Garz Elevation 5-string

[RickC]

You've probably seen this one before. This is the *first* Elevation, custom built for west*coast*bass. I'd love to keep her, but I need to raise some cash.

The body is gorgeous spalted maple over alder, and the bass weighs in at a very comfortable 8 lbs 11 oz. 18mm spacing at the bridge. The neck is bolt-on, 3-piece, large wenge center stripe with maple wings. It is incredibly stiff; you can easily feel how solid and stable the neck is as soon as you pick it up. The electronics are a pair of Duncan Basslines soapbars with the Aguilar 3-band active eq. This setup is very versatile and sounds great. Tuners and bridge are high-end Hipshot.

The most appealing (and perhaps controversial) aspect of this bass is the 33" scale. I can't find any sonic disadvantage to the scale on this bass vs 34", but what the shorter scale *does* contribute is a flexible, buttery feel that is downright addictive. It feels wonderful. And I credit the uber-stiff neck construction with phenomenal performance of the low B. It sounds clearly defined and with no flab; perfect.

$1450 shipped in conus, with a nice heavy duty gig bag.

My apologies to midmoto for borrowing his pics from the last time this bass was up for sale; they just look so good. And as good as they look, the bass is even more striking in person.











/rick

[RickC]

Some back pics. Note the wide slab of wenge down the middle of the neck. I believe this has a lot to do with the considerable stiffness of the neck and great low-B performance of the instrument overall.

Also note, the little black mark on the headstock just below the low-B tuner was just a piece of surface dirt. I didn't notice it till I was looking at the pics on my computer. It brushed right away, totally clean and unmarked.











/rick

[west*coast*bass]

This is a great bass...in my opinion one of the best Mark Garza has ever made. He's such a talented luthier and his work is impeccable!

One other thing to note, the bass has a passive tone control as well as the 3 band EQ.

[RickC]

Mark, thanks for mentioning that. Yes, the bass runs fully passive, with a single tone control. And if you toggle the active switch with the eq set flat, you can't hear any difference between active and passive mode. The Aguilar is totally transparent, and passive mode sounds just like the active mode run flat.

/rick

[RickC]

btw, it's currently set up for low B, but both previous owners have told me they also ran this bass with a high C, with great results. No adjustment to neck or nut required.

/rick

[ubado]

Damn ... Damn ... Damn!
Why did this have to come around when I'm saving up for my next Garz custom ... also when I'm already short on "bass funds"

Originally Posted by west*coast*bass

He's such a talented luthier and his work is impeccable!

+1

I currently own two Garz basses .... Mark's work is definitely impeccable! His basses are super comfortable ... great against the body and very well balanced. (on a side note ... Mark is about the nicest guy. he's always happy to answer any questions you may have about prior builds)

The word "buttery" is spot-on when describing Garz necks. IMO ... the necks are without a doubt the best part of his basses. They are wicked comfortable ... personally they fit me like a glove (I'm rather picky when it comes to necks ... and these are about perfect). Also, super stable. According to Mark ... he uses dual graphite stiffening rods in all his bass necks. I've yet to adjust either of mine ... even the winter to summer temp changes have little effect on them.

Whoever gets this bass will be a very happy camper! Definitely worth every dollar, and them some!

[flyman]

Width @ nut? Fretboard radius? Thanks.

[west*coast*bass]

The radius is 20"...I don't remember the nut width...

[ubado]

Originally Posted by west*coast*bass

The radius is 20"...I don't remember the nut width...

One time when I spoke to Mark, he said that his 5'ver necks are usually 1 3/4" @ nut (which mine is). If I remember correctly, he remarked that the Elevations are too; we discussed that very bass, west*coast*bass's 33" (prior to my Garz 5'ver purchase ... I was looking at having an Elevation built)

[RickC]

Actual neck width is 1-13/16 on this one; so just a bit wider than 1-3/4. Perhaps more interesting is the string spacing at the nut, which I measure at about 10 mm. It feels quite comfy/roomy up there.

/rick

[Kephah]

PM sent your way on this bass.

[bassgruvn]

Originally Posted by RickC

Some back pics. Note the wide slab of wenge down the middle of the neck. I believe this has a lot to do with the considerable stiffness of the neck and great low-B performance of the instrument overall.

Also note, the little black mark on the headstock just below the low-B tuner was just a piece of surface dirt. I didn't notice it till I was looking at the pics on my computer. It brushed right away, totally clean and unmarked.











/rick

I dont know man. I think your pictures look better than mine.

[RickC]

Perhaps, but it was your pics that first made me fall in love with this bass

[RickC]

I've been getting some amazing trade offers on this bass; very tempting. But cash is king, and as of now she is still standing and still available.

/rick

[ubado]

Gotta give this bass a BUMP ... since I'm such a fan of Mark's work!

Too bad I'm happy enough with my Garz 5'ver ... I don't need another ... no matter how much this one gives me GAS.

[RickC]

some love for the Garz?

/rick

[rms2]

Could you measure the string spacing at the bridge. Also the width of the neck at the 24th fret? And is the string spacing adjustable on that bridge?

Thanks!

[RickC]

The bridge is a Hipshot 5-string A style in brass with .708" spacing, which equals about 18mm. According to Hipshot the spacing is variable, but I really don't know over what range.

/rick

[RickC]

Width of the neck at the 24th fret is 2-7/8"

/rick

[RickC]

nine bumps to the universe