Hi All,

Ive been busy getting this custom fretless 6 together for a local Bassist,the spec is as follows.

Marseer Body design with fishtail
Custom Slotted headstock
3 piece thru neck of Bubinga and Purpleheart
Cocobolo fretboard
Bubinga wings(Hollowed)
Asian Ebony Bkmatched top
Asian ebony headstock cap

Delano SBC HE/S Pickup
Noll 3 band Preamp
Custom cocobolo/brass bridge
Gotoh tuners

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/28012006203.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/20022006309.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/16022006271.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/25022006337.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/25022006335.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/25022006332.jpg

That is sick... :cool:

A bit of figure/colour/grain overload for me, though...

Looks like she's gonna be a beast!

-ryan-

Exotique!
I love the RIM bass threads. Good to see you're back!

Thanks for the nice words guys,I'll be putting up some more pics up soon.Also my website will be ready in the next couple of weeks

Cya for now,

Robbie.



http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/22022006318.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/17022006278.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/13012006159.jpg

Robbie, your stuff is fantastic! You have some sleek designs!
I have to agree with Frank, though, that Asian ebony top combined with the cocobolo fretboard is a little much for my taste.
Can't wait for your site to be up! LET US KNOW!!

Jon

Cheers Jon,

I will post up a link to my website asap,for now here's some more progress pics of todays work.I slotted the fishtail for the brass ancor plate,drilled for the controls and done some more hand finishing.Also my custom Delano Pickups turned up for Garry Cribbs Singlecut Jazz 5.You will see that bass take shape in the next few months.

I understand the the exotic woods can be a bit to much to take in on this bass,but I love the mixture of woods and how the grains interlock.Im just a sucker for dark woods.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/27022006347.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/27022006345.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/27022006350.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/27022006340.jpg

Fantastic!
If I remember right, you do your own metal fabrication, correct?

Jon

Thats right Jon,on this one I'll be making the brass ancor plate and the brass saddles for the custom wooden bridge also.

Cheers,

Robbie.

Hi All,

I got some more work done on the bass today,I made a new control cavity cover from the leftover Asian ebony top.I also machined the custom brass Ancor plate.



http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/28022006353.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/28022006354.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/28022006357.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/28022006362.jpg

More please

Woah! Awesome. Cocobolo is one of my favourite woods. Oh also, let me know how the Noll/Delano combo turns out, it's something I'm interested in myself.

No worries AJ I'll post a message up once Ive heard the bass thru my mesa 400+/Aguilar GS412 rig.

Today I slotted the fishtail for the string layup and started to make the wooden saddle plate.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/01032006365.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/01032006368.jpg

Super sweet looking! Can't wait to see it done.

Nice bridge design. :cool:

Hi All,

Today I put in the MOP side markers,and custom machined the wooden bridge saddle.I'll be making the brass saddles next week and getting some strings on the bass.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/03032006384.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/03032006383.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/03032006388.jpg

That looks really great. Nice design with the bridge and tailpiece, etc. etc.
Just curious what you're using as a finish? KTM-9 again?

Im going to be using a water based Lacquer called Aqualac HD from a company in the UK,I'll be using a foam bush maybe or even try a cloth.

Wow.

That's a stunner. Design-wise, the only things I'd prefer different would be a deeper cutaway for the lower horn and a longer fretboard, but aesthetic-wise, that thing is killer.

Cheers for the comments Bryan and JSP,I see what you meant on the lower horn and the fretboard was to size length wise,so I couldn't do anything about that one.Im glad some of you guys across the pond like the bass,ive been getting good feedback in the uk also.

Thanks guys,

Robbie.

how do those Delano pickups sound? Are they similair to any other specific manufacturer or model?

Ive heard only good things about delano pickups,Bee basses use them also.I'll post up some comments on the sound of this fretless,Im hoping they will sound good with ther Noll preamp.The pickup going in this fretless is the SBC 6 HE/S dual coil humbucker and Klaus Noll makes the custom preamp for Ritter basses,so fingers crossed!



http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/23012006181.jpg

Me too, I've heard good things about both Delano and Noll.
There's still not much info on TB about them, however.

Me too, I've heard good things about both Delano and Noll.
There's still not much info on TB about them, however.
Ja es ist because zay are German und kann nicht so much English
Distribution is also real limited stateside unfortuately. Delano is a really cool company I was talking with him about just sending me uncased pickup sets to put in my own covers and he was totaly in to it.

Ja es ist because zay are German und kann nicht so much English
No, not really. :smug:
Rather as the majority of people are from the US, the talk is much more about the p-ups there, as things from Europe are still a bit "exotic" and quite rare (like LeFay, Esh, Marleaux, Leduc or Ritter, among many others). Also, Delano is relatively new on the scene, and is much smaller - compared to SD, Bartolini, EMG etc

Hi All,

Today I machined the pickup cavity and started making the brass bridge saddles.Also my 3 Redwood tops turned up from the US.



http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/06032006406.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/06032006408.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/06032006402.jpg

LOVE redwood!!

Jon

Lookin' Purdy!:hyper:

Love the fretboard!

Nice job on the volute too. Top notch!

Your basses are killer!!! Don't stop building :) . I have just started building basses (for fun and to prove I can) ....after seeing your work, I might just quit:smug:

Awesome stuff...

Cheers for the nice comments lads,good luck with the basses Morfman6.Just put everything into what you do and enjoy the building.

Robbie.

Hi All,

Today I finished the brass bridge saddles,they will need final adjustment height wise then I put the strings on later this week.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/08032006416.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/08032006417.jpg

That is simply amazing! Please show good pics of your bridge etc. when your done. Beautifull.

