tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190218170381091492024-03-12T21:26:06.213-07:00BassaxeBuilding, reviewing and reflecting over everything bass. By a passionate bassist.mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779152736436578401noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3319021817038109149.post-61276328423523621032011-03-13T12:43:00.000-07:002011-03-13T15:01:27.561-07:00The Über-Jay MarkII - Part Two<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" >Putting it together - with a twist or two.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I haven't updated this build lately. But the build has gone forward and it's almost over. The ETS bridge has arrived and so have the p-ups and the Tusq nuts. Everything else is custom made by me anyway, so that's never been a problem - other than deciding how to exactly custom make them, that is.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The picture below shows how the bridge placement was fixed and routed. It's a 34" scale and as you know, the bridge has to fall right at the edge of the body - to keep the bass as compact as the design allows. t the same time, the body must be routed under the tuners to make tuning possible.</span>
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<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtV0DAB7GxYPO9In8YhwY1pkXk-cIHl2JrEZuloyye4WRnop70UUdmbcje2CnkBSnRvYTZyJr3XIjmFhRRgqWMiwnG2pu-S1Ia7XUsNuWz18dwxRcJEHlU1XhjnCd2W_icI3JFUSuAIo/s1600/IMG_6177_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtV0DAB7GxYPO9In8YhwY1pkXk-cIHl2JrEZuloyye4WRnop70UUdmbcje2CnkBSnRvYTZyJr3XIjmFhRRgqWMiwnG2pu-S1Ia7XUsNuWz18dwxRcJEHlU1XhjnCd2W_icI3JFUSuAIo/s320/IMG_6177_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583654875535815698" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The ETS is very different form the ABM individual strings bridge of the previous build. It works best when at an angle with the saddles, so the body needs to be shaped accordingly.</span>
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<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRv68lHDwdmk9laEELzYsM4o-Htk-TUpmmLn5jtUJgF-hgF8LzuiSYF0WC4nNR5DVHemZRGFvv81DG9wjJFqMPqr2d465HeKCmxtuEmlgiVFWjaZEuCrTmN940L81Y8GEcC3HUQxNmjGA/s1600/IMG_6320_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRv68lHDwdmk9laEELzYsM4o-Htk-TUpmmLn5jtUJgF-hgF8LzuiSYF0WC4nNR5DVHemZRGFvv81DG9wjJFqMPqr2d465HeKCmxtuEmlgiVFWjaZEuCrTmN940L81Y8GEcC3HUQxNmjGA/s320/IMG_6320_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583659360831346274" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The neck pocket has been routed and I have made book-matched veneers to cover the extended neck beyond the 22nd fret. It had to be book-matched to er...match the top which in that area is in fact book matched. Did I say book-matched?</span>
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<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjsbwepxbIKTzlUQwUX8VREjYXF9ZM6MvKyoFGi-MaTrBeYNskJkBcY___CttZNaLZdej03OHKDxwFtZPlaA0euPUn91PNxNwAcJ_XsWkapPFeY25-92uod3H6gs6x865NUFV_IoE55c/s1600/IMG_6140_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjsbwepxbIKTzlUQwUX8VREjYXF9ZM6MvKyoFGi-MaTrBeYNskJkBcY___CttZNaLZdej03OHKDxwFtZPlaA0euPUn91PNxNwAcJ_XsWkapPFeY25-92uod3H6gs6x865NUFV_IoE55c/s320/IMG_6140_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583653932411660402" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This build was crying out loud for block inlays. It took a couple of days to complete but it was worth it. Matching Camphor Burl blocks really add to the overall look, spicing up the subdued style of the Flamed maple f/board.</span>
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<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tu0MqvTtmhXctb6TId5HFFXt8Is8XqJ5F8a5pQ_GAXOawwUp6Sd3rCO2RfUHVE3QrfKMrbHamyE7Xg-GMScSlN5Lq8kreOkOAo05pFy46PESo-YamTkTMZM06-PjMtqKlwN-I5T2Oz0/s1600/IMG_6120_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tu0MqvTtmhXctb6TId5HFFXt8Is8XqJ5F8a5pQ_GAXOawwUp6Sd3rCO2RfUHVE3QrfKMrbHamyE7Xg-GMScSlN5Lq8kreOkOAo05pFy46PESo-YamTkTMZM06-PjMtqKlwN-I5T2Oz0/s320/IMG_6120_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583653924119674722" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzzxvNVOjHwU0A_tpKYJyjaR2jJh668ynD1D6UPgwnqIHxScVLVzVz7wdugC7-Ize8eehzSlzmSaBXB08p-JQW3mDmHBxGViBk5f66uUddB5-MczABeuXrlW8MLQ0nizX9VRCkmcW3PQ/s1600/IMG_6220_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzzxvNVOjHwU0A_tpKYJyjaR2jJh668ynD1D6UPgwnqIHxScVLVzVz7wdugC7-Ize8eehzSlzmSaBXB08p-JQW3mDmHBxGViBk5f66uUddB5-MczABeuXrlW8MLQ0nizX9VRCkmcW3PQ/s320/IMG_6220_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583662125492904258" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The neck has been shaped. It is slimmer than the first one and narrower at the nut. In this picture the head stock has not been shaped yet. It will be, in a style much likely the previous Über0-Jay.</span>
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<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLnZHBUIsQVqPtOmVxpO-ycrg-_PnRqmn7Fli6J4PPOEf5Pk4Rhm19DQtTtGW9M-oyU4LOOhHDSLU7Y9x2YEvyc7TDKNiggHwyMzB3UqCwtJwj7zYikIa9Xg7K7qXux96dUSkGYp8f80/s1600/IMG_6079_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 136px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLnZHBUIsQVqPtOmVxpO-ycrg-_PnRqmn7Fli6J4PPOEf5Pk4Rhm19DQtTtGW9M-oyU4LOOhHDSLU7Y9x2YEvyc7TDKNiggHwyMzB3UqCwtJwj7zYikIa9Xg7K7qXux96dUSkGYp8f80/s320/IMG_6079_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583653920018823378" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The tapered Padauk laminate works really well with the Birdseye Maple. It will surely become a constand element of my next buids. </span>
<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHINczS8htV6NwfSlYk2o9xzS_4T_esziePlzB0EwrkCnYMqbxSTyQ-9NMQEXETCaLCaf2s8lFxuo-Zqy9aeVpWxYV_kQ-rPh7AQJ3zdwpEcoYcozxbsEnTOFUMsEDcg2ZWxOiLcuKjOA/s1600/IMG_6077_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHINczS8htV6NwfSlYk2o9xzS_4T_esziePlzB0EwrkCnYMqbxSTyQ-9NMQEXETCaLCaf2s8lFxuo-Zqy9aeVpWxYV_kQ-rPh7AQJ3zdwpEcoYcozxbsEnTOFUMsEDcg2ZWxOiLcuKjOA/s320/IMG_6077_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583653917074297778" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The headstock has been shaped and drilled for strings anchors and ferrules. The nut slot has been carved and the nut sanded almost to measure. The final fit will be done with strings mounted. </span>
<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhiXX-aysfMlPEv80qXVIu8rEqjEXbysY57AW6ylSG6MRxT8QzWERf4xZtzyJSvdw_HEngvGKKpUMkbASdvSwm7ondUjIVRWKJgop2ZZPLxNcQBrgBfOyrZPzOYv-GdfTQFw3KoqhswU/s1600/P3020017.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhiXX-aysfMlPEv80qXVIu8rEqjEXbysY57AW6ylSG6MRxT8QzWERf4xZtzyJSvdw_HEngvGKKpUMkbASdvSwm7ondUjIVRWKJgop2ZZPLxNcQBrgBfOyrZPzOYv-GdfTQFw3KoqhswU/s320/P3020017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583654887293169522" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The body ha been routed for p-ups and the chambers/cavity are all interconnected. This makes wiring a breeze. All cavities and chambers were planned a mere 3 millimeters from each other therefore it took me just a few seconds with a good chisel and a file to connect them. It really worked well.</span>
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<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv060bvTjHho3zjI8McXf4OxxswoMjc5H-2Apsfw8e4cQwzCi9BpbG3Mb7Dj-lKcbZ6ecx8k0cl5Vc4hItXnpDYM7aBXM4ogpyRDcAmEYyLTd29Yv-i7JEjutKAi5AyuWT-vmGGPPnd3A/s1600/IMG_6324_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv060bvTjHho3zjI8McXf4OxxswoMjc5H-2Apsfw8e4cQwzCi9BpbG3Mb7Dj-lKcbZ6ecx8k0cl5Vc4hItXnpDYM7aBXM4ogpyRDcAmEYyLTd29Yv-i7JEjutKAi5AyuWT-vmGGPPnd3A/s320/IMG_6324_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583654889927039826" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This is the bass assembled. Very little is missing now - strap locks, pots and jack holes - before lacquering. I'm probably going to stain the body grain black. We'll see that. two weeks worth of work is all this bass needs. But I had to leave for 5 weeks and so had to put this beauty on hold.</span>
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<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6WnvEQAr5thyWYLIvSWLPRZqvbyqYAvAXmg67oh2NcNNIRZDnZjy2EJiN-DpLNeYBx0APR2epjb3DVilZco-qC_Jm0AmetkEnvTTx2IpzIukEyuk0fqZFckf8QqkHFIS3P6X0mZxR0U/s1600/IMG_6308_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 685px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6WnvEQAr5thyWYLIvSWLPRZqvbyqYAvAXmg67oh2NcNNIRZDnZjy2EJiN-DpLNeYBx0APR2epjb3DVilZco-qC_Jm0AmetkEnvTTx2IpzIukEyuk0fqZFckf8QqkHFIS3P6X0mZxR0U/s320/IMG_6308_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583654883238706178" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The amazing thing is, without hardware and electronics - as is - this build weights a mere 1.7 kg. I don't believe hardware and electronics will add more than 1 kg - if, at all. The p-ups are unusually light, it's passive, knobs are made of plated Aluminum, nut is a feather light Tusq and string anchor.ferrules weight not more than 50 g. This bass is gonna need an anchor to stay grounded ;)</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank for reading</span>
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">O(=<</span>
<br />mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779152736436578401noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3319021817038109149.post-59548864908264149382010-12-15T22:47:00.000-08:002010-12-15T23:44:52.003-08:00The Über-Jay MarkII - Part One<a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4ttuscWPoRBnvBxey_ktZO2l58vP4wZsglUqZGU98pVQC92ZBpi02snPYlY67OJd4KjYuwarrkot0qY4aUQ8Wvsko_9UdQqXCjjrU08fmkTYv0Jt4ji9AxBWKcHUmVQtJDsU_GVtneY/s1600/IMG_5909_2_2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4ttuscWPoRBnvBxey_ktZO2l58vP4wZsglUqZGU98pVQC92ZBpi02snPYlY67OJd4KjYuwarrkot0qY4aUQ8Wvsko_9UdQqXCjjrU08fmkTYv0Jt4ji9AxBWKcHUmVQtJDsU_GVtneY/s400/IMG_5909_2_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551172485195519890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Hi there!</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The Über-Jay Mark II hit the road one month ago. It is both a second prototype as it is a commissioned build.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The customer agreed that I will decide later whether I keep this one and build another one for him or not. It's still a prototype right? ;)</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The more I play the first one the better I understand it, and now that he's finally hitting the stage I'll know him even better. The Mark II will be the by-product of this playing/building process.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The basic specs are:</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">4 strings. 22 frets.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Swamp Ash chambered body. Camphor Burl top. Birdseye Maple/Padauk neck. Curly Maple F/B</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">2 J p-ups (brand to be decided). ETS bridge. Custom made black and chrome hardware.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Here's the first round of pictures.</span>
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<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSR11vLT4Hq1G0wlCz-zkVZgOtgw_tW2R4iaLcHNJ88MxnHsIftNkZ3G1Eabl1o-qC54ln1Zss79u1H_Cg0g-Z42FY3oXAFUTBgoKwGxTdXmlt0Y_tS4Xzbh2OAbxB5QPrL27DxRVi-F0/s1600/IMG_5924_2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSR11vLT4Hq1G0wlCz-zkVZgOtgw_tW2R4iaLcHNJ88MxnHsIftNkZ3G1Eabl1o-qC54ln1Zss79u1H_Cg0g-Z42FY3oXAFUTBgoKwGxTdXmlt0Y_tS4Xzbh2OAbxB5QPrL27DxRVi-F0/s400/IMG_5924_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551172490681782130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">The combination of Swamp Ash and Camphor Burl should enhance further the lines of</span>
<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">the body. Compared to the classy black//white/gold look of the first Ü-Jay, this one will probably have more bite :-></span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Under the saw the Camphor Burl smells great...spicy...I think I can get high on this.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I am more concerned with the look of the back since the front will be hidden. So what you see in the picture is the back, not a left handed model.</span>
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<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMux-KT3kvQKOpnaLEFf2IUnbDdv9KrtldPaLQ3L6sauHtTlMW4-Bd4PrVVfaUT_9XtxHaTTyTUjVzsn7EbmzpDBXlA4MDHCjB-RXccxk3rtMdzWF6wUrRHaoiG3ABX8fgzyf2Cp_kf3I/s1600/DSC00237_2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 459px; height: 344px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMux-KT3kvQKOpnaLEFf2IUnbDdv9KrtldPaLQ3L6sauHtTlMW4-Bd4PrVVfaUT_9XtxHaTTyTUjVzsn7EbmzpDBXlA4MDHCjB-RXccxk3rtMdzWF6wUrRHaoiG3ABX8fgzyf2Cp_kf3I/s400/DSC00237_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551176664973184626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">These are two 13/64 (5mm) slices taken from the back of each half. The lower one will be used to make a cavity cover with matching grain.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">As you can see there isn't much left to chamber once the carving of the back is taken into account. But that's shaving off weight too, isn't it?</span>
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<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUJuRyL0QUDgY1w5jl14NPRW7CnmgjsvVgo6_gaP39-86qkbG0NiNDO4ArBXFA4eD45A5XRdxei6OV3dgAyRSm2eh8BEtJdWxoQ7JAo0EfgQ7b7LylfYFhJtrhMFosvwrEyQ8jDenK0Y/s1600/IMG_5932_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 465px; height: 349px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUJuRyL0QUDgY1w5jl14NPRW7CnmgjsvVgo6_gaP39-86qkbG0NiNDO4ArBXFA4eD45A5XRdxei6OV3dgAyRSm2eh8BEtJdWxoQ7JAo0EfgQ7b7LylfYFhJtrhMFosvwrEyQ8jDenK0Y/s320/IMG_5932_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551177447941652546" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The chamber and the cavity are connected by a small channel to make wiring easier. At a later stage I will route a similar channel between neck p-up/chamber and bridge p-up/cavity.</span>
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<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGz0LMtECqBjVT2loUe_DY-JYt1bBmgVeqtMizZaTh7yqBmDEru03pw3mbbJH95mVLYxdTIrqauVvWk1WxS1oZ6lERszTYCjv1xz9nOw4j0-X1XP-XjZ-rKFF1_kvkefwt1jwZOHlam0/s1600/IMG_5935_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGz0LMtECqBjVT2loUe_DY-JYt1bBmgVeqtMizZaTh7yqBmDEru03pw3mbbJH95mVLYxdTIrqauVvWk1WxS1oZ6lERszTYCjv1xz9nOw4j0-X1XP-XjZ-rKFF1_kvkefwt1jwZOHlam0/s320/IMG_5935_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551177454987417122" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The neck laminates - BE Maple and Padauk. I just love the way they complement each other and the Ash/Camphor Burl of the body</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Here is the body with top glued on and - if you can see it at all - the black veneer in between. I can see it's gonna look great.</span>
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<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGf-GARStD0azKlCu7AENE3cqNsseJANo_dSDTFPlWcPVS_SDci2z0LoCfc9X2C-HefEoucpVYpeJCwhyphenhyphenUaWiaxTLMHiPYJNYlyg2GUQaGQiwkwN4of_NtEidfCiuSx6UjSECWyvygdnE/s1600/IMG_5990_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 406px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGf-GARStD0azKlCu7AENE3cqNsseJANo_dSDTFPlWcPVS_SDci2z0LoCfc9X2C-HefEoucpVYpeJCwhyphenhyphenUaWiaxTLMHiPYJNYlyg2GUQaGQiwkwN4of_NtEidfCiuSx6UjSECWyvygdnE/s320/IMG_5990_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551178846994361890" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Which made me think... one subdued feature of the original Ü-J to me is the very pronounced back contour. This time around I wanted to try something different.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">There you go: red veneer all over the back. It's pressure dyed and the color is really vibrant. I'd say it's Maple. Once the Ash laminate is sanded to the final shape, the red veneer will outline the contour.</span>
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<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqNK_rtO_4EUZq4RGrz2KkOszw4HALacUAHW_YGaQ4HxqUZqwL1r1yjzGTMG6RmSybTd8BzGCZ2fR-lpbVWa1BIu9lWR1PUqvXl5NLoUUDUazaB7menhuJjONfGIuBDbdxiyv1wQLG6w/s1600/PB200021_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 401px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqNK_rtO_4EUZq4RGrz2KkOszw4HALacUAHW_YGaQ4HxqUZqwL1r1yjzGTMG6RmSybTd8BzGCZ2fR-lpbVWa1BIu9lWR1PUqvXl5NLoUUDUazaB7menhuJjONfGIuBDbdxiyv1wQLG6w/s320/PB200021_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551177459800118754" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">BTW, you might notice that I have re-routed the cavity and reduced the neck heel further compared to the previous build.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Here's the neck roughly shaped, and the black veneer clamped to the headstock. Later I will add the Camphor burl veneer. This time around I have shaped the headstock just like the original Fender, so the veneer needs a bit of bending.</span>
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<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-IKK17-Ug7rRdswEeNboEhBvgC_rCkoIoCI3JqRhNMMpJMqYF2WrzD3mn4jvnJunTL_ELR-lrWx0zJf484EQBV8d402sOKfCive6pXAz8_BMJ3kBva4t4yW-Lo62-9dZq2NN7XyHoh0/s1600/IMG_5941_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-IKK17-Ug7rRdswEeNboEhBvgC_rCkoIoCI3JqRhNMMpJMqYF2WrzD3mn4jvnJunTL_ELR-lrWx0zJf484EQBV8d402sOKfCive6pXAz8_BMJ3kBva4t4yW-Lo62-9dZq2NN7XyHoh0/s320/IMG_5941_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551177458728644722" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbljvykoN8exUbTNtd3uXWxm8dGP5tzgzRahBj4EBrmT7rrCSO8WvACf-NDADG6Tfe-hOLzBCbm1XFfwnHRuNp82-rNC7rM-pA5YTGadU-yEd_pYUA9pFoEOZkqr5yZ1jjPlYPVhKnkQU/s1600/IMG_5943_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbljvykoN8exUbTNtd3uXWxm8dGP5tzgzRahBj4EBrmT7rrCSO8WvACf-NDADG6Tfe-hOLzBCbm1XFfwnHRuNp82-rNC7rM-pA5YTGadU-yEd_pYUA9pFoEOZkqr5yZ1jjPlYPVhKnkQU/s320/IMG_5943_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551177457699981394" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I spent the whole afternoon filling every pore of the room with fine Camphor dust. The front is almost done; The back - where the fun is - is half way through. I'll finish tomorrow.</span>
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<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZskpYpSJsnqmNc7nxiEwkwVDon4yEENLDAl-0zypicMLroifjV1w0Z0JkJ9QZXNBD1gP_7ZqqshtPubRYgN84HaND9MQ4zrp4lWPf65KOtqXty6pveetvfu0FBzEJ2CD2fBucVyTUwo/s1600/IMG_6018_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 368px; height: 490px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZskpYpSJsnqmNc7nxiEwkwVDon4yEENLDAl-0zypicMLroifjV1w0Z0JkJ9QZXNBD1gP_7ZqqshtPubRYgN84HaND9MQ4zrp4lWPf65KOtqXty6pveetvfu0FBzEJ2CD2fBucVyTUwo/s320/IMG_6018_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551179876178241362" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I sanded only up to 100. This time around I'm gonna use micro mesh up to 12000 grit.</span>
<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">There might be more shaping to be done - mostly the lower horn scoop, the upper chest area contour and the neck heel. You should be able to see some thin red lines on the back marking how far in the contour can go without hitting the chambers.</span>
<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1f37-QEMO49LJQ8k760l-bzClR9fweDWYHwc35RD3mzGJW9AoRB34ntxbuaAMP_r5rYGnPZuYYEVAKiLx9XsHft3UEAwfciJ5gx2ocE5UAwHm2GigrzJ2OkGbhjP3o4fLSfaZeKiUGM/s1600/IMG_6041_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1f37-QEMO49LJQ8k760l-bzClR9fweDWYHwc35RD3mzGJW9AoRB34ntxbuaAMP_r5rYGnPZuYYEVAKiLx9XsHft3UEAwfciJ5gx2ocE5UAwHm2GigrzJ2OkGbhjP3o4fLSfaZeKiUGM/s320/IMG_6041_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551179883640968722" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I'm also happy with how the grain of the top matches that of the body. In fact, only where the contour is more aggressive sometimes they don't. It doesn't seem to be a bother given the presence of the red veneer. Well, to me anyway</span>
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<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCjZZLbGQ_tgBEef6hLzErpG1-SlO0AaBjBxG1zzuiUeSut4tsQxPpNNfhvJ2A2b8DzWGUWAAu5Ay9LHma5IB5gmFSr3bX1DqFjNSjwDbhAx3AlLHHt8Tir2N4y8lWsE-nwHz5mjZUtg/s1600/IMG_6034_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCjZZLbGQ_tgBEef6hLzErpG1-SlO0AaBjBxG1zzuiUeSut4tsQxPpNNfhvJ2A2b8DzWGUWAAu5Ay9LHma5IB5gmFSr3bX1DqFjNSjwDbhAx3AlLHHt8Tir2N4y8lWsE-nwHz5mjZUtg/s320/IMG_6034_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551179881262775474" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">If I taper those areas even further the grain orientation will change again. Who knows, maybe they'll end up matching perfectly.</span>
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<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JJ_nLjtKqQwrrxZl0tORY2BGHE7gr73vP2pVDb-3yaZz5rFDGU5pZa8jUc9JkYon1hMQXIoNm_phAp7BcNcGFysa9rQS5BT_jbsZvXeMJlhlIqT9ke6wr9I7SpGSDKBSQEwAeHkQWIg/s1600/IMG_6028_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JJ_nLjtKqQwrrxZl0tORY2BGHE7gr73vP2pVDb-3yaZz5rFDGU5pZa8jUc9JkYon1hMQXIoNm_phAp7BcNcGFysa9rQS5BT_jbsZvXeMJlhlIqT9ke6wr9I7SpGSDKBSQEwAeHkQWIg/s320/IMG_6028_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551179879926743682" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I've worked the contour so as there is always a line running parallel on both sides of the veneer. This way there are basically three lines following the body profile and merging at the two horns tips.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">This is another detail where the Mark1 and Mark2 differ. It should look quite neat with glossy finish.</span>
<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I am particularly happy about the way the cover is working. If not for the marker line it would be virtually invisible. Then the line will go...</span>
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<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92fOEF4tJ6qHWuClnABh_hbf2LOK1uPkI0i_r70-H8G2sLLZNeIlIw7dPjkXLmmlWR0ZQst6S1WHEcp9A_yaErXmKtR1ku1ddSxgMI6SfEypWvOJgarYLp2egl90eQ_hQHLvSLjwkwks/s1600/IMG_6046_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92fOEF4tJ6qHWuClnABh_hbf2LOK1uPkI0i_r70-H8G2sLLZNeIlIw7dPjkXLmmlWR0ZQst6S1WHEcp9A_yaErXmKtR1ku1ddSxgMI6SfEypWvOJgarYLp2egl90eQ_hQHLvSLjwkwks/s320/IMG_6046_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551179892538252914" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">When you take out the cover this is what you're gonna see. I like adding some unexpected elements to a design. To me it keeps the experience fresh and intriguing overtime.</span>
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<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokwfNKqjLaoKYDux_i49fAptnVSqqCcsanhhVLwXqQSj8v-28A3DrmYwqkS6srsttj_i-Y8JWfrA9s4fQSptc8lF3fSGvjkaoDFWwE2IoQejbTgAl5J6Xn9QrrJb_jejUZlpDJNfxlng/s1600/IMG_6047_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokwfNKqjLaoKYDux_i49fAptnVSqqCcsanhhVLwXqQSj8v-28A3DrmYwqkS6srsttj_i-Y8JWfrA9s4fQSptc8lF3fSGvjkaoDFWwE2IoQejbTgAl5J6Xn9QrrJb_jejUZlpDJNfxlng/s320/IMG_6047_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551180837768784834" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The jack recess I carved on the first über works very well. It protects the jack and makes it easy to find the hole when plugging in. So I'm using it on this and future builds. It works even better with this new cavity cover </span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The body's ready, sanded to a 180 grit. I won't go beyond that until p-ups cavities and neck pocket are routed. Unfortunately both p-ups and bridge delivery dates have been delayed due to Xmas rush.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I could work on the neck then. Wait... The CF rods haven't arrived yet... delayed due to Xmas rush... crisis? what crisis?</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Ok, not everything is being delayed. I just received two new metal knobs prototypes - a small size dome shape and a new slim design, finished in both Black and Nickel Chrome plated Aluminum. I'll upload pictures next time.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">New parts for the headstock anchors are being made - prototypes by end of next week - and so is the über-jay logo. Yeah...</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Thanks for following</span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >O(=<</span>
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<br />mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779152736436578401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3319021817038109149.post-67995309330276260092010-12-04T05:04:00.000-08:002010-12-15T22:44:35.882-08:00Building the uber-J. Part fortheen - at last!<a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkR1FOWQiTmG17kDMxy2W4Q2kDtuq97DDYIxnYdsw6iI7lSIFPcO6B2rNxnXNIu0A3o_7KdQeAq-ZQcurJpHHdhFp9pYXwFAnXjERsh1FVfDwpRr4HoZblmbJ1Z6Zb4zduwjlnq2eA0Y/s1600/front.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 606px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkR1FOWQiTmG17kDMxy2W4Q2kDtuq97DDYIxnYdsw6iI7lSIFPcO6B2rNxnXNIu0A3o_7KdQeAq-ZQcurJpHHdhFp9pYXwFAnXjERsh1FVfDwpRr4HoZblmbJ1Z6Zb4zduwjlnq2eA0Y/s320/front.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546813115214663602" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Ladies and gentlemen, the Über-Jay is finally here. Actually it has been here since October. My bad for not updating the blog.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">It weights 3.6 Kg. or 7.7 lb. A comparable bass I own - also a 4 stringer, Mahogany body and Rock Maple neck - weighs 4 kg or 8.8 pounds.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Having said so, it's obvious to me that the absence of tuners on the headstock makes the biggest difference, changing the overall weight distribution. This makes the bass feel very neutral and a lot lighter than numbers would suggest. The sense of fatigue on the left shoulder is basically gone.</span>
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<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDO5LfAgXBLVhJOMMyNEF2EIjKRR3YGv1cnVshvTIViEq8ryhquO8XL8Uz3Q-UCAdn2286DFkpsetYLuJJFeRFNysHGMCwE1cBTDh0QnjDTkYDMWHBKp_xhRygEL4mYKi3UVTGzfE1zc/s1600/top.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 406px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDO5LfAgXBLVhJOMMyNEF2EIjKRR3YGv1cnVshvTIViEq8ryhquO8XL8Uz3Q-UCAdn2286DFkpsetYLuJJFeRFNysHGMCwE1cBTDh0QnjDTkYDMWHBKp_xhRygEL4mYKi3UVTGzfE1zc/s320/top.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546813128752233122" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I have rearranged the knobs order to suit my playing style. From p-up to bridge: Balance/Tone/Volume. </span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">It reflects the way I believe players prioritize controls. I have asked around a lot and I found out that Volume is actually the least used of all. It also reflects the way I use them - with B being the most important and V the least.</span>
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<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWQ7-GNCB1P0rT6IMj6HYBnkVA0GWpzCGfR6qH4iNnIJEjPBZ-3lAlmC-3AJ_3dFyepyUuHtEf5Pil4_0sFKJuZNu_CpT3jtJUyT-YktuwFVy9JtQ9o-gQIH6jMDknFbYK7gZKNiRk2c/s1600/IMG_5903_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWQ7-GNCB1P0rT6IMj6HYBnkVA0GWpzCGfR6qH4iNnIJEjPBZ-3lAlmC-3AJ_3dFyepyUuHtEf5Pil4_0sFKJuZNu_CpT3jtJUyT-YktuwFVy9JtQ9o-gQIH6jMDknFbYK7gZKNiRk2c/s320/IMG_5903_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551155353164286482" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I then decided to make brass knobs to replace the plastic ones. The knobs are plain, no dot marker or line. I think it's unnecessary. The thing is, if the mark is placed on the top I won't be able to see it and I usually don't look at them anyway. </span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">From the side the Allen would be visible enough; better yet, my fingers would feel it more than they would a dot. That together with the center indent does the trick - to me that is.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I mounted the knobs so as the Allen screws are all facing the player when T/B knobs are in center position and V knob is at max vol.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">It looks so much better with such a little change, doesn't it? </span>
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<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgBfBDant342Ifaz6hGB7oel2e5H2hHjRIG4V9jG4hy8EVyad5qj1bGba10DI3Htly6XZOrEswpyobyVlvX5s4rmB59Z0d70dSJu8J0ie2Taa4AEbWiHIUvEIF-Dym-2GtfF3EsR8t4U/s1600/IMG_5881_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 345px; height: 443px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgBfBDant342Ifaz6hGB7oel2e5H2hHjRIG4V9jG4hy8EVyad5qj1bGba10DI3Htly6XZOrEswpyobyVlvX5s4rmB59Z0d70dSJu8J0ie2Taa4AEbWiHIUvEIF-Dym-2GtfF3EsR8t4U/s320/IMG_5881_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546813099585348370" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://maucaduto.com/uberjay.mp3"><span style="font-family:arial;">Click here to listen to a sound clip.</span></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I recorded it with:</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Digital recorder Zoom H4. settings in flat. Stereo microphone at about 50cm from amplifier.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">No effects whatsoever. The sound is straight from the amp - setting in flat. One 12" speaker. Not the best for the sound I like. But I basically wanted to recreate the conditions one usually faces when playing a bass at the shop.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">As you listen to the clip you should hear - in this order:</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">1 - finger style, only neck p-up. Tone at zero - basically full treble cut. Right hand moving from bridge to neck position. Progressive increment of trebles.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">2- f/style, only bridge p-ups selected. Right hand playing from bridge to neck. Tone at 50%</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">3 - p-up blend in center position with slight variations +/- 20%. Tone at 50%</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">4 - slap with 2 p-ups center position and variations +/- 20% mix. Tone on bass at 50%. Mid cut on amp between 500Hz and 2Khz.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Strings: roundwound stainless steel .40/105. The action is impossibly low </span><img style="font-family: arial;" src="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/images/smilies/colors/wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" class="inlineimg" border="0" />
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<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-we3uSczE5rC3b8f9d4J-fnVLEj-KMai-2QJ-o9eP_x9_DtjuefQCKECLEX5KUmFY51cG5JSIYbkZ0hXrxcMc6GengXjKULqLZ3Uk7ujdCRoZ_wFa8pXetWUMf1VKENUmSyH7a9-9omY/s1600/back+c+up.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 449px; height: 336px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-we3uSczE5rC3b8f9d4J-fnVLEj-KMai-2QJ-o9eP_x9_DtjuefQCKECLEX5KUmFY51cG5JSIYbkZ0hXrxcMc6GengXjKULqLZ3Uk7ujdCRoZ_wFa8pXetWUMf1VKENUmSyH7a9-9omY/s320/back+c+up.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546813105841118002" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><div style="font-family: arial;">At 1:30 and around 2:20-2:30 you can hear bending on open strings and harmonics. That's possible because this anchoring system - as opposed to using tuners - positions them at an angle sharp enough to do without string retainers.</div><span style="font-family:arial;">So, I use my left hand to bend one or more strings anywhere between nut and the h/stock ferrules.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">In my experience, this is possible only on some basses with tilt back head stock and usually only on the second and third strings. Notable exception being the Status Kingbass with optional Bendwell.</span>
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<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoWEGvvHDE4nhAFK8p94B5qvap6gd3_1pDhABvKVVkXEuGZjK3IfdUU0GpuDjhjYzGeiTE6abzr10umcxPUnhz6Z9BydgWyEFIXJq3_i-wA_aDsvUJRbEAAOyUczEi5EebP1gcuS6X2o/s1600/side.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 335px; height: 447px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoWEGvvHDE4nhAFK8p94B5qvap6gd3_1pDhABvKVVkXEuGZjK3IfdUU0GpuDjhjYzGeiTE6abzr10umcxPUnhz6Z9BydgWyEFIXJq3_i-wA_aDsvUJRbEAAOyUczEi5EebP1gcuS6X2o/s320/side.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546813118377182082" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">To wrap it up.... I am used to playing boutique basses. I have owned or played long enough some of the best basses around. I still own five of them. I can humbly say that I can tell a good - or bad - bass just by lifting it up or playing it unplugged. </span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">So, how does the Über-Jay compares with the cream of basses? Trying to be as detached as possible, I'd say very very well.
