Hi
From now on I will be documenting the build progress of all the basses I am currently working on in the Builders Showcase. Please feel free to ask any questions concerning the builds or anything at all regarding ACG.

Many thanks for taking a look at my work.

Alan


A few posts from the threads in the Luthiers Corner to bring this thread up to speed.

Left hand Recurve single cut.
Currently being sprayed.

Spec
Blackheart Sassafras top with a white limba body.
Purpleheart/wenge /flame sycamore neck with acrylic impregnated Zebrano finger board.
SB and FB narrow format passive electronics.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3005/3019862489_3bcfe35850.jpg

Harlot S Type single cut also in spraying.
The last pic of it before it hit the booth.

This will be the first 4 string single cut.

Amboyna top mahogany core with a flame sycamore back. 5 piece maple/mac ebony neck with an Ebony finger board. 2 RFB with the ACG EQ01 pre-amp.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3017/2901526333_11915037b7.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3282/2901526337_d3169fd7e1.jpg


9 string Recurve single cut in spraying.

Swamp ash body with a Mahogany top. Maple/Wenge 7 piece set neck with a book-matched acrylic impregnated spalted maple finger board once again supplied by Larry at Gallery Hardwoods.
ACG FB pickups with the ACG EQ01 pre-amp.
Pezo bridge and the bridge pickup will be switchable and will feed one of the filters in the pre-amp with the other filter being fed from the neck pickup. This will make the bass a 3 pickup bass with pickups 1 & 2 being switchable. So you can have a standard 2 magnetic pickup bass or a piezo plus magnetic bass with full EQ over piezo and magnetics.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3224/3043284103_d14d719bc3.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3004/3043284107_78b5cb8e34.jpg

5 String Skelf.
Just completed the neck carve and the body contouring so net up will be the pickups and the ramp.

Spec
White Limba body with a Native Walnut top usual black veneer.
Wenge/Maple 5 string neck with a Mac Ebony board 33" scale tuned E to C.
ACG FB pickups with a matching ramp in between.
ACG EQ02 pre-amp.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3285/3125063781_80bb0cf82f.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3107/3125063787_bb34314ec7.jpg

Headless Finn 4.

Just sorting out the neck pocket on this one.

Based on the Finn shape but will be modified to accommodate headless hardware.

Wenge body with a Mac Ebony top and a 4 mm Bloodwood accent.
Wenge/Bloodwood 5 piece neck.
Change of plan the finger board will now be an acrylic impregnated Bubinga board.

Pickups still to be decided.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3230/3065438655_a87e4d1fed.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3138/3065438657_9dbf583444.jpg


Harlot 4 fretless.

Flame sycamore top with a butternut body.
Maple/mac ebony 5 piece neck with an acrylic impregnated ziracote finger board with partial fretlines.
Piezo bridge plus 1 RFB pickup.
ACG EQ01 pre-amp. The piezo will feed into one of the lowpass filters with the magnetic pickup going to the other. This will allow full EQ on the piezo and magnetic and the ability to blend between them.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3208/2865987068_d3762fcf3f.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3056/2865987072_d120025390.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3184/2865987074_c6da0e1821.jpg


Finn 4

Quilt maple back and front with a bubinga core. 5 piece wenge/maple neck with a mac ebony fingerboard.
Green burst on back and front.
2 ACG RFB pickups with coil switching.
ACG EQ01 pre-amp.




http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3214/3065438677_cbee976c3c.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/3065438685_e1886a7089.jpg

Headless Harlot 5

Just about to do the cavities for the pre-amp and the cut out for the tuners.

Spec on this one.
Camphor Burl top and back Flame Sycamore core.
7 piece Bubinga/Flame Maple thru neck.
Book matchde acrylic spalted maple finger board.
ETS bridge 15 mm spacing with a ABM string anchor.
ACG FB and FB in SB format.
ACG EQ01 pre-amp.
Oil finish.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/3125067727_bb39056b4e.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3205/3125067737_4c3aa1422a.jpg


Another Finn 4.

Spec
Okoume top with 4 mm wenge accent on to a swamp ash body.
3 piece flame maple neck with an acrylic impregnated figured bubinga finger board.
Red LEDS on the side of the neck.
ACG RFB pickup and a Hipshot piezo bridge.
Pickup feeding one of the filters in the ACH EQ01 pre-amp with the piezo feeding the other filter.



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3177/3065438659_c4aa430cbe.jpg

Finn Singlecut 4

Spec
First of a new model.
4 string 34" scale
5 piece body stripy ebony/sycamore/wenge/sycamore/ stripy ebony
7 piece neck mac ebony/sycamore/wenge/sycamore
Acryilc impregnated flame sycamore board with mac ebony binding.
2 ACG RFB pickups with coil switching and the ACG EQ01 pre-amp.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3295/3059711814_c4fa371d60.jpg

The next batch are all in the very early stages most are still just a pile of wood.

