New Build: Noah SSC

[LedBelli Bass]

1st step:

Concept, actual size -- Single cutaway, semi-hollow chambered, f-holes, microphonic pickup, neck thru, 5 string; Ash body core.

[jordan_frerichs]

sweet

[ljzimmer]

Woah, this is going to be unbelievable.

[Jeronimofesto]

Very classy! The only thing I would change is to shy away from the Ritter style headstock and come up with your own style for these great builds.

[pilotjones]

Very nice body shape.

[codyAllen191]

Originally Posted by Jeronimofesto

Very classy! The only thing I would change is to shy away from the Ritter style headstock and come up with your own style for these great builds.

+1, great stuff though

[LedBelli Bass]

Originally Posted by Jeronimofesto

Very classy! The only thing I would change is to shy away from the Ritter style headstock and come up with your own style for these great builds.

I have addressed this subject at considerable length in the past. Even in the recent past.
If you perform a side by side comparison of the two designs there is considerable difference between them, certainly as much or more difference than any number of other comparisons one could find here on LC. But do it: pull up the pics and compare.

In fact, when I visited your website and looked at the build blog (did u know your gallery isn't loading?), at one point I thought I had somehow ended up on another LC'ers site when I saw one of your concepts. Then I blinked and saw the differences. Of course, the one right above that one reminded me of a certain Warwick Buzzard. And what about copying F-Style mandolin shapes? Can't anyone find an original mando design? Apparently, hundreds of mandolin builders world-wide are having trouble with it! Etc . . .you get my point.

My design is "my own". It follows the motifs presented elsewhere in the Noah's design. Many experienced luthiers of varied disciplines have been quick to see the continuity of my design motif throughout the instrument. Others less so.

I think you would do well to direct your critique in other directions instead of directing a thinly veiled charge of copycatting toward me. For example, consider the headstock/body designs of Sadowsky, Lull, Lakland, or for that matter, any other builder of J style classic basses. They all look pretty similar to me. Some of your own, and other's, headstock designs routinely "remind" me of other ones (have you ever looked at Rob Allen's shapes?), but I'm not lining up to critique them, am I?

But, just to be fair, if you can convince those named above to change the similarity of their headstock motifs; or if you can get Kevin Ryan to make his look less like James Olson's; or if you can get Collings to back off the Martin and Gibson motifs, ad infinitum, then I'll change mine to look more like a clamshell!! (There's only so many ways one can morph 3 design borders)

So, if you can see it JC, none of us are really doing anything so brand new as to be able to say "100% mine". Fortunately, I am blessed to know that a considerable number of people like what I'm doing and filled my inbox expressing that sentiment (leading me to reverse my earlier decision to leave LC).

Nuff said. The headstock is "my own"( my signature if you will), and it compliments the overall design motifs very, very well.

Kindest regards to you and your work.

[Beej]

I agree with ledbelli. Not to be a suckup, but really, the headstock is definitely different than the two common ritter ones. I don't see it as a copycat at all, besides ledbelli's stuff doesn't evoke a ritter feel nearly as much as, for example, sadowsky evokes a fender feel. Ledbelli's are distinctive and instantly recognizable by the headstock, whereas I tend to recognize ritters by the distinctive body shapes, and outrageous mexican-taxicab-like decorations...

[scottyd]

I can see your already a little touchy about the headstock design so please take this with a grain of salt as it's only my 2 cents. We can only come up with so many designs, and any similaritys that show with any other well known builder will get pointed out quickly, this happens. Consider it a compliment!! because even a quick look over of both will confirm that your headstock looks nothing like the Ritter. OK!

The body looks great, very original with a nice flowing shape. The headstock however is quite the opposite of that. Don't get me wrong I love that headstock with your dual cut shape, but with this one is seems a bit obtrusive or out of place if you will.

I think I would play with the length of the "horns" on the headstock, particulary the top one maybe a tad shorter to help ease it into the elegant flow of the body but still keep the prominent shape that your headstock will be known for.

I totally understand where you're coming from with wanting to keep your headstock as your trademark but a common problem that occurs when building custom instruments is whenever a potential customer doesn't like what they see they'll ask you to change it to better suite them. Just something to keep in mind. Once again just my 2 cents, glad to see you posting!