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<br />There are areas where it can be improved - and it will. The neck can be thinner. The body can be chambered. An accent line would have been nice. It doesn't display the same level of craftsmanship as the others I own... yet ;) </span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">But the bottom line is, I am a very fussy player. The bass I pick is the best I can put my hands on. Since October, that bass has been the Ü-J.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Thanks for reading this far. </span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >O(=<</span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >ps: Future projects.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I have started a new build. It's called the Mark II. Simply because it pushes the Ü-J design forward and implements ideas I had while building the first one.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The overwhelming response this build has met with - from fellow bass players all over - has been extremely encouraging. The next build is already spoken for and I am discussing two more builds as we speak. I never thought it would get this good :)</span>
<br />mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779152736436578401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3319021817038109149.post-29731053683535371792010-08-23T23:26:00.000-07:002010-08-23T23:50:04.690-07:00Building the uber-J. Part Thirteen.<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">What the heck!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I am spraying and sanding and spraying and sending. It surely beats unloading trucks at the fish market. But probably just by a tiny margin. And not because of the smell.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I don't have much to say really other than Uber is now curing its tenth coating. But I wanted to upload pictures just the same. Because it is only apparently an uneventful stage of the build. From up close, coating after coating the wood comes to life and the various tiny details of the design start showing. So, here they come...<br /><br />A few more rounds and I should be able to mount the pick-ups, hardware and frets. Hell, yeah!<br /></span><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNnVA1rfzga93RBnPArqFSMGHoN_-egkdrIMOAJeR0ccWNllAi_UzjUB8XbJyVGOHEuMuaW737vPUjEolZTWpZd0sVXFSsPO8S8pxsGPlNKOxTr-5S3HCV_9nubNCceVcqIoa8OX_LOWY/s1600/IMG_5296_2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNnVA1rfzga93RBnPArqFSMGHoN_-egkdrIMOAJeR0ccWNllAi_UzjUB8XbJyVGOHEuMuaW737vPUjEolZTWpZd0sVXFSsPO8S8pxsGPlNKOxTr-5S3HCV_9nubNCceVcqIoa8OX_LOWY/s320/IMG_5296_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508861767055829986" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgFpYvxrWN5udZq6RD849ssW1JUOJJM-C5Rnr_QoHNfa7pUJshrH0RXhV2JoPngMrwQPsnu5BN3STQcCcF4MUYZWPCwd3E0mp3hppjryKyl1TRGgm1QBJmtMgMa3OIvdQEIDwICXF1HI/s1600/IMG_5295_2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgFpYvxrWN5udZq6RD849ssW1JUOJJM-C5Rnr_QoHNfa7pUJshrH0RXhV2JoPngMrwQPsnu5BN3STQcCcF4MUYZWPCwd3E0mp3hppjryKyl1TRGgm1QBJmtMgMa3OIvdQEIDwICXF1HI/s320/IMG_5295_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508861761874982962" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxpaCpLmsXntdSj2RHHySlJ9D-7SiebYiiDHVXNCdqKOWDQKj0PS7ZPn3pIGBud_mBwaXnZFFI3w_hBw6Qv9mUyDcfyoX4Q89LbBMJOeGop8YkDTKpDXt2NhGFwZDl3H9bgqx9-rOhAo/s1600/IMG_5289_2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxpaCpLmsXntdSj2RHHySlJ9D-7SiebYiiDHVXNCdqKOWDQKj0PS7ZPn3pIGBud_mBwaXnZFFI3w_hBw6Qv9mUyDcfyoX4Q89LbBMJOeGop8YkDTKpDXt2NhGFwZDl3H9bgqx9-rOhAo/s320/IMG_5289_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508861200725194146" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfjTpKld2vJAHQtLsAxFyprPUQ36OXtIFm1YMzu4b5PYO7L7xZjvxN8lHeAH2MzfpIVSaQy-PlISJsiP4DOhcUVagdZhELdyUAlsG2Nmhyphenhyphenqf6F-Sn2yP9MVzQpdqFYfi_cyIPsGCfUiU/s1600/IMG_5292_2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfjTpKld2vJAHQtLsAxFyprPUQ36OXtIFm1YMzu4b5PYO7L7xZjvxN8lHeAH2MzfpIVSaQy-PlISJsiP4DOhcUVagdZhELdyUAlsG2Nmhyphenhyphenqf6F-Sn2yP9MVzQpdqFYfi_cyIPsGCfUiU/s320/IMG_5292_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508861222065330802" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFj1geiqGFEhmHJBheRW61pzL3YsEy_0HgHRUVACIN93MAfywsof0QUlOESFehyphenhyphenZuNCSryOigi62n2AYIlYeh7u7WgwJ6dSGm-tDmWY1wLef4YgAX75HvF-KUHsYlxXrKdQxuPSCbX79s/s1600/IMG_5300_2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 291px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFj1geiqGFEhmHJBheRW61pzL3YsEy_0HgHRUVACIN93MAfywsof0QUlOESFehyphenhyphenZuNCSryOigi62n2AYIlYeh7u7WgwJ6dSGm-tDmWY1wLef4YgAX75HvF-KUHsYlxXrKdQxuPSCbX79s/s320/IMG_5300_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508861792406635666" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUJLd0Utj0EIQ0kOUZGjwoPKUaSMwOaRJncgmCovDDLPpVoUSbe_bzYtQsvlziJiHrAnuaWJiNYL2pOpSOen9xoYCZ49QrfA1Z2V6nspgHyvMoZiNjYHdWRjpiGGHylQsm1K0M0kZr2U/s1600/IMG_5299_2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUJLd0Utj0EIQ0kOUZGjwoPKUaSMwOaRJncgmCovDDLPpVoUSbe_bzYtQsvlziJiHrAnuaWJiNYL2pOpSOen9xoYCZ49QrfA1Z2V6nspgHyvMoZiNjYHdWRjpiGGHylQsm1K0M0kZr2U/s320/IMG_5299_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508861778483547666" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkkMtEdiVTL5tGVPOCt1QTBk6j7_tvkCyWek7X90NGCgfFM0P1sNlHNTCB0lH5bbCevzgEukHyEgPTMxdNEOvw8b-vtnOHXVu6RFXgaExe4M1GcT-EL6_XBH-I28c0vjytf_EL4bKyVI/s1600/IMG_5288_2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkkMtEdiVTL5tGVPOCt1QTBk6j7_tvkCyWek7X90NGCgfFM0P1sNlHNTCB0lH5bbCevzgEukHyEgPTMxdNEOvw8b-vtnOHXVu6RFXgaExe4M1GcT-EL6_XBH-I28c0vjytf_EL4bKyVI/s320/IMG_5288_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508861197837713250" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5aOC1-1yIcAPS0dJdDDeOHJNwBxrVi1xohPKmPz9g60B4Fcgn_JTFElTvuIbyAWa6TMWh2BBUHHUgSyU9klj-FcO71UzhMfof0oPTDf80nTkOq6dz0MDj5558mPSQ3ijCsW26twaZuI/s1600/IMG_5294_2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5aOC1-1yIcAPS0dJdDDeOHJNwBxrVi1xohPKmPz9g60B4Fcgn_JTFElTvuIbyAWa6TMWh2BBUHHUgSyU9klj-FcO71UzhMfof0oPTDf80nTkOq6dz0MDj5558mPSQ3ijCsW26twaZuI/s320/IMG_5294_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508861228221807378" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNQX6ZyZKpQpe_Xd3FM1LN0hnQ8xfM1_vc0sObjUjNPjkAfZ_5xQOaStks-wVMLm7yVp4BOMlQJ12ZJVa_InAVjkw999NNyGa4w2f_vGcOwIpIIouS8YkXtV-zdrAzyt1XkFdx3TDnO8/s1600/IMG_5290_2_2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNQX6ZyZKpQpe_Xd3FM1LN0hnQ8xfM1_vc0sObjUjNPjkAfZ_5xQOaStks-wVMLm7yVp4BOMlQJ12ZJVa_InAVjkw999NNyGa4w2f_vGcOwIpIIouS8YkXtV-zdrAzyt1XkFdx3TDnO8/s320/IMG_5290_2_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508861215821516050" border="0" /></a><br /></span>mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779152736436578401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3319021817038109149.post-56934688745394389132010-08-20T04:11:00.000-07:002010-08-20T07:52:19.061-07:00Building the uber-J. Part Twelve.<span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Metal fatigue.</span>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jjAg6vbi5oMVVm-H10hfSSz_64dkqlPp5p9sKJphbYXz9Dnb07X9Yj67iPXcFjOsowC238E7WGCkfHIWrskfDcc4P5n90XNDWw5evrKQydE6apn0AJ7Yt4scuLmWPTmWf-sW6QDQOfU/s1600/IMG_5269_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jjAg6vbi5oMVVm-H10hfSSz_64dkqlPp5p9sKJphbYXz9Dnb07X9Yj67iPXcFjOsowC238E7WGCkfHIWrskfDcc4P5n90XNDWw5evrKQydE6apn0AJ7Yt4scuLmWPTmWf-sW6QDQOfU/s320/IMG_5269_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507450672006469586" border="0" /></a>
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<br />Since my last update I have fixed a few details I wasn't too happy with or I felt deserved improvement. Namely, covers, screws, brass parts and cavities.
<br />The plate in the picture is now polished to a shine. Following leads and hunches I finally found someone who would engrave a line on it - not that easy due to the plate size. Kinda hard to photograph the entire line and keep it readable with reflections and all..... The complete line reads:
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<br />Uber-Jay n.1 Maurizio Caduto (my name) 2010. I like the ol' Auntie typeface
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi319SFqm1Wke4GHbOcqwrubMstPP1BSiAbNXaY7L8bRBchgXSsFWSMw-eiJ_pvWzvSrHDWomM8xVeUZMNytab-Avn-OYbYRztw7necoOJT9632d_6-h2GfS2XD0Yl5dvgC58fzH98194w/s1600/IMG_5265.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi319SFqm1Wke4GHbOcqwrubMstPP1BSiAbNXaY7L8bRBchgXSsFWSMw-eiJ_pvWzvSrHDWomM8xVeUZMNytab-Avn-OYbYRztw7necoOJT9632d_6-h2GfS2XD0Yl5dvgC58fzH98194w/s320/IMG_5265.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507451399837331298" border="0" /></a>Next up - small screws. I was frankly unhappy with what I had. They were too big and didn't look sexy. IMHO there is almost nothing in the Screws Universe that looks better than a Allen. So......
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<br />These are 2mm diameter stainless steel Allen with nut. I also have a 4mm alternative. As an alternative I also bought a brass nut. I'll decide when I see how either look on the finished wood.
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<br />The first set of neck screws turned out too long and I needed a replacement. Again, I decided to investigate the Allen alternative.
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<br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >All my Wal mount Allen screws at the neck - it's very cool! What I didn't know until recently is that the screw actually works together with a reverse thread nut that is inserted into the neck. Oh boy! I can own a Wal forever and I still discover something new. </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1OcajVwezhQsVvxDMMtKFCQIfrmY5bdVrzuhAlzyq8jJMs2i90aEuzOIVfTiDCUFoq3UEenGKi90hwKtgqppbKU9sHBS7sQ7s_aIOv_hfQZO1lkw6RkFZAo-IYfLYgloF6YC4aVKneg/s1600/IMG_5264.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1OcajVwezhQsVvxDMMtKFCQIfrmY5bdVrzuhAlzyq8jJMs2i90aEuzOIVfTiDCUFoq3UEenGKi90hwKtgqppbKU9sHBS7sQ7s_aIOv_hfQZO1lkw6RkFZAo-IYfLYgloF6YC4aVKneg/s320/IMG_5264.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507451394318245394" border="0" /></a>So Allen it is. I'll have the screws gold plated to match the ferrules. BTW a review and pictures of my <a href="http://bassaxe.blogspot.com/2010/01/review-his-majesty-wal.html">Mk1 fretless are available here.</a>
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<br />And since I was on a spree, I decided to have the string anchors made in brass as a possibly better alternative to aluminum - both aesthetically and functionally. What the heck!
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<br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >I have made a new truss-rod cover as the first carving wasn't tight enough. I want the cover to snap into position. So I did it again slightly bigger and while at that I found a piece that matches the HS grain almost perfectly.</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >
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<br />The brass plate in the picture is the cavity cover's back, which I kept to a brushed finish.
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Spray and sand, you slave!
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<br /></span></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqVudCbdDnPHMbyqaH0A2yZtUhPPl3XBFEvV4-wFNok5oNi8VKtyG7XlxjHtkghniBpgPxVqO6oFHff7yCmDHdmcJ5SyOpZJLYpfv4Ke1IvIGW3NZ2AjP2OqNtQpOSqJChlgj9-Cf9ok/s1600/IMG_5274_2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqVudCbdDnPHMbyqaH0A2yZtUhPPl3XBFEvV4-wFNok5oNi8VKtyG7XlxjHtkghniBpgPxVqO6oFHff7yCmDHdmcJ5SyOpZJLYpfv4Ke1IvIGW3NZ2AjP2OqNtQpOSqJChlgj9-Cf9ok/s320/IMG_5274_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507454197723170210" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >This is truly a chore and it has to be repeated enough times to either loose your mental sanity or get fully intoxicated - whichever comes first.
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<br />I don't own the equipment to spray so I used that of the workshop where I go when the machine required is too big or expensive, or when I need counsel - that is, every other day.
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<br />First round of spraying and sanding, 400 sand paper. Then spray again and leave it to dry overnight. I kinda like it. The color of the wood is coming out incredibly rich.
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<br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >Second </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >sanding round. 400 sand paper. </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >Then spray again and leave it to dry overnight. </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >I had to work a little harder on a few spots, where droplets had solidified - cheeky little bastards.</span>
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<br /><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >Third round of sanding. </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >400 sand paper. </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >Then spray again and leave it to dry overnight. I should hate it by now. </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >Instead, </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >I'm really digging it. It's so rewarding seeing the final look slowly surfacing.</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >
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<br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >It is far less rewarding having to fight all those droplets again. But at the least after the first session of sanding I'm not hitting the wood anymore. Learning with practice. Hell of a thing. </span>
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<br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwap68DE5X_ie3GoETRC2UGa03uZ6rojZ-yEqI6EKyAmeiEYJIT9bcvma32adn_rn8oV-dHoyX8W1U3uj1JPjNDhybMS3zTTPBkLKmMi8ZfuYZ8H_V8rcZbT4F99sUqogN8mDx3qdAsvQ/s1600/IMG_5275_2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 203px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwap68DE5X_ie3GoETRC2UGa03uZ6rojZ-yEqI6EKyAmeiEYJIT9bcvma32adn_rn8oV-dHoyX8W1U3uj1JPjNDhybMS3zTTPBkLKmMi8ZfuYZ8H_V8rcZbT4F99sUqogN8mDx3qdAsvQ/s320/IMG_5275_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507454205650773394" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqP9EZ3Yj59wjkOJCrk5u_dLXj666ftoJIN5OCaAqv8_ASeTbtbLWWdPjFRpTRabCoGVLvrysHkak1vNl3AhDI59yw_DR95ZK7nwGMlAAaDoGEMGxkTTWcNVq1FMUku9UjzIzDr1xsJQ/s1600/IMG_5278_2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqP9EZ3Yj59wjkOJCrk5u_dLXj666ftoJIN5OCaAqv8_ASeTbtbLWWdPjFRpTRabCoGVLvrysHkak1vNl3AhDI59yw_DR95ZK7nwGMlAAaDoGEMGxkTTWcNVq1FMUku9UjzIzDr1xsJQ/s320/IMG_5278_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507454215934921810" border="0" /></a></span>
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<br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3CSC7nASPeTp5HUIuLKTiZE4-l0yQ4AALPp2-OkbPVoO4XOLJeM9XrrdJrB08ik6bEi1LnlOCnob3qFK94nXxQn07PeC8aDOM26Q5Y1gFD1AUbGykPV5WvpOfQaclN8saeFuO_cjsLU/s1600/IMG_5281_2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 236px; height: 163px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3CSC7nASPeTp5HUIuLKTiZE4-l0yQ4AALPp2-OkbPVoO4XOLJeM9XrrdJrB08ik6bEi1LnlOCnob3qFK94nXxQn07PeC8aDOM26Q5Y1gFD1AUbGykPV5WvpOfQaclN8saeFuO_cjsLU/s320/IMG_5281_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507454231004876786" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">
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<br />And this is where I am at the moment. I can't wait to finish this. At the same time I am enjoying the whole process. Particularly, the fact that I am wrong more often than not about timing. Most sections are taking longer than anticipated. </span></span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAInM2tUzCNxrtkELgB7IlD8fAeyJGyR2uwq0ZgyfeTeqDWg5s2rOQROFVJkd9qw6MXaHTiFxpwkYakv1MLv25U3Wk694t96Hm9SPVy1IX_wVGb8S8IqhnnIlxxECrVuCbWFwjRgsjO2E/s1600/IMG_5287.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAInM2tUzCNxrtkELgB7IlD8fAeyJGyR2uwq0ZgyfeTeqDWg5s2rOQROFVJkd9qw6MXaHTiFxpwkYakv1MLv25U3Wk694t96Hm9SPVy1IX_wVGb8S8IqhnnIlxxECrVuCbWFwjRgsjO2E/s320/IMG_5287.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507493302044947858" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">I have now learned that it is due to a number of factors.
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<br />1. This is a prototype and as much as I know where I'm heading to, I'm leaving the door open to some degree of improvisation.
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<br />2. I am a bloody perfectionist and it takes me time to get what I want, the way i want it.
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<br />3. Trial and error is time consuming. 4. Next time I'll have every single item ready BEFORE start the build - down to the smallest screw.</span></span>
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<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbys4CHvy20BnNPPU4frC5tzbzG5-_3_yZzIgGqSPww672PLCmHOJckVi2T3JHa4UrzprqzkpxJBxHtR8ielUgOWObv7n32b_GmnWwnzSjv3ooN5S8xNvFlzSWCu9C2pCEeacEbKxfS8/s1600/IMG_5282_2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 403px; height: 325px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbys4CHvy20BnNPPU4frC5tzbzG5-_3_yZzIgGqSPww672PLCmHOJckVi2T3JHa4UrzprqzkpxJBxHtR8ielUgOWObv7n32b_GmnWwnzSjv3ooN5S8xNvFlzSWCu9C2pCEeacEbKxfS8/s320/IMG_5282_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507492599252736194" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">
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<br />The thing is, if I were very good I could only predict so much of what's gonna happen in a prototyping scenario. I ain't that good - yet. Go figure!
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">But I'm having the ride of my life and I am already savoring the moment the Uber-J II will hit the workbench.
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<br />I am going to take my sweet revenge on all those little mistakes and oddities that punctuated this first attempt.
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<br />I am gonna enjoy that. Slowly, just the way i like it ;) Until then</span><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></span>
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<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Thanks for reading
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<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >O(=<</span></span>
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<br /> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" ></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKDCv-Q1AqrIhnzL41pQyYlV1qrPTMA1fE701l4EBA5BhPkyKUXTn5eyYxi9j_jMqSD8657Zj-VmioNxNzWdxQvkbJZvwUnpU67qTm_GxDLSkBLoVzFnnPdOxYYrPBG7Z7xKNmiAV1tM/s1600/IMG_5283_2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 278px; height: 427px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKDCv-Q1AqrIhnzL41pQyYlV1qrPTMA1fE701l4EBA5BhPkyKUXTn5eyYxi9j_jMqSD8657Zj-VmioNxNzWdxQvkbJZvwUnpU67qTm_GxDLSkBLoVzFnnPdOxYYrPBG7Z7xKNmiAV1tM/s320/IMG_5283_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507492603363974114" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9mbcwTAgyLmKSpstaQvAr_-o7u9RXeH1ZjTNpjBmGJ1TSZMUO3jNzQcDLGTimzHlQapGbHElDJIZnq4LDdqmiiXHguaNciT3SY3k1P8r0bYMHmjrfz56sQsyTmZW29CI8NOh9HC9iK8/s1600/IMG_5284_2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 317px; height: 423px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9mbcwTAgyLmKSpstaQvAr_-o7u9RXeH1ZjTNpjBmGJ1TSZMUO3jNzQcDLGTimzHlQapGbHElDJIZnq4LDdqmiiXHguaNciT3SY3k1P8r0bYMHmjrfz56sQsyTmZW29CI8NOh9HC9iK8/s320/IMG_5284_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507492608593537154" border="0" /></a></span> mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779152736436578401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3319021817038109149.post-11909219650419598132010-08-04T08:38:00.000-07:002010-08-04T09:17:23.160-07:00Building the uber-J. Part Eleven.<span style="font-family: arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Bits and pieces.
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<br />Ok....so... a few things happened while I was absent from this blog and I've got quite a lot to cover so, here it goes....
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<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:85%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxPlbgfi7cNsGT70x2lqEDju5DZ80XbDYPOaOU2ZxMPh1AAKrcRIJbHmywxZBsarMkDiUKOOkh6rPDz-y8bMdAgtnSDxDdsgkEG5xNXCJAyiDR7rC-6-UksMunZ87P5GjrMtzX__34So/s1600/IMG_5244_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxPlbgfi7cNsGT70x2lqEDju5DZ80XbDYPOaOU2ZxMPh1AAKrcRIJbHmywxZBsarMkDiUKOOkh6rPDz-y8bMdAgtnSDxDdsgkEG5xNXCJAyiDR7rC-6-UksMunZ87P5GjrMtzX__34So/s320/IMG_5244_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501580859219100402" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">
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<br />Headstock ferrules - On the left is the one I made. On the right the one I bought. They are very similar. Only, the one I made is 1.5mm thinner and slightly smaller in diameter. Which works better since ferrule and anchor's size together must be smaller than the total HS thickness including about 4mm allowance for the screws.
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<br />I much prefer the look of brass to that of gold - it goes well with the brass nut too. BTW the nut will be slimmer and with less sharp angles than this - I'll do that when it's time to fix it to the neck.</span><span style="font-size:85%;">
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<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:85%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZTwzy6kZnkUQRi5knN4-vAOlayFu0l3rveW90f4wQUrOBLndSCpk6emboP0lZbxhYhsWXg8JRFM-TBT1G1XQmzWu6bQmKyWDKlSwJlGzvsyMfokwQtB5lr7Tw0Mfdj52LS8LruFpyJM/s1600/IMG_5249_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZTwzy6kZnkUQRi5knN4-vAOlayFu0l3rveW90f4wQUrOBLndSCpk6emboP0lZbxhYhsWXg8JRFM-TBT1G1XQmzWu6bQmKyWDKlSwJlGzvsyMfokwQtB5lr7Tw0Mfdj52LS8LruFpyJM/s320/IMG_5249_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501580876251959154" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I used this thing here to carve the ferrules. It's a cheep China-made drill press - which over here costs about $80. I can do most of what I need with it.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Everything else is pretty much done by hand. I hand sawed the part from the rod - thicker than I needed coz the cut was bound to be irregular.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">On a block of scrape wood I drilled a cavity exactly the size I wanted the final brass part to be (thickness and diameter). With the rough brass sticking out of the cavity I shaved off the excess metal on both sides and end up with a flat, leveled top and bottom. That is crucial to drill straight through the center.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I drilled the hole first, then the beveled part - which was made with the bit you see in the picture. Finally with sandpaper and steel wool I shaved off tiny irregularities and sharp edges.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Once I figured out how to go about with it it took me about 20 min each. Maybe the next batch will take me less if I don't screw up too much</span>
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<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9Klh2DjqliGSqJDXZQpOjl9smRlvCdC8Lrggma3PQvCDU8kfkKzHfuCJuFAqfzSDSAqcFDDm1tFh8ld96XzFRu0Ki2DHnSyWzk-YG1lkasr1CgWnNAUmPmqO6LmP1PDZivAl23GBkEg/s1600/IMG_5245_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9Klh2DjqliGSqJDXZQpOjl9smRlvCdC8Lrggma3PQvCDU8kfkKzHfuCJuFAqfzSDSAqcFDDm1tFh8ld96XzFRu0Ki2DHnSyWzk-YG1lkasr1CgWnNAUmPmqO6LmP1PDZivAl23GBkEg/s320/IMG_5245_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501586448683466466" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I made this t-rod cover in Macassar Ebony, trying to match the grain. Eventually I will route a shallow recess on the headstock for the cover to sit into.</span>
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<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:85%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAmYzCOwzzxyXIa5s8O8VMAxFTR5CAb5BIB_Lz3GOIEtlUpUfmhHfBpKf1EhoLZqzjHbAcVogTRF1Q6eRe3RzCNE4UcLxNZrc8pF0B8L3_dkcG7j6hW2A5iyQDRUKcfF5J6L1TsQReN8/s1600/IMG_5255_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 362px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAmYzCOwzzxyXIa5s8O8VMAxFTR5CAb5BIB_Lz3GOIEtlUpUfmhHfBpKf1EhoLZqzjHbAcVogTRF1Q6eRe3RzCNE4UcLxNZrc8pF0B8L3_dkcG7j6hW2A5iyQDRUKcfF5J6L1TsQReN8/s320/IMG_5255_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501580880610718050" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I've drilled the headstock cavities. The ferrules are flush with the wood. Right now are only sitting there for picture purpose ;) I just luuuuuv it!</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The little MOP inlay is a symbol I have used for years to sign off my emails.... O(=<</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> ....... To me it looks like a bass. And it just so happens that my fellow musicians call me Mr. Bassman......yeah.....and this symbol does look like a man when you turn it 90ºCW.... so Bass- man. Perfect! :) ( some say it looks like a mairmaid......or in the position of the picture it reads Vivo...which is Italian for Alive......OK...enough meanings!