Harlot 5
Mahogany core with a burl Myrtle top and a figured myrtle back.
Birdseye maple/mac ebony 5 piece neck with an acrylic impregnated Mac Ebony board.
ACG EQ01 pre-amp and two RFB pickups.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3102/3125932214_0a20e8b1a4.jpg

Recurve 5 single cut fretless.

Redwood flame/quilt top with 4 mm sycamore accent and Mahogany body.
7 piece maple/bubinga/maple/wenge neck and an Acrylic Impregnated Mac Ebony board with Maple fretlines.
SB in the bridge and an FB in the neck both in 40 x 100 mm casings.
Piezo bridge switchable with the bridge pickup.
ACG EQ01 pre-amp.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3267/3131781246_dfc8ce2b0d.jpg

Recurve single cut 5.

Cocobolo top with a Black Walnut body with 4 mm sycamore accent.
Wenge/purpleheart/maple 5 piece neck with an acrylic impregnated Mac Ebony finger board.
ACG EQ01 pre-amp and SB pickups.
Satin chrome hardware.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3264/3125067743_ef9c73d508.jpg


Harlot 5 fretless
Redwood top and back with a Black Limba core. Maple/Bloodwood 5 piece neck with an acrylic impregnate Birdseye Maple finger board which will have Pearwood fretlines.
Piezo bridge and ACG SB in the bridge with a RFB in the neck. SB will be switchable with the piezo.
ACG EQ01 pre-amp.
Finish lacquer.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3217/3125069647_db6f73382c.jpg


Finn 4 fretless.
5 piece body Black Walnut core with Claro Walnut front and back with a 4 mm Sycamore accent.
Bubinga/Wenge 5 piece neck Indian Ebony finger board.
Hipshot piezo bridge and an ACG RFB.
ACG EQ01 pre-amp.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/3022335605_04fbff1b6a.jpg


Finn 4.

Quilt/birdseye Redwood front and back with a Spanish Cedar core.
5 piece wenge/bubinga/maple neck with an acrylic flamed Redwood finger board.
Hipshot piezo bridge and ACG RFB pickup.
ACG EQ01 pre-amp.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3242/3125067721_522a8fa6da.jpg

*** sigh! ***

Someday I hope to have an ACG. May as well subscribe to see what I can dream about. :)


Joe Hilgeman

Finn 4.

Quilt/birdseye Redwood front and back with a Spanish Cedar core.
5 piece wenge/bubinga/maple neck with an acrylic flamed Redwood finger board.
Hipshot piezo bridge and ACG RFB pickup.
ACG EQ01 pre-amp.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3242/3125067721_522a8fa6da.jpg

That is going to be a fantastic looking bass. I love the top wood!

-Charlie

Hi Joe
Hopefully sooner rather than later :).

Charlie
The pic does not really do it justice loads more going on in that board.
Alan

This is exactly the kind of thread that got me in trouble in the first place...even with one ACG on order, I keep getting ideas for others!

Mike

Really nice work! Really . . . just awesome . . .

Steady Mike.

Many thanks Led.

Spec
White Limba body with a Native Walnut top usual black veneer.
Wenge/Maple 5 string neck with a Mac Ebony board 33" scale tuned E to C.
ACG FB pickups with a matching ramp in between.
ACG EQ02 pre-amp.


Cavity for the ramp and pickups now done all the holes drilled and the control cavity cover done. This one is now ready to start the finishing.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3121/3201578073_2f4a2307a4.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3333/3201578075_58f89a90bb.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3116/3201578077_d922bd51b5.jpg

The cut out for the tuning unit now done. The unit will also be at an angle in relation to the top which is hard to see on the pic.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3451/3210344506_e72ab0eb32.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3097/3210344508_46d7088a82.jpg

Some more done on the Harlot. Just the pickup cavities to do then on with the sanding.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3440/3228609285_d166aa4d81.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3461/3228609275_5087c94fef.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3468/3228609277_5c6a63261a.jpg

A few more shots.
Increased the upper bout arm contour.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3521/3231138929_0c4950bd14.jpg

You can see where the front contour and the rear contour come together in the upper bout.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3323/3231138941_4c9812fc13.jpg

The angled section for the tuning unit.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3403/3231138935_6b94dced79.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3374/3231138937_3059a40921.jpg


Back of the bass with some spirit sprayed on it,you can see the flame in the neck and in the body core. Cavity cover in place but still to be fitted.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3373/3231138943_bf20d247dc.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3529/3231138951_af6a9c705f.jpg

Wow! Unfinished, you can't really see the figure in the facings at all, but it really pops out with the spirit on there. I imagine it will look spectacular with the finish!

Mike

Oil finish on this one so the grain will come out really well.

A few more basses started recently.

