Wes Lambe ABG

bassinstincts · #1 09-01-2007, 09:16 AM

This isn't a double bass, but it is what I will be using a lot as a substitute for my DB. Its being made by Wes Lambe (www.wlguitars.com) a Chapel Hill luthier who makes some very unique instruments. Walnut body, piezo amd floating mag pickups, stereo jack. The fingerboard is extended to pizz playing will get more of an uprighty thump. Light and a treat to look at, too. Completion is a couple of weeks away.

P.S. Wes is a wonderful craftsman, a bass player himself and an absolute treat to deal with.

bassist1962 · #2 09-01-2007, 10:10 AM

Nice! it looks like the fingerboard is angled as on a DB, Will you be able to use a bow?

Gufenov · #3 09-01-2007, 10:41 AM

I'm interested in hearing this baby... An ABG with an upright sound is the holy grail of the BG world. The extended fingerboard is an idea I haven't seen before.

bassinstincts · #4 09-01-2007, 11:32 AM

No, won't be able to use a bow. And while it won't sound "like an upright" (nothing else REALLY does), I think it is going to have more of the "upright qualities" I am looking for and haven't found in other ABGs. Current plan is to try flatwound metal strings first. Could also go with tape-wrapped, but I thing the former will be better.

I will post sound files when it is done.

Marcus Johnson · #5 09-01-2007, 11:55 AM

Purty. Nice woods.

**Damon Rondeau** · #6 09-01-2007, 12:53 PM

Scale length? Did ya go a little longer?

bassinstincts · #7 09-01-2007, 12:54 PM

Thanks

You should visit Wes' website. He also makes the most amazing half-guitar, half-bass instruments. He can also play the darn things which is mind blowing in itself.

bassinstincts · #8 09-01-2007, 12:58 PM

No we stayed with 34 inches because I wanted a bit more flex in the strings. The bridge is actually going to be a bit further up on the body. The end result is that it sits very nicely and well balanced and will cause me to naturally pluck up over the fingerboard, getting a bigger, rounder sound.

Cathead · #9 09-02-2007, 03:11 PM

Are ya goin' with a tailpiece and bridge or a stopped bridge and saddle?

bassinstincts · #10 09-02-2007, 09:26 PM

Will have a tailpiece.

bassinstincts · #11 09-03-2007, 06:17 PM

Taking delivery tomorrow

tonequixote · #12 09-03-2007, 08:53 PM

Looks great. Please post more pics and clips when you are able to. Congrats.

Lokire · #13 09-03-2007, 09:56 PM

Gorgeous! I've been really getting into acoustic bass guitars, and I like the extended fingerboard on that one a lot. Are there any position markers along the side, or is it purely by ear/feel like a DB?

bassist1962 · #14 09-04-2007, 03:23 AM

Nice! Let us know how it plays, and sounds etc.

bassinstincts · #15 09-04-2007, 07:45 AM

I know many will cringe, but it has dots on the side. I even have them on my uprights. The scale lengths are all different which makes it helpful (can't hurt) when you pick a bass up for the first time in a couple of weeks.

Marcus Johnson · #16 09-04-2007, 09:56 AM

That's okay, I'd probably have them on an ABG too. I know where the notes are on a real bass, but it gets a little iffy for me on the shorter scale, just because I don't do it very often. I have them on my NS BassCello, pretty handy sometimes, since I very rarely play the thing.

bassinstincts · #17 09-05-2007, 07:15 PM

I have taken delivery of the bass and, if the case arrives tomorrow, I am going to use it at a jazz gig. Plays and sound phenomenally, but we are still tweaking the pickups and strings. More to come, but it is already the best sounding ABG I have heard and it is going to get better. Astouding playability (the long fingerboard is genius) and a big sound!

More to come!

bassinstincts · #18 09-08-2007, 01:05 PM

Took delivery Wednesday. Used it on a jazz gig Thursday.
Plays beautifully and sounds wonderful. It really is effortless to play and longer fingerboard makes it feel (and sound) much more like an upright.

But I won't post sound clips until we finish tweaking. We have already replaced the piezo that was inside the bridge with a Pick-up The World film (one I had used on an upright) which fits under the foot of the bridge. Makes a huge difference in sound and woodiness. I may try a Realist, but I don't think it could sound better than the PUTW. We are now tweaking the Seymour Duncan mag to get a warmer, woolier sound. I think 80% of the sound will be from the piezo, with the balance coming from the mag.

I have been experimenting with PUTW, Fishman Platinum, and Sans Amp Para Driver preamps for the piezo signal. I have tried TI Flats and Labella Tape Wounds as strings. So far the TI flats sound most upright like, but I am looking around for other flatwound candidates.

Does anyone know if PUTW is still in business? They are not answering phones or responding to emails. Their website says the new pickups have 3 times the output of the old ones. And I would like to get one. I am also interested in one of their stereo preamps that would plug right into the jack of the bass, eliminating the need for stereo cables. The latter has been a b***h to find. "Insert cables" from Monster only give you one channel in this application and the flimsy Hosa stereo cable I got from AMS crapped out on one side in a couple of hours. Apparently ProCo will make cables to order, but if anyone knows of a good cable (stereo plug leading to two mono cables with phone plug terminations, please let me know.

Bottom line. This bass is the best sounding ABG for "upright displacement" that I have heard--already, and it is going to get better with more tweaking. It is also light and very easy to play. On Thursday, I played on set on upright and one on the Lambe (so to speak). My hands knew the difference and the guys on the stand were very complimentary about the sound.

More to come.

anon_6j591b0 · #19 09-08-2007, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gufenov

An ABG with an upright sound is the holy grail of the BG world.

It's been available for almost a decade......
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bassinstincts · #20 09-08-2007, 08:26 PM

ABGs have been around for a long time. I have owned several. None of them duplicates the sound of an upright. And none will. But you can come closer than physics should allow by combining acoustics and electronics. My experience says a piezo alone will not do it. But (a) this is highly subjective stuff and (b) I have not heard all ABGs including the Azola and (c) I would be delighted to be proven wrong. How about posting some sound samples of the Azola?