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<br />The name Uber-J will likely be engraved on the t-rod cover.</span>
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<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:85%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCoOjZxHEuQGegIUf4ZVe13eXJQomkJU7DNbwao3dH6b26fns2XujLtmeW11n102bNCQmPp9dYFxN0FtrAuxpSzy-j02Bq08nJshzaRtb_9Nt724Xx9OnrZEG8XDL0CeP1uarre_qco24/s1600/IMG_5258_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCoOjZxHEuQGegIUf4ZVe13eXJQomkJU7DNbwao3dH6b26fns2XujLtmeW11n102bNCQmPp9dYFxN0FtrAuxpSzy-j02Bq08nJshzaRtb_9Nt724Xx9OnrZEG8XDL0CeP1uarre_qco24/s320/IMG_5258_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501581090018152162" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The elec. cavity is done. I must confess I'm not 100% pleased with it - never work when you're in a hurry.... well... it will be fine after some more routing and sanding.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> I routed a jack recess to try and achieve a few goals. 1. jack doesn't stick out. 2. jack points upward to facilitate inserting cable behind strap 3. in case the cable is not secured to the strap it won't be disconnected accidentally. We'll see if that works pretty soon. ;)</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I won't be able to spray until next week. So, this next few days I'll finish the cavity; cut the cover - brass or M Ebony.... mm...brass, I think; route the recess for the t-rod cover; insert the side dots....make the slot for the nut.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> Before spraying I will assemble every part - p-ups and el. excluded - and string it to double check that everything is right. </span>
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;"> I will also test a few positions for the strap locks, just to make sure the bass is both well balanced and the 22nd fret positioned where I like it - clear of the thumb, that is. </span>
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">till next update ;)</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family: arial;">O(=<</span>
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<br /></span> mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779152736436578401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3319021817038109149.post-38698325914460317332010-07-23T20:46:00.000-07:002010-07-26T18:04:58.243-07:00Wood and p-ups. Never ending story.<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Is wood or p-ups responsible for a bass's sound?</span></span>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0gt5cYBxboYXqZssNWW7MnTR0HMqBk3ZyxkqPJYN_4JuqSUcy94UZsFtGqSSzaBw7lHbbBZgwqpT9RiYp581Vy2ERYj1n-X23l4VI-711nzVqA2PiI7w0lUbwnCuYOxG7tjPKZHKyWo/s1600/a_jackson_06.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 96px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0gt5cYBxboYXqZssNWW7MnTR0HMqBk3ZyxkqPJYN_4JuqSUcy94UZsFtGqSSzaBw7lHbbBZgwqpT9RiYp581Vy2ERYj1n-X23l4VI-711nzVqA2PiI7w0lUbwnCuYOxG7tjPKZHKyWo/s320/a_jackson_06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497689870055115490" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrzSKbWoLe2tOYclJfPQNDhXW5yurix3Fih-z81j81PZA_1FgKH5d8HknCexe73xx1g8NXKOwhSrtcgaudZ5jaHe6-stxzm6nbIfwezO7xXNqJUYc0SQrQVZmaR373MaRHu3Hk19rONs/s1600/5_BO_Buck2_back.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 116px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrzSKbWoLe2tOYclJfPQNDhXW5yurix3Fih-z81j81PZA_1FgKH5d8HknCexe73xx1g8NXKOwhSrtcgaudZ5jaHe6-stxzm6nbIfwezO7xXNqJUYc0SQrQVZmaR373MaRHu3Hk19rONs/s320/5_BO_Buck2_back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497689867250628850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Frankly we are all tired of hearing this question and the ensuing verbal fight. But I keep on bumping in it in one form or another.
<br />I've steered clear from it until now, as it produces more foes than friends. But maybe I've been a coward. So, lets engage.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">
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<br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">As it is formulated, it's as pointless a Q as it is impossible to answer to. Even if The One Answer did exist, it would be of little help in building a superior bass.
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<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">For argument sake, let's forget that wood's influence on tone in electric basses is</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> minimal compared to acoustic instruments</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> and say that Tone is in the woods. So what? Are we going to choose the best sounding woods - which is what top makers do anyway - and screw the rest? No, right?</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">
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<br />So, it's in the electronics. Sure, lets get the cream of the electronics crop then. I've got an old frying pan sitting there, kiln-dried to perfection for the body.
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<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">No? </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">OK then, so it is a pointless Q because whatever A we get will be basically useless.
<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVP6fxOZ8HS8MX2Zo1hcITOVkmx4ghYlQ9p0YmWB5nlFdK9TB2CrOBz01IvK789CJlf4JZx86ilan9bQqnVzubw_qnO88_RzWF6FMoSDu7bFN00bATjsUPDa_49qQJGwUSskwK-UggRc/s1600/mtd_535_fredless_redwood.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 109px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVP6fxOZ8HS8MX2Zo1hcITOVkmx4ghYlQ9p0YmWB5nlFdK9TB2CrOBz01IvK789CJlf4JZx86ilan9bQqnVzubw_qnO88_RzWF6FMoSDu7bFN00bATjsUPDa_49qQJGwUSskwK-UggRc/s320/mtd_535_fredless_redwood.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497693085507901058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">And it is an impossible Q because it is far too generic. Is Manchester United a stronger team than AC Milan? Wanna fight? Is Ferrari a better car than Lamborghini? You and me, outside, now!
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<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> We would have to agree - as we usually end up doing when exhausted enough - that wood and pick-ups are only two of the many components linked in a chain reaction - and we're back to square one.
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<br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">But if MU beats AC M hands down, then asking 'Why did this happen this time around?' might take AC M to recognize mistakes and change strategy for the next match.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Try this for a change - What do truly great basses have in common? </span>
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<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Is it the wood? Yes, but a Steinberger, Basslab, Status, Modulus and Moses would prove that wrong.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Then it's the p-ups. Yes. But a cheep bass mounting Alembic p-ups and electronics will never quite sound like an Alembic.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">
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<br />Hardware then? Yes. But what exactly. A Furlanetto sounds like a Furlanetto with either brass or wood bridge/nut.</span>
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<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8_CHDXFf40FI9C6vtaSZxrWnOzPQjl6PMrShmvwg5UAKYoVOqGNySWOijjb-QTsOy_f9AFZLHtfRfhHqbQlbOsO6j15TnNGv5dxYlRl7zO34hqG7oHsdPX0w6_n6f0Yk-tAcjnPdVsg/s1600/ws_bd_myrtleL.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 219px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8_CHDXFf40FI9C6vtaSZxrWnOzPQjl6PMrShmvwg5UAKYoVOqGNySWOijjb-QTsOy_f9AFZLHtfRfhHqbQlbOsO6j15TnNGv5dxYlRl7zO34hqG7oHsdPX0w6_n6f0Yk-tAcjnPdVsg/s320/ws_bd_myrtleL.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497689846330090242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Alembic, Sadowsky, Status, Wal and others use own proprietary electronics.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">MTD, Steinberger, Fodera and others use p-ups and electronics custom-made for them by top makers. So there is no apparent consistency here either.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">
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<br />What is then the common denominator across great basses?</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> <span style="font-family:arial;">
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<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rTlCg65oEJzz40haimHv6dpjM_BSgjs0-wRMm382hV_YSqd7TmpWZsWrJNszQwyG7BhVKl9eWRdTT4AO5n-i89FxjLSOGoZIRA2bylRbcRH8AkMPmyKp5XKsEcQCvFWll1OcQ25l8iQ/s1600/0707-body-back.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rTlCg65oEJzz40haimHv6dpjM_BSgjs0-wRMm382hV_YSqd7TmpWZsWrJNszQwyG7BhVKl9eWRdTT4AO5n-i89FxjLSOGoZIRA2bylRbcRH8AkMPmyKp5XKsEcQCvFWll1OcQ25l8iQ/s320/0707-body-back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497693092358754418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Here's my personal experience. When I lift a great bass I know it with my eyes closed. I instantly feel its stiffness and can almost hear its voice under my fingers.
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<br />I lift up a so and so bass and can only feel the weight of parts assembled together.</span>
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<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Great woods assembled with so and so built quality will still sound crap</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">. Yet </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">a top bass sound great even unplugged</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;">.<span style="font-family:arial;">
<br />Whether a bass is made of wood, graphite, metal, stone or kryptonite is quite irrelevant to me. I choose between graphite and wood depending on music style and/or mood of the day.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">
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<br />But stiffness is everything. Every great bass I have played is stiff, whatever the building style.</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> Be it a neck through, bolt on, set neck one thing they have in common is that you can't feel the individual parts. The bass feels like one.</span><span style="font-family:arial;">
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<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoEG3_aoszuPLYm-uh_h47r_WE3_3_UTryrJ-z-abhM2e023wU2np06_Q_oFBpF7FfBE9KmNGG3-UxTZa5L60LW2PMRDOVikTIQy_dil8qiv71hnt7QlOLrM7V3tQcrIO4sWTsk_r7BU/s1600/wal+up+bk0001.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoEG3_aoszuPLYm-uh_h47r_WE3_3_UTryrJ-z-abhM2e023wU2np06_Q_oFBpF7FfBE9KmNGG3-UxTZa5L60LW2PMRDOVikTIQy_dil8qiv71hnt7QlOLrM7V3tQcrIO4sWTsk_r7BU/s320/wal+up+bk0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497693101340459650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Of course great el/p-u/hw will make a so and so bass sound better. </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">But more to the point, the same parts will sound helluvalot better on a bass built the way a great bass should be.
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<br />And that to me should end the wood vs. p-ups argument. However there is a more interesting angle to it. Once construction becomes the cornerstone of great basses, then everything else take a different meaning.
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<br />Because it all becomes product of a Vision - of unique sound, playability, look and feel. Which is to me a lot more interesting and insightful than finding the silver bullet. Players are interested in great basses with great personality. No one want the Perfect One - if the is such a thing.
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<br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">Some makers believe in wood tone. They keep electronics, p-ups and hardware the same for every build.</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> Then they experiment with woods. Whichever bass they make will share the same voice. But you'll be able to appreciate subtle differences due to wood choice. It's a wonderful thing. Try a few MTD.
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<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Some others will sound almost the same regardless of woods choice.</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">An Alembic always sounds like an Alembic and so does a Wal or a Status.</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> And God bless them for that.
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<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0TrNwdieN9ADIsKECcSdhn79zucJRwEfM3OJnpivMdgjohQg39OrV-FewoGrID43xto2HtgQ7afeEFxxbNWE6Pxi4RSmyvPnzgKFxnqtS0y6i8mq1qM2umukjOa_jfasygJsfv71mZ8/s1600/DCG3bodysm_medium.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0TrNwdieN9ADIsKECcSdhn79zucJRwEfM3OJnpivMdgjohQg39OrV-FewoGrID43xto2HtgQ7afeEFxxbNWE6Pxi4RSmyvPnzgKFxnqtS0y6i8mq1qM2umukjOa_jfasygJsfv71mZ8/s320/DCG3bodysm_medium.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497693080017779410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">In either cases, that's the Brand's Voice.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">
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<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">To this point, some time ago I watched a very interesting experiment on UK TV. A guy claimed he could tell a bass only by listening to it.
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<br />So there he was, blindfolded and with a dozen basses behind him. One by one the instruments were played by Mr. Mark King, no less. Heck, the guy nailed them </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">all!</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Which goes to prove that great basses have each a unique voice. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">
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<br />Stiffness is the foundation of it. Each maker achieves it in the way that is more akin to his nature and craft. He then blends in p-ups, electronics and hardware to perfect his unique vision.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">
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<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DFRLHUUbEpa7emod9FHyfMxaVEPHc_eatwYTbIE7lFRlDjAr9cG2MHj9UjhvKZM9jwVQsdtYs7NoMpkYC9-rUzqiIJpzOGyXCyCsbAHAmquOX6eWzP8Z0LxWyYeNvr3kpdqSKos_qoE/s1600/DSC_4914.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DFRLHUUbEpa7emod9FHyfMxaVEPHc_eatwYTbIE7lFRlDjAr9cG2MHj9UjhvKZM9jwVQsdtYs7NoMpkYC9-rUzqiIJpzOGyXCyCsbAHAmquOX6eWzP8Z0LxWyYeNvr3kpdqSKos_qoE/s320/DSC_4914.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497689848395755378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Different vision = </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Different tone.
<br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">Which </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">is why there is no universally acceptable A to the Wood vs P-ups Q. And nothing to learn from it.</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">
<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">I might still not know how to build an Alembic. But I sure as hell know which way to look to build my very own.
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<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">There. I said it.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">O(=<</span></span>
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<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaz-eAGV3sh740pjXIDjYW-fpIRtGq5BBbRYQ0YBKxOrgs-0bHChwTa8ZrJgq78SAneZMmyOMJVuvFDb8PmGqJDJYmqrOcIAtsfyDD_gGicVyQ_9-xs_gsPj1seofAWJtjsAUO80T7CU/s1600/73102body.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaz-eAGV3sh740pjXIDjYW-fpIRtGq5BBbRYQ0YBKxOrgs-0bHChwTa8ZrJgq78SAneZMmyOMJVuvFDb8PmGqJDJYmqrOcIAtsfyDD_gGicVyQ_9-xs_gsPj1seofAWJtjsAUO80T7CU/s320/73102body.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497689858557237698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXB-7rbF1H5Tpq22I7oDv57B7sUxVuA9MeJK6dtvFDCyudBP50wIbXE3OjCdVg5TCT0LVkqpmgTwKlVKPZB9ZzDu9y4XIO8fAYD4j02CaNrUJvITlRWQSlBO2G32rry1zUfdxtb4wn_s/s1600/4136_body.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 188px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXB-7rbF1H5Tpq22I7oDv57B7sUxVuA9MeJK6dtvFDCyudBP50wIbXE3OjCdVg5TCT0LVkqpmgTwKlVKPZB9ZzDu9y4XIO8fAYD4j02CaNrUJvITlRWQSlBO2G32rry1zUfdxtb4wn_s/s320/4136_body.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497693095770618178" border="0" /></a>
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<br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </span>mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779152736436578401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3319021817038109149.post-88938554186419365222010-07-22T09:28:00.000-07:002010-07-22T09:47:41.653-07:00Building the uber-J. Part Ten.<span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">The hardware. Hard indeed.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqPd6ey_YrECGSX1JFJlwb31vluCyCXoOQWoRUg1RSeNKuv5wdXP4aulsjSEK0bxvP01v6L01Se1kk9s39blDFlaa9vhuLL6PopOct9DM_JNqRQD7rZamf8FvP7pOAi6Gc_hL53h9WL8/s1600/IMG_5241_2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqPd6ey_YrECGSX1JFJlwb31vluCyCXoOQWoRUg1RSeNKuv5wdXP4aulsjSEK0bxvP01v6L01Se1kk9s39blDFlaa9vhuLL6PopOct9DM_JNqRQD7rZamf8FvP7pOAi6Gc_hL53h9WL8/s320/IMG_5241_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496769615997591362" border="0" /></a>Today was Brass Day. I had to drive around for half a day though some shady neighborhoods to find a brass plate of the right size for the cavity cover and a rod to make the nut.<br /><br />I finally found what I wanted and while I was there that little demon in me decided to also buy a rounded rod to make the headstock parts. Not sure it'll work but I'll give it a try.<br /><br />Hope you like my porch ceiling too.....<br /><br />Then I had to clean up the plate. I wish I had taken a picture first. That thing was oh-soooo dirty, scratched and stained with glue and tape...But it was the only piece they had in the right size. Those guys sell by the yard probably and I was more than happy to walk away with the only reasonably sized left over they had...scratches and all.<br />It took me about one hour to send it by hand with sandpaper up to 1200 and steel wool.<br />It's 60X45cm and .7mm thick. I should be able to cut about six to nine covers from this one<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDDwgOmJJYd6yI5tXItCKUorjaGsTpSL4eHS5xkYNnELSHQLC5BYGpOoJGpZGBj_r0ei0sYjCItLC-ktbW9uu_5S07WENc4l6iEgIq1j8aop81DgIzixiIW0EZp2ucA8cwuEGt9XjlGM/s1600/IMG_5242_2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDDwgOmJJYd6yI5tXItCKUorjaGsTpSL4eHS5xkYNnELSHQLC5BYGpOoJGpZGBj_r0ei0sYjCItLC-ktbW9uu_5S07WENc4l6iEgIq1j8aop81DgIzixiIW0EZp2ucA8cwuEGt9XjlGM/s320/IMG_5242_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496769621667560978" border="0" /></a>Here are the two rods....ops...a scratch.......<br />I'm probably going to cut a few nuts at once.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6EW6FGt3HYGGaFGwqqrbp2JL1vzEUWWqcUEkLEO6eLh6PCBEypTxMY8iaNE3npUc0THP1RCNBKoS_aJtTBNrRe7zQcCbMBz6nBCv3AcSVJ6SEPPHXefuDClroYgqVqOVfaGwwhVdLGc/s1600/IMG_5243_2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 430px; height: 322px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6EW6FGt3HYGGaFGwqqrbp2JL1vzEUWWqcUEkLEO6eLh6PCBEypTxMY8iaNE3npUc0THP1RCNBKoS_aJtTBNrRe7zQcCbMBz6nBCv3AcSVJ6SEPPHXefuDClroYgqVqOVfaGwwhVdLGc/s320/IMG_5243_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496769629898521106" border="0" /></a>Here is a picture of all parts that I'm going to use on this project - except for the tuner-bridge which was in the previous pictures.<br /><br />The two p-ups are J Bartolini 4x.<br /><br />The Eq is an [sfx] Ultra-Tone. It was designed and assembled by my friend and electronics wizard Max of [sfx] fame (UK based company. Check out the web site<a href="http://www.sfxsound.co.uk/mainpage.asp?page=home"> here</a>. Some cool stuff!).<br /><br />I had a Preamp with DI designed and built by him some time ago and i am very happy with it. I told him that I was looking for an Eq for this project and I wanted one tone only but active and with a twist. He came up with this.<br />Basically by turning the knob cw or ccw the frequency shifts from very deep tones to piercing trebles. The Eq sports also 2 switches for a 50% mid freq cut or boost. Sounds interesting doesn't it? can't wait to hear it!!<br /><br />I am going gold all the way... security locks, bridge, ferrules for the headstock, p-ups screws and the six neck screws. Brass plate and brass nut.<br /><br />O(=< </span>mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779152736436578401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3319021817038109149.post-46084640579092288472010-07-21T05:49:00.000-07:002010-07-21T06:32:16.717-07:00A Tobias is a Tobias is a Tobias. Or, is it?<span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFzMJf3ulr-5V6o5NcOVj6wkHWncrnEtQWo7go1GVY5dm8I3zrzUZuNSQCRkP5kHQS-8bUIdPJopC5USHBo3zVpOJzsNlVBUDxsIylXnFuyEfYRjrXNdk59UwoTtKnzS0Yr2o6VwcCwA/s1600/killer5+back+neck.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 161px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFzMJf3ulr-5V6o5NcOVj6wkHWncrnEtQWo7go1GVY5dm8I3zrzUZuNSQCRkP5kHQS-8bUIdPJopC5USHBo3zVpOJzsNlVBUDxsIylXnFuyEfYRjrXNdk59UwoTtKnzS0Yr2o6VwcCwA/s320/killer5+back+neck.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496342090232767954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">I own an old Killer B. In fact, it's one of the last few built by M. Tobias himself and the original team before Gibson took over production. Pictures and a review are available </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://bassaxe.blogspot.com/2010/01/tobias-bass-killer-b-pre-gibson-5.html">here.</a>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I have come to know this bass inside out, especially from the building angle. I can almost feel the line of thoughts that generated every detail. It is a true masterpiece in his own right - even though it was never meant to be in the league (price-wise) of Alembic and Co.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I have never really bothered checking out what a Gibson made Killer B would feel and sound like, even though I have read countless debates about the topic.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I went to London for work recently. During a day off I was wandering around looking for good basses when I stumbled upon a Gibson made Killer B and I gave it a go.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I must say, there is no arguing anymore as far as I am concerned. This new Tobias was no even the shadow of the original bass.
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<br />I usually get the first feeling just by lifting up the bass. Its weight, the feel of the wood under my fingers... these are for me almost definitive clues.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">This new KB felt light, almost inconspicuous, the neck wood lacking that silky feel that makes my Tobias such a pleasure to hold. The Maple neck looked too plain, without anything special to it. It didn't look like a wood that was carefully chosen to match the others or just a beautiful piece in its own right. And so did the body. Incidentally the bass sported exactly the same wood combination as mine - Swamp Ash body, Maple/Purplehearth laminated neck (although I think the new one had a M/Bubinga lam neck) and Pau Ferro fingerboard. Thus the comparison was all the more striking.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I must confess, the feeling was so off putting I didn't even plug it in. It wasn't worth it to me, really. A bass has to feel right first.</span>
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<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUchRGAAEgmlqiHi0cP82msHBwXXo8EgNJKTRbL4mW_57yl-qeHRl8Er5K1gUSD_-8kQbrIygGS0eWLKkMRFb1TyQ5NU4ljInFeVQ0rujCf8yVti307ImyNUkSQkmmgsDFKsSLgykkY0/s1600/killer5.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 146px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUchRGAAEgmlqiHi0cP82msHBwXXo8EgNJKTRbL4mW_57yl-qeHRl8Er5K1gUSD_-8kQbrIygGS0eWLKkMRFb1TyQ5NU4ljInFeVQ0rujCf8yVti307ImyNUkSQkmmgsDFKsSLgykkY0/s320/killer5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496351705379995058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Now, I don't mean that it wasn't a decent instrument - perhaps even a pretty good one... if the price was right, that is. I am simply looking at it as the heir of a much loved bass. As such, the new production failed me miserably. </span>
<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Of course, it might be me a bit too fussy? Of course, it might have been just a very unlucky encounter with a lower grade run away bass...yeah...what are the odds...</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">But the bottom line remains the same: one feels hand made, the other machine-made. Enough for me. </span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Love & Peace & Groove.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">O(=<</span>
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<br /></span>mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779152736436578401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3319021817038109149.post-40930501743012047782010-07-15T04:34:00.000-07:002010-12-04T05:01:21.151-08:00Building the uber-J. Part Nine.<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >The Uber side of the Jay.
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<br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUr7HDvzSSVyTZOInUmTVHbhn2yIobyISEZ5OhoAFUCGUU28J6aFsCEwcrLZNnGXycmO_-nF0UYn5kWkAWDHFa5DiDZ9717l3hnOMCuN05BI85jJl0G0SvcaPb22RSJUXYrL1bxzxfiBc/s1600/IMG_5239_2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUr7HDvzSSVyTZOInUmTVHbhn2yIobyISEZ5OhoAFUCGUU28J6aFsCEwcrLZNnGXycmO_-nF0UYn5kWkAWDHFa5DiDZ9717l3hnOMCuN05BI85jJl0G0SvcaPb22RSJUXYrL1bxzxfiBc/s320/IMG_5239_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494091042844857490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Here we are. This is were the whole project makes its biggest departure from its model.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> The Uber-Jay is going to be a headless cum headstock bass.</span>
<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The tuners will be at the bridge while the headstock is going to act as strings retainer. The reasons for this are many. I have elaborated on them in my post </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://bassaxe.blogspot.com/2010/04/headless-conundrum.html">The Headless Conundrum</a><span style="font-family:arial;">.
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<br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">I'll just sum it up here by saying that the headless system is in my opinion much more reliable, clean and efficient than the traditional one. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Having played for long time both type of basses side by side on stage I am convinced that the headless system works best for me.
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<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">The flip side is mainly an aesthetic one. The look of the Fender Jazz cannot survive without a headstock. Now that would be a serious blasphemy in my world. So I decided that the right thing to do was to preserve the headstock and design a device which would allow me to anchor the strings there.
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<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">It is very simple, and rear mounted. The strings will go through the headstock and a Allen screw will lock them in place. The part is buried inside the back of the headstock, flush with the wood, virtually invisible except for a 15mm disk. The aluminum makes it feather light.
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<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhGZhkOeJ5fU6m1OcCe7ik8KLkwp8QToCqYARmCV6CERgPzHQl4eGBPiZ-bWURTkWGTXEGqfRq5R6nmfnElzYEjDkAGl1xwNqAH4-oIC5RVv5X8_j5fVEg4q6jK8weGXRcPxKECWLJt8/s1600/IMG_5232_2_2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhGZhkOeJ5fU6m1OcCe7ik8KLkwp8QToCqYARmCV6CERgPzHQl4eGBPiZ-bWURTkWGTXEGqfRq5R6nmfnElzYEjDkAGl1xwNqAH4-oIC5RVv5X8_j5fVEg4q6jK8weGXRcPxKECWLJt8/s320/IMG_5232_2_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494102175473749458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Two little screws hold the piece but the stability is mainly given by it being inside the wood and by the string's tension itself. The small channel allows for comfortable tuning with a small Allen key. I already know I'll do this differently on the next Uber-Jay. Not that I don't like it but I can see an even less intrusive way of doing that. Well, this isn't a prototype for nothing after all.</span>
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<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">To test the system's reliability and look for flaws I have mounted the parts on a hard wood blank with a tuner-bridge at the opposite end of a 34” scale. I have tuned both my broom-bass and one of my other basses – a Tobias – and kept them on the same stand in the same room. I have not played the Tobias nor have I touched the broom-bass for sixty days.
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<br />When I finally checked the two sets of strings the broom bass was still perfectly in tune while the Tobias needed some adjustment. To be fair, the broom's G was slightly down. But that was due to the fact that the thin .30 string had slightly dented into the wood – which shouldn't happen with Ebony or metal.</span>
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">The bridge is an ABM. Very well machined and flawlessly finished. The shallow recess on the body was needed to align the bridge to a lower fingerboard level. You might remember me writing that the distance between the body and the top of the fingerboard will be much lower than usual for a total string/body distance of 5mm.</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">
<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6T40jpiXQLyms8cU6AybDGtaB-DonTSkk3N_zssPLELTWA85NpcpXPyWabvKC0vX4TP_HyEwLkttRec4sjRyB9PZaDXBATvsHj4DM8q03TgfUZwZgAPdo2tupqYRtq0zcuPAj2lNtLlU/s1600/IMG_5233_2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6T40jpiXQLyms8cU6AybDGtaB-DonTSkk3N_zssPLELTWA85NpcpXPyWabvKC0vX4TP_HyEwLkttRec4sjRyB9PZaDXBATvsHj4DM8q03TgfUZwZgAPdo2tupqYRtq0zcuPAj2lNtLlU/s320/IMG_5233_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494102178689837986" border="0" /></a>
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<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8o5PAgPmnBv9cSRqqtwDULf_0h-HGreHVk7Jaj-n7wyUsiPVbK3duc3TG3sjPyRBT0sQou6q8QZsVJrdsFRqEJ2BkqkNKdLONKqCc0xZOd9z5VjDHMAF_mCvvjLe72IK-dShhr-6Zrg/s1600/IMG_5236_2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8o5PAgPmnBv9cSRqqtwDULf_0h-HGreHVk7Jaj-n7wyUsiPVbK3duc3TG3sjPyRBT0sQou6q8QZsVJrdsFRqEJ2BkqkNKdLONKqCc0xZOd9z5VjDHMAF_mCvvjLe72IK-dShhr-6Zrg/s320/IMG_5236_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494090646524164626" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">One more feature I always felt uncomfortable with on headless basses – aesthetically speaking – is the cut at the bottom of the body, where the tuners are. It surely makes them reachable. But it is also an important design feature. The fact that it look great on the Steinberger doesn't mean that it will always look just as good on traditional looking basses.</span>
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<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBp-GuVwN9kG-_Bg72mIY_EcBXhBhxokY4fCkhDvpOFAvQ2hyphenhyphenZVUR-sAaBcudpX8SH-Hz_STaOFYbQje9ezaaYEu40s5qOVhI9Dz5WmHvPfw3b8F7dz5ij7l8eh58fF7eqscdCm_nRC0k/s1600/IMG_5235_2_2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBp-GuVwN9kG-_Bg72mIY_EcBXhBhxokY4fCkhDvpOFAvQ2hyphenhyphenZVUR-sAaBcudpX8SH-Hz_STaOFYbQje9ezaaYEu40s5qOVhI9Dz5WmHvPfw3b8F7dz5ij7l8eh58fF7eqscdCm_nRC0k/s320/IMG_5235_2_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494102181124122690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Anyway, I have carved a recess that allows to operate the tuners while preserving the shape of the body. It also gives top and core woods the opportunity to contrast. This bass is fairly basic in that only core wood and top wood will contrast. But it should work very well with top/veneer/core/veneer/back and with laminated neck through.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Thanks for reading.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">O(=<</span>
<br /></span>mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779152736436578401noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3319021817038109149.post-73193724023842636742010-07-08T03:36:00.000-07:002010-07-21T05:30:34.883-07:00Building the uber-J. Part Eight.<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >It's all in the head. And in the neck.
<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1KNYuEdlfk_omFAHd2MdQIXKk2noNHjcKukY0k5I_sVMBpZ_GDGZt6Behso4P752sO6GgxzoKRD9Qb5PBn-PBcKVjQHQrd-aEXpRNNE5DHM101JX2lsJazvqU4K8-B7bpsHqK30h6q8/s1600/IMG_5225.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1KNYuEdlfk_omFAHd2MdQIXKk2noNHjcKukY0k5I_sVMBpZ_GDGZt6Behso4P752sO6GgxzoKRD9Qb5PBn-PBcKVjQHQrd-aEXpRNNE5DHM101JX2lsJazvqU4K8-B7bpsHqK30h6q8/s320/IMG_5225.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491491465186420690" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >The last eight days were</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> spent mainly working on the neck and headstock. Granted, I managed to slot in a few days idling by the beach. But I think I deserve that, after two months in cold London/Prague/Paris/Milan. Late spring my ass.</span></span>
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<br />The neck is really hard work. Sand, check, re-sand, re-check. Repeat till you're done. Take a closer look. Repeat all of the above. Avoid taking another look if it's dinner time.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">It is a great pleasure seeing it come to life under your fingers and blisters. I so understand those who do this as a full time job. I kinda start seeing my retirement plan here.
