple / ash body and Ziricote fingerboard with fretlines. (black tuners are coming)

 

Here's the vid;

 

https://youtu.be/BQT2Eme2dIM

 

Thanks !!

 

You can also go to youtube and like the comment related to the pickup you enjoyed the most.

Tried to watch this video Marco using the above link, but it comes up as 'private', any ideas how I can view please 🤔

[Marco.EB]

On 09/04/2024 at 15:46, BassTool said:

Tried to watch this video Marco using the above link, but it comes up as 'private', any ideas how I can view please 🤔

 

Thanks mate but it has been updated... I chose the Bartolini between the 3 pickups. As for the fretless, it's almost finished, I just need a decent player to make a good demo or I'll do it myself ASAP.

 

Meanwhile I thought I deleted it but no : https://youtu.be/cyG8TqB2hy8?si=bVhqellN9Y48scKQ

 

 

But it has 9J1 (original dual coils) in the end not 9CBJS1 (singles classic barts) but it's pretty close.

Edited April 11 by Marco.EB

[BassTool]

20 hours ago, Marco.EB said:

 

Thanks mate but it has been updated... I chose the Bartolini between the 3 pickups. As for the fretless, it's almost finished, I just need a decent player to make a good demo or I'll do it myself ASAP.

 

Meanwhile I thought I deleted it but no : https://youtu.be/cyG8TqB2hy8?si=bVhqellN9Y48scKQ

 

 

But it has 9J1 (original dual coils) in the end not 9CBJS1 (singles classic barts) but it's pretty close.

That sounds great! 👌🏼

[Marco.EB]

2 hours ago, BassTool said:

That sounds great! 👌🏼

 

Thank you! It'll be even better with a good player I guess... That's why I didn't make a "pro" demo video yet.

[Marco.EB]

Hello hello

 

As you may have seen, I build a website for my basses but it's not in english (I had a discount on this website builder but it does not support mutlilanguage support tsss), so since my last two basses (the one introduced "officialy" and the fretless) I've been quite busy (in bass making but in the garden and house too) so here's a little update ;

 

I build my "first" 5 string as a prototype for templates and adjustements but I'm quite happy with the result ! I admit I was not sure about the natural whitey maple but after all it's classy. The Bartolini M45 are coming (from USA...) and the Res-O-Lite are on their way too...

 

Here's the beast:

 

 

 

 

As it seems IMPOSSIBLE to get Hipshot B style in 18mm (5B500BB-708), I'm currently hesitating between these A style and Gotoh bridges (I like Gotoh and it's way more easy to find, and cheaper too). I've made a little contrasting ramp with a nice piece of Ovangkol/Amazakoué so as the truss cover. Could become my very personal 5 string bass  

 

And I started a batch of 4 basses ; two 4 strings and two 5 strings, so far I've realized the 5 string bodies ; a simple 2-piece walnut and a more fancy ash/bocote, bot are oiled, waiting another coat and waxing.

 

 

So far so good, I can't wait to introduce to you the whole batch ! (nothing fancy except this bocote one but I'm working really more on details)

 

Cheers

 

Marco

[Hellzero]

Nice job, Marco! Congratulations! 👏 

[Marco.EB]

Hello hello

 

Long time no see fellows, my summer was a long succession of works into the house and garden. I just get back in basses contruction while I'm waiting for the new kitchen.

 

I updated my website but as it doesn't support multilingual, I added WIP basses, the two bodies above are now entire basses (without hardware and electronics, pictures attached)

 

working also on two four strings.

 

I finally made a video to introduce my "first" 5 string :

 

 

 

I did what I can as I didn't find a good player to introduce the bass. I guess it's enough to have a taste of the sound. I have a comment in the comment section about the intonation but after checking (I still answered very nicely), there is only 0.2ct of difference. Maybe the G string went a bit out of tune before recording as I had to build a little movie setup in a room where there is absolutely nothing... Studio incoming next year.

 

Three models have been sold already, and I have the 5 in the video available.

 

Let me know your thougths, I'm still not a pro luthier and I still do not plan to make a living with it, but keep building with each sale.

 

Thanks for reading

 

See you around guys

 

Marco

[Hellzero]

I like the tone and the look of the bass in the video, Marco. 👍👌

[SpondonBassed]

It's great to see you going from strength to strength Marco.

[Marco.EB]

3 hours ago, Hellzero said:

I like the tone and the look of the bass in the video, Marco. 👍👌

 

Thanks buddy   I'm trying to get a distinctive sound but which remains neutral enough to be recorded in every situation.

 

1 hour ago, SpondonBassed said:

It's great to see you going from strength to strength Marco.

 

Thanks too ! Even if I'm still not completly satisfied by each build I have to admit it's getting better and more consistent.

 

One more is almost done :

[Marco.EB]

Hello, you can check directly on my website for updates (I'll change web hosting for one with multilingual support soon) : https://www.elwraybasses.com/en-cours

 

But one more 4 strings is ready for sale : 

 

And soon the Bocote 5 strings. Recipe remains the same but now truss rod is musicman style for easier access, and I will work with Gotoh bridges. Hipshot is too expensive and has some specs I don't like. 

 

I will try to explore another range of Bartolini pickups (thanks to this enclosure, everything is possible)

 

Cheers

 

Marco