Most Innovative Builders?

Arthur U. Poon · #1 12-23-2006, 08:00 AM

Of course, the first person I think of is Leo Fender.

The people that IMHO have taken bass guitar design into different directions than Fender are:
Ron Wickersham
Rick Turner
Ned Steinberger
Ken Smith
Geoff Gould
Michael Tobias
Who are the other builders that you feel have made profound design innovations with the bass guitar? Please feel free to include pickup designers as well.

Thanks,
-Art

mvw356 · #2 12-23-2006, 08:37 AM

Leo Fender is a safe bet.
hm just realised that that was your first thought too. doesn't hurt to repeat it though.

mvw356 · #3 12-23-2006, 08:38 AM

those Status guys who made carbonfibre necks and bodies are innovative too.

i_got_a_mohawk · #4 12-23-2006, 09:45 AM

Leo Fender gets my vote!

mvw356 · #5 12-23-2006, 09:56 AM

Was Rickenbacker the first maker to offer neck through? If so I think that's pretty innovative.

Alvaro Martín Gómez A. · #6 12-23-2006, 09:56 AM

The truss rod wheel that comes in MusicMan instruments is an overlooked (IMO) design that should come standard on every electric guitar/bass. I think Dudley Gimpel is the genius behind it.

spudmaster34 · #7 12-23-2006, 10:01 AM

ken parker

Arthur U. Poon · #8 12-23-2006, 10:17 AM

Thanks for the replies so far!

mvw356: I believe you're right; Rickenbacker was the first company to offer a "mass-produced" neckthrough bass guitar.

spudmaster34: I've never seen a Parker instrument in the flesh, but besides their unique design, I've read he uses some pretty unique construction methods.

Alvaro, I couldn't agree more about MusicMan's trussrod wheel adjuster; it's a great improvement.

Thanks again, everyone. Please keep 'em coming!

BTW, I was looking at Ken Smith's website where it details all the things he's pioneered over the years that many other companies are featuring nowadays. Very impressive. That's what gave me the idea to start this thread.

Basshole · #9 12-23-2006, 10:20 AM

I have an old neck from an early 60s Vox bass, and it has the same style adjuster. MM did not bring forth this "innovation", sorry.

My top 3?

Leo
Ned
Mike

Arthur U. Poon · #10 12-23-2006, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basshole

I have an old neck from an early 60s Vox bass, and it has the same style adjuster. MM did not bring forth this "innovation", sorry.

My top 3?

Leo
Ned
Mike

Good to know. I'm glad they decided to 'implement' the spoke-wheel on their instruments anyway.