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<br />Anyway, I wanted the neck to be thin but not flat in the center - a thin D shape. The lower part from the 7th fret to the end is slightly more tapered than the upper part - akin to that of my old Tobias. Not so noticeable, though.
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<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">After testing the position of the neck scarf a few times I found it a little too low. To be exact it was below the center line of the 1rst fret. Now it's a little above that and it feels just right.</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> <span style="font-family:arial;">The smooth feel of the ebony under my thumb is phenomenal - and I haven't used any fine sanding paper as yet. I just love this wood. It should be made mandatory for sheer thumb ecstasy.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">
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<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeWDpIO1f42_0yW8ew4jYr1buv-Xm2RtaV7q9VRynpklveBLT0ofoMvoLXvsmJx_IW_bwHPYWyJQPzmUmzl9k6NrX9fhzFrm_npVrwtHhUKHApPKDGzYKAsTvRVbGg9CRrZmBFghtLHI/s1600/IMG_5222.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeWDpIO1f42_0yW8ew4jYr1buv-Xm2RtaV7q9VRynpklveBLT0ofoMvoLXvsmJx_IW_bwHPYWyJQPzmUmzl9k6NrX9fhzFrm_npVrwtHhUKHApPKDGzYKAsTvRVbGg9CRrZmBFghtLHI/s320/IMG_5222.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491491457715797010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">I have devoted yet another day to the headstock. In the overall economy of the project it seems like I'm lingering on it way much. But I am so very happy with the result! I'll do the final touch ups next. There I go again...
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<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Some more time was spent shaping the neck pocket and heel. It still felt a little too big. </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">I don't rule out more touch ups.
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<br />I know, I know... it should all be decided beforehand, on a locked down master plan.</span></span> <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">And it is. Almost. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Sure enough the next Uber-Jay will be exactly the same. Almost ;)</span></span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">To me doing this is an ongoing creative process. </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">I won't change my mind on the overall direction. Only, the deal I made with myself does account for few digressions.</span></span>
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<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEom-aC7uPBcxLCk1JeoGGEHVnN8Xnz9TaVzqeG9P631mhiu3nKmx1vMVwIJ0AjZIP8rMO4kUrFVfU-lwRywUcxd1ybTb1qIVa0E7IIUdPqHoEjWGh4Qvb_iaZ8ulePnPyhT6MRLxHEow/s1600/IMG_5227.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEom-aC7uPBcxLCk1JeoGGEHVnN8Xnz9TaVzqeG9P631mhiu3nKmx1vMVwIJ0AjZIP8rMO4kUrFVfU-lwRywUcxd1ybTb1qIVa0E7IIUdPqHoEjWGh4Qvb_iaZ8ulePnPyhT6MRLxHEow/s320/IMG_5227.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491491470097062802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">OK, I'm digressing. </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Where was I?...the body. I dedicated one full day to sanding the body back and giving the lower horn a sharper, more defined line.
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<br />Hopefully, the pictures below will do justice to the grain and texture of this Asian wood. To me the grain itself would be already enough to make it beautiful. But the flame all over it...oh boy!</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">
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<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwcXrlyWIsbi6vGucvfvh2HYwI-5kijlXRvY_tpTjhfsRNwFhVh3iOE_DEcGJmQ_oMh70_qV0WZEAnPqs_RFgeHf9YwZ5bHqpYskEwtcbkf9m8lXBOARE6TacYT7xcg7zOMENTjg-uVQ/s1600/P7010164.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwcXrlyWIsbi6vGucvfvh2HYwI-5kijlXRvY_tpTjhfsRNwFhVh3iOE_DEcGJmQ_oMh70_qV0WZEAnPqs_RFgeHf9YwZ5bHqpYskEwtcbkf9m8lXBOARE6TacYT7xcg7zOMENTjg-uVQ/s320/P7010164.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491491476701186194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">
<br />Next week: Routing the electronics cavity; Drilling holes for the neck joint and on the headstock. Working on the cavity cover, which I believe it's going to be in wood. Any guess as which wood? ;)
<br />I have a little inlay in mind - which shouldn't take me </span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrid1TtUEjcoJKR2togDH_xi7HPhHZkY8R_7UyxIWRYLEvkt9me4d7KbeUDHEYCZQ8mcXK9wZMLNlRKm8Mp9PXZ8SJD_ugWSPfytmhGzVoYl2qIBrlAuyxFFluGi_wKjazPBeE2D1S2w8/s1600/P7010168.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 312px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrid1TtUEjcoJKR2togDH_xi7HPhHZkY8R_7UyxIWRYLEvkt9me4d7KbeUDHEYCZQ8mcXK9wZMLNlRKm8Mp9PXZ8SJD_ugWSPfytmhGzVoYl2qIBrlAuyxFFluGi_wKjazPBeE2D1S2w8/s320/P7010168.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491491486183632994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">more than a day to do. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">I should be able to finish all this by next Friday. If I don't screw up too much, that is.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Thanks for reading this far.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">
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<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >O(=<</span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> <span style="font-family:arial;">
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrid1TtUEjcoJKR2togDH_xi7HPhHZkY8R_7UyxIWRYLEvkt9me4d7KbeUDHEYCZQ8mcXK9wZMLNlRKm8Mp9PXZ8SJD_ugWSPfytmhGzVoYl2qIBrlAuyxFFluGi_wKjazPBeE2D1S2w8/s1600/P7010168.jpg">
<br /></a></div>mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779152736436578401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3319021817038109149.post-4732451120867556122010-06-14T06:57:00.000-07:002011-02-24T07:27:31.185-08:00The Steinberger.<meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <title></title> <meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 3.1 (Unix)"> <style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --></style><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Believe.
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<br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5VuRWNXu62lPgTSCuSs4tDNSqaoiIJOtZWoqkWLddQWjMliEHVpJpzGeFnBJRNicvvkPwgwLSnMjIzsxhSBrqtyQeOfdbaNgWWPbVyKOOchKUFiSXWz_eq1P4m_O6fxTghbpWKxzMgM/s1600/5legrest0001.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5VuRWNXu62lPgTSCuSs4tDNSqaoiIJOtZWoqkWLddQWjMliEHVpJpzGeFnBJRNicvvkPwgwLSnMjIzsxhSBrqtyQeOfdbaNgWWPbVyKOOchKUFiSXWz_eq1P4m_O6fxTghbpWKxzMgM/s320/5legrest0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482636170953090850" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >I'll go on record right away: I believe the original Steinberger bass is so far the only true mile stone in bass history since the Fender Precision. There. I said it.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >OK, before you shoot me allow me to explain.</span>
<br /><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The Precision was truly revolutionary for the time.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> Compared to the double bass it </span><span style="font-size:85%;">was small; it could be wore like a guitar; it could be amplified; it had frets to make intonation perfect. In a world traditionally diffident of new ideas it surely took guts and faith. Leo Fender saw it when others couldn't.
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<br />Almost thirty years later, history repeats itself with the Steinberger. It was such a radical departure we'd be hard pressed to find just one similarity with basses of the time - aside from having a neck and four strings.
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">In the early 80's</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> Fender, Gibson, Rickenbacker and a few others had basically stated what a bass should look like. Alembic and Co. had added great craftsmanship and combination of exotic woods and brass. </span><span style="font-size:85%;">The Japanese had introduced decent basses masses could afford. The environment was as challenging for the Steinberger as it had been for the Precision in the 50s. </span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVpuO1cq9f-8GU5mNrw4yLcJv2cnKg317UzUmZ8alNpSTeDv4iqJMWAJV8B-I5cflwpax_6DSPsiFb4C53IeMPjm6xgpD-156_2YDFx1U5bMKnlhJ55h5XOHFDAj8po8HIyE8FhNcSzGI/s1600/1front0001.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 206px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVpuO1cq9f-8GU5mNrw4yLcJv2cnKg317UzUmZ8alNpSTeDv4iqJMWAJV8B-I5cflwpax_6DSPsiFb4C53IeMPjm6xgpD-156_2YDFx1U5bMKnlhJ55h5XOHFDAj8po8HIyE8FhNcSzGI/s320/1front0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482628670244497698" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The Steinberger seemed completely out of touch with reality and, even though it immediately gained a solid followers base, it also left many puzzled. I admit it, back then I didn't like it that much. What was there to like anyway? There were neither </span><span style="font-size:85%;">graceful lines nor </span><span style="font-size:85%;">exotic, contrasting woods. Heck! There was no wood, period.
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Well, great things have this little peculiarity – either you love them from day one; or you're going to when you finally get it. Many years later, I finally got it.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The Steinberger take on bass.</span></p><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >
<br />Problem is, the Precision was designed as large guitar, basically underestimating physic, sound and ergonomic peculiarities of a bass. Everyone else followed suit, content at best to make their creation look different from the Fender. Ned Steinberger saw it otherwise.
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<br />Now that I think of it, my opening statement should have been more radical. Something along the line of: The</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" > original Steinberger bass is the only true bass ever designed.
<br />But you wouldn't have gotten this far, would you? The thing is, most of the obvious solutions that work on a guitar become rather a limitation on a bass. For the love of the game or lack of better options, we all adjusted to Fender's vision. But that doesn't mean it couldn't - and shouldn't - be improved upon.
<br />I have elaborate on this point in my earlier post: <a href="http://bassaxe.blogspot.com/2010/04/headless-conundrum.html">The Headless Conundrum</a>. If you really want to shoot me, please read that first.</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >
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<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >The end of the bass <span style="font-style: italic;">guitar</span>.</span> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >
<br />Two of the most important qualities </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >any great bass should feature</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" > are balance and stiffness. There are others, granted. A pint holder for example is a fine feature and a Facebook interface will soon become a must.
<br /></span><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">When it comes to balance, the extra weight of the headstock has always been a problem. Lets just say that without a headstock you get a shorter, better balanced instrument. Cool. Adieu headstock.
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Without it one must find another place for the tuners.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> All previous attempts of moving the tuners, of part thereof, to the body had been clumsy and rather uninspired at best. Makers were basically using the same headstock tuners - or a smaller version of - at the bottom of the body. Things of the past. Nice memorabilia. But I can't believe <a href="http://bassaxe.blogspot.com/2010/04/headless-conundrum.html">some still do that today.</a> I won't say whom, else Warwick might take offense.</span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1baDBB2M2g1aE65Vrx74uv5qqyDMgHYMJChs9cretjSIEFkLLGJz6d99RokakZ36afwPc0YP2x2fWc56eMDsZxYXHPBEOGBUk00nvY3WkQhpSib4b3kN9lBHghCcEvpUZ50qq-d4daA/s1600/9bridge0001.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1baDBB2M2g1aE65Vrx74uv5qqyDMgHYMJChs9cretjSIEFkLLGJz6d99RokakZ36afwPc0YP2x2fWc56eMDsZxYXHPBEOGBUk00nvY3WkQhpSib4b3kN9lBHghCcEvpUZ50qq-d4daA/s320/9bridge0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482636189542898530" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">This one, oh boy!,</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> it's a masterpiece of ingenuity. If you open this thing you wonder what makes it work so well! It's so simple I nearly got pissed off at myself for not having invented it!
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The bridge does its job with simple regulations of height and all. But the great achievement lies in the absolute precision and reliability of the system. Again, <a href="http://bassaxe.blogspot.com/2010/04/headless-conundrum.html">The Headless Conundrum</a> digs deeper into this and it does wonders with insomnia.</span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">At the end of the neck there is a clean anchor system where to secure the newly designed Steinberger double ball-end strings. It's fast, effective and modern. </span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhAwuUTSPa9fMl8pLIn1dR30lm2BD_PMD25tmNZIWhgLTVjpQooYGUjlyRiH2sIVv0DTxtjARi3WZfzAEgg3RiQHuGULagxepWwclC7zZnYyNMk8Ol8Wd4b_agwdx-rU15egpWptz58E/s1600/14top_back0001.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhAwuUTSPa9fMl8pLIn1dR30lm2BD_PMD25tmNZIWhgLTVjpQooYGUjlyRiH2sIVv0DTxtjARi3WZfzAEgg3RiQHuGULagxepWwclC7zZnYyNMk8Ol8Wd4b_agwdx-rU15egpWptz58E/s320/14top_back0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482637668390433682" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Aside from aesthetic reasons, bodies tend to be large to offer mass, counterbalance the weight of neck/headstock protruding so far away from the center of gravity and to provide anchor points to strap the bass. With the new headless system and the stiffness of graphite the Steinberger could afford a much smaller body.
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">My feeling is that the shape had a lot to do also with the vision of producing something completely unorthodox. I like that </span><span style="font-size:85%;">touch of subtle arrogance. Why does the Steinberger looks like that? Because it can. Cool.</span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3nljb6Y0SYU95JgqJS0tGzYQhEHtElp_UfiiUPlielfMvLn7dCmlhe5L4U7hvUdp8ZhQNYW2LXgvlnRUaTcbdNx-r_afhW8zUPbHygcAzshTXX5ynpwMxtitsIzzmnBwJ4YlnYalEnM/s1600/8boomerang0001.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3nljb6Y0SYU95JgqJS0tGzYQhEHtElp_UfiiUPlielfMvLn7dCmlhe5L4U7hvUdp8ZhQNYW2LXgvlnRUaTcbdNx-r_afhW8zUPbHygcAzshTXX5ynpwMxtitsIzzmnBwJ4YlnYalEnM/s320/8boomerang0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482636184424360162" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">With a small body a new problem presents itself. Where to hang the strap? Some makers facing a similar question have simply used whatever anchoring point their design left available, sometimes with total disregard for balance, ergonomics and playability.
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">To that point, I just tested a bass designed like a Telecaster guitar sporting strap locks in the same position as the guitar's. Believe me, that thing is unplayable! Neck-dive would be a gross understatement and the first fret is half way to Mars. How can one make a bass that is so impossible to play? <a href="http://www.glguitars.com/instruments/USA/basses/asat-bass/index.asp">And G&L of all makers!</a>
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Look at the Steinberger's inspired simplicity. The center of the bass becomes the pivot point of the boomerang. To its extremities are the strap locks. When you strap it on, the bass instantly finds its neutral position.
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Now let's twist the whole <span style="font-style: italic;">balance </span>concept on its head. When we say '<span>balance'</span> we think of a neck that doesn't dive. That's it. See? We are so used to getting used to limitations around us that every time something simply... er... works, it leaves us in awe. heck, shouldn't </span><span style="font-size:85%;">'perfectly balanced'</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> just be the bare minimum, the one feature we take for granted?
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">What if </span><span style="font-size:85%;">balance meant a whole new level of performance? Imagine you could hold the bass horizontally, then gradually your playing style shifts to a</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> more diagonal position; at some point you go back to where you were or, why not?, all the way up, almost vertical. How cool would that be?
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn4lyvyG8Ahwk3pjSs8oUQXyme0VPNaFLXKWKHnkVraQzRIUYZ3lwi4ZlB07Eq42afahQ1XoAWzfQjQ5-URe-K8RBDMq52HDZbdOzANWOpW09B89j-V9hJgDeKWsoDYACqgBjF1opSAJI/s1600/7battery0001.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn4lyvyG8Ahwk3pjSs8oUQXyme0VPNaFLXKWKHnkVraQzRIUYZ3lwi4ZlB07Eq42afahQ1XoAWzfQjQ5-URe-K8RBDMq52HDZbdOzANWOpW09B89j-V9hJgDeKWsoDYACqgBjF1opSAJI/s320/7battery0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482636180624097458" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">To do that on traditional basses you have to push or pull the neck to make the strap slide onto your shoulder and to the new position. But that cannot be done while playing. <span>So basically, you adjust to the bass</span> till you can move it.
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The Steinberger instead follows your every move while your hands are busy playing! Effortlessly, flawlessly and without you even realizing it. The bass adjusts to you. There. Beat this.</span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">And since we are on a roll, flip the bass and you'll see an ingenious leg rest</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> that pops up when needed and disappear when it's not.
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I also find very comfortable the retro fit jack socket. It's out of the way and there is no chance you can unplug it by stepping on the cable. Sure, we all secure the cable around the strap, but shouldn't a clever system fix that shortcoming instead? With this, who needs to fit a Neutrik jack?</span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Seriously though, this bass is a compendium of new solutions. </span><span style="font-size:85%;">T</span><span style="font-size:85%;">he headless string retainer, the tuner/bridge, the strap system, the jack socket position, the leg rest, the graphite composite mold. There are more patents in here than in the latest i-phone.</span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Black diamond.</span>
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Graphite composites (epoxy resin reinforced with graphite to be precise) are very very stiff and reliable. One oft-heard complain is that graphite affects the sound. Actually it has a sound of its own. Which simply means building a system</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> of parts around it to achieve the sound you have in mind. Just like you would with woods.
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWOnISFuLu_L35xR96Pm140HYW1Cjuoe5Eo0ZE2iuM4Ak48UIVWlyYPSB0QHi8v7zSil_PvLAaSistMXXGRpaic4rANPxAZud6moWWm85USSj3hcneUkuNUuUkg2bj8k7HXVZdIMPRUE/s1600/2headless0001.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWOnISFuLu_L35xR96Pm140HYW1Cjuoe5Eo0ZE2iuM4Ak48UIVWlyYPSB0QHi8v7zSil_PvLAaSistMXXGRpaic4rANPxAZud6moWWm85USSj3hcneUkuNUuUkg2bj8k7HXVZdIMPRUE/s320/2headless0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482628677835908610" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span>Some say that the feel is not like wood. Well, of course it doesn't feel like a satin finished neck. But you won't find much difference with a high gloss lacquered neck.</span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">And it's black. Like Ford reportedly said: anyone can buy a Ford car in whichever colour they fancy. So long as it is black. (ps. There are actually a very few yellow and white rarities out there - Bergers, not Fords)<span style="font-style: italic;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">The electronics.</span>
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">EMG. 'nough said. They are clean, precise, consistent</span><span style="font-size:85%;">. Players like them or not purely based on that. I like them. And I can already tell you who else likes them - studio and live sound engineers.</span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">There are very few pick-up as easy to make sound great </span><span style="font-size:85%;">as EMG,</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> even in the shittiest venue. They sound good with wood, they sound good with graphite. I bet they would sound good even on a air guitar.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> Controls are in line with the look: Vol/Balance/Tone. It doesn't play without battery. <span style="font-style: italic;">This</span> is Sparta.
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oEmAFQEzT8HD3vMgcibQ3xEaSwzTb0hMrPX-rQ2AqyV_uoM33O_vaUR7-HGZBEE99wMMARczeKPG-iMbEkJewUqoHTlvC7q1iUTdQ3EhZZWsSH3z4MD66I72URt6kaAFpfQD2BruWkE/s1600/6controls0001.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oEmAFQEzT8HD3vMgcibQ3xEaSwzTb0hMrPX-rQ2AqyV_uoM33O_vaUR7-HGZBEE99wMMARczeKPG-iMbEkJewUqoHTlvC7q1iUTdQ3EhZZWsSH3z4MD66I72URt6kaAFpfQD2BruWkE/s320/6controls0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482636175728062210" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Living with it.</span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The neck is actually very thick - </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Fender addicts should be happy.</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">But the action is fantastic and to find a dead note you'll have to shoot one yourself.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>I tend to prefer thinner necks, but I have adjusted easily and happily. Even an entire gig with it isn't tiring.
<br /></span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I had an initial resistance to such a small body as I am used to large ones - <a href="http://bassaxe.blogspot.com/2010/01/jay-dee-supernatural.html">JayDee, Alembic and so on</a>. To be fair, I never got fully used to it, but it doesn't bother me as much as the rest pleases me. Over time, I discovered that the upper end of the body <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">makes for a very comfortable elbow rest when playing finger-style. Thanks to the boomerang thingy</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal;font-size:85%;" ><span> the 24th fret falls in a comfortable playing position.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal;font-size:85%;" ><span> Of course, not having body wings helps too.</span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The sound is very big, clean and quite neutral, piano-like. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpGDt4GnqXA4n9TtYvkPwJDb5UV8Y5zMuP5r2-HIC9Gjdb3EvcM4lfhorDX9zekFMNnohCvJOf_HybVS_3P-bHrV4zW-iNWxI-x5fCjKz97rGIlbVVCcQmn0RFDdCMQR6Z_TaVX6COo8/s1600/10action0001.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpGDt4GnqXA4n9TtYvkPwJDb5UV8Y5zMuP5r2-HIC9Gjdb3EvcM4lfhorDX9zekFMNnohCvJOf_HybVS_3P-bHrV4zW-iNWxI-x5fCjKz97rGIlbVVCcQmn0RFDdCMQR6Z_TaVX6COo8/s320/10action0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482637644912185186" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">It has great definition across the spectrum with terrific attack and longer sustain than a commercial break. It's a fantastic axe for slapping acrobatics, rendering </span><span style="font-size:85%;">even complex machine-gun stuff </span><span style="font-size:85%;">with clarity and articulation to die for.</span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Such a clean sound makes it very easy to personalize with pedals or studio gadgets. </span><span style="font-size:85%;">The two p-ups provide a fair amount of flexibility.</span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Some find the sound a bit cold.</span> Frankly I think what they miss in the Steinberger is the Fender sound. The classic punchy, warm and tight sound of the F Jazz. So do I. Which is why the Steinberger is not my only bass. God knows, there is no such a thing like a do-it-all bass. And we like it that way, don't we all?</span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VuhtWkcX4gE-x4YxI4exjekJnycYsI7YvHOIysxSNC9TXfo62LEOahUR2aiuWgmGgngbf7Qds_GATDi8f0C0_4uvNs-shBv_VbMaozqyvLjzX2Y42VQsGYoCA_qeG7XI5qd0rBVSU6s/s1600/11side0001.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VuhtWkcX4gE-x4YxI4exjekJnycYsI7YvHOIysxSNC9TXfo62LEOahUR2aiuWgmGgngbf7Qds_GATDi8f0C0_4uvNs-shBv_VbMaozqyvLjzX2Y42VQsGYoCA_qeG7XI5qd0rBVSU6s/s320/11side0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482637650329478658" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Leaving with it.</span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">This bass gets into any car trunk easily and it doesn't take much room in the overhead compartment of a plane either! I am thinking of making a special gig bag to carry it on my bike. It travels the world easily in a soft gig bag - which would frighten any other high end bass owner. Wear and tear is a joke. This thing can cross the Middle East and come back alive. It's </span>a nearly indestructible instrument, with a neck that has the arrogance of not even mounting a truss-rod. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The one pictured here is a workaholic 1982.</span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Get off the plane-go to the gig venue-plug it in-whack it. </span><span style="font-size:85%;">Fuck humidity. Sometimes </span><span style="font-size:85%;">I even forget to check if it's still in tune.
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Double ball-end strings might be a bit tricky to find. You can't just walk into any shop and expect to find them in the exact gauge you like. </span><span style="font-size:85%;">I buy them in bulk online </span><span style="font-size:85%;">without a problem -</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> GHS makes them, among others.</span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Headless basses nowadays have switched to a hybrid string retainer system which allows to use both Steinberger and traditional strings. If I'm not wrong Moses sells the same system for S'berger.
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Wrapping it up.</span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> Great ideas are in the air. We all come across them once in a while. Most of us ignore them; few toy with them and eventually give up. F</span><span style="font-size:85%;">or a true idea to see the light</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> it takes someone visionary enough to get it and mad enough to believe in it. If that happens at all.
<br /></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">When you think of it, f</span><span style="font-size:85%;">itting the tuners at the bottom of a bass, </span><span style="font-size:85%;">using alternative </span><span style="font-size:85%;"> materials to wood and</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> going headless weren't exactly brand new ideas</span><span style="font-size:85%;">. Some had tried before, no one successfully. No one really believed they were more than gimmicks obviously.
<br /></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3reGdK_4j5cQShYCgcRcNOa9ZpLbnxnkEH2ZbdkymGOtUqafCob7Ly_uwzme3KyoiCtvjEN7h89904nhkd23Ms5nvb2d8s6Ts-eOOxwRvJkvVemRrr4pqxJYujOtTEF5T90vAXHNY2o/s1600/4sidecup0001.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3reGdK_4j5cQShYCgcRcNOa9ZpLbnxnkEH2ZbdkymGOtUqafCob7Ly_uwzme3KyoiCtvjEN7h89904nhkd23Ms5nvb2d8s6Ts-eOOxwRvJkvVemRrr4pqxJYujOtTEF5T90vAXHNY2o/s320/4sidecup0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482628686893942226" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">The Steinberger is not to everyone taste. It never was and probably never wanted to be. But it has opened the door to a brand new approach to bass building, breathing new life into an industry that is paradoxically so wiry of new ideas.
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Today, makers experiment with a variety of materials, including metal. The headless system is here to stay - albeit still in a sort of limbo. Would this Renaissance have ever happened without the Steinberger? I believe not.
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Thanks for reading</span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">>=)O
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">ps: </span><span style="font-size:85%;">It is. In tune. I mean, the bass. When I check.</span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;"> </p><div style="text-align: left;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">In a Nutshell:</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br />+ Revolutionary. Perfect action for life. Always in tune. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Big sound. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Indestructible. </span></span>
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">- look and sound not to everyone taste</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">. Hard to find.</span></span>
<br />
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Links:</span>
<br /><a href="http://www.nedsteinberger.com/inside-ns/interviews.php"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Interview to Ned Steinberger</span></a>.