First up A Recurve 5 the fist one I have been asked to build this one is for Bassbunny.
Amboyna burl top.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3481/3236411835_18f3874fd2.jpg

A killer piece of Black Limba for the body.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3301/3236411845_2b568d705b.jpg
Next up the neck for Mike's Harlot 5.
Birdseye maple and mac ebony.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3391/3236411829_797910765b.jpg
Next the Black Limba body for Duncan's Harlot 5 fretless.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3458/3236411847_aef34effb4.jpg
Next the body top/bak and neck woods for Mike's fretless Finn 4.

Black walnut body.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3322/3236411831_034dd9b40c.jpg
Claro Walnut for the top.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/3022335605_04fbff1b6a.jpg
The back.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3461/3236411833_15cc350f48.jpg
And the Bubinga/Wenge neck.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3398/3237257414_86b0208d5c.jpg

A Recurve S Type 6 for Jan
Flamed Bubinga top and back with a Black Limba body.
7 piece Mac Ebony/Back Limba neck with a Mac Ebony acrylic impregnated board.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3109/3237257430_c29970d773.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3525/3237257432_7be2b44e13.jpg

Been concentrating on woodwork today so I have managed to move a few basses a bit further down the line.
Mike's Finn has the body core sorted out the neck laminates cut and the back and top book matched, he now has to decide which is the top and which is the back.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3324/3238818665_407a8bbdb8.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3098/3238818657_4c761340e2.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3352/3238818659_f088fffc09.jpg

The Black Limba neck laminates for the Recurve 6 and the body core.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3378/3238818663_94f8b7734f.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3085/3239658540_bb2e6a6351.jpg

Scoops spanish ceder body core.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3131/3238818669_2ffb266535.jpg
7 piece neck for Adam's Finn single cut.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3349/3238818661_ec659633ae.jpg

Spec
White Limba body with a Native Walnut top usual black veneer.
Wenge/Maple 5 string neck with a Mac Ebony board 33" scale tuned E to C.
ACG FB pickups with a matching ramp in between.
ACG EQ02 pre-amp.


Cavity for the ramp and pickups now done all the holes drilled and the control cavity cover done. This one is now ready to start the finishing.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3121/3201578073_2f4a2307a4.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3333/3201578075_58f89a90bb.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3116/3201578077_d922bd51b5.jpg

Dang those are some nice basses!! This one is especially interesting to me since I have a bass with a limba body and wenge neck that I really like.

It is a good combination which I have used quiet a few times.
Alan

A bit more done on Dave's bass.
The pickup routes have been done and the tuning unit attached and the bass strung up for the first time. The pickup is just there wired straight to a jack to give me a signal to tune the bass and check the intonation in order to get the position of the bridge unit contain the saddles.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3398/3254117344_d71308f3de.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3426/3254117350_6dabae3570.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3455/3254117354_1fb1c87528.jpg

I have been working on the other headless.
Neck is now installed and all the marking up for the hardware done.
And yes that is real sunshine.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3338/3269652752_3bfb48f829.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3460/3269652756_98b4a3a80f.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3464/3269652760_44e20a713d.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3404/3269652762_206d408ff1.jpg

More done on the Finn today.
Neck carved and the body contouring mostly done. Pickup routes done as well.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3377/3272547756_73eabfba09.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3310/3272547862_99fd87a6ea.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3329/3272547870_182db4d14a.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3530/3272547874_2e83fdb3b6.jpg

Very striking, especially the bloodwood accents that bring out the contouring on the neck and body and tie everything together...

Mike

A few more instruments beginning to look like basses.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3279/3288820206_7d186b0b9f.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3419/3288820212_6d099210da.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3430/3288820216_8c6429168e.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3444/3288820220_a6496cea14.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/3288820222_4d360221c6.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3456/3288820224_54260a8f98.jpg

I like them all, but especially that middle one. :p

Mike

I thought you might be drawn to that one.

More of the same done today cavities for the controls and the battery box.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3583/3290292269_3d6f4af4f8.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/3290292265_f20f5eba7a.jpg

The necks on these two now with the finger boards glued on.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3358/3290292275_73e226c8c5.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3577/3290292279_6d25cf516b.jpg

Ooo, I really like the way the lighter "contrast layer" looks--maybe for my *next* ACG...

Doing quiet a lot of this style at the moment. The sycamore makes a really good contrast because it is so creamy white. I have another bass with a light top and a swamp ash body with a wenge contrast and it works well.
Alan

More done on the Finn today.
Neck carved and the body contouring mostly done. Pickup routes done as well.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3530/3272547874_2e83fdb3b6.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3583/3290292269_3d6f4af4f8.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/3290292265_f20f5eba7a.jpg

Wow, these basses look fantastic. If someone told me a builder was going to use bloodwood as an accent wood btween mac ebony and wenge I'd think it would be a terrible idea, but it really came out amazing.