[roberthabraken]

Originally Posted by LedBelli Bass

I have addressed this subject at considerable length in the past. Even in the recent past.
If you perform a side by side comparison of the two designs there is considerable difference between them, (...)

Nuff said. The headstock is "my own"( my signature if you will), and it compliments the overall design motifs very, very well.

Kindest regards to you and your work.

You're, indeed, a little touchy about your headstock design. I think it was just JC's opinion and when you post stuff on a forum, you'll get to hear other's opinions I guess.

Musical instruments do have some rules on which they're based. If you change that, it'll look way out of shape. So it's very logical that shapes start to look after each other when having that many brands and luthiers.

I think your design is really great and I can see you're used to making those kind of drawings, since it looks very professional and clean to me. Definitely described to this thread!

[vbasscustom]

described :\ lolol

[LedBelli Bass]

Well taken Scotty and Robert. Scott, I will consider your suggestions carefully; in fact, you may have given me an idea that would still dovetail into my overall design plan for all my work, so we'll see tonight on the drawing board.

But yes, right, I am sensitive to suggestions of "plagiarism" when we are surrounded by so many similar designs at every turn. And then when the source of those suggestions shows ample evidence of similarity to others. . .yes, I get a little cranky. Sorry men.

So, we agree that the Noah Double cut is good as is. The SSC is going to get some more look-sees tonight.

Thanks guys

[roberthabraken]

Originally Posted by LedBelli Bass

Well taken Scotty and Robert. Scott, I will consider your suggestions carefully; in fact, you may have given me an idea that would still dovetail into my overall design plan for all my work, so we'll see tonight on the drawing board.

But yes, right, I am sensitive to suggestions of "plagiarism" when we are surrounded by so many similar designs at every turn. And then when the source of those suggestions shows ample evidence of similarity to others. . .yes, I get a little cranky. Sorry men.

So, we agree that the Noah Double cut is good as is. The SSC is going to get some more look-sees tonight.

Thanks guys

Success with that! I like your work very much and it inspires me truely.

Ps. I visited Ritter's site and I see where you come from.. the headstock design doesn't look much alike....

[OneMoreRobot]

Dude... If I wasn't a poor Noah I would buy one of your basses.

I love your contoured neck pockets and look forward to seeing the one on this bad boy!

[LedBelli Bass]

Originally Posted by OneMoreRobot

Dude... If I wasn't a poor Noah I would buy one of your basses.

I love your contoured neck pockets and look forward to seeing the one on this bad boy!

My friend Noah, if you can come up with the hardware and electronics, I'll throw in the wood and build you a Noah Standard for free.

I'm not joking . . .

But not garbage hardware and electronics either! lol

[jordan_frerichs]

i like the headstock. you seem to know just where you stand on your methods and design and other build philosophy. i like that, and so far, all i have seen is first class work. i think i am the opposite. i prefer constructive critism over compliments, because i want to know how i can improve in every way, and i am not obligated to change a plan based on others input, so its all good.
so, when do you think we will see the woodwork part of the build started? is this for a customer, or will it be one of your personal/prototype builds?

[jordan_frerichs]

Originally Posted by LedBelli Bass

My friend Noah, if you can come up with the hardware and electronics, I'll throw in the wood and build you a Noah Standard for free.

I'm not joking . . .

been seeing a lot of generosity lately on lc in general, but that is amazing.

[LedBelli Bass]

Based on Scotty's earlier remarks, here's a revision to the headstock that -may- follow the single-cut motif better. Scotty?

I'm not sure how comfortable I am with this one . . . I like it and I would incorporate it into the global picture for my work, however, it is actually a little more "Ritter-esque" (look at Ritter's Jupiter or Okron) than what I had.

Whatever I settle on, the primary prerequisite is that it be "Led"; it must retain much of the same mood as the original design.

[GerManson]

i am loving the shape.. suscribed

[BananaKing]

Originally Posted by LedBelli Bass

Based on Scotty's earlier remarks, here's a revision to the headstock that -may- follow the single-cut motif better. Scotty?

Wow.

I like this new design.

Subscribed.

I wanna see this to completion.