<br /><a href="http://www.steinbergerworld.com/L-series.htm"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Steinberger trivia.</span></a>
<br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.steinberger.com/default.html">The new official Steinberger website.</a>
<br />
<br /></span></div><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" > </span>mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779152736436578401noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3319021817038109149.post-70142257265636938762010-06-12T05:01:00.000-07:002010-06-14T08:11:07.524-07:00Building the uber-J. Part Seven.<span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUIuspWN-NQKx_ohfmj75ejziS0ZeEgVavGMzWHQsVOxOclDEP8idk7MdUCuUBxk_y3sY4DB7_SgJbGP1RBtWGQucrWm73Vq9-KawcivA69c1NBT_0Mkud2Ls6QFi3HcLYjfnivUOWNs/s1600/IMG_4948.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUIuspWN-NQKx_ohfmj75ejziS0ZeEgVavGMzWHQsVOxOclDEP8idk7MdUCuUBxk_y3sY4DB7_SgJbGP1RBtWGQucrWm73Vq9-KawcivA69c1NBT_0Mkud2Ls6QFi3HcLYjfnivUOWNs/s320/IMG_4948.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481990455288007154" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >A few touches before the plunge.</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br />This is taking longer than I initially anticipated. Considering the five weeks I had given myself when I started this project I am off the mark by just four months. Blame it on work, forcing me to leave the country already twice from the beginning of the year... blame it on this weather, too good to pass a weekend or two by the seaside...blame it on the financial crisis, making us believe that there are more important things to do than building the uber-J. Bollocks.<br /><br />Anyway, here's where we are now. I have roughly shaped the neck, glued the fingerboard and finally reshaped that hideously bulky heel.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >For now I have shaped it slightly more slanted on the lower part, to add extra space for the left hand - I'm really becoming obsessed with this. You'll see from the close-up picture that is still needs some fine sanding. yeah...it never ends....</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><br />The three holes are in fact only marking the position of the knobs. Eventually that area will be routed for the rear mounted electronics.<br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCPd25RqXIcJPc-d_FyhXS71I9J19WnYdBC5M4fu4-Z7W3oVQaGzrxWgjQN4vXeMD8Knks4sCNv4Ul6UiLcHtYueqrSJ_ayPoYm9XbOxqAeXzLN3hwGcRTt0tGTEikbNcWW2SBvywhrU/s1600/IMG_4949.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 390px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCPd25RqXIcJPc-d_FyhXS71I9J19WnYdBC5M4fu4-Z7W3oVQaGzrxWgjQN4vXeMD8Knks4sCNv4Ul6UiLcHtYueqrSJ_ayPoYm9XbOxqAeXzLN3hwGcRTt0tGTEikbNcWW2SBvywhrU/s320/IMG_4949.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482326934495587058" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >At this stage you can see the truss rod slot, the fingerboard and, more to the point, the binding. </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >Eventually, I settled on Maple....on a Rock Maple neck...on a Birdseye maple FB....Yeah, it's nearly invisible if you're not the one holding the bass, I know....<br /><br />But I like its understated nature. It's yet another tribute to the mid '70s Fender Jazz. Only, this one is Maple, not plastic. It ain't a uber-J for nothing <img src="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/images/smilies/colors/wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" class="inlineimg" border="0" /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivY-Bz_v6caqgbx9v3Oz50_eEFbWCPQlq2yMvEyu0jweTGD9gSQMPwrOayWs8Y3OxmVe5wNmrrtRX7ayHUt9DjZT1V18OVxCrbGtGcUoAGHW_o1T5d9nnBZ5h2I6LGyXA2NtggjRy8qY4/s1600/IMG_4951.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivY-Bz_v6caqgbx9v3Oz50_eEFbWCPQlq2yMvEyu0jweTGD9gSQMPwrOayWs8Y3OxmVe5wNmrrtRX7ayHUt9DjZT1V18OVxCrbGtGcUoAGHW_o1T5d9nnBZ5h2I6LGyXA2NtggjRy8qY4/s320/IMG_4951.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482326942324275394" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >I am shaping the headstock in line with the body style, shaving enough veneer for the maple to show. I will probably work on those curves a bit more than that. But you get the idea.<br /><br />I have, as you might notice, blended the design of the J's headstock with that of another masterpiece and personal favorite - the Music man Stingray. </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TU3pPWVoUZjKJIZaR6oHPLumVOM5Ev4lqzlbMy9VlBT31MbpI-nAdU7CQzVBkdUurpQ2wIwAHkkKmlVwBz5pUpB2pwwoPBBVjqPjlEym9R1OlXygAnypDohkQnS0GfQ9Gb3XL2jJ9wU/s1600/IMG_4958.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TU3pPWVoUZjKJIZaR6oHPLumVOM5Ev4lqzlbMy9VlBT31MbpI-nAdU7CQzVBkdUurpQ2wIwAHkkKmlVwBz5pUpB2pwwoPBBVjqPjlEym9R1OlXygAnypDohkQnS0GfQ9Gb3XL2jJ9wU/s320/IMG_4958.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482326949632685906" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >I have long admired Leo Fender's ability to stay true to the basics of the original J headstock design - as much as he legally could anyway - while making it more compact and pleasingly balanced with the body.<br /><br />When I'm done with mine the two designs should be fairly obvious.<br /><br />I am planning to make a cover for the truss rod slot. I'm still working on it. Any ideas?<br /><br />The second picture shows what's going to happen to the back of the headstock. I will shape the profile again to match the rounded, soft lines of the front and body.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >I regret I didn't take a picture of the neck. How could I forget?? Anyway, it's still a long way to go. </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >It will be a thin, rather flat neck.<br />In this picture you should be able to see that the neck scarf is more akin to that of a tilt back headstock </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ijUHT_8IT1I-Ol1g4VfJ4JFdd2v0afHnrF9PZLCeAAcJwCoZCQ1erKCgd3RtZDXrc0prskPO7Bbve2RrhcrzZqyL7E0txBFyciimkCtqdmv6Oeln4H8mAftY0-NaIiMvR-Mpia9S2ww/s1600/IMG_4959.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ijUHT_8IT1I-Ol1g4VfJ4JFdd2v0afHnrF9PZLCeAAcJwCoZCQ1erKCgd3RtZDXrc0prskPO7Bbve2RrhcrzZqyL7E0txBFyciimkCtqdmv6Oeln4H8mAftY0-NaIiMvR-Mpia9S2ww/s320/IMG_4959.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482326959321131186" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >and more pronounced. </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >I find that very comfortable to 'feel' when I'm getting to the </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >first fret without having to look at the neck.<br /><br />I have also lowered that point a bit compared to the usual position so as the thumb will feel it when the first finger is near the fret....does that make sense?<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >Two more weeks away and I'll be back to finish this. From now on I'll get to the very heart of the project, where the biggest departure from the original FJ takes place. It will also be, I believe, the most controversial one. Stay tuned.<br /></span>mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779152736436578401noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3319021817038109149.post-11782924651305563222010-04-17T10:09:00.000-07:002010-07-24T10:10:43.431-07:00The headless conundrum.<span style="font-family: arial;font-size:85%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZEfil0zFAql2J62Qx5VrUyvEgmu4oewlSXxWPhd1RipdufgO1SU6Vq8Nyi_TXmv1WkNA9NWr9SC51cl9sVIsvryHf7uaPvuVhk1d8_-PLsIsY1kp7btCi4cqd-vFiyuXwIB73Y54xcI/s1600/2headless0001.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZEfil0zFAql2J62Qx5VrUyvEgmu4oewlSXxWPhd1RipdufgO1SU6Vq8Nyi_TXmv1WkNA9NWr9SC51cl9sVIsvryHf7uaPvuVhk1d8_-PLsIsY1kp7btCi4cqd-vFiyuXwIB73Y54xcI/s320/2headless0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461157902962451506" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8ct8IpFMXiAL43GqFgLrhju5zLMeF1pGVdag3iQXN1fEG9r6aY1K7x5fHEbHydn0JsX55Fpf7QhUZlrdjdU0m0UCrYI-GMWw0r6yg725zpbxMRl28K9X130syCtpBpVh2YyM2vdzrZ8/s1600/IMG_4413.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 193px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8ct8IpFMXiAL43GqFgLrhju5zLMeF1pGVdag3iQXN1fEG9r6aY1K7x5fHEbHydn0JsX55Fpf7QhUZlrdjdU0m0UCrYI-GMWw0r6yg725zpbxMRl28K9X130syCtpBpVh2YyM2vdzrZ8/s320/IMG_4413.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461157910753317586" border="0" /></a>
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<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >Headless is better. Or, is it?</span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:85%;" >
<br />
<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Disclaimer: the following statements reflect my humble (very) point of view. I mean no disrespect to anyone who thinks otherwise. Likewise, I hope to get the same treatment. There. So I won't have to write IMHO or IMVHO every other line.</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:85%;" >
<br />
<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;font-size:85%;" >There are a few unresolved dilemmas in the bass world.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;font-size:85%;" > Is wood better than Graphite? Is tone a product of wood or electronics? Is passive better than active? I mean, really! These are true evergreens. Makers in particular can get quite emotional about them and argue forever.
<br />
<br />Opposing parties have developed a way of building and playing consistent with their belief and - surprisingly? - one can find excellent products on both sides. Which probably explains why these are classics of disagreement.
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<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;font-size:85%;" >In the headless vs. headstock debate though, it's not exactly the same. There is an inconsistency out there that strikes me as odd every time I think about it.
<br />
<br />When I look at facts purely, it seems that the headless system wins hands down. Here is why.
<br /></span> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Tuning reliability.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The evolution of traditional machine heads has chiefly focused on 1. making tuning smoother 2. making tuners lighter 3. keep the tune – <i>providing there is no external interference.</i> </span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">It's a fact that even the best machine heads are prone to lose tuning; put your bass in the gig bag or take it out; drop the gig bag on the car's rear seat or in the boot; leave the bass leaning against the wall. Or, someone bumps into it or fiddles with it. Sometimes it seems like divine intervention. Let's face it: machine heads' design and position just makes accidental de-tuning too easy to happen.
<br /></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlk_mkgxq1m5iDR1K3nZUKGXwsAVDeCM5yqbYDCR0x4iPhj-qZF9vl3WMwVPFic3ZNDV7QxNGNnyxBVifJo1RbbkDOMOj8klui7QdRk7wmCs17aacWW-_shZfqaN1zz6Nx8BxWl_rNrA/s1600/killer5+back+neck.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 118px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlk_mkgxq1m5iDR1K3nZUKGXwsAVDeCM5yqbYDCR0x4iPhj-qZF9vl3WMwVPFic3ZNDV7QxNGNnyxBVifJo1RbbkDOMOj8klui7QdRk7wmCs17aacWW-_shZfqaN1zz6Nx8BxWl_rNrA/s320/killer5+back+neck.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461165638647102146" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqaosaLKjITx6PiDPle5vfrnQL-5b9FluRHkENdgSuPIXQY-o0azWSCFV1dKTNJIXRqvCEUK7tSjh87tCu5flNWFphXZ_pA9Q-4mg2_95JP9D9Q_hacYveOugw1BjTZGGmdtL9dyXg1M/s1600/12tail0001.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqaosaLKjITx6PiDPle5vfrnQL-5b9FluRHkENdgSuPIXQY-o0azWSCFV1dKTNJIXRqvCEUK7tSjh87tCu5flNWFphXZ_pA9Q-4mg2_95JP9D9Q_hacYveOugw1BjTZGGmdtL9dyXg1M/s320/12tail0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461165644649653186" border="0" /></a></span> </p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Let me ask you, what's the first thing any bassist does – or guitarist for that matter - when taking his bass out of the case? He checks the tuning.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Good headless bridges on the other hand are extremely reliable. They are small, sturdy and positioned in a way that the body itself prevents accidental de-tuning. My 1982 Steinberger never goes out of tune <i>accidentally. </i> </span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">At the opposite end of the spectrum are cases like this Warwick which seems more concerned with imitating the Steinberger look than understanding its functionality. Placing the tuners right where the bass rests on a stand or on the floor - even in a gig bag - to me just defeats the purpose. With all due respect, do these guys ever play gigs in the real world? Traditional tuners at the headstock would have done a much better job.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5B7xM61ZiUR3E5txK1DF5XAh4SzlkpKUACNMGKQy4aRVAbJr4bzPNyfwZrhvNTBHCKSJjWPktSml-K2A-rZsIuc9PRgOs1BHxO-5yhjhlCzWfFGCmc8AuBu5nqiBXXx2NWY1IF0C-sk/s1600/warwick+headless.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5B7xM61ZiUR3E5txK1DF5XAh4SzlkpKUACNMGKQy4aRVAbJr4bzPNyfwZrhvNTBHCKSJjWPktSml-K2A-rZsIuc9PRgOs1BHxO-5yhjhlCzWfFGCmc8AuBu5nqiBXXx2NWY1IF0C-sk/s320/warwick+headless.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461157920111994930" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Stringing the bass.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Lets face it: no one thinks this is fun. Even Flash Gordon would take at the least 30 seconds to replace one string and get to a somewhat OK tension – still not in tune. The headless system takes perhaps 10/15 seconds per string. The string is locked - either by a double ball end or by a screw. It's a very clean and effective system. </span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Now, it's not like we've got better things to do than restringing our beloved bass. But the implications of a clumsy system are many. Say, you need to replace a broken string on stage; or you need fresh strings frequently for your many studio sessions; or you play with 6, 7, 8 strings. Or all of the above.</span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzNOv4hbV64aQmTf5PB47b6ckC4Bi_VW6y_iOUB1jfgjCfXVVezp_OLGHVda4yA_v5IQ8Bnqc9TjAjzJvUA1OduCq3mWdGrRR_vWACJEzfo2QlSrR3VLEvVtxvKn3XERskgmgrkHa0JE/s1600/9face2sm.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OSmo0gt_Oa2wh6nFJK_tZZGvimEgApNgDDGZK_xst7lshQimOfqKxQ-6Qa7jfpQclHZixChYLnnGp3CVtanVuRwRgSSd-NsXK_yjUkDO3RMp6oNioEKo-8sMRyY2d5b_bpgXuGbeKsg/s320/9jolly4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461167206294954770" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzNOv4hbV64aQmTf5PB47b6ckC4Bi_VW6y_iOUB1jfgjCfXVVezp_OLGHVda4yA_v5IQ8Bnqc9TjAjzJvUA1OduCq3mWdGrRR_vWACJEzfo2QlSrR3VLEvVtxvKn3XERskgmgrkHa0JE/s1600/9face2sm.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 132px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzNOv4hbV64aQmTf5PB47b6ckC4Bi_VW6y_iOUB1jfgjCfXVVezp_OLGHVda4yA_v5IQ8Bnqc9TjAjzJvUA1OduCq3mWdGrRR_vWACJEzfo2QlSrR3VLEvVtxvKn3XERskgmgrkHa0JE/s320/9face2sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461167554273352706" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Weight.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Makers can dish out the most exotic material to reduce tuners' weight. But it will never go down to zero. One hundred grams might not sound like much, but in a world where six strings bass and above have become common, a few hundred grams on an instrument that is struggling to keep its total weight down it's a lot. </span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">What you put up there must be counter balanced by the body weight if you don't want your neck to nose-dive.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">On-the-fly tuning.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Have you ever tried tuning a string while playing live? Maybe your previous song required a E string tuned to D and you forgot to tune it back. It happened to me once and I had to stretch my right arm across to reach the headstock, because my left hand had to hold the note. It isn't funny. With the tuner positioned at the bridge this operation is a breeze. Again, this might not happen to you everyday, but if it does you'll be happy you had tuners at the bridge.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><i>I'd like to digress a little now. There has been for long time a belief that a headstock contributes to the sound. Some say positively, some argue negatively. Of course, the lack of convincing, definitive conclusions on either sides is the very reason why we're still debating and will continue doing so. Unless of course, we can test two identical basses with and without headstock in identical conditions - which is both impossible and pointless.</i></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I have played both traditional and headless, side by side on stage and I have come to the conclusion that these are as close to 'facts' as it gets.
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This should settle the argument once and for all, right? Cool. Lets all go out there then, and grab all headless basses we can get hold of.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Well, here is the oddity. Just walk into a shop and look around. You'll see very few headless basses - if any at all. Why is it so - considering how much better headless basses work? Why is it that in 30 years they haven't replaced the traditional design - and they don't seem any closer to do so today than they were back then. </span><span style="font-size:85%;">Obviously, something <i>else</i> is missing.</span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Lets take a look at the real world of headless basses for clues.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">One of the most successful makers of headless basses right now is probably Status. They make beautiful instruments which play awesomely. Check their catalog and you'll see that most basses they produce sport a headstock. The headless models – including their classic S2 – come with headstock option. Even their King Bass which started off as a headless design, now comes with a headstock in its latest Mark-II standard version. A headless model is only available as a custom option. See what the market is saying?
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Another good example is the work of luthier David King. On his website he makes a case for headless basses, very articulated and competent. Yet, when you look at the basses he makes you'll find that the majority sports a headstock - which says a lot about the type of orders he's getting.
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqDTnrKYueMMOTenptXVPgtkmu6l3yoyPOnTJaMWwphRjE5XfqmI8pVGcCs0Gr7-7AjPqoltdlfl0uz6-IjpX8wNk5Se5EDO6yOaMIoKUNVuC5hEfWaoUQNEUbV96T3HssM9o0zkTKCo/s1600/baker.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 109px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqDTnrKYueMMOTenptXVPgtkmu6l3yoyPOnTJaMWwphRjE5XfqmI8pVGcCs0Gr7-7AjPqoltdlfl0uz6-IjpX8wNk5Se5EDO6yOaMIoKUNVuC5hEfWaoUQNEUbV96T3HssM9o0zkTKCo/s320/baker.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461169502712138962" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZaoN8Ddm_oHCzZooHyjB0xolZduMmDh7Cy7FeXjOAhHhO5-4Nf_JNQrHanUhzJvp5ZUVp_ZTCshYMKzgdZquNqsysUkkPXxRfFv_fnmBkpXVga9OSfQOi24MlN8XwsMY3suNT0W1gIo/s1600/roc120back-1k.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 97px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZaoN8Ddm_oHCzZooHyjB0xolZduMmDh7Cy7FeXjOAhHhO5-4Nf_JNQrHanUhzJvp5ZUVp_ZTCshYMKzgdZquNqsysUkkPXxRfFv_fnmBkpXVga9OSfQOi24MlN8XwsMY3suNT0W1gIo/s320/roc120back-1k.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461169496895122418" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Steinberger is making a comeback in its revamped venture with Gibson with Mr. Steinberger at the helm. We'll see. </span><span style="font-size:85%;">There are few more headless bass makers out there and they are no exception to this picture. </span><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">So it seems that demand for headless basses is very low. Does that mean that most bassists are impervious to new ideas? Maybe so. But in this case I beg to differ. Bassists just want to play an instrument that sounds, feels and looks good to them. Feel, not facts is what inspires us and makes us sound better.
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I have noticed time and again how my playing is influenced by the looks and feel of the instrument. A great bass which didn't resonate with me always made me sound clumsy and uninspired. Conversely, I have felt – and hopefully sounded – better on a lesser bass which I was emotionally connected to.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><i>Look </i>is a great component of what we call <i>feel</i>. As human being we have been designed by mother nature to appreciate balance and harmony in shapes and forms and seek comfort in it. </span> </p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">We've grown up with the shape of acoustic guitars, basses and other stringed instruments. It is only understandable that we feel comfortable with their looks. Everybody likes the look of an acoustic guitar – even those who can't play or couldn't care less.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Headless basses represent indeed a revolution. They tick all the boxes in the Facts list. But lets be blunt about this: most of them look quite contrived and disharmonious – which is French for <i>butt ugly</i>.
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">One of the very few instrument that has ever managed to successfully address this point is still the original Steinberger. That's because the entire bass was designed from ground up around the vision of a headless instrument. From a sheer design point of view I can't find flaw to it. Still, even though it achieved a cult status, it carved only a niche for itself.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix31voOFN3_lJ59o_S4aRAwXmfjJEqb7AycgNSOYfAKaR1SlKMhdoQ-IzPJX_9BI1SHvlW6QFWAOVXujDucnA_pzrpBeG0tU1YBDIMDIBwjUh6ehzFTqi2cJvq_IHi7AchpufD2-tC61s/s1600/1front0001.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 206px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix31voOFN3_lJ59o_S4aRAwXmfjJEqb7AycgNSOYfAKaR1SlKMhdoQ-IzPJX_9BI1SHvlW6QFWAOVXujDucnA_pzrpBeG0tU1YBDIMDIBwjUh6ehzFTqi2cJvq_IHi7AchpufD2-tC61s/s320/1front0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461161169425992834" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"> <span style="font-size:85%;">Removing the headstock is the rational and the right thing to do. But the design must harmonize the new the neck with the rest of the instrument, otherwise all you get is an amputation.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Look at the Status KB Mark-II with and without headstock and you should feel how much more pleasing and harmonious the one with headstock looks – especially since the body is considerably larger than the Mark-I's.
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAqSFcRobYs5RAt5PNn_gwgYf_BiKdLoLwLFWvMNhaGTEU9BD8pDEFoM7lQH3GELaEqHyc5maKTritcUYsk5IkA34JI14B0GAHqLlmvuHvvBbVK-oG9t_CurImfIzrE4df3XOSMTep_I/s1600/kb2+vert.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 123px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAqSFcRobYs5RAt5PNn_gwgYf_BiKdLoLwLFWvMNhaGTEU9BD8pDEFoM7lQH3GELaEqHyc5maKTritcUYsk5IkA34JI14B0GAHqLlmvuHvvBbVK-oG9t_CurImfIzrE4df3XOSMTep_I/s320/kb2+vert.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461163769709140146" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6H_2BGTwfTwSlUvyElOCZ5HLjlKW_s_7qdxXzjfFnygRKQNOcADGoCqB1t5_ydXkzxWTCs34EyX5UMNdyjeg6BXmYsYJKiHXptlalD3FrHi9UpvQRCQewa6JT5hYG9aqHVq74bBhpWHs/s1600/66152.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 186px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6H_2BGTwfTwSlUvyElOCZ5HLjlKW_s_7qdxXzjfFnygRKQNOcADGoCqB1t5_ydXkzxWTCs34EyX5UMNdyjeg6BXmYsYJKiHXptlalD3FrHi9UpvQRCQewa6JT5hYG9aqHVq74bBhpWHs/s320/66152.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461653478722599650" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">As a headless, the Mark-I (two pictured below) looks a lot more harmonious, with a smaller body balancing the missing headstock. I find one detail very insightful. Due to its layout the Mark-I works best as a 32" - 34" positioning the first fret very far from the body. Now, 32" is not as popular as 34". And yet the M-I is a very sought after bass. Think about it: scores of bassists have made this bass successful in spite of being a 32". That's a testament to how well beauty sells.
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgRab1QW3MGBiAJUgHVQzTQaUQ9fO_iUo_wquSxGjvAO5rMzzLIzaTqQ-PpTFJtcxDdmeTFnWkYrKY1-33IOsZuhZdzS19buXP9WnF46kBMrJbKWAZzq40FO0ZX4lVkA63uwNKkq9lVU/s1600/kingamberall.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 129px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgRab1QW3MGBiAJUgHVQzTQaUQ9fO_iUo_wquSxGjvAO5rMzzLIzaTqQ-PpTFJtcxDdmeTFnWkYrKY1-33IOsZuhZdzS19buXP9WnF46kBMrJbKWAZzq40FO0ZX4lVkA63uwNKkq9lVU/s320/kingamberall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461654180783904146" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77P91FkKjGVo7C89Mkw-a98h-nCtv33tgkl3as63yh6AFl9W2YEiRZfE9MoLZSrwxlVHR_8tnhNCgXJnTJSTkKylvjQ_FOIIzaPkOVbJOuDNUTsw7jhnLJi-L4CQZRxc_E_updGjvLdc/s1600/glide1611.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 129px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77P91FkKjGVo7C89Mkw-a98h-nCtv33tgkl3as63yh6AFl9W2YEiRZfE9MoLZSrwxlVHR_8tnhNCgXJnTJSTkKylvjQ_FOIIzaPkOVbJOuDNUTsw7jhnLJi-L4CQZRxc_E_updGjvLdc/s320/glide1611.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461159029622710450" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Status has recently introduced a compact headless bass as well, the Streamliner. The Steinbergeresque design is indeed quite pleasing.</span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-84N5XzdKbb297Ag0bXNlXv6CAFGFg9Acrl4us9f5xvf1rhhSt7pYNz11bSFJgol8aQBzuyiqAwzNV815mF-oJl5qkhp7aiueFn-wg6qEhwhGbiEAUMTsEnMDpPbNL8FFlAwZ_fd9big/s1600/6333stream-5-22.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 105px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-84N5XzdKbb297Ag0bXNlXv6CAFGFg9Acrl4us9f5xvf1rhhSt7pYNz11bSFJgol8aQBzuyiqAwzNV815mF-oJl5qkhp7aiueFn-wg6qEhwhGbiEAUMTsEnMDpPbNL8FFlAwZ_fd9big/s320/6333stream-5-22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461650531262337906" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Taste is a personal thing and everyone has the right to like and buy what he pleases. But unresolved design is something very visible to those who understand and appreciate good design.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I deeply believe in the superiority of the headless system. But I am as adamant in stating that, traditional basses are immensely better looking than most headless ones. Millions of bassists clearly see it the same way.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;">What's missing to headless often is great looks. Simply. Headless basses must find a way to look as beautiful as traditional basses, if they want to win bassists' interest. Until then, the headless' many advantages will be just uninspiring cold facts. We don't even buy a car based on rationalization alone. Go figure.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Some makers - mostly luthiers - have recognized this fact and looked for harmony by shaping the body some times with pretty good results.
<br /></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Others have explored the option of a headstock which simply acts as a string retainer. I too have gotten to the same conclusion. Each has done it in a slightly different way and with probably different motivation. But the idea behind it is the same.</span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybUwb_MUGfCD8WjjWccp4CxORVcfR5fMAcoswShyphenhyphenL2mQhaUXqite7v9bIKhtz5ZKKy421a3xCnUDkojR7OBJ8p_JhZXCO0RgTYxyvtPd_mQIu8hpexd8xwuR2Fp5sXVIywUKkC8XPI5Y/s1600/9headstock1sm.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybUwb_MUGfCD8WjjWccp4CxORVcfR5fMAcoswShyphenhyphenL2mQhaUXqite7v9bIKhtz5ZKKy421a3xCnUDkojR7OBJ8p_JhZXCO0RgTYxyvtPd_mQIu8hpexd8xwuR2Fp5sXVIywUKkC8XPI5Y/s320/9headstock1sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461157924740167794" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7E30CI22AC_bCgMzgO9WXzt8gxN4hjz05BBajBzJHZEDMshGadQHFkEnAH7GGwa95UjbiQC2Cuf6MkuDtBzBoddzvwuox2uhz5V-3H0cg0QWPZ0SWklDjpvKdeRPPhdSdMsFBygfrxM/s1600/string+rit+2.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7E30CI22AC_bCgMzgO9WXzt8gxN4hjz05BBajBzJHZEDMshGadQHFkEnAH7GGwa95UjbiQC2Cuf6MkuDtBzBoddzvwuox2uhz5V-3H0cg0QWPZ0SWklDjpvKdeRPPhdSdMsFBygfrxM/s320/string+rit+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461157928122302338" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUNWA3rZfDcPMO8l_SRtVZXVhibhQOxawDAPM6gseRbS3Xv8otJPxytpjK0Z1koHUF1ReZs7OL47uusXQjnMoIf6SGmHFQzXxBV8uDbey_lINGhZmbMxWbV6uf7fSNqG7tC48NB1Hw6ug/s1600/LB-V_yellow.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 128px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUNWA3rZfDcPMO8l_SRtVZXVhibhQOxawDAPM6gseRbS3Xv8otJPxytpjK0Z1koHUF1ReZs7OL47uusXQjnMoIf6SGmHFQzXxBV8uDbey_lINGhZmbMxWbV6uf7fSNqG7tC48NB1Hw6ug/s320/LB-V_yellow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461648608793698530" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">But, does a headstock still make sense when it only serves an aesthetic purpose? It's a good question. To some a tuners-less headstock might still look like a contrived solution. Maybe so. Personally I believe that beauty has a place and a role in this world, even just by itself.</span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeqeoyd3dmDPGiZe9gi6SO42b20ujGSenIFybbe1u6M10P_FS-G3dq0DQNkUOtMMPlaYjYUp43wtlunhV8A66-UHzoW9SAS0_xnBsgJoZg7K7LnRHpBzLo5C6LcXjtNP8uLngVbzetxQ/s1600/bg_gold_g.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 138px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeqeoyd3dmDPGiZe9gi6SO42b20ujGSenIFybbe1u6M10P_FS-G3dq0DQNkUOtMMPlaYjYUp43wtlunhV8A66-UHzoW9SAS0_xnBsgJoZg7K7LnRHpBzLo5C6LcXjtNP8uLngVbzetxQ/s320/bg_gold_g.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461164768004895826" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vonBpo2k_YfOlhYChye6QTNGbkK48jcR0EqNJpXSTbBdg8g-aD38QE3N2s_WsAm0icyKGIg_dEYtVfPtbI8c64Odse0hMoxiyR6C12eT9Ohll7FTuYOcYKEgrJqe57CWaAnBicj8Jwc/s1600/0636-platin-concept.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vonBpo2k_YfOlhYChye6QTNGbkK48jcR0EqNJpXSTbBdg8g-aD38QE3N2s_WsAm0icyKGIg_dEYtVfPtbI8c64Odse0hMoxiyR6C12eT9Ohll7FTuYOcYKEgrJqe57CWaAnBicj8Jwc/s320/0636-platin-concept.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461164765709839634" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdG57tj2g8Bk6JHCp8IhJ7d8vX9ThYK8EOGEMBnNWVvQ45W7B6blBa1s3T6f6Xcl12mhJZ7NCnD5M7TGtI2Kit_TEgf3Jfj3EvKhiXXy8ow6hNFHoqjladVqfCzrkeW7LSMYtmn6P-GE/s1600/600_kaye_front.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 123px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdG57tj2g8Bk6JHCp8IhJ7d8vX9ThYK8EOGEMBnNWVvQ45W7B6blBa1s3T6f6Xcl12mhJZ7NCnD5M7TGtI2Kit_TEgf3Jfj3EvKhiXXy8ow6hNFHoqjladVqfCzrkeW7LSMYtmn6P-GE/s320/600_kaye_front.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461649642612319570" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Moreover, unveiling the discomfort with the look of current headless design opens the door to better ideas to come. We'll take that.</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Besides, we can still argue that a headstock influences sound and harmonics. Or, does it?</span></p> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Thanks for reading.</span></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">O(=<</span></p><p class="western" face="arial" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: arial;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCiPFjpWMlBiWqQW0gfs-0lGECkTkiQ6QxnDMa4-c9Yf98oBIVQm4hk8BCYtnF3Y4D3vM8dgrD5mTQQkC93PIEK64Kev-jHcPZ5uv4iZmEdMjwqgACziG8UbGsHJ7BKERtWDclsVUxub4/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 157px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCiPFjpWMlBiWqQW0gfs-0lGECkTkiQ6QxnDMa4-c9Yf98oBIVQm4hk8BCYtnF3Y4D3vM8dgrD5mTQQkC93PIEK64Kev-jHcPZ5uv4iZmEdMjwqgACziG8UbGsHJ7BKERtWDclsVUxub4/s320/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497519187003003842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">ps: Here's the great Kubicky x-factor, another prefect example of how headless features and gutsy design can coexist. Please note the added feature of a drop D at the headstock. Hell of a thing. Thanks to Zuma for pointing it out.