The bottom one has a cookies 'n cream type vibe going on.

I have to stay out of this thread or I'll go crazy waiting on mine. ;)

A selection of fret boards that have just been slotted.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3214/3326680200_cff95c4f0d.jpg

3 necks with the radius just sanded on to the finger boards and a rare sighting of me actually building a guitar.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3624/3326680212_cdae4464a5.jpg

Harlot 5 string fretless now cut from the body blank,book matche back and front from the same board.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3034/3326680216_6991c34751.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3625/3326680276_dfb9b5674e.jpg


Prototype Gallus 5 string.
Alder body which will be sprayed black. It will have a black limba finger board with a wenge/bloodwood 5 piece neck. Nothing else decided on just yet.
Needs a small tweak round where the neck comes in to the body just not quiet right there.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3197/3326680214_63df5fd375.jpg

So now we guess which boards and necks go with which instruments, right? ;) And that fretless Harlot body looks sweet--much as I like your other shapes, the Harlot is still hands-down my favorite for being just dead sexy.

Mike

I am guessing you have worked out which one is yours.
Alan

I am guessing you have worked out which one is yours.
Alan

The one that says "ADAM"?

You are to sharp for me spotted my cunning ploy straight away.

Finally after spending weeks gluing things together some pics to show the results.
Harlot 5 fretless..
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3452/3379047465_bd0771e998.jpg
Recurve 5
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3470/3379047467_a1571b9b6f.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3651/3379047471_ffb4394656.jpg
Finn 4.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3445/3379047487_be187a86c4.jpg
Finn 4 fretless.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3436/3379047497_8223ffae05.jpg
Recurve S Type 6.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3570/3379047503_0ca1175861.jpg

Beautiful looking batch.

Of course, I was hoping a Recurve 6 with a Camphor top and back would be in there . . . ;)

You are in the next batch of glue ups.
Starting tomorrow.

Alan

:hyper:

Sweet! I love that redwood Harlot fretless, but of course I'm partial to Harlots... The two Finns look amazing, too.

More work done on several basses.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3428/3387363305_05157ab304.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3637/3387363301_0a7e3e4f16.jpg

Headstocks for two basses and a rare ACG guitar.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3610/3387363307_92c2e1db07.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3572/3387363327_80a14ec816.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3618/3387363333_30ef9ed2d9.jpg

Maple fret lines on a Mac Ebony board.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3619/3387363335_5f4fa706bc.jpg

Alan

Been working on necks for the last week or so.

Pic of all the neck blanks under construction at the moment most for orders and a few for stock basses.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3371/3420877901_4b96024a8f.jpg

Same necks from the other end.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3630/3420877905_1345228ce8.jpg

Neck near completion.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3407/3420877909_8265884bba.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3415/3420877921_4528f34120.jpg

And neck installed in a Finn.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3618/3420877927_2de56f0f6b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/3420877933_210fd6058c.jpg

So those with orders can play pick the neck blank.

Today's effort.

Necks fitted to some basses and a guitar.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3571/3424088819_3f844c72b6.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3606/3424088825_bba13ceaa6.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3590/3424088827_78f0557db0.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3382/3424088829_f306341ff6.jpg

Sweet! It's always cool to see the stage where they go from "parts" to "instruments"...

That Finn 4 looks especially nice.

I enjoy that part as well. That Finn is going to work out really well I am pleased with it.

Alan

In my continuing series of "looking as if I am doing something"
The neck blanks now planed to size.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3580/3426398721_db3dafb6c7.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3400/3426398727_63b16b0804.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3601/3426398733_363d41581e.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3642/3426398735_8d11b21621.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3594/3426398739_7322ba0447.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3379/3426398741_a6def3dcbf.jpg

Some more done on the two Finn's.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3304/3445926552_ff27633052.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3657/3445926554_008e1dd2af.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3635/3445926566_ce2a2d66f2.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3559/3445926574_bc82ddb4ab.jpg

Beautiful, both of them! The matching ash overlay on the back of the single-pickup bass is a neat, subtle touch with the ash body and maple neck.

Mike

Mike I forgot to say the single pickup bass has a piezo bridge as well.


A few new pics of some work done before the bash kicked of on Saturday.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3480/3460891306_3bb53b3da4.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3564/3460891308_d54fd87fe3.jpg
A Gallus I am working on when I have the time.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3481/3460891312_d88694bb11.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3594/3460891320_7b8bcefd0b.jpg

And finally a guiatr I am working on.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3478/3460891326_f78479847a.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3623/3460891366_9366004872.jpg

I had the notion that the Gallus prototype was going to be fairly plain wood like the Finn fretless prototype, but it's soooo much more striking with that ebony top! Does that also have a thick accent layer like the Finn single-cut?