This bass is inspiring, mcdade. It's wild and out there, and fundamentally beautiful at the same time. (Does that make sense?)
I'm really interested in your bridge. I need ideas to make my own as well, because I have less room than I expected to fit it. (miscalculation) I'll think of something.

Hi All,

Thanks for the kind words people,its means alot to me.Today I drilled for the input jack socket(Barrell type) and check the lay of the strings.Im going to be setting up some strings tomorrow for a picture.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/09032006419.jpg

Hi All,

Well today I started to setup the action and finish the height at the nut,also a nice piece of Crotch Walnut turned up from the US.Cheers Lads!

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/10032006428.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/10032006424.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/10032006425.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/10032006427.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/10032006426.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/10032006422.jpg

Very Nice. What keeps the saddles from moving and how do you adjust the string hieght.:)

The saddles will have a tiny brass screw drilled at the back of the saddle going thru the wooden bridge plate.The saddles will just be machined till I get the right height.Its very simple like a plain wooden or bone bridge,it just gives me a little bit of scope with the adjustment on the intonation,lets hope it works out ok.It might take me a while to setup!

love the fingerboard

Hi All,

Today I started setting up the bridge and when I brought the strings up to tension and played the open D string it had a very strange ring to it,it seems that the note of D resonates the body.I checked the nut and the bridge saddles and they where fine.It has an overtone after the string is played.Any ideas on this problem would be great,I even slotted the top but this didn't get rid of the problem

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/13032006432.jpg

It could be a wolf tone, akin to the Fender dead spot. This would be caused by neck resonance interacting poorly with the string vibration. To test this out, you can change the resonance of the neck by clamping a weight to the headstock. If the effect goes away, you may have found the problem.

Interesting.
Ghost in the shell, eh?

Ghost in the shell, eh?
:smug:
Depends, is that tone organic or a cyborg? :D

These problems are the most irritating - having no idea what makes it, and what can be done about it.
Neck resonance, body resonance, chamber size, shape and volume, etc - can be a lot of things. Can also be the string, the bridge, teh neck screws...
Could you describe this sound a bit better? Higher or lower pitch, metallic-sounding or not, etc

Thanks for the help lads,I changed the string today and the problem has gone.I took the bass round to martin,so he could have a play and it sounds great.Going thru a Mesa scout combo.The fretless has a nice dark tone to it and the delano pickup,well its the best pickup ive ever heard.Its been wired straight to the jack for now in passive.Its gonna be interested with the Noll preamp and 18v up it.

I'll get some soundclips up as soon as they are ready.

Its made me real happy,

Cheers,

Robbie.

Hello Robbie, thats a real nice bass there, where abouts are ya in london? strange to have someone so close buiding basses as well. again a very nice!
Heath

Thanks for the help lads,I changed the string today and the problem has gone.
Ah, a bent string. Those are annoying. Looks great by the way! I really like the "f-holes".

wow robbie, that bass is gorgeous! the woods look great, especially the fingerboard.

Hi All,

I Live just north of London,in Luton Town.If you ever want to come and have a look heath just PM me.Thanks for the kind words on the bass guys,it means alot.

Robbie.

nice one, thanks Robbie.

Hi All,

Well today I got quite abit done,fitted the flush mounted straplocks,final sanded and applied the first couple of Lacquer/sealer coats to the back of the bass.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/15032006438.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/15032006442.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/15032006444.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/15032006441.jpg

Hi All,

Ive nearly finishes the Asian ebony top and headstock now,this bass should be ready by next weekend.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/18032006461.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/18032006457.jpg

*cough, cough - WEBSITE - ahem*:D

Jon

Weel this is good timing please check out my website at www.rimcustombasses.co.uk there are a couple of typo's that Ive got to sort out,but for now she up.

Cheers,

Robbie.

Hi All,

the bass should be finished this coming week,just got to put all the electronics in and stuff.I cant wait to hear this bass with the Noll preamp.Here's some more pics for now,



http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/24032006488.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/23032006475.jpg

That bass is gorgeous! Nice work.

Hi All,

The bass is now finished and going off to the customer tonight,Ive played it thru my mesa 400+ rig and it sounds great.I would recommend the Delano SBC6 HE/s pickup for fretless and the Noll preamp is great also.I'll have some soundclips done by Marty in the next couple of weeks,they will be on my website with the studio pics of the Marseer 6.Ive really enjoyed building my first RIM body shape,and im glad some of you guys in the US are into it.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/28032006504.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/28032006507.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/28032006504.jpg


Killer bass. You should be smiling!

Absolutely LOVE it. What are your prices like in US dollars? Am I allowed to ask that here?? If not sorry, dont wanna get chewed out by a MOD:( . If not, please PM me. Thanks

Hi All,

My work mate took some more pics of me with the bass before it went to Marty,and there's a couple of shots of marty and Craig with there RIM Customs,

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/CIMG0808.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/02042006519.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/CIMG0809.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/CIMG0810.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/CIMG0814.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/CIMG0813.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/02042006517.jpg

Beautiful work, but I am not a fan of the headstock.

lowsound

I like the headstock. I like it better than your "normal" one. It's refreshingly different. Good job on all of it!

Beautiful work, but I am not a fan of the headstock.

I like it a lot actually. Quite well finished unlike the similar wishbass headstocks. heh.

Beautiful work, and a beautiful finished product. More threads from you please! :D

Quite well finished unlike the similar wishbass headstocks. heh.

Indeed, looks über-smooth. I still think the board and top make it a tad to busy for my taste though. I love the bridge though!

Those look some really nice basses, keep on churning them out.

Zet