<br /></span></p>mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779152736436578401noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3319021817038109149.post-91073167793820859792010-04-17T06:02:00.000-07:002010-04-17T11:22:43.244-07:00Building the uber-J. Part Six.<span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Starts looking like a bass, doesn't it?</span></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;">Here is what is happening</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: times new roman;">on uber-J front. The body is almost done - neck joint being the most visible exception. I'll shape that once the neck it done.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;">I don't know what you think, folks. But I just love the way the curves on the side show the core wood underneath.</span></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37PgMNu6T2Sn2Kdc59omc8Vx6BP8OIm3k5xz3Wt9vAaxoPbOr3kzLYWHhJ8sQp2KOP1eSzto5FuOZwDaYatkMWKwZgPl78y_4cE2TNmhvztLLFMnqKt5dbTR_XKF0vGKb4kPH5viPlN4/s1600/crop.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 292px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37PgMNu6T2Sn2Kdc59omc8Vx6BP8OIm3k5xz3Wt9vAaxoPbOr3kzLYWHhJ8sQp2KOP1eSzto5FuOZwDaYatkMWKwZgPl78y_4cE2TNmhvztLLFMnqKt5dbTR_XKF0vGKb4kPH5viPlN4/s320/crop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461093962307200786" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I was a little nervous when I started shaving off the top wood from the sides. If it turned out a lemon I would have spoiled a great looking top. But I had it so clear in my mind and I so wanted to give it a try... I hope you'll also see what i see. To me, those little curves just sum up beautifully what the classic Fender design is all about. Yeah, Yeah, it's bragging time... ;)<br /><br />Anyway, these are the above mentioned curves. I might need to just sand the body a little more before spraying it. Also, I have to polish the pick-up recess and neck joint that are still a bit rough.<br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyHMCSr304SuQRpRj2cgUlbiso9t-JTOw57iDON60QPpDDcVdLR8jD65Ogw_g-XQkp1xIUh_K233FY7eQAliuck3WBmVoN42qLUpof12-RDwhqAmJun6_bBKHEO0WFrEnpIXFyPi7vyI/s1600/IMG_4937.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyHMCSr304SuQRpRj2cgUlbiso9t-JTOw57iDON60QPpDDcVdLR8jD65Ogw_g-XQkp1xIUh_K233FY7eQAliuck3WBmVoN42qLUpof12-RDwhqAmJun6_bBKHEO0WFrEnpIXFyPi7vyI/s320/IMG_4937.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461093974293313586" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQnjYTkhG5ejkfIhquPx2SN32NQN9kO-_O8am9JExlZuGGELUnKsKcbJBt1KoP3KtMxTG21zc-KEhfH-46hPEtnXKGChf_gg2WN_38_InzWAFL0bbAxxwgH-UECn7ZBsqXl-y_Dy_hCg/s1600/IMG_4936.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQnjYTkhG5ejkfIhquPx2SN32NQN9kO-_O8am9JExlZuGGELUnKsKcbJBt1KoP3KtMxTG21zc-KEhfH-46hPEtnXKGChf_gg2WN_38_InzWAFL0bbAxxwgH-UECn7ZBsqXl-y_Dy_hCg/s320/IMG_4936.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461093972680549282" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />I have also sanded the back and further shaped the two horns. All these shaving and sanding took me about six hours. I had to do almost everything by hand as many corners couldn't be safely reached otherwise. I actually like it and somehow prefer it to using machinery. It's a great way of finding the lines and feeling them under your fingers.<br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94vp4SCAhywPEqS3xNwxGKMO_6MFoUfcEFioqxT2Ub_qxtPpB1TjgUq4VeBZ-vGF9dv8_4SVvwGMmTUYKkQZGC2Y-NJHeySQvYSZPke087G86gUWEsSv9MHGlpjP1Ohc2FYAZ76wPAMY/s1600/IMG_4939.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94vp4SCAhywPEqS3xNwxGKMO_6MFoUfcEFioqxT2Ub_qxtPpB1TjgUq4VeBZ-vGF9dv8_4SVvwGMmTUYKkQZGC2Y-NJHeySQvYSZPke087G86gUWEsSv9MHGlpjP1Ohc2FYAZ76wPAMY/s320/IMG_4939.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461093989335184818" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVHiDbN6jAeDgtXYKHwkKiY6KcHVf6pMgafMzli1-hg9RNHc-LT0HCYC85MblVqmcFJ0IF3F-InEoP2kD2l0pXTzccL0tQjTbmVOc7rM4hHUBXYhXs-KLtt7zW0oWVzjup4kPuqMddVI/s1600/IMG_4938.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVHiDbN6jAeDgtXYKHwkKiY6KcHVf6pMgafMzli1-hg9RNHc-LT0HCYC85MblVqmcFJ0IF3F-InEoP2kD2l0pXTzccL0tQjTbmVOc7rM4hHUBXYhXs-KLtt7zW0oWVzjup4kPuqMddVI/s320/IMG_4938.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461093984941925186" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Next week I should be able to dedicate a couple of solid days to gluing the fingerboard, finishing neck, headstock and neck joint and routing the electronics' recess . If all goes fine, I should be ready to spray by week end. I have some wild ideas for the neck and for the finishing, so stay tuned.<br /><br />ps: I do hope the groovy backgrounds I found for these pictures didn't go unnoticed :)<br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></span></span>mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779152736436578401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3319021817038109149.post-43262740039693812942010-03-25T03:05:00.000-07:002010-04-17T06:00:51.145-07:00Building the uber-J. Part Five.<span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Back to work, with a vengeance.</span></span><br /><br />I've got to say this: it's good to be back. I came back from Europe at the beginning on March and I've been stuck with a lot of work until last week. Then I've been stuck with one week off to the beach ;)<br /><br />Now I'm finally back and hungry for more sanding, sawing, routing and all that Jazz. er.... ;)<br /><br />My hiatus wasn't in vain though. I have finally found answers to a few issues I had left pending and I am going to line them up as the project unfolds - I'm sucker for drama, sorry ;)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5bMCyzLZo7oDhJ9Xi8PTFiss-3UGPAQf_wM-1d-AeHiJHhhiuw9ey8VC2t7m8X3Y-kiPH-HVVxQv00cgxpZftVcTIBGVgQlbB-Tmh8wOf02flFlSL5ZNDAhTeAb77Q__eeEDZXGFHpM/s1600/DSC00053.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5bMCyzLZo7oDhJ9Xi8PTFiss-3UGPAQf_wM-1d-AeHiJHhhiuw9ey8VC2t7m8X3Y-kiPH-HVVxQv00cgxpZftVcTIBGVgQlbB-Tmh8wOf02flFlSL5ZNDAhTeAb77Q__eeEDZXGFHpM/s320/DSC00053.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452511298695398258" border="0" /></a>So, the last few days have been dedicated to reshaping the body a bit. You might not be able to see that in this pictures, but it is slightly smaller.<br /><br />The lower horn is now starting at around the 21st fret. Which means I had to re-shape the contour of the back.<br /><br />I am leaving the shape of the neck joint untouched till I am done with the neck. Eventually it will be a lot smaller and less chunky than this.<br /><br />Now that all the parts are finally here, I will start routing. On the masking paper I have marked down the position of the two p-ups (Bartolini) and bridge for routing.<br /><br />I am using the same p-up placement as J basses made in the '60-'70 and from '82 onwards, which to me produces a more balanced sound than that of 70s models . I'll leave it there for now and take care of the neck.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq00PxwVo7sbc_yOv-6TR2IUuvfeGyLgx8JLGkeU-Dnd1r6_0K_UmdYY_VmP7uAe2SOPL6YoWwKd0mn5d4ovADxyE2jyRHhl7CrPISzzW4Swv8DHMl4ZXxa6FfKrvjqDY8SZekPq4j11Y/s1600/DSC00054.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 421px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq00PxwVo7sbc_yOv-6TR2IUuvfeGyLgx8JLGkeU-Dnd1r6_0K_UmdYY_VmP7uAe2SOPL6YoWwKd0mn5d4ovADxyE2jyRHhl7CrPISzzW4Swv8DHMl4ZXxa6FfKrvjqDY8SZekPq4j11Y/s320/DSC00054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452513317465532786" border="0" /></a>Deciding on the shape and size of the headstock gave me headaches. I finally settled on this.<br /><br />It is considerably smaller than the original J and there are quite a few important (IMHO) touches I am going to add later on.<br />So bear with me for the time being.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmcZu_9WGd-fO4TmSvbc8_T-zL1yaL-FJiMpDxd0MBt_DJ0gQ553s6Fin6CpBHElmsVRwVYDnSl7csEqqpGwtIk2OxbxNBytAhKio0eVXcaGZDNcX10gqCRavbKJxKuM6HgjPSWL4cKg/s1600/DSC00049.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmcZu_9WGd-fO4TmSvbc8_T-zL1yaL-FJiMpDxd0MBt_DJ0gQ553s6Fin6CpBHElmsVRwVYDnSl7csEqqpGwtIk2OxbxNBytAhKio0eVXcaGZDNcX10gqCRavbKJxKuM6HgjPSWL4cKg/s320/DSC00049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452511286785638258" border="0" /></a>I must confess: sanding the fingerboard radius is not one of my favorite in-door activities. But I always try my best to see the beautiful side of things.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GH4hagHQwMm4aN4P6KJhEmno_NfCHTywsCnrrdthZZYnRIwg5YLuWFujhX8s1GBcg9kwat4-KzzkdRTlpe_nmfuyDt94JFW-Jbt7WQ5JwZzrUNP9yQpJ2sFyVuWk_kuteG_5zeAGd1Q/s1600/DSC00050.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 306px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GH4hagHQwMm4aN4P6KJhEmno_NfCHTywsCnrrdthZZYnRIwg5YLuWFujhX8s1GBcg9kwat4-KzzkdRTlpe_nmfuyDt94JFW-Jbt7WQ5JwZzrUNP9yQpJ2sFyVuWk_kuteG_5zeAGd1Q/s320/DSC00050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452511291636002162" border="0" /></a>This is the fingerboard with frets' slots, still flat before sanding it to the radius.<br />As my mentor Jeffrey says: Until the center line is gone.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGcoujAddHSffFso2uEPw9ORPCGiFm8BAhuxDyOFDlrf_lKoxGgtqQm7JRcYix6ChCb13NZLhawcPe4-qtQG-B6-kzdgPbSCgDIXTnt-uzrFSO6JV1TX9COl9QahJCpskAmmX6Ja_IZQ/s1600/DSC00055.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 472px; height: 354px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGcoujAddHSffFso2uEPw9ORPCGiFm8BAhuxDyOFDlrf_lKoxGgtqQm7JRcYix6ChCb13NZLhawcPe4-qtQG-B6-kzdgPbSCgDIXTnt-uzrFSO6JV1TX9COl9QahJCpskAmmX6Ja_IZQ/s320/DSC00055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452513326405235682" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />So there. One and half hour later, the line is gone. The radius is 14, quite a bit more flat that the old J. For this neck I have settled on a 40mm width at the nut and 55mm at the 22nd fret - which is a lot narrower than the original 70s J.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhlz96_UjCdzyHvmHbEsFswY3NlD5zAH9sYFz4kCKV8aYRmrN-g0POhq4rxO6guEIOp9_iVyiyPUcgV0kjYCFTM6Xvqxpu3U1qvnr3RpFBpsQG1NRdjVnau1SzfaVNBaZLkgMWAa9Rf4/s1600/IMG_4910.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhlz96_UjCdzyHvmHbEsFswY3NlD5zAH9sYFz4kCKV8aYRmrN-g0POhq4rxO6guEIOp9_iVyiyPUcgV0kjYCFTM6Xvqxpu3U1qvnr3RpFBpsQG1NRdjVnau1SzfaVNBaZLkgMWAa9Rf4/s320/IMG_4910.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452793011170269010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabaNbTw92V2UO3jkIO9S2OrFJ2d6TVG5FIrMDYXY66V92XAo-GSFMf03Icsp7xcFs13BWpPOrwg1tpOANOXSyfX-5Pnkoikmz9jQ5QJ7qwNtDuLnXHbME9cxpgXy2zvMXxX7vs8lD0sI/s1600/IMG_4913.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabaNbTw92V2UO3jkIO9S2OrFJ2d6TVG5FIrMDYXY66V92XAo-GSFMf03Icsp7xcFs13BWpPOrwg1tpOANOXSyfX-5Pnkoikmz9jQ5QJ7qwNtDuLnXHbME9cxpgXy2zvMXxX7vs8lD0sI/s320/IMG_4913.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452793005920622050" border="0" /></a>These are the routing for the truss rod and pick-ups<br />They just needs to become a little smoother.<br /><br />I have taken the last picture with the fingerboard sitting on the body, just to see the effect of Birdseye Mable on Macassar Ebony. Even at this rough stage...boy, I love it! :)<br /><br />Commercial break. Stay tuned. :Dmauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779152736436578401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3319021817038109149.post-21815376013237043172010-01-15T08:56:00.000-08:002010-01-19T22:32:55.966-08:00Review: His Majesty The Wal.<span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">The Mk I Fretless.</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6BYDceNArPdUbMg-GmGSge6ABoPyTID6znwe4nC84sqUXmJJ5KYSWfm9qtbbvNbQb6PY5lGCN5Tq2WVSLch384L6lZ4o5D4TpciITWlTBRkhdDj03YdT-eGa9uEFtkgMKQO4Mk0GMRo/s1600-h/wal+bk+tilt0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 376px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6BYDceNArPdUbMg-GmGSge6ABoPyTID6znwe4nC84sqUXmJJ5KYSWfm9qtbbvNbQb6PY5lGCN5Tq2WVSLch384L6lZ4o5D4TpciITWlTBRkhdDj03YdT-eGa9uEFtkgMKQO4Mk0GMRo/s320/wal+bk+tilt0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428393657385808450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Few bas</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ses have enjoyed the legendary reputation the Wal ha</span><span style="font-family:arial;">s.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" > </span><span style="font-family:arial;">There is something about this bass that sets it apart from the others. More than a bass it is a statement to creativity, excellence and a blend of radical innovation and snobbish classicism.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />This is the review of my '89 Mk I fretless. In a way it's also a reflection over the early days of the fretless phenomenon.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Among all Wal models - Mk I-II-III, fretted, fretless, in 4,5 and 6 strings configuration - the Mk I fret-less is, in my opinion, the most iconic of all.<br /><br />I own a Mk III as well and I believe is a more refined instrument and the perfect evolution of the species. Should I buy another Wal today I would likely buy a Mk III.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UHjErsk2KislY_s31z_C6bFmnuvyAPfx2NHXuVe8g8u_DBCrej-GruXaLgPXBwKhrW-bsDa62QvkWgJWW_uKSQ31MTcYqDqFB9npgg-8vzvJQB2kiIzahpo3RnBi8zGHv0c41hC8bso/s1600-h/wal+fnt+tl20001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UHjErsk2KislY_s31z_C6bFmnuvyAPfx2NHXuVe8g8u_DBCrej-GruXaLgPXBwKhrW-bsDa62QvkWgJWW_uKSQ31MTcYqDqFB9npgg-8vzvJQB2kiIzahpo3RnBi8zGHv0c41hC8bso/s320/wal+fnt+tl20001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428666305834368978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">So, why exactly do I think so highly of the Mk I fretless? It's not just because of its excellent quality and sophisticated electronics. Every Wal, fretted or fretless, shares that. It's rather because of it's significance in the fretless world.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">To me, at the very least.<br /><br />In its infancy the fretless phenomenon </span><span style="font-family:arial;">basically </span><span style="font-family:arial;">meant the sound of Jaco Pastorious' Fender Jazz. Only God, and a handful of us, knows how hard it was to be a fretless bassist at that time and not wanting to sound like Mr. Pastorius - with all due respect</span><span style="font-family:arial;">.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">Literally overnight every bass player wanted a fretless J, a Chorus and wanted to - worse, he was expected to! - make it sound that way. Makers were struggling to follow suit and in a matter of months it had become a circus. It went on and on. Holy cow, I hated it!</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4L2e_PeK_jQmBXmKrWCfy4v54KY8WcXl7ZorVaP61T6Tpv_XBVQO3nKeY_43Fvh-7dB4q68kbodD42GOOGcvJvXRpj22Imel3-jp3h2_3v1UjNur3ypieAMjoHhC0BjU6ojordegop8/s1600-h/wal+bcksd+hd0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4L2e_PeK_jQmBXmKrWCfy4v54KY8WcXl7ZorVaP61T6Tpv_XBVQO3nKeY_43Fvh-7dB4q68kbodD42GOOGcvJvXRpj22Imel3-jp3h2_3v1UjNur3ypieAMjoHhC0BjU6ojordegop8/s320/wal+bcksd+hd0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428655766135851698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">The Mk I fretless was the perfect alternative, so naturally inclined to sound different thanks to its unorthodox electronics. But like the fretless bass needed Pastorius, so the Wal needed his champion.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Enter Brand X and Percy Jones. Over a few recordings the genius of Mr. Jones showed us bass players not just what <span style="font-style: italic;">else</span> a fretless could sound like, but also what a Wal was capable of. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Others followed suit - notably Mick Karn of Japan Fame.<br /><br />But more to the point non-Wal players started drifting away from the Fender Jazz shadow. Pino Palladino was one of the first bassists to build his sound around the Wal/Jones's lesson - and he played a Music Man Sting Ray.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Suddenly those who wanted to sound different had something to start with. Even if they couldn't afford a Wal. I'll be always grateful to the Mk I and Percy Jones for breaking the spell.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Construction.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSZU8c-4QhV3-t549cAwQyrOpxSghWRtK_6NiMCvB9_MkisEwpiEop_cwffNvncMITu5si9andrv2L-89meFw6TjsLXDl6YOcneRXivFeYjkyK3bDbGXq15Q-gHXvOgpq6zYh7UmgfHY/s1600-h/wal+bck+S0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSZU8c-4QhV3-t549cAwQyrOpxSghWRtK_6NiMCvB9_MkisEwpiEop_cwffNvncMITu5si9andrv2L-89meFw6TjsLXDl6YOcneRXivFeYjkyK3bDbGXq15Q-gHXvOgpq6zYh7UmgfHY/s320/wal+bck+S0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428655756700926610" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">This bass is a 21 years old. But today's Mark I are made exactly the same way. The body is Brazilian Mahogany. The neck is a six piece Maple/Mahogany laminate with Ebony fretless fingerboard.<br /><br />Top and back facings of this particular one are American Walnut. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Between the facing and the core is a thin layer of Maple which contrasts beautifully with the two dark woods - especially where the body has been contoured.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />This is a fairly classic combination of timbers. Any extravagance at Wal is usually reserved for exotic wood tops.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqYTAo1_fctDtVECNAVmHeExNG0KtOwY8IWQQ4baihta91KC-Oa5z9Nm_3DI8b_j6YIF66EJ39fJVdjXLA-U0ttsp2R0094gpjY6WOJ0smgJetuimI_WkqjqNjUfa1Oq4fT7HtLRKsg4/s1600-h/wal+bdy+prf0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqYTAo1_fctDtVECNAVmHeExNG0KtOwY8IWQQ4baihta91KC-Oa5z9Nm_3DI8b_j6YIF66EJ39fJVdjXLA-U0ttsp2R0094gpjY6WOJ0smgJetuimI_WkqjqNjUfa1Oq4fT7HtLRKsg4/s320/wal+bdy+prf0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428655773683241874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">Two huge, black humbucking P-ups and a massive bridge create a distinctive look, especially when in contrast with natural finish.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">The body finish is natural and you can feel the wood under you fingers, while the neck is lacquered. A beautiful effect and a great feel under your fingers.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The 21 frets Ebony fingerboard is tastefully lined with a light brown wood, probably Olive, which is clearly visible at short range while blending nicely with the beautiful black fingerboard - another elegant touch.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRv7bN-safAqeF5Q7Q3ujVX0m4TBJOPzNhiUFw8vXnwDj6vq_cVFj4j7eoFZp5QSmmZiZMmX-FhCHKrRToVH8uF2qgepJ_w4XASvK2EpPr4uKk213zNzz2h_C0BOkw4GBdMjRoodSxczo/s1600-h/wal+hd+front0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 186px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRv7bN-safAqeF5Q7Q3ujVX0m4TBJOPzNhiUFw8vXnwDj6vq_cVFj4j7eoFZp5QSmmZiZMmX-FhCHKrRToVH8uF2qgepJ_w4XASvK2EpPr4uKk213zNzz2h_C0BOkw4GBdMjRoodSxczo/s320/wal+hd+front0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428658701420504530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Side MOP dots mark the fingerboard and a simple, elegant headstock houses the Schaller tuners.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> This bass is a gem of inspired simplicity where everything has a role and every detail is taken care of.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Take the fifth screw placed in the center of the metal neck plate. It doesn't contribute to holding the neck. In fact it's shorter than the others and doesn't even go through the </span><span style="font-family:arial;">body into the neck.<br /><br />All it does it holding the metal plate so it won't fall when the fourth screw is taken out. That's a Bulgari </span><span style="font-family:arial;">touch.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The neck is a marvel of reliability. This bass has traveled with me since 1989 from North America to many countries across Europe and Asia, through hot, cold, dry and very humid climates. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixn-p6vvxQVTBVUNvIIT6xj6gXvIx95u9Mib6_8EYMwMiy5gfoclgapG92en5RTnRZYqf-QcfBb33j2LCEEQAgpJm-Mkigax793rRaVomoBI0vaLTSZszqzaWJ-hn3s__2YXOltC33Jh4/s1600-h/wal+back450001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixn-p6vvxQVTBVUNvIIT6xj6gXvIx95u9Mib6_8EYMwMiy5gfoclgapG92en5RTnRZYqf-QcfBb33j2LCEEQAgpJm-Mkigax793rRaVomoBI0vaLTSZszqzaWJ-hn3s__2YXOltC33Jh4/s320/wal+back450001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428655751660241250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Even so, I never had to adjust the truss rod - which </span><span style="font-family:arial;">is a lot more than I can say of </span><span style="font-family:arial;">the majority of </span><span style="font-family:arial;">great basses I have owned or still own. Except for the Steinberger. Go figure!</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">When you consider that the truss rod is a 21 years old thing, not a contemporary state of the art, then you've got to conclude that the wood is dam good and the construction makes it very stiff.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">My MkIII 5er shares the same quality - and it mounts only one truss rod, unlike many 5ers. It's a Wal thing.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Ergonomics.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Once you wear it, the headstock immediately looks for its balance point in the air. It does feel slightly heavier on the headstock compared to the more compact Mk III, but its natural playing position is comfortable and ergonomic. It doesn't feel heavy and doesn't make you tired.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUvEbB5mVN3hSVVK-LoyaVpnz2h4Y23tKP_q3OeSlBeSSrCFarBY4szYu7fDIRRb9KW_DpQirFDHhTinqU6etjM_dUcEOHyLzd8JYKezfzaE_dPXgCkgw88GTPZL95iIUPePLUY5FdFw/s1600-h/wal+bk+sltd0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 368px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUvEbB5mVN3hSVVK-LoyaVpnz2h4Y23tKP_q3OeSlBeSSrCFarBY4szYu7fDIRRb9KW_DpQirFDHhTinqU6etjM_dUcEOHyLzd8JYKezfzaE_dPXgCkgw88GTPZL95iIUPePLUY5FdFw/s320/wal+bk+sltd0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428658698024018466" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />The bridge P-U falls in a position slightly more central that that of other basses and that is very comfortable for the right arm. It also makes the end of the fingerboard comfortable for fast articulation. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />The only thing this fretless doesn't have is a 24 frets long fingerboard. Today I would like that. Than again, today I would like a five or six strings 24 frets fretless, not a four. The Mk III ;)</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7I79Mev7Ka_VhzUiZzTffoUIzdbK7SYuHtV0E9RvHopUR3ueG4W5kSQFN98tp8yRhf-WT9wvRQeWgpsbkxeuArt9L_6AOINinJHvZOkG34U8PDyZx1RLCBOvzWcAHsXfXUa16qqbhyphenhyphens/s1600-h/wal+str+angl0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 363px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7I79Mev7Ka_VhzUiZzTffoUIzdbK7SYuHtV0E9RvHopUR3ueG4W5kSQFN98tp8yRhf-WT9wvRQeWgpsbkxeuArt9L_6AOINinJHvZOkG34U8PDyZx1RLCBOvzWcAHsXfXUa16qqbhyphenhyphens/s320/wal+str+angl0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428666303187390546" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" ><br /><br />Electronics.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Now, when many other basses would have been happy to thrive on such a superior crafting, the Wal hits you with electronics like no other.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">If you remove the Eq cover and look inside you'll see a neat and somehow spartan looking circuitry.<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMWQA-Gwyiyn3_Y1GWkfTq6k3slnGdrGCVYzH9_nB-Oz8qccbr9zBoG0PtRYAT6fx5_3cMKQIY_ce5DzGiYGAiE7WxC_rXihXtADoz7FuraV1yVBHZJAKEjrQa9MNYgiWpbF2RokBeOo/s1600-h/wal+knobs0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMWQA-Gwyiyn3_Y1GWkfTq6k3slnGdrGCVYzH9_nB-Oz8qccbr9zBoG0PtRYAT6fx5_3cMKQIY_ce5DzGiYGAiE7WxC_rXihXtADoz7FuraV1yVBHZJAKEjrQa9MNYgiWpbF2RokBeOo/s320/wal+knobs0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428658703060729570" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">That is the heart of the Wal sound.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Each pick-up contains individual adjustable (!) pick-ups for each string, which eliminates imbalances. It's a very quiet circuit and it uses only a 9-volt battery. Then there is a standard 1/4" jack and a Balanced DI so you can kiss goodbye to external DI boxes.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Pulling the volume Knob activates a pick-attack. As the Wal website sums it up "...a narrow band of high frequencies is added to the overall tone-setting to provide dynamic, percussive attack".<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIFrHvudEhG_G038StJOPbWYuUoOfJnZRCL2e-aQS7_VuCKVYh4dOS4JLtcqpUcEP_VHTVVVv0Ue_OMWDWsCittY9peZvTReKIYPDHNfJh02FZH7cAyoukz1OCYXYOAcYAC_uxpa0-BM/s1600-h/wal+jack0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 367px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIFrHvudEhG_G038StJOPbWYuUoOfJnZRCL2e-aQS7_VuCKVYh4dOS4JLtcqpUcEP_VHTVVVv0Ue_OMWDWsCittY9peZvTReKIYPDHNfJh02FZH7cAyoukz1OCYXYOAcYAC_uxpa0-BM/s320/wal+jack0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428397656328896898" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Both output level and pick-attack level can be adjusted from inside the bass.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">This is how Wal describes the electronics:</span><br /><br />"<span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Pick-up Mixing Knob:- This silently mixes the levels of the pre-EQ’d pick-ups to any desire ratio whilst keeping the combined output level constant.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" ><br /><br />Tone-Knobs:- These operate electronic, low pass filters whose roll-off frequencies vary with the position of the control. Fully clockwise at 10, the spectrum is full and flat. As the controls are backed off, the spectrums of the appropriate pick-ups are foreshortened. (Roll-off 12dB/Octave).<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >The dominant tone character varies, therefore, throughout the entire range of control. Pulling-up the knob produces a quasi-parametric boost of about 10dB to the harmonics which lie at or near the roll-off frequency set by the rotary position.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" ><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEf48Z3ripAL7ibHLc9l3VQu9TX_NdYfWbOT6AGcpVzhkRmPTHZfZq7sA-wKJBHyRInFFN4ixTJGzXpgNTCAnSpLPzGgqi7vZ6vBZDw7_heaIV_iUe3geEOJh5GCkGzdsRPfejCTqg_Kw/s1600-h/wal+bck+prof0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 374px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEf48Z3ripAL7ibHLc9l3VQu9TX_NdYfWbOT6AGcpVzhkRmPTHZfZq7sA-wKJBHyRInFFN4ixTJGzXpgNTCAnSpLPzGgqi7vZ6vBZDw7_heaIV_iUe3geEOJh5GCkGzdsRPfejCTqg_Kw/s320/wal+bck+prof0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428655754189133650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >This provides the characteristic ‘active’ sounds so popular today, without the clinical quality common to many circuits.<br /><br />By using the pan mixer like a master tone control, in conjunction with the pick-up controls, an endless range of subtle tones and dynamic effects can be created, with or without the pick attack</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >.<br /><br />On left-hand models all rotary functions are reversed to right-hand".</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Wow...</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvkn7VesWQE3yDEvyVm32ljGwXGemG-8YGfdUqYrOvAbIKh0eYnkLoBpF41YOTHvGe6zi_jELp05v10NJ4sUGQ4k2MqRUHbcK7vjhAQ-qE4WmeIL_P5KzPNc6oGgW8k_4GAQ6FwVvWek/s1600-h/wal+bk+hd+cu0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvkn7VesWQE3yDEvyVm32ljGwXGemG-8YGfdUqYrOvAbIKh0eYnkLoBpF41YOTHvGe6zi_jELp05v10NJ4sUGQ4k2MqRUHbcK7vjhAQ-qE4WmeIL_P5KzPNc6oGgW8k_4GAQ6FwVvWek/s320/wal+bk+hd+cu0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428658687022419154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">All this might sound intimidating but it's actually a lot more intuitive than the traditional three knobs Eq.<br /><br />Basically all you have to do is to rotate the tone knob of one pick up </span><span style="font-family:arial;">and listen, </span><span style="font-family:arial;">until you like what you hear.<br /><br />Then you do the same with the other pick up.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">When both P-ups sound good to you, you use the balance to move around the sound spectrum you have created. I like this way of looking at it.<br /><br />It sets me free from the mental grid of B/M/T and encurages me to think of sound as a whole, not as the product of three frequencies. It's a much more creative process which over time has changed the way I set the sound on bass I play.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />I have played my two Wal with large band line up, in small clubs, with horns and with less then perfect sound system. There has never been a time I couldn't cut through the mud.</span> <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4ibAojHY_nlht8cBCxFCTtmgAmdbUxhwzMcpFShfOmS45CpN7_Xd_soy_8xgUNll6h20HnWhi1_CrlsLQ6dhJgyIabRCxxsz_mptkYCLZgdHXAs_EVxFH0brlyJYFw0tXLj1_MkGIn4/s1600-h/wal+c+up0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4ibAojHY_nlht8cBCxFCTtmgAmdbUxhwzMcpFShfOmS45CpN7_Xd_soy_8xgUNll6h20HnWhi1_CrlsLQ6dhJgyIabRCxxsz_mptkYCLZgdHXAs_EVxFH0brlyJYFw0tXLj1_MkGIn4/s320/wal+c+up0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428398307305645618" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >The Wal's voice.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">...and here is where I hit the wall - pun intended. Sorry, I couldn't resist it :) I really don't know how to describe the sound. It cannot be likened to any other, not even just for reference purpose.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">I can say that the massive Mahogany body adds a dark tone to the overall voice; that the sound is round, with a huge, earthquake-like bottom and that it has so much sustain you'll have to shoot it to make it stop.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">I can point out how each note sounds clear and powerful; how high the P-ups output is - higher that most basses I know; how it sounds always clear, rich and with seemengly infinite nuances. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />But then, what does that really tell you about the its Voice?</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vCEflAP3v7zdrFL-pS-LIv46g-3xBhAGS_lleZMRvk0PbpGi5Mqpkg5lVz-wIxCYEkBE9-rizDUqHNqQ1V8dza25bHhzxwf5vzj5hlS6tydvarlG1hiwT4g5yi3BrVOaE1MasCoG8Hs/s1600-h/wal+bk+lowct0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 371px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vCEflAP3v7zdrFL-pS-LIv46g-3xBhAGS_lleZMRvk0PbpGi5Mqpkg5lVz-wIxCYEkBE9-rizDUqHNqQ1V8dza25bHhzxwf5vzj5hlS6tydvarlG1hiwT4g5yi3BrVOaE1MasCoG8Hs/s320/wal+bk+lowct0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428658693419289346" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />The best i can do here is to suggest listening to some of the old Percy Jones recordings with Brand X recordings - Masque and Do They Hurt above all - and the sound of </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Mick Karn on </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Japan's recordings - take 'Oil on Canvas'.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">That's a good start but it is only half the story. To feel the magic of this bass you'll have to try one. Well, I live in Asia. If that's not a problem for you I suppose it can be arranged.