Speaking of which, that one is also turning our beautifully. For me personally, that one was crying out for a wenge neck with mac ebony board and sycamore bindings (basically a "negative" of the one it has) to echo the body colors, but that's just me and it's not my bass! :hiding:

Oh, that little bitty 6-string thing looks great, too. ;)

Mike

It was an Alder body which is still there and will be used at some point sprayed black like the Finn prototype.
I just decided that it deserved some thing a bit better. It does have the thick accent and then the same again in Wenge before the main ash body.

I think that one would work either way round but that is what the customer spec'd so that is what is built.

Don't get a chance to build guitars very often so it makes a nice change.

Been working on the Finn S/C got most of the contouring done still needs a tweak here and there and the neck has been carved.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3658/3470739675_ef2dbcbc7c.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3577/3470739677_98d899331a.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3630/3470739681_381ef47a3a.jpg

Beautiful! I love the way the laminates emphasize the contouring (or vice-versa ;) ) and how the wood choices all fit together so well. I also didn't notice before now how flamey the fretboard is--sweet!

Mike

thats probably the most beautiful SC bass Ive seen in a looong time.

Many thanks.
It is working out pretty well.

Alan

hmm, makes me want one. I know the preamp is good so the rest must be fantastic :p

I try to make them that way.:)

Alan

Just taken the order for this bass. It is a modified Finn Single Cut. It has a Recurve lower horn. Render as always done by Sugden.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3338/3598929344_055d1eb300.jpg

Interesting. I've always really liked the Recurve lower horn, but never really thought about what it might look like on a different model...

Is that 3 pickups, or just a ramp in the middle?

Mike

I am just about running a mix and match with the top half of one bass and the bottom half of another. Quiet a few of them are interchangeable.

It is a ramp made from the same material as a pickup.
The spec on this one.

Modified Finn Single Cut shape.

Claro Walnut top with Black Walnut body. 5 piece Maple/Wenge neck with Indian Rosewood board 33" scale 26 frets.

ACG FB pickups with matching ramp plus Hipshot piezo bridge and ACG EQ01 pre-amp.
Low battery indicator.

Oil finish.

Some work done on mostly necks and one bass.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2434/3611351791_ee1505aa6e.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3319/3611351793_2336406f3d.jpg
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http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3368/3612166726_7a055791db.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3362/3612166732_1f35496377.jpg

Beautiful, Alan! It's great to see how that Recurve S-type is coming along, but I bet the finish will really make the figure on that redwood top pop out. Neat wood selection for the neck, too.

Is the dark neck toward the bottom ebony/limba? I've not seen limba used for too many necks--how is that coming out?

Mike

Mike.
It is ebony limba. A first for me but it does look really good. It is a nicely coloured piece of limba also quiet dense so I am anticipating a nice solid neck.

My goodness these are sensational!

Hey can you tell me what the benefit of the bass body going up the upper neck are.. Beautiful work by the way!!!

To be honest that is very much a debated point. If you are thinking of going down the line of a single cut I would do it because you like the design rather than any perceived benefits with regard to tone. If you search on TB you will find a few threads on the subject. Some people like the extra connection from the body to the neck others don't. Again some like the added stiffness the neck gets from the connection other think it is a bad thing. From my point of view I like the aesthetic of the design. From a build point of view they are more work to build. From a tone point of view they have all sounded very good but no better than the double cuts. Part of the problem for me is that I use different woods in most of the basses which makes an accurate comparison difficult. I have one customer who has two basses made from the same woods except for the top. Same pre-amp pickups etc. I asked him at the time to let me know what he thought the differences were. I had expected to hear that there was a marked difference between them. However he tells me the are very similar. The single cut has a bit more punch but very marginal.

Lancerator,

There have been lots of discussions about the ideas behind singlecut designs up in the Basses forum. You might have a look at these threads:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=525333&highlight=singlecut+benefits
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=139123&highlight=singlecut+benefit

Mike

Hey can you tell me what the benefit of the bass body going up the upper neck are.. Beautiful work by the way!!!

It adds a 10% increase in awesome. Some users have reported a marked improvement in the attraction of the fairer sex, but until hard evidence is gathered these remain unsubstantiated rumors.

As always there are so many variables that it is near impossible to pin down the exact contribution to the sound that any one element makes. I tend to agree with Alan - it's an aesthetic change above all else, at least in my opinion. And while I've seen a number of cool single cuts, I never really wanted (and subsequently ordered) one until I saw Alan's Recurve.

Beautiful, Alan! It's great to see how that Recurve S-type is coming along, but I bet the finish will really make the figure on that redwood top pop out. Neat wood selection for the neck, too.

Is the dark neck toward the bottom ebony/limba? I've not seen limba used for too many necks--how is that coming out?

