New Model HDC ...opinions please.

[wilser]

So, what do you think? yay or nay?

Many thanks to TBer RLK (Bob ...don't call him Robert, whatever you do!!!) for the artwork and some tweak suggestions on the lower horn. I believe his offering this service to the public now ...correct me if I'm wrong.

[eleonn]

I like it but theres something about the two cutaways (is that the word?) that is keeping me a bit away from really really liking so I go neutral for this one. One thing I like is how you carve the neck-body area at the back. I really feel unconfortable a big chunk of wood there so maybe thats why I prefer neckthrus than bolts on. Id like to try one carved that way one day... maybe you can send me one... you know... just for a try

[Musiclogic]

Love the contour in the heel, I think it fits within the parameters of your models you build, looks good.

[Rodent]

if I was to be very nitpicky ... there's something with the horns that is throwing my eye off just a tad, but I can't pinpoint exactly what it is

overall, though, this is an excellent model that blends well with your other offerings. I see a consistency in design that says "Wilser designed/built this"


and whooa - Wilser, you managed to bring JC back from oblivion! where the heck you been JC?

all the best,

R

[MNbassist]

I like it, definitely a nice piece of work. I want to see something over the top from you though.

[Dan Knowlton]

I think that the discontinuity of the curve on the upper vs. lower horn is making me not dig it. My eyes seem to be going... it is the same curve, no it's not, yes it is.... IMHO, the top and bottom horns are not matched. I know this is chickening out, but I really have no idea how to resolve it. I really like the heel, though.

Dan K.

[rumblinbass]

Originally Posted by Dan Knowlton

I think that the discontinuity of the curve on the upper vs. lower horn is making me not dig it. My eyes seem to be going... it is the same curve, no it's not, yes it is.... IMHO, the top and bottom horns are not matched. I know this is chickening out, but I really have no idea how to resolve it. I really like the heel, though.

Dan K.

+1. I tend to agree with this comment. Wilser you do great work but there is just something about the upper and lower horns.

[wilser]

I see what you mean, but that was sort of the design point. Do the horns make more sense to you when looking at the design from the back? Or do they still not make sense?

'something isn't working' just doesn't help. please be more specific.

thanks.

[kris pung]

I'm not a big SC guy so naturally I think it's one of your hottest designs yet. I also see a little of the Nordstrand NJ http://www.nordstrandguitars.com/models.htm influences.

[smperry]

Like the general vibe, but agree about the horns not quite "matching". I think I'd like it more if the top horn hit the neck about two frets toward the bridge (meaning, cut in more) and if the bottom horn were a little wider and met the neck at a similar angle as the top horn. But maybe then it'd look too traditional or generic? Not sure.

Edit based on your post: It does look good from a playability standpoint, looking at the back picture.

Great looking basses you're making these days. Would love to check out one in person sometime.

Marshall

[Rodent]

W -

they make sense from the back, but not so much from the front.

the more I look at the front side of this design, the more I am convinced what's throwing off my eye is 99% related to how the upper horn joins to the neck, and the lack of symmetry in how the lower horn joins. in the case of a Fender they both have a similar curve flow even though those flows do not lead to the other - they both flow into the neck and towards the headstock.

in the case here, the upper horn is wanting me to lead my eye towards the centerline of the neck while the lower horn is wanting my eye to lead to the upper cutaway. when viewed from the rear my eye can easily follow the curve flow because I see the joint ... but this is lost on the front side due to the neck overlay


the other thing causing my eye conflict is that the lower horn feels forced and stretched - like somebody pinched ahold of some taffy and pulled ... some added thickness (but not very much) could help resolve this. the contouring on the back resolves this so that the horn flow balances, but this is not visable from the front



know that I am being very, very, very picky in these comments.

all the best,

R

[wilser]

Originally Posted by Rodent

... in the case of a Fender they both have a similar curve flow even though those flows do not lead to the other ...
R

AHA!!!! my work here is done ...just kidding

[eleonn]

I think Wilser is picky with this and maybe he want us to be too because any client who is going to spend $$$$ will be picky.

Most of us think about the same here and I think that Rodent and Dan are right. Maybe changing a bit the lower horn like Rodent says will change this cause you see the top muscle horn (if can be said like this) and the long skinny lower horn and you got the feeling that something is rare there. Making the lower cutaway angle closer to uppers would help to minimize that strange view from the front. About the upper cutaway I do like it as it is.

[wilser]

I'm gonna build a prototype as it is, because I really do like it that way ...maybe it'll grow on you all once you see it done. Nordstrand was certainly inspiration ...hopefully it's not a copy ...maybe I should ask Carey if he thinks is too close before I commit to this design.

Keep the opinions coming!

[Geoff St. Germaine]

Looks good. The thing throwing me is what the other guys have already mentioned. I think that the perceived symmetry problem I'm seeing is related to how high the upper horn cut away meets the neck. Overall I really like it though and from the back I see no symmetry issue at all.

[Verticos]

personally, I really like the horns as they are. I think it is just putting that wilser touch into it rather than making it look like a fender somehow it just doesn't bother me that there is no continuous curve to them, I didnt even notice till you guys mentioned it.

i vote keep as is, and keep up the good work!

[asad137]

Originally Posted by Geoff St. Germaine

Looks good. The thing throwing me is what the other guys have already mentioned. I think that the perceived symmetry problem I'm seeing is related to how high the upper horn cut away meets the neck.

Yep, I see the same thing. Same problem I have with Laklands, actually.

Asad

[MNbassist]

I know its a bit off topic, but at first glance I thought that bass was real. Then you mentioned that you were going to build a prototype...so if you dont mind me asking, what did you use to design that?

[Rudyboy98]

Wilser:

Design is very unique! However, I guess I personally don't like the lower horn appearing to be more narrow than the top horn...Other than that, it is just fine. I'm also digging that thick looking skunk stripe on the back of the neck!

[Sandu]

Don't know if it's ok, but I've allowed myself to crudely modify the front render, 'cause I don't think there's a better way to explain what I have in mind.

After looking at it, I also thought it looks a little stubby, and weird because of the different cutaway shapes. I immediately thought of a more "standard" version. I lengthened the top horn and deepened its cutaway just a bit. I tried not to modify the overall cutaway line, to preserve the same overall design, but still, it's pretty "standard" now:



But then I realised that this would probably defeat the purpose, so I made the cutaway shallower and added a tiny radius where it meets the neck, for a smoother transition visually. It came out something like this, and I think it preserves the lines of the original design better:



On both versions I also increased the size of the headstock just a bit, because I hate the look of tuners hanging off the side. But after I lengthened the top horn to what looks to me as fitting for the lower horn and a more graceful appearance overall, my headstock seems chubby, and the original would be a better match. I'm also terminally lazy, and I'm not in the mood of putting the old headstock back, since I already uploaded the pics.

I hope you don't mind I modified the pic, I haven't seen anyone do it on this thread yet. I aimed for a little more grace, and I think the top horn ruined it all. However, while I was modifying I kept looking at the original design, and it kinda grew on me. Your choice, I see there are a lot of people that like it.