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXtt7rGKMkdbz3tG6LiwdlTfU8WpeaYLgLg9evcH2MDCzgtRsvgZ1aULqH9LJg9Tn7d_DLeEarf7PyI9kT39OE1Q8IVXPosI8QvCOc1BPmJb-m1CyjVruqrNfZbKm4l9Ib08QPcumrKU/s1600-h/wal+frnt+til0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 359px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXtt7rGKMkdbz3tG6LiwdlTfU8WpeaYLgLg9evcH2MDCzgtRsvgZ1aULqH9LJg9Tn7d_DLeEarf7PyI9kT39OE1Q8IVXPosI8QvCOc1BPmJb-m1CyjVruqrNfZbKm4l9Ib08QPcumrKU/s320/wal+frnt+til0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428393677734808338" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" ><br />Wrapping it up.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Now you might say I am biased, and I would accept that. How can I not be? It is not even a matter of saying 'I cannot find fault with this bass' because the Wal is in a category of one. Conventional rules simply do not apply.<br /><br />I might not drive a Rolls or a Ferrari, but they are what they are regardless. And I have personally played a lot of Porches but I have found only a handful of Rolls and Ferrari.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyTjeoRqFL0IZz7307qaun17-KDhvo1u4vzG_LAEH0ROVWFU7y0BBLBaJPvxveQCBQ0uZE5gjp9qgMFeCZ-AlDEuuH9tSIwwDGcoDF2N1CshDY4gSH2G7deJbdhIAVFLQMrRzXOuOhHk/s1600-h/wal+bk+curve0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 374px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyTjeoRqFL0IZz7307qaun17-KDhvo1u4vzG_LAEH0ROVWFU7y0BBLBaJPvxveQCBQ0uZE5gjp9qgMFeCZ-AlDEuuH9tSIwwDGcoDF2N1CshDY4gSH2G7deJbdhIAVFLQMrRzXOuOhHk/s320/wal+bk+curve0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428398299887976962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">How many great brands out there have made the questionable marketing decision to offer a line of instruments made in so n so, to produce the same uncompromising blablabla at an affordable price. Right.<br /><br />It is just my point of view, but these makers are simply damaging their brand and I leave it to you all do wonder why.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">Price and quality are part of the same equation and y</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ou can't have an affordable Rolls because that wouldn't be a Rolls anymore, now wouldn't it? Likewise, Wal doesn't offer a more affordable-but-just-as-good marketing miracle. Think about it.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTfGb6-ajtUwITn8dUp2L_R4bZvD19py5NBtfrp-JsgkezhL8Wfwqco0ke_SGiMv7HK9-LclUB2X6t6H-K9Vf8SNdsN5BtB24bm9efahdtLEc-aRc3MyrFfw1IUPp5FXrQil8stTnySc/s1600-h/wal+profile0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTfGb6-ajtUwITn8dUp2L_R4bZvD19py5NBtfrp-JsgkezhL8Wfwqco0ke_SGiMv7HK9-LclUB2X6t6H-K9Vf8SNdsN5BtB24bm9efahdtLEc-aRc3MyrFfw1IUPp5FXrQil8stTnySc/s320/wal+profile0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428666299180527714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><span style="font-family:arial;">Now that Wal has resumed production after changes at the helm of the company, the chances to actually own one are real.<br /><br />Regretfully the long waiting list is real too - rumored to be at least a year. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">That is, unless one is prepared to bit for it on the second hand market.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">And with price starting from 3200 British Pounds, getting a new one is not exactly easy.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">And so it happens that, while some choose to make great basses everyone can afford, </span><span style="font-family:arial;">near Cobham in Surrey, UK, </span><span style="font-family:arial;">things just work together in prefect harmony to make a legend.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />>=)O</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2o0aIswerbqf1Qw2sTSXVg9lLcmUuRKNBhapo03vr7az87oC0Et_N2DRnOs7QzJI1d8T8lZPfcjGYyJyyNU7lBJbu3Y7G5evujb69_OQ1pQqxoJFDTgtbHPI7Jc80fq2wERDVxnxcU1U/s1600-h/wal+front0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 128px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2o0aIswerbqf1Qw2sTSXVg9lLcmUuRKNBhapo03vr7az87oC0Et_N2DRnOs7QzJI1d8T8lZPfcjGYyJyyNU7lBJbu3Y7G5evujb69_OQ1pQqxoJFDTgtbHPI7Jc80fq2wERDVxnxcU1U/s320/wal+front0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428136221334771394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" ><br /><br />In a nutshell:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >+ Top craftsmanship. </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" ><br />+Unique sound. </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" ><br />+Iconic status.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >- Very hard to get one.<br />- 21 frets.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Links</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.walbasses.co.uk/">Wal website</a> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:arial;" ><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTlhb5JDk8aRPJct5TPhvE1nUDx7tEJLG2rHAKuYv-NrmK19JicYsHxNfrwoWghiQKxygxTURo9JdKfWvGQXgYsNvlebvx42bu3ILNd7DkR-Uol9uXUvfSfwYPuoHGGH96qATF3RXLrQ/s1600-h/wal+frnt+up0001.jpg"><br /></a>mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779152736436578401noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3319021817038109149.post-24211131863239563532010-01-15T00:28:00.000-08:002010-01-17T18:27:07.960-08:00Lesson learned: My ol' Jaydee taught me.<span style="font-family:arial;">After 23 years the fingerboard of my old Jay Dee Supernatural and its truss rod had to be replaced. In the meantime I </span><span style="font-family:arial;">had entered this dangerous phase of my life when I want to know basses inside out - the most recent by-product of it being the upcoming Uber-J ;)</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">- see the progress in archive on the right.</span><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;font-family:arial;" ><br /></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXPpled7i4jDBXc7s0reXFsW-wZyDWvQfuvgvREr-hWW-E2cC7NOdz-3ar7zr4QjCEETKz58ZSPS4EewGMULSSH5Hn-I4A6PCV5Q17L3N7OotJP2ByABDPnQi5s8iZV98WQCZ04tH9vY/s1600-h/JD+body+front.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 331px; height: 441px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXPpled7i4jDBXc7s0reXFsW-wZyDWvQfuvgvREr-hWW-E2cC7NOdz-3ar7zr4QjCEETKz58ZSPS4EewGMULSSH5Hn-I4A6PCV5Q17L3N7OotJP2ByABDPnQi5s8iZV98WQCZ04tH9vY/s320/JD+body+front.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426552169093651586" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I wanted to do it myself, hands on and, under the guidance of a luthier I know, I took on the challenge.<br /><br />First thing I did was to remove the old Ebony board - and almost my left thumb while at that. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">It's one tough MFSOB of a job! It's hours spent heating up the old wood, trying to take it out only to see it cracking into tiny pieces which you'll have to deal with one by one - with pain. Believe me, after one hour of that you will want to pay whatever the guy's asking.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);font-family:arial;" >And here's Lesson One: Building instruments really is hard work and that costs money.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">But I finished the job. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Doing this forced me to notice and ponder over tiny things which a player doesn't necessarily need to know, being mostly focused on the 'feel' of the thing as opposed to the way it works.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> I learned how to choose the wood, prepare the fingerboard, decide the radius, bind it, glue it, choose the size of the frets, fret it, er...re-fret it, oil it.</span><span style="text-decoration: underline;font-family:arial;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">Playing on a fingerboard I know this well is a feeling I haven't experienced so far and it is affecting the way I play this bass.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);font-family:arial;" >And here's Lesson Two: God is in the details.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Together with replacing the old truss rod with a new double action one I wanted to add stiffness to the neck. So I considered adding two graphite rods. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Hence the chilling question:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 102);font-family:arial;" >"Do graphite rods affect (negatively or positively) the sound of a wooden bass which was not made with graphite rods to begin with?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">It's a honest question, if you ask me. Many have argued over it since graphite first appeared in the bass universe. You know those 'headless vs headstock' or 'sound-of-wood vs sound-of-electronics' kinda debate? There you go.<br /><br />To know for sure - or close enough - the only way is to have two identical wooden basses, one with and the other without CF rods. Of course there is no such a thing like <span style="font-style: italic;">two</span> </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >identical wooden basses</span><span style="font-family:arial;">. Ah ah ah. So the next best thing is to take a chance and do it to a bass you know very, very, very - did I hear very? - well. Like mine.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Which is exactly what I did.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Now I cannot speak as a builder because I ain't. But I am a bass player, I can tell you that.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> And my answer is a humble, resonant, rounded 'hell no'. Nope, niet, pas de tout, nein.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I couldn't notice any difference at all. Same strings, same amp, same player etc. The bass sounds the way it always did. Maybe my neighbor's cat hears something I don't. But, as far as I'm concerned, if I can't hear it it isn't there.<br /><br />The graphite rods did however make the neck beautifully straight, stiff, and believe me, absolutely impervious to the humidity level of a tropical rain forest during the rainy season. But that is a side effect I can happily live with</span> ;)<br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">End of the debate, as far as I'm concerned.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);font-family:arial;" >So, my Lesson Three is: What seems to have a point in theory might not have one in practice. Do it and see for yourself.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wub8CHBP1-nSbb5M577abq3O1NpzWtzTfnBrh-nUYR0_oZdG6TjFjtOTD4K18j4-bLTjCEap4aumBzQt2LRqCuSb9rbF9fhQCu9H1lajFuO4JkG43PEkAzFkGmRdoH-bDoFnF2hGVrc/s1600-h/JD+PUps.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 339px; height: 452px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wub8CHBP1-nSbb5M577abq3O1NpzWtzTfnBrh-nUYR0_oZdG6TjFjtOTD4K18j4-bLTjCEap4aumBzQt2LRqCuSb9rbF9fhQCu9H1lajFuO4JkG43PEkAzFkGmRdoH-bDoFnF2hGVrc/s320/JD+PUps.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426625638295018466" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);font-family:arial;" ><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The Best for last: Lesson Four.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I wanted to add a few personal touches to my Jay Dee, but was intimidated by the old fear of spoiling the market value of the instrument. But I really, reeeeeally wanted to add an inlay <span style="font-style: italic;">myself</span> and most importantly fix a few details which were key to my playing pleasure.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">So I did the inlay. It took me two months. It might not be a masterpiece of perfection but I like it and </span><span style="font-family:arial;">I learned a lot, especially Lesson One all over again. Inlaying is one hell of a job which requires patience, precision, time, dedication, a sharp eyesight and good taste.<br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">Then I added an oval shaped Ebony/Maple to fill the gap between fingerboard and body. It works with my slapping technique, which requires 5mm max distance between strings and body. For the same reason I had to file the edge of the fingerboard's lower angle to a smooth rounded shape right down to the neck. It just works for me.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">You can see both modifications in the picture above.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">And here's Lesson Four: If it works for me I'm gonna do it. Screw the market value.<br /></span>What I have learn easily compensates me for the monetary loss - if! Plus, I ain't gonna sell this love after 23 years :)</span> <span style="font-family: arial;">Which brings me to the Special Wisdom Prize</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Special Wisdom Prize: The Lesson of a lifetime. </span><br /><br />I bought this bass brand new in 1987. I my early years I wasn't in the position to own more than two basses. To buy this one I had to sell my Music Man Sting Ray - a '77 I believe...yeah, don't say a word ;) (Fore the records, the second bass I had at that time was a fender Precision fret-less class '73. Ask me where that one is now, please?)<br /><br />Years later when I had more cash to spare I tracked down the owner - it wasn't easy, the bass had changed hand a couple of times! - only to see it disappear again, for good this time.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">And here is the lesson: Never sell a great bass. </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br />Not even to buy another great bass. Sell your car, sell your next 5 years worth of booze, sell your ass if you have too. Later on, you'll never miss them as much as you will miss that great bass you once let go.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Thanks for listening</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">>=)O</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">ps: In case you asked, I sold the '73 P to buy a Wal Mark I fret-less - a gorgeous bass, not from this Earth. It will follow me into my grave. Wood smells good underground ;)</span><br /></span>mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779152736436578401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3319021817038109149.post-90494637753255919752010-01-13T21:59:00.000-08:002010-06-27T10:47:58.059-07:00Review: the Jay Dee Supernatural series III<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" ><br />The Mark King III</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0q1OqA0tfu3LeCJQ01aRvZat1Z88EuwFBdzJzjxXRrgxQfuJST4Kg0QXJzxJ5Bi_FNhW-9ivgCwUXANTHuevDQDcu_iHPEQncWCxyCdNVVy2mnkAC67p7lC_7BmaKI55RdwWoUyAojTg/s1600-h/JD+front.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 167px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0q1OqA0tfu3LeCJQ01aRvZat1Z88EuwFBdzJzjxXRrgxQfuJST4Kg0QXJzxJ5Bi_FNhW-9ivgCwUXANTHuevDQDcu_iHPEQncWCxyCdNVVy2mnkAC67p7lC_7BmaKI55RdwWoUyAojTg/s320/JD+front.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426472124118168322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Jay Dee are made in UK by John Diggins, hence the name.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">Mine is a 1987. I fell in love with it from the first time I played it. Back then I couldn't afford more than two basses. So I had to sell a 1977 Music Man Sting Ray to buy one. Don't ask.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Construction.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">This bass is a display of great craftsmanship. Over thirty different pieces of wood are used for the construction. The body wings are Brazilian Mahogany and the neck is a five piece Walnut and Maple laminate.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />The 21 fret fingerboard is made of Ebony and </span><span style="font-family:arial;">it originally had MOP dots. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">The nut is Ivory. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">The P-Ups are sealed inside a Ebony, Maple and Mahogany cover - a little </span><span style="font-family:arial;">masterpiece</span><span style="font-family:arial;">. The front of the uniquely shaped headstock sports a beautiful top and veneer.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">The only part they don't make is the Schaller tuners which are as precise and reliable as one would expect. </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />The most interesting feature of this bass to me is the fact that it looks like a neck through but is actually a glued neck. Go to the </span><span style="font-family:arial;">JD Gallery</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> to see how this is done - link provided below.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4aZWDLq3EZU58Z4KGxJaaLjhi0m42bzzvUG_u8A2RA2AFhuvdG5pQXPwOjebM7Ha1aejHrocZ7IylRV0AJqfrMl-eCaEqYJdBFJC0IlJdKLgcbn51KSXiyrjK55CR0s14iE9BHudDKo/s1600-h/JD+headstock+front.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4aZWDLq3EZU58Z4KGxJaaLjhi0m42bzzvUG_u8A2RA2AFhuvdG5pQXPwOjebM7Ha1aejHrocZ7IylRV0AJqfrMl-eCaEqYJdBFJC0IlJdKLgcbn51KSXiyrjK55CR0s14iE9BHudDKo/s320/JD+headstock+front.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426625611344080002" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjCNl1dEHoKWRUgTCBaZg8xld2FxTKuOjF-8bFp5rPcbcY2r5uG2UpJ3PIJhbDJfs3zNnFfTCAty-SCX4aTe7oFr_IGG1Y-JAzAJGyXnQb9Tgq3Y4qhN3jjG34NxEaZ7JeZgl3raXq_E/s1600-h/JD+headstock+back.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjCNl1dEHoKWRUgTCBaZg8xld2FxTKuOjF-8bFp5rPcbcY2r5uG2UpJ3PIJhbDJfs3zNnFfTCAty-SCX4aTe7oFr_IGG1Y-JAzAJGyXnQb9Tgq3Y4qhN3jjG34NxEaZ7JeZgl3raXq_E/s320/JD+headstock+back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426625592066785682" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The string holders are made of massive</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> bell-quality brass</span><span style="font-family:arial;">. The bridge itself - also in brass - is screwed to a brass plate sunk into the body. The two parts together lend a very unique look to the instrument. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Then again, everything about this bass is unique. Which is probably why it's a love or hate type of instrument. There is no denying that the somewhat retro style divides people.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"> I love it, obviously. </span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9opjB6KwEetH3tY5UlckbJduTlxNiqzybqynBTTfy41utixMCqLdzeft5zdjqOgHlGjfdKsbP3ChBdANmSqWFmpyfJbj_-tAS074oiOXYmlwxLrv0ZNFBWhmpovnearbfZAznaDhxUfY/s1600-h/JD+body+bottom.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 376px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9opjB6KwEetH3tY5UlckbJduTlxNiqzybqynBTTfy41utixMCqLdzeft5zdjqOgHlGjfdKsbP3ChBdANmSqWFmpyfJbj_-tAS074oiOXYmlwxLrv0ZNFBWhmpovnearbfZAznaDhxUfY/s320/JD+body+bottom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426552224434248082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The body is gracefully contoured leaving no sharp angles and is a pleasure to hold.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">The finish is exceptional. After so many years of playing it still looks new with little sign of wear and tear. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPjcj4tnTvLbLgavHf2yNSzaj6_Kdppp_WVfLv7413577JEAfs5TTXm5TE_DYaYdpILLDA6lWeIsc3DTDrxRrH2A9zpGJUQBTe3cnLq93KQpWWddI8Mt9wwqgTELaCnnUi9XPWVs3gQQ/s1600-h/JD+back+side.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPjcj4tnTvLbLgavHf2yNSzaj6_Kdppp_WVfLv7413577JEAfs5TTXm5TE_DYaYdpILLDA6lWeIsc3DTDrxRrH2A9zpGJUQBTe3cnLq93KQpWWddI8Mt9wwqgTELaCnnUi9XPWVs3gQQ/s320/JD+back+side.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426552210486338802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">The neck is flat, thin and makes for very fast playing. Unfortunately, the combination of thin neck, soft woods and the rather weak truss rod in this '87 model, resulted in a very temperamental neck.<br /><br />Much like vintage cars, it succumbs to the slightest humidity and temperature changes. Having changed addresses many times across two continents I became a bit of an reluctant expert on this topic.<br /><br />Good thing is, I learned to have the basic tools with me all the time. Still, a moody neck is not something too desirable in a high end instrument.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Last year I wrote to Mr. Diggins, a very likable person. He advised me to replace the old truss rod and confirmed that for quite some time now they had been using a far superior rod, putting an end to the problem. You've got to love progress! ;) </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWs9XoV8DsRKZU7M1c1cNAPy6QKz3SBb6MkMm3_SLUC3kdq4_KVrGydlkT80Smeli3StF_h8paHA6ny4Jk0ingaZnj1fbgDoG6gk2PrMv7bcmH_VXWisVqwbosk_9kS0hNfkMzjgLrOI/s1600-h/JD+neck+perspective.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 221px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWs9XoV8DsRKZU7M1c1cNAPy6QKz3SBb6MkMm3_SLUC3kdq4_KVrGydlkT80Smeli3StF_h8paHA6ny4Jk0ingaZnj1fbgDoG6gk2PrMv7bcmH_VXWisVqwbosk_9kS0hNfkMzjgLrOI/s320/JD+neck+perspective.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426625623313595650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Needless to say, with the neck back in shape I fell for this bass all over again.<br /><br />Playing this thing is a pleasure. It is well balanced, surprisingly light and the strap locks push the body slightly towards the left of the player, making it perfect for slapping.<br /><br />This position makes it easier for the left hand to move around the 18th/21st fret area. It requires a bit of stretching to reach the first fret though, so small sized players be forewarned - and to those playing with the neck at a sharp angle.<br /><br />There is a metal knob for master Volume and another for Tone control, which works on both active a passive selection. A toggle switches the Eq On/Off.<br /><br />The three smaller Eq knobs are very nice looking in black plastic with MOP top. The Eq on my JD (</span><span style="font-family:arial;">B/M/T) </span><span style="font-family:arial;">is perhaps not the most versatile </span><span style="font-family:arial;">on the market </span><span style="font-family:arial;">and I personally don't particularly like the Treble </span><span style="font-family:arial;">sound when</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> rotated fully clock-wise. But the Eq works well overall. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Jay Dee confirmed last year that</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> new basses are mounting the same electronics.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">When you open the Eq compartment you'll see the large recess full with circuitry very neatly put together. I have no idea what brand the Eq is though, probably JD made? If anyone does, please add a comment here.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFigqTsUl6eaGXUrYFXrqa9GZi9WC-28D5thJ-TrScuysYdaExXZVCXve5Yu0CiGgZj8vu2mlfjfQ5q9CWz_Nyr6uNq_jT0yg9iLg7A0TKg2YT83g_hp2XHgo0wkMYMTTFmOrcmq5Clio/s1600-h/JD+body+back.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFigqTsUl6eaGXUrYFXrqa9GZi9WC-28D5thJ-TrScuysYdaExXZVCXve5Yu0CiGgZj8vu2mlfjfQ5q9CWz_Nyr6uNq_jT0yg9iLg7A0TKg2YT83g_hp2XHgo0wkMYMTTFmOrcmq5Clio/s320/JD+body+back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426552183433673010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">The P-ups selector is a large switch with On-Off/Bridge/Two P-ups/Neck position. The ON position also tuns on a small red light so you know. The light gets dimmer when the battery starts running low - nice.<br /><br />Just make sure to lower the volume on your amp when you switch the bass off or you'll hear the speakers popping - not nice.<br /><br />Many seem to agree that a switch is preferable to a balance pot because it produces a cleaner signal. Be as it may, most basses come with a P-U balance or separate volume knobs, probably recognizing that players out there need all the in-between nuances to find a personal sound. I share that sentiment, even more so on this bass - more on this later.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">Finally, the bass mounts a standard jack and an Balanced DI.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">The Jay Dee Voice.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">The overall tone is very organic, resonant. It almost feels like you could hear the sound of the wood unfiltered. It's very unique. You hear it, you know it's a Jay Dee.<br /><br />The bridge P-U produces a sound that is punchy and nasal like many wouldn't expect from a Mahogany bass. The neck PU sounds very rounded, with an almost acoustic quality to it. Its very distinctive, but I have yet to find the right sound environment for it - after 23 years! Perhaps in a semi-acoustic lineup? It does add to the versatility of the bass though.<br /><br />The two P-ups together produce a killer slap sound - rounded, percussive, sharp, compressed. To me it almost gives a voice to the bouncing of the strings. With light gauge stainless steel strings (.40, .35 or .30) it's a flying slap machine.<br /><br /></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VlO_nFz3Au5CAZE0U1lvVg2i9ukLnq3Fez91H2vFU8t9U0o7zr8OfShzYWkovBp77SPzJ9KxYU_XXQjqUC1TMDM7dFLEkkruIqzrQW7ZPMZxFEQtCqsQ8jxEzKUITv8gxMEDSaaOMrg/s1600-h/JD+back.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VlO_nFz3Au5CAZE0U1lvVg2i9ukLnq3Fez91H2vFU8t9U0o7zr8OfShzYWkovBp77SPzJ9KxYU_XXQjqUC1TMDM7dFLEkkruIqzrQW7ZPMZxFEQtCqsQ8jxEzKUITv8gxMEDSaaOMrg/s320/JD+back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426552158558816194" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Which is why I earlier said I am not keen on the way the P-ups selector works. If only this bass had a Balance instead one could explore its infinite combination. As it is, I just hardly use the neck P-U. I wonder why it was designed that way. Perhaps I will ask Jay Dee to change that for me ;)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I have also noticed that the overall output is not as high as many high end basses. I'm not too sure why. But when I play it together with another bass - particularly with Wal or Steinberger - I often need two separate volume settings. Has anyone else noticed that?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The Supernatural was brought to international attention by Mark King of Level 42 in the mid eighties. However it was not designed in team with Mr. King. It was merely the bass he used. He later gave permission to name it after him.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Mark King & Jay Dee was a perfect marriage. If the player made the bass famous, the bass gave the player a signature sound which I feel he had not fully found until then.<br /><br />The Jay Dee somehow planted the seed of a vision that has been perfected over many years of collaboration with top builders and has produced the gorgeous Alembic M.King and more recently the superb Kingbass MarkII.<br /><br /></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXtyDlpHv2DSmGOHUJn0S_wT4fwQz9XZ-sgW2aWSshGPfmDA-Yp_qbE0LPRst5tuokRsRFKa7iT_DGItimq2AoSo0F6JRRWNw8e7HZD8La_JP05FGxq2HL1FsSN9V7pi9VCavsWXZY_4/s1600-h/LD+headstock+side.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 176px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXtyDlpHv2DSmGOHUJn0S_wT4fwQz9XZ-sgW2aWSshGPfmDA-Yp_qbE0LPRst5tuokRsRFKa7iT_DGItimq2AoSo0F6JRRWNw8e7HZD8La_JP05FGxq2HL1FsSN9V7pi9VCavsWXZY_4/s320/LD+headstock+side.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426626566038222114" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwKSHsrBPELJ22WAmQ6_t5hUcwmM2dPOU-53C8rV-HJjLjDu0gaY9joo4-t53Qi_dQl6rNRtsVYmYq3btEh-7lMRzdR1I5obXtXvmRL581MbCO72ZRRBiCPhXnRuUlA9LM9Yvjx_CVtg/s1600-h/JD+body+profile.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwKSHsrBPELJ22WAmQ6_t5hUcwmM2dPOU-53C8rV-HJjLjDu0gaY9joo4-t53Qi_dQl6rNRtsVYmYq3btEh-7lMRzdR1I5obXtXvmRL581MbCO72ZRRBiCPhXnRuUlA9LM9Yvjx_CVtg/s320/JD+body+profile.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426625580442470354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The association with Mr. King might have somehow pigeon-holed this bass back then, with people looking at it from the funk-fusion angle only, perhaps limiting his appeal.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">It might come as a surprise to some that</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> Jaco Pastorius was about to endorse </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Jay Dee </span><span style="font-family:arial;">in the last period of his career</span><span style="font-family:arial;">. There is a video of him playing a Series II. The link is below.<br /><br />I read in an interview to Mr. Diggins that Pastorius was initially quite skeptical about using a Mahogany bass, his being so used to Swamp Ash. However he was so blown away by the sound and the crafting of the Jay Dee that he ordered two basses right away </span><span style="font-family:arial;">- or was it three?</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> - </span><span style="font-family:arial;">albeit in a shape closer to the Fender Jazz.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />These basses were to become the Jaco Pastorius signature Jay Dee. As fate would have it, he passed away just days before he could collect his basses. I wonder what would Jay Dee's story have been like had Pastorius survived the accident.<br /><br />Anyway, Mark King and Pastorius' choice, that's good enough for me.<br /><br />I saw the last one of those JP models on sale at Jay Dee's many years back. I should have bought one. But then again, those were the days when I had to sell a Music Man to afford a Jay Dee.<br /><br />>=)O<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">In a Nutshell:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">+ Great Craftsmanship. Build to last. Fast neck. Personal Sound. People will stare.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">- No P-ups Balance. Low volume output. </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 102);font-family:arial;" >People will stare.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" >I've got a little story about this bass. If you're interested you'll find it in my other post:</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:arial;" ><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Lesson learned: My Jay Dee taught me</span></span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;font-family:arial;" ><br /></span><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;font-family:arial;" >Links<br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.jaydeecustomguitars.co.uk/index.html"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Jay Dee website</span></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> (another web site is </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.jaydeeguitars.com/">here</a><span style="font-family:arial;">).</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.jaydeecustomguitars.co.uk/guitar_construction_pics.html">JD Gallery</a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XKr_6MzZTw">This video</a></span><span style="font-family:arial;"> features Pastorius with a JD S series II</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXtyDlpHv2DSmGOHUJn0S_wT4fwQz9XZ-sgW2aWSshGPfmDA-Yp_qbE0LPRst5tuokRsRFKa7iT_DGItimq2AoSo0F6JRRWNw8e7HZD8La_JP05FGxq2HL1FsSN9V7pi9VCavsWXZY_4/s1600-h/LD+headstock+side.jpg"><br /></a>mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779152736436578401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3319021817038109149.post-49537850347106470542010-01-13T08:42:00.000-08:002010-04-17T06:01:00.304-07:00Building the uber-J. Part Four.<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Unveiling a few little secrets ;)</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKH6EdzJmrpcHh4fBjBD5ugFGE6zpEPn_bx32PzWB1VVKu9Q9YZWnjgqUUagpqUXG0_f-DzNGqrgtmAq4Z-Lr51KPxu2MWhXFN3imkUkOCfj2zdfo2XJnOIJ5Kt-MyUz8r7JtxMnQ5R84/s1600-h/body+contour0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKH6EdzJmrpcHh4fBjBD5ugFGE6zpEPn_bx32PzWB1VVKu9Q9YZWnjgqUUagpqUXG0_f-DzNGqrgtmAq4Z-Lr51KPxu2MWhXFN3imkUkOCfj2zdfo2XJnOIJ5Kt-MyUz8r7JtxMnQ5R84/s320/body+contour0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426255762058833330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">This is the body at its final stage of contouring. I have shaped the lower horn to a point where it really leaves a lot of room for my left hand. I am so very happy with it! When you look at the body from the front view it doesn't look any different from a J. But when you look behind.... ;) Gosh I love it!!