Mike

:cool: the Recurve S-type is coming to me!!!
Can't wait to see how it turns out.
:hyper:

Congratulations! You've made some really cool choices on that one! :D

My Harlot has a little longer to go, but it's exciting to see every new bit of progress, and to get a vicarious thrill out of watching other people's basses coming together, too....

Mike

Some more carving done.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3604/3670682907_f27e08da06.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3326/3670682911_25164b2c45.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3614/3650695885_b16788ae46.jpg

Great to see both those Recurves coming alone so nicely!

Pushing on with this bass at the moment while waiting for the current crop that are in the spray booth with the lacquer hardening.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2574/3679683858_1fc5fd58d5.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3555/3679683862_6769e4f6ec.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2626/3679683872_9eaf0008bd.jpg

It looks a bit like redwood, but that's a flame bubinga top and back, right? Sweet!

Mike

Hi Mike
It is Bubinga you are spot on. It is as hard as nails sanding it is hard work,but the upside is it is a lot easier to spray than the Redwood.

Damn your basses are beautiful. Have any plans to move to the states :)

He'll gladly ship overseas if you place an order! :D

Mike

It is true.

If I was moving in that direction it would be Canada as my wife is a Canadian citizen as are my kids so that would be the easier option.

Having been stuck with finishing for the last few weeks I finally got some wood work done.

Six string Recurve S Type camphor top.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2511/3749323444_4a14467914.jpg
Recurve 4 Cocobolo top.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2509/3749323442_c601f1f4a5.jpg


Couple of necks.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2635/3749323438_fb0643ed01.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2323/3749323436_7794c36840.jpg

Recurve 6 Camphor top with Flame Sycamore finger board and a Wenge/Maple/Padauk neck.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2558/3749321036_6387bee959.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3486/3749323434_7f54517c48.jpg

Recurve S Type 5 (LH)
Mac Ebony top Wenge back and a Mac Ebony/ Flame Sycamore neck.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2654/3749321028_a6f622282c.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2537/3749321030_a1a933983b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2444/3748567943_39f63614ee.jpg

Drawings for the 10 string and the Black Limba body BHS top.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3515/3749318892_52ffb2120e.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2458/3749318920_1a7ea027b5.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3209/3749318930_2bc0f95476.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2568/3749318934_1ef508e873.jpg


Finally just started a bass for a guy called Chris Barron. He plays bass for a Scottish band called The Hostiles. You can hear their work on Myspace.

http://www.myspace.com/hostileska

The bass will be a modified Recurve 5 with the following woods.

Top is a figured maple with Purpleheart accent and a Butternut body.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3531/3749321018_db8a91fd5a.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2522/3749321022_168ae65843.jpg

Wow, that flamed camphor top looks different from the camphor burl I've seen before, but very beautiful! This one will be getting a hard finish, I hope? Beautiful as David's headless Harlot is, the oil finish didn't really bring out the camphor facings very much.

The cocobolo on the Recurve is gorgeous, too! And of course, I'm spending a lot of time picturing a bass at the other end of that 5-string neck! :D

You've got some pretty amazing instruments in the works, Alan, and I'm looking forward to watching them come together...even the ones that aren't headed to my house. ;)

Mike

Hi Mike
should have some more Camphor for you to have a look at just shortly.

Alan

Hi Mike
should have some more Camphor for you to have a look at just shortly.

Alan

[Barry White] ALLLLLLLLL RIIIIIGHT [/Barry White]

Lot of Camphor on the go just now. I have a guitar (yes a guitar) which will be going out tomorrow and it has a burl top and back. A Recurve S Type 6 with Camphor and a Recurve 6 again with Camphor so lots to look at.

Sweet!

Sweet!

Yeah, but I have it on good authority that the guy getting the normal Recurve 6 with the camphor back and top and sycamore fingerboard is a jerk.

But it looks like he's going to be a jerk with an awesome bass.

But it looks like he's going to be a jerk with an awesome bass.

And that's really the best most of us can hope for, isn't it?

Mike

And that's really the best most of us can hope for, isn't it?

Mike

Some days, yep.

It's funny, but I figured getting all giddy to see progress pics would be a sensation that would only exist for my first custom build. This will be #4 and I think I'm more excited to see this bass than any of the others.

I think that's only natural. When you're placing an order for a custom like this, you put so much thought and energy into figuring out the specs and trying to visualize what this set of woods/shape/option is going turn out like. It's hard not to be excited about seeing your vision become reality!

Mike

A bit of a departure for me a guitar. Not built to many guitars but enjoy the change.
Camphor Burl top and back with a Black Limba body. 3 piece Bubinga/Wenge neck with ebony finger board 25" scale.
P90 in the neck Alinco 5 humbucker in bridge with coil tap on push/pull pot.

ABM 3D roller bridge, Sperzel locking tuners,Schaller straplocks.


Gloss body and satin neck.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2472/3751242685_6c87c10a52.jpg
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Beautiful, Alan! That's more the sort of camphor figure I'm used to seeing, and it looks great with the bubinga and wenge.

How do those woods work on guitar? I mean, I'm familiar with things like wenge and limba (korina) in basses, but you don't see many guitars using anything beyond ash, alder, mahogany, and maple. Are you having Aaron make custom guitar pickups for you as well, or are those stock models?

Mike

Well judging from the guy playing it this morning they work out pretty well. I really having nothing to compare it with to be honest. The neck is probably a bit to stiff for a guitar as I had to use the trussrod to put some relief in to the neck the string tension not being enough,mind you I have had to do that on a few bass necks as well. The guy was looking for a guitar for blues type stuff and I would say we have nailed that. The P90 in particular sound lovely through my Rivera.
I have built a few guitars and used my own pickups in them and with the usual logo on them however the P90 would not fit into the former so I went with a standard humbucker size but I am still using my own custom wound pickups.

I don't think "neck stiffness" is quite the necessary trait in guitars that it is in basses, what with those wimpy little strings and all. :D

Mike

I put carbon in it as well so probably overkill I suspect.

Some more pics of the back of the Recurve S Type and the Recurve 4.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3427/3754033559_a2dc3b3213.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2663/3754033569_0617840a4f.jpg

Been working on control cavities today.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2411/3763596528_131aa21a51.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3537/3763596518_0f0256b687.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2066/3763596526_77d88038ca.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3553/3763596534_286de87b72.jpg
Hard to see but the contrast bloodwood under the fret board.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3495/3763596536_9238f80323.jpg

A Finn Graft in Ash.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2563/3763596516_33a1afd5a6.jpg

It's great to see those coming along, Alan. I'm especially interested in the redwood Harlot, and the bloodwood contrast layer under the fretboard seems like a really cool touch, especially with maple/bloodwood neck laminates.

Mike

I did that on my first Recurve single cut and to be honest forgot about it until I was asked to do it again on this bass.

Yet again, great work. I need to talk to you about a prospective project I'm considering. It's really very custom though. How can I contact you? PM me and let me know.

Thanks a bunch, keep up the great work. The Camphor burl on that guitar is simply awesome.

I did that on my first Recurve single cut and to be honest forgot about it until I was asked to do it again on this bass.

To be honest it's one of the best features of the bass - and it has a LOT of nice features.:D

What do your basses run for?

PM sent.

Alan

It's great to see those coming along, Alan. I'm especially interested in the redwood Harlot, and the bloodwood contrast layer under the fretboard seems like a really cool touch, especially with maple/bloodwood neck laminates.

Mike

Interested in you Myrtle Harlot as well! I expect we're close in the production line. Should get a pic of them together.

dunc

I imagine Alan could take a pic of the "kissing cousins" if they're finished at the same time. I just noticed that apart from frets and specific woods, they share many of the same features and options (Harlot 5 with matching back facing and black veneers, 5-piece maple/something neck, acrylicized fretboard, lacquer finish, 9v circuit). To me it's very interesting to see different manifestations of the same basic design...

Wow, I think that's the first time I've gotten to use "manifestations" in a TB post...

Mike

based on what's coming out of his shop that could be some hot action :)

Bit of work done on the left hand Recurve S Type and the first Finn single cut with the Recurve lower horn.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3497/3900409557_81b57fb749.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3472/3900409631_7f35c43105.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3503/3900409635_ee5b4d0d0f.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2654/3900409639_7ce59da3a3.jpg

Seems like the mac ebony/sycamore/wenge (aka the "Oreo cookie" ;) ) combination is getting to be very popular, Alan. Looks great!

The modified Finn in walnut should be another of your more subtle beauties, as well....

Mike

Seems like the mac ebony/sycamore/wenge (aka the "Oreo cookie" ;) ) combination is getting to be very popular, Alan. Looks great!


And they all look great. I have to admit I've wondered a few times if I should have went that way myself. If not for the weight, I think I might have gone with jet black Gaboon Ebony with sycamore for a simple elegant look.

But I think I'm going to be really happy with the camphor back and top.

The combo is proving to be popular but they are not light it has to be said. All that wenge and ebony do not make a light bass.

Some work done on the chambered piezo only bolt on single cut.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2499/3923019639_61993d7e57.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2446/3923019633_56eb59ea5b.jpg

Sweet! I didn't realize this one was going to be a bolt-on, but it makes sense with the body being chambered. This one should be very interesting to see when it gets done...

Mike

It was not going to be a bolt on when I started but I am running out of time for a show in November so needed to get it done.

Cant wait to hear the combination of piezo, AC-preamp and the body work on this Skelf.

Are there internal routing/chambers?