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Now, contrary to what is usually done I have deeply contoured the lower part of the body as well. I like the visual harmony of this solution. I mean, how cool is that?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">What?...The drawings? What about them?....Oh, OK. So it's gonna be a long neck joint.<br />Actually, it's gonna go all the way down to the neck PU, almost half the body. Indeed!<br /><br />As I said at the beginning, some of my efforts wil focus on improving the neck/body joint. This is it. It will take eight screws with ferrules and the heel will be shaped to make the transition neck/body as smooth as possible. Once it's done it'll take a bomb to separate these two fellows. I think this is worth trying. I can't wait to finish this!!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">And yes, there will be an on-board EQ. The size and position of the recess is not final. In fact I am still waiting for the electronics. It will be as far away from the strings and bridge PU as I can go. I hate it when knobs are placed so far up that my right arm keeps on bumping into them.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Initially I was convinced I would stay true to the J's simplicity of V/V/T. I changed my mind. One reason is that a separate mids control is essential to me. Then, the second most important knob to me is the PU balance. Once I start changing that, little is left of the J layout. Might as well have some serious EqMF!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"> Now, I do understand that that deep body contour will challenge the position of a full 3 bands EQ. But I think I have a solution for that. Besides, I love challenges ;)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Prototyping and waiting for parts.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">These days I'm working with the 'metal guys' on some hardware prototype for the headstock, so the wood work will have to wait until that is done. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">I have decided to take a rather radical approach to the tuning issue.<br /><br />Basically I am trying to do without machine heads. (Yo bro! are you crazy? a J without headstock??) Of course my uber-Fender Jazz will have a headstock. No way I could do without it, no. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">But I have over time come to question the whole headstock tuners thing. I should probably post separately on this rather controversial issue.<br /><br />For now lets just say that my intention for this bass and for the next one is to try something different.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">I will elaborate on that later, when the prototype is ready and I have something to show. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Next.</span><br /><br />Right. So, I am waiting for a number of parts - </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Bridge, Pick-Ups, on-board EQ</span><span style="font-family:arial;">.<br />They should arrive by mid next week. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">In the meantime, I think I'll go swimming. Or write another review ;)<br /><br />>=)O<br /></span>mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779152736436578401noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3319021817038109149.post-6363947769687589592010-01-09T07:11:00.000-08:002010-04-17T06:01:39.153-07:00Building the uber-J. Part Three.<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >More body work and starting the neck.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zVx3gECgzNehQmbQ4bz3il_tsEt637lQO_VYmUmJ-Q__sBkAnErLx7QcfPBmnd-nVrTwesoJrywi98flVC5NEEXDfONmDDtNe1DXi97Z0iV8B0DiqIenru7AaDhKXgfKXbXceWO3Tz0/s1600-h/IMG_4338_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 355px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zVx3gECgzNehQmbQ4bz3il_tsEt637lQO_VYmUmJ-Q__sBkAnErLx7QcfPBmnd-nVrTwesoJrywi98flVC5NEEXDfONmDDtNe1DXi97Z0iV8B0DiqIenru7AaDhKXgfKXbXceWO3Tz0/s320/IMG_4338_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424763004610032370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Today I have worked on the neck and on the body. The clamps are gone and the edges of the body and top have been sanded. I chose not to have veneer between top and body and to do without bindings. In a way I don't want to stray too far from the simple character of the J. Later I will round the edges.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdjG8Ps-sHKZWrTA6cFFcW6DaM3NBFRJAyzB4PpakDUSOTo9OgURlXyq2QiNqPeSncLvwmZbu2XsjdgaMxYFPdws6CjjZ4XMKeLXsEvn5tDmEBKgzkz9pahoh7BG39YKBb8zRsz9uL3w/s1600-h/IMG_4342_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdjG8Ps-sHKZWrTA6cFFcW6DaM3NBFRJAyzB4PpakDUSOTo9OgURlXyq2QiNqPeSncLvwmZbu2XsjdgaMxYFPdws6CjjZ4XMKeLXsEvn5tDmEBKgzkz9pahoh7BG39YKBb8zRsz9uL3w/s320/IMG_4342_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424764712620919890" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNtK7TCXkzu0o4Qq47wG5VlKcq9MfUaIoJ8UMu4VHUoXwOb4cl4qNVr8cTvHntZUj3iykugCrh2QVSBZo6HxbgkgKvmE2Llu9Yu6ltJ5Z0fcsXHD_A9Iq_2OY4JqDIpaBgX7uTBqmcCw/s1600-h/IMG_4344_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNtK7TCXkzu0o4Qq47wG5VlKcq9MfUaIoJ8UMu4VHUoXwOb4cl4qNVr8cTvHntZUj3iykugCrh2QVSBZo6HxbgkgKvmE2Llu9Yu6ltJ5Z0fcsXHD_A9Iq_2OY4JqDIpaBgX7uTBqmcCw/s320/IMG_4344_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424764714012382754" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I've been torn between the different types of Maple available. Some are truly gorgeous. In the end I decided to go for the humble simplicity of the Rock Maple. Again, an homage to the J frugality.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">These are the laminate woods before and after the sanding, now ready for being glued. I decided to make it a three pieces laminated neck with Makassar Ebony as the central wood. After so much 'paying respect' to Mr. FJ I wanted to add a little rebel touch ;)</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Be as it may, The Ebony should both stiffen the neck - which is going to be a lot thinner than the original FJ - and echo the body top.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9KdSpBD6b9aDDktRJGRhTqmt51EfhKq-E6c_q-LbH_qN2HVaAtXnHixU-kNtzB8omXxuGwxGwPEl9oH7BSA4VrE7Y6aJPQDBtIZDd8XGaEHLcmviZK_LdsQec7AcTC3eFjBPJ4ImveI/s1600-h/IMG_4345_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9KdSpBD6b9aDDktRJGRhTqmt51EfhKq-E6c_q-LbH_qN2HVaAtXnHixU-kNtzB8omXxuGwxGwPEl9oH7BSA4VrE7Y6aJPQDBtIZDd8XGaEHLcmviZK_LdsQec7AcTC3eFjBPJ4ImveI/s320/IMG_4345_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424767474374592978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">This is the neck clamped. Nothing to add. Just sit and wait. Till Monday.</span>..<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-pJi3wNWXbGaM09jVsiXrAL5xZOMlXnDF1jwe7carh31D-R42AIzVr5xRvMhJ__vM0HxbIHuOV5LUPvqe5tV_tT6S0jBVFWmT8a6aWeyCO9Ga0CayS1E65biVeIvHvGSJhNAeYNdUfqs/s1600-h/IMG_4346_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-pJi3wNWXbGaM09jVsiXrAL5xZOMlXnDF1jwe7carh31D-R42AIzVr5xRvMhJ__vM0HxbIHuOV5LUPvqe5tV_tT6S0jBVFWmT8a6aWeyCO9Ga0CayS1E65biVeIvHvGSJhNAeYNdUfqs/s320/IMG_4346_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424767483180774882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">This is the fingerboard, partially sanded - Birdseye Maple, another little mutiny ;)</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I have started shaping of the body. You can see how deep the chest recess is. I play with the bass fairly high and don't have a belly to speak of. Thus, the contour has to follow the shape of my chest.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfU2b4QkbVBl8LkvcrFDyLe-vOGjVJZn7cOoUuY_TghsYQbXfxNHBU674GhmmrRQPRApxNY3Qal66jjdp-D9jYEpojSUKJbMhMMAi33xZyedsHx9yGboxBjpVnIz6hBzovZvY7B6gcp5c/s1600-h/IMG_4348_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 372px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfU2b4QkbVBl8LkvcrFDyLe-vOGjVJZn7cOoUuY_TghsYQbXfxNHBU674GhmmrRQPRApxNY3Qal66jjdp-D9jYEpojSUKJbMhMMAi33xZyedsHx9yGboxBjpVnIz6hBzovZvY7B6gcp5c/s320/IMG_4348_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424767493216344530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Shaping it was a crude job.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> I'll finish on Monday...probably. You can see the pencil mark on the lower horn. That wood will have to go. Many basses deal with the problem of playing the high position by changing the shape of the horn into a slimmer one, further away from the neck. That works and it almost always looks good. But on a FJ I think it'd be ugly and I pledged to keep the front look intact.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">By shaving off the back of it I plan to give my left hand all the space it needs without changing the shape of the horn. I think it should work. If you pay attention to the way the horn interferes with the left hand you'll notice that in reality the culprit is the back, not the front.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Can't wait to put this theory to a test.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">>=)O<br /></span>mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779152736436578401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3319021817038109149.post-68415109658288556042010-01-08T04:39:00.000-08:002010-04-17T06:01:50.162-07:00Building the uber-J. Part Two.<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Making the body.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Traditionally a Fender Jazz comes with a Swamp Ash or Alder body. My personal taste leans towards the sound of woods like Mahogany. Now, I live in South East Asia </span><span style="font-family:arial;">and for this bass I wanted to use Asian timber.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Woods around here a different from those in North and South America though. A little research was necessary to find a balance between the Mahogany sound and the traditional J sound in an Asian package.<br /><br />There is a wood here referred to as Asian Mahogany. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">This wood sounds quite close to Brazilian Mahogany, the main difference being his sounding less dark than Mahogany.<br />Which could make it a good choice.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Among other things this wood is often used to build </span><span style="font-family:arial;">average to good quality guitars. However a A grade piece of this wood sports quite remarkable sonic qualities and its very beautiful to look at.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-MyjnnKz5MiI5DQDDF0PIV8sc1VVEWV89DgaYEVwsBWb0Ja1Jv3g90-S54j2hLVs8BS92Cfd8bZdXMXfF4oAPIxIaMVYr3b5yj8vcV0c1uy5VEPZL-w0OCHjMdqOlmY7vO2BLC07Q5E/s1600-h/rough+body0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-MyjnnKz5MiI5DQDDF0PIV8sc1VVEWV89DgaYEVwsBWb0Ja1Jv3g90-S54j2hLVs8BS92Cfd8bZdXMXfF4oAPIxIaMVYr3b5yj8vcV0c1uy5VEPZL-w0OCHjMdqOlmY7vO2BLC07Q5E/s320/rough+body0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424349285381242418" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">In this picture you can see two beautiful Flamed boards book-matched and cut in J shape. The Flames are very pronounced even at a raw stage. I am leaving a little more wood allowance where at the heal as I am planning to shape it for a heal-less effect.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0u9-d3YtvI2XC0wspXaMhhQ90_bcngX0fLlEN3ei9mnZkbE3mXFKkjgJDO0ZMMZru6ZEXb9oDJeW7y5bgK6xZuPbA-234hDS9TPJa4WkAM_7hAsCEoMGymZF6VBxwSC6gp4XrsX6dse0/s1600-h/b4+sanding0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0u9-d3YtvI2XC0wspXaMhhQ90_bcngX0fLlEN3ei9mnZkbE3mXFKkjgJDO0ZMMZru6ZEXb9oDJeW7y5bgK6xZuPbA-234hDS9TPJa4WkAM_7hAsCEoMGymZF6VBxwSC6gp4XrsX6dse0/s320/b4+sanding0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424349268865212242" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The picture above shows the body after being reduced in thickness. You can see the arched top and bottom profile. The arch is more pronounced at the lower half the body, less so at the wings to avoid cracks in the top facing. </span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdXaK9T2ndu4IrqXx64JwubayCJY4kEROEk7EkHfTLaK-kMaz5aFejwejFKZfwCwYWYvQ9jhds11H_tpZEllvjfeb-ItTaU-tJbJVtacZFXTqSKzQI5bBNcQnLUIaQ35IfOxH4cPasPE/s1600-h/curved+body0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdXaK9T2ndu4IrqXx64JwubayCJY4kEROEk7EkHfTLaK-kMaz5aFejwejFKZfwCwYWYvQ9jhds11H_tpZEllvjfeb-ItTaU-tJbJVtacZFXTqSKzQI5bBNcQnLUIaQ35IfOxH4cPasPE/s320/curved+body0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424348107152815506" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYFTR22Iil6JD6WsvIRf_gTSYsko67-c1F0FWiQdIgORO4WXhnPdyGnCKAJ5wS_CQ2dBUN9AZbsB_2pPREFEafpFTZCEQMujFrDOMGYd0WLxIk_4jRwq-PLLOCCafo3e6tYRj_83rBGQ/s1600-h/sandin+side0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYFTR22Iil6JD6WsvIRf_gTSYsko67-c1F0FWiQdIgORO4WXhnPdyGnCKAJ5wS_CQ2dBUN9AZbsB_2pPREFEafpFTZCEQMujFrDOMGYd0WLxIk_4jRwq-PLLOCCafo3e6tYRj_83rBGQ/s320/sandin+side0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424349294752753122" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">This is what it looks like after sending it both sides. Now it feels very smooth, like velvet. Or is it me hallucinating after sanding for longer than I like to remember?<br /><br />As you can see it's an arch top, as opposed to the flat J body. Usually the area of a flat body that goes under the right arm is scooped out to make it more comfortable to hold. It's a good solution and aesthetically pleasing with a contrasting top and a veneer.<br />But I want to address the comfort issue with the arch top instead. This way the top will remain intact and the shape of the J will be preserved. </span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1g9NRphAgozs35Bm8oyx2HpDhLQK5HU6wIuB8qtdN6Z-alG1gKdzCHnWokvlamNK2itdn_CSEi3VHmLXgXh3TRo1TLmAdI51uErpcU8eGTp83HVkn0_iPOMpiL7y7esyi-q5W5aWyYc/s1600-h/ready+clamp0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1g9NRphAgozs35Bm8oyx2HpDhLQK5HU6wIuB8qtdN6Z-alG1gKdzCHnWokvlamNK2itdn_CSEi3VHmLXgXh3TRo1TLmAdI51uErpcU8eGTp83HVkn0_iPOMpiL7y7esyi-q5W5aWyYc/s320/ready+clamp0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424349277849147362" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Now I'm ready to glue the top. I struggled quite a bit to choose the wood. I am going to build another bass after this and I wanted the color code of the two basses to be very different. I almost got myself a beautiful Zericote, but someone else was faster.<br /><br />I always liked Macassar Ebony. It's a great looking wood and it makes fantastic fingerboards. But for a body top I felt the stripes were too straight and regular for my liking. Until I saw this one. I just loved it :)</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2ARCv5wDHaTjCnwdDdzStTMv7AEEL_tSZNc0VldopRQrSIqk5EBb2cjivjGCiDpLnawpwy86yJL4AnuiX0zxhSVZwPJ5F8K2X97FM-q-BPGiQgRGVkH466SylF9EwN8Rkm35NHvKmAQ/s1600-h/clamp+top0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2ARCv5wDHaTjCnwdDdzStTMv7AEEL_tSZNc0VldopRQrSIqk5EBb2cjivjGCiDpLnawpwy86yJL4AnuiX0zxhSVZwPJ5F8K2X97FM-q-BPGiQgRGVkH466SylF9EwN8Rkm35NHvKmAQ/s320/clamp+top0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424348102044959714" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">So there you go. Can you see the body under all those clamps? ;)) </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Thanks for reading.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">>=)O</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYmhEXryqyhlWdur_OQoMYbIFa6pMCogQUiYiKSG7DlLTWWjvpPhDjyBal9YnpSggmyzAA5ax2cnTRGXAcvzgdRDjno9j45LD0kHaK21MdMKRASh_EOjPgpUyb_4DKMK1e40fHvxNI3g/s1600-h/after+sandin0001.jpg"><br /></a>mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779152736436578401noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3319021817038109149.post-5947335159470656562010-01-08T02:24:00.001-08:002010-04-17T05:59:43.289-07:00Building the uber-J. Part One.<span style="font-family:arial;">OK, what I'm going to do is to put an end to my whining over what is good and what is not so good about the Fender Jazz and build one I hopefully have nothing to whine about. I am well aware of the iconic status this instrument has achieved and I'm taking this task with the utmost respect - plus a healthy dose of rebel spirit. Bear with me and see where this takes us.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">BTW, to spice things up I have given myself a deadline: 15th of February...ops </span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Part One: Why.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGlU8i3GP4hSGGqbA00BWidDkw7WI6IsEwtAPXqm_MjLoDYv1R3gWZlv1y7qvWYbFDkHCPuk3ORHQLdH2K2IcN7VD5PeSdYk_R8qVplxa9BT6Z7jj45PGbwyZJZr7thHyIP9Uoap-I30/s1600-h/FJazz.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 394px; height: 117px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGlU8i3GP4hSGGqbA00BWidDkw7WI6IsEwtAPXqm_MjLoDYv1R3gWZlv1y7qvWYbFDkHCPuk3ORHQLdH2K2IcN7VD5PeSdYk_R8qVplxa9BT6Z7jj45PGbwyZJZr7thHyIP9Uoap-I30/s320/FJazz.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424317989238345010" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">First off, here is the hero in the woods and metal - an American Delux Fender Jazz straight from the Fender website.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> Ain't that a beauty? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">These are the good things for me.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">- The body shape is a great classic. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">- The P-U positions are genius.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">- One think this bass gets really right is having only 22 frets. I don't need more - unless I'm playing fret-less - and if I did I would switch to a six strings. It's a matter of personal preference, but to me this bass is a groove machine. You don't need 24 frets to groove. M Miller doesn't. Pastorius could make less then 24 frets fingerboards sing. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">When I slap t</span><span style="font-family:arial;">he 24th fret gets in the way and I dislike the harmonics produced. So, long live J's 22 frets!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">These are points that I'll try to address. They are very personal, nevertheless they are:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">- The body has little contouring and I find it a bit uncomfortable.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">- Access to the 22nd fret is not very comfortable especially on the E string. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">- It is still a bit on the heavy side.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">- The neck joint feels week and the heel looks chunky.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">- The neck is too thick.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">- The string spacing is too wide </span><span style="font-family:arial;">at the bridge </span><span style="font-family:arial;">and too narrow at the nut.<br />- I am not keen on the fingerboard radius.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">- The distinctive headstock always strikes me as slightly too large.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">There. I said it.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">>=)O</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><br /></span>mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779152736436578401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3319021817038109149.post-35322241554330759732010-01-07T22:05:00.000-08:002010-01-19T19:12:20.850-08:00Review: Tobias 5 strings<span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypx2tNokr8AEQhx4rBx6E3Pfpl4LuU7jrYijGctAu9LEDz4Yl-3Swm1R_b6TLCoNW7-AyCOX8uSvYi1Xr16EHAxBw5n-ShgookA1Du3etrnY_HHTGAwo4yXVbFh3AjBDjOq6NXFjIeS0o/s1600-h/killer5+back.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypx2tNokr8AEQhx4rBx6E3Pfpl4LuU7jrYijGctAu9LEDz4Yl-3Swm1R_b6TLCoNW7-AyCOX8uSvYi1Xr16EHAxBw5n-ShgookA1Du3etrnY_HHTGAwo4yXVbFh3AjBDjOq6NXFjIeS0o/s320/killer5+back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424212550143559058" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6XzymTNxfD90sNY7w1928SpiG-Ya42srzEdvkT85YA_0qwEt-QuyxgA9oYTZWF3jIsLgpl7DjEUZkr965P3uOZl68tVKp1-e2zjFcUJm5y4WCPLebeTDUg6j8LNy3OFJ7Owz2ZLeCv7q/s1600-h/killer5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 146px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6XzymTNxfD90sNY7w1928SpiG-Ya42srzEdvkT85YA_0qwEt-QuyxgA9oYTZWF3jIsLgpl7DjEUZkr965P3uOZl68tVKp1-e2zjFcUJm5y4WCPLebeTDUg6j8LNy3OFJ7Owz2ZLeCv7q/s320/killer5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424211202969651554" border="0" /></a></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">I have owned this bass for about nine years now. I bought it in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2003. Is the previous owner out there?</span></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br />The serial number shows that this bass was completed on the 13th</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" > of May 1992</span>. <span style="font-family:arial;">At that time Tobias had already been acquired by Gibson (on 1.1.1990) but basses were still made </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >by Mike Tobias and original team</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >at the Burbank Calif. shop</span><span style="font-family:arial;">.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> T</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;">his makes it one of the last few basses built before the shop moved to the new facilities in Nashville</span>, <span style="font-family:arial;">sometime in June I believe,</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">which marked the end of Mr. Tobias collaboration with Gibson.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Construction.</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;">The body is Swamp Ash with natural finish. The neck is a </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >five piece Maple/Purpleheart laminate and it's a bolt-on - the preferred choice for a punchy sound. </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Under the 24 frets Pau Ferro </span><span style="font-family:arial;">fingerboard is a double truss rod which can be adjusted removing the plate located at the end of the fingerboard. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">As you can see from the pictures woods have aged beautifully.</span><br /><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br />The neck is perfect, straight and very fast with the asymmetric profile that is Tobias' trademark. The action can be set incredibly low and is virtually buzz free. It mounts two Bartolini p-ups and on board 3 bands EQ.</span> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >One impressive feature of this bass is that it is extremely light, even lighter than its slick shape would </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">suggest - lighter than most 4 strings actually. But the sound is big, with a warmth and a growl that speaks directly to your guts.</span><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxi-nABcsIPqkEFLXbSvNTrZ-p760RCAL4KlEgi2QEwc6BFOD1Uu1MlYLNoZQK7XFYYV7O1B9O2KWuVb8ZtkEhucqOOeZ4ApuVWyqTE2ZZy_1jXarLqA0YsbLzhZ2ZOcqooq9CkykvafX/s1600-h/killer5+body.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 221px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxi-nABcsIPqkEFLXbSvNTrZ-p760RCAL4KlEgi2QEwc6BFOD1Uu1MlYLNoZQK7XFYYV7O1B9O2KWuVb8ZtkEhucqOOeZ4ApuVWyqTE2ZZy_1jXarLqA0YsbLzhZ2ZOcqooq9CkykvafX/s320/killer5+body.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424212574407746162" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfCzrUgDugKynrkzWZjG4kZ9H5t-qk-WzgmtjUckiIs-y8VM3MGd4LWB0MQLcA24IgVy50wjr24OJBGWgVfQs4bpWtRbIblvm9NJOUa1MLTOJR3gjqzdMBpeC8p4LTwOWW1pd3cgjTdH9/s1600-h/killer5+body+back.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 219px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfCzrUgDugKynrkzWZjG4kZ9H5t-qk-WzgmtjUckiIs-y8VM3MGd4LWB0MQLcA24IgVy50wjr24OJBGWgVfQs4bpWtRbIblvm9NJOUa1MLTOJR3gjqzdMBpeC8p4LTwOWW1pd3cgjTdH9/s320/killer5+body+back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424212573386100562" border="0" /></a></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;">A few details are really a joy to look at.</span></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"> The MOP inlay of the intricate logo and the stark contrast with the black glossy headstock cover is a very tasteful touch.</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />The head stock's angle naturally holds the strings down without any need for the usual metal bar just above the nut.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> Again, one cannot help but notice how all these details converge into a bass that makes inspired simplicity its style statement.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26CxKfeFtUam8ddJnYXEAQUepXGDIv2uEOYWc1muWhRC30zpZqElUpnEqUKcw9dqVsxuEwZXZKN-Cyt_2jopaA-YuHcbzTsoLjuPZ9MbDkmiH8SF3wLgWve7Vz2xJsNy-WJqUUVVznA6B/s1600-h/killer5+back+neck.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 161px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26CxKfeFtUam8ddJnYXEAQUepXGDIv2uEOYWc1muWhRC30zpZqElUpnEqUKcw9dqVsxuEwZXZKN-Cyt_2jopaA-YuHcbzTsoLjuPZ9MbDkmiH8SF3wLgWve7Vz2xJsNy-WJqUUVVznA6B/s320/killer5+back+neck.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424212558639921938" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkUU4hfItmxxeD4kPIW5ho_Le-BSCz-LqEmvfjyCFh8_ysDvLZs2ng8V-CUwlrFmNqXaLMkK0_YcJ4ZLkTExjLiW-L49KpXpIgyx-bvdOv8Vhj1cck2IUwGNWV8RdEBeDJIf3NdNek-tN/s1600-h/killer5+headstock.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 171px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkUU4hfItmxxeD4kPIW5ho_Le-BSCz-LqEmvfjyCFh8_ysDvLZs2ng8V-CUwlrFmNqXaLMkK0_YcJ4ZLkTExjLiW-L49KpXpIgyx-bvdOv8Vhj1cck2IUwGNWV8RdEBeDJIf3NdNek-tN/s320/killer5+headstock.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424212567226467026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">The scarfed headstock joint at the back is more pronounced than on most basses and is so beautifully sculpted that your thumb can gradually tell you when it's approaching the headstock. A very nice touch indeed.</span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The neck joint is shaped in an almost heel-less fashion. Even just visually this is a far cry from the chunky squarish heels of most bolt-on of the time - and not only. The neck screws sit into ferrules and are arranged in slightly open layout, with the bottom screws further apart from each other that the top two. This seem to suggest that the neck end is shaped slightly wider than the rest of the neck. I'm not sure. I haven't disassemble it.<br /><br />Overall, the attention to details shows just how much love and expertise had been put into it. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Lets not forget, this was 1992 and this bass' price wasn't exactly at Alembic level.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgIKsnevPfzrphROPSPtLVlzXiEcEYZqx0-XM0IDKIVLU6d0fqLNBKcAkrXJcyOvd_s20dOuLltLpj2Oc8pf2L2Ipwt2vk6IEAof3jqnYjwqamqQ7SnLBGVA_TqWNCl2LuFQghUXWsfX7/s1600-h/killer5+head+back.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 204px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgIKsnevPfzrphROPSPtLVlzXiEcEYZqx0-XM0IDKIVLU6d0fqLNBKcAkrXJcyOvd_s20dOuLltLpj2Oc8pf2L2Ipwt2vk6IEAof3jqnYjwqamqQ7SnLBGVA_TqWNCl2LuFQghUXWsfX7/s320/killer5+head+back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424213376886549170" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmf8yUQCqERZmJ0how9PXmMhJZmB7C2TzFqUYm3nFCWy48S6hzgC16UkXj2bAVPSXCPa8gSzt2DSTYovtwe7ErSzPxNEGZyAf-nrP9qz5j0t6BqXbrIDXr5hlu8HAV31PAVYVvfZtmaft/s1600-h/killer5+neck+joint.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 203px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmf8yUQCqERZmJ0how9PXmMhJZmB7C2TzFqUYm3nFCWy48S6hzgC16UkXj2bAVPSXCPa8gSzt2DSTYovtwe7ErSzPxNEGZyAf-nrP9qz5j0t6BqXbrIDXr5hlu8HAV31PAVYVvfZtmaft/s320/killer5+neck+joint.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424213382652301154" border="0" /></a></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmf8yUQCqERZmJ0how9PXmMhJZmB7C2TzFqUYm3nFCWy48S6hzgC16UkXj2bAVPSXCPa8gSzt2DSTYovtwe7ErSzPxNEGZyAf-nrP9qz5j0t6BqXbrIDXr5hlu8HAV31PAVYVvfZtmaft/s1600-h/killer5+neck+joint.jpg"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Electronics and sound.</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >I particularly like the way mids cut through. Dialing in a bit more of the bridge P-U produces a sound that is beautifully nasal, perfect for soloing. Bartolini P-U and EQ are exemplary in their simplicity and effectiveness - V/B/bass/mid/treble. A little EQ goes a long way without changing the voice of the instrument. A toggle activates/deactivates the EQ.<br /><br />In the off position the three filter won't work and you can only adjust vol and balance. Even without EQ the sound is beautiful and gutsy.<br />When the sound spectrum of two P-U is wide I tend to dial in an overall sound I like, then use the P-U Balance almost like a master Tone control.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> I have developed this habit playing Wal. It works well with this bass.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I cannot find fault with this bass except perhaps that, it isn't the best bass </span><span style="font-family:arial;">for my slapping style</span><span style="font-family:arial;">. I tend to slap with my thumb perpendicular to the strings and the neck positioned horizontally. At this angle the 24th fret gets in the way. Many bass players actually like to hammer on the fingerboard. I don't - I don't like the harmonics it produces. </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />To be fair, this is an inherent problem I have when slapping with many 24 fret basses - except a Steinberger because of its unique layout and ergonomics. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">For slapping I prefer a 21 or 22 fret board with a body layout that pushes the neck slightly forward.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">Having said so, if the preferred slapping style is with the neck at an angle, then this bass is spectacularly balanced and ergonomic.<br /><br />For finger style I just love it and it's one of those rare instruments which allows the player to access frets from 20th to 24th <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> comfortably - including on the B string!</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />In fact, the Tobias is designed in such a way that the bass position itself slightly more towards the player's right shoulder. This makes playing around the 1st/3rd frets quite comfortable. But aside the problem I mentioned earlier, I feel it makes </span><span style="font-family:arial;">it a bit tiring for the right arm</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> when playing at the bridge P-U for long time.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">As a side note I will add that I have also played a number of Gibson made Tobias and the high end ones seem very good. However the Killer B I have played don't quite fell like this one.<br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">This bass has sealed my respect for Michael Tobias' work and all the MTD (link provided below) I have played show how the vision has improved. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Thanks for reading</span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">>=)O</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">In a nutshell:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">+ Growling machine. Very light. Comfortable neck. Bartolini.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">- Must like the ergonomics. Hard to find.</span><br /><br />Links:<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.mtdbass.com/">MTD</a></span>mauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09779152736436578401noreply@blogger.com3