Should be interesting I am looking forward myself to hearing what difference it all makes.
There are chambers in the bass.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3622320631_95caeeb2ef.jpg

More work done on the chambered Skelf. Just need a dry day to get the neck carved,so should be done next June.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3492/3948894056_00346a59ed.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3528/3948894068_ac6a5dd24f.jpg

Nice! Is that an ebony headstock facing? It gives it little more of an "acoustic guitar" look than matching the top would.

Mike

Wenge headstock on this one.

The combo is proving to be popular but they are not light it has to be said. All that wenge and ebony do not make a light bass.

A bit late on this one but Alan out of curiosity do you think my Recurve will end up being on the heavy side?

I have two Recurve 6 basses on the go at the moment both with camphor top and back but one with an Ash core and yours with the Ceder core and Sycamore. Your bass is the lighter of the two and certainly not in the same ballpark as the Ebony/Wenge combo.

Alan

Very cool, thanks!

I can't wait to see/play this bass when it is finished.

Very cool that there are two Camphor Recurve's coming down the line at about the same time - I think we even picked the same pickup configuration though IIRC his is an S type. Should be a killer bass too.

I'm subscribed to this thread and everything you post looks amazing, but it just makes the waiting that much harder. ;)

I'm subscribed to this thread and everything you post looks amazing, but it just makes the waiting that much harder. ;)

You can say that again! :eek:

Bit more done on the Chambered Skelf.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2635/3965960537_d5f21e38c7.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2593/3965960559_981ac24dff.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2439/3965960569_130d5cc08d.jpg

The neck looks great, and layers on the heel are a nice detail. Are they strictly cosmetic, or are they used to add depth to the neck as well?

Mike

Those were added to put some more depth on the neck as the body is deeper than normal. No point in not making them look good if possible.

Work done on the fretless Finn.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2438/3971478601_00e4ce47c4.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3449/3971478627_16fe37e23f.jpg

Cocobolo Recurve single cut.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2603/3971478657_748b7d38bf.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2542/3971478681_64bc52db03.jpg

Those are both gorgeous, Alan! The more I see it in that single-pickup fretless configuration, the more I like the Finn shape. And the cocobolo on that Recurve is just amazing!

Mike

With you on that Mike I like this setup in the Finn myself. That Cocobolo is going to look great when it is finished.

That Finn looks DAMN hot. What's the balance like on that model, sitting down?

More work done on the chambered Skelf. Just need a dry day to get the neck carved,so should be done next June.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3492/3948894056_00346a59ed.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3528/3948894068_ac6a5dd24f.jpg

What do you think you're going to string the piezo skelf with?

The vast majority of my "piezo posse" are strung with Labella tapewounds. But i've had good luck with Thomastik nylon cores and even the odd flatwound or roundwound nickel strings.

It works out Ok on the lap but better on a strap.
It is strung with TI flats at the moment. Did not think to try tape wounds.

She be a v nice one!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2603/3971478657_748b7d38bf.jpg

Various basses progressing.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2544/4086062483_20727d4c02_m.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2686/4086062491_87666e8825_m.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2536/4086062495_2b9b417253_m.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2539/4086062499_d98cc22ef8_m.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2612/4086062511_8d9d5dc202_m.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2709/4086062517_570a3d8707_m.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2597/4086821976_60783b357f_m.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2686/4086821988_81b565661c_m.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2646/4086822040_deb8798963_m.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2720/4086822050_6ae03a47ed_m.jpg

Contouring still to be tidied up.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2615/4086822052_4d9a18cae3_m.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2662/4086822058_87d9edb095_m.jpg

If it wouldn't be wasting your time I'd prolly ask you a quote just to feed the GAS a bit hehe.
(I'm 17 there's prolly no way I can afford it anyways)
:ninja:

I don't regard talking to customers as a waste of time that applies to future ones as well.

Drop me a mail and we can have a chat about it.

Alan

Sure, let's chat.

Great to see these all coming along, Alan! Even without finish, those cocobola basses are gorgeous...

Mike

Great to see these all coming along, Alan! Even without finish, those cocobola basses are gorgeous...

Mike

Definitely. But I'm particularly interested in that top neck. I think we need a blown up version of that picture.

http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t322/stammiegallery/ACG5-1.jpg

I'm not an expert but that certainly looks like a paduak/maple/wenge neck with a flame sycamore fingerboard.

I bet it would look fantastic attached to a Recurve 6 body with camphor top and back, sycamore accents and a spanish cedar core. :bassist:

http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t322/stammiegallery/ACG1-1.jpg

Well, I'm more interested in the bottom neck personally, but they both look HOT! :bassist:

http://myweb.unomaha.edu/~mzimmerman/Harlot_neck.jpg

I would supply better pics but my editing software has developed an error. I use Fireworks but now have the 15:30 error so it is not working. Normal service will be resumed as soon as I find a fix for it.