Hooookay...
You know how it is, right??!
First thing you know you're heading overseas for a couple of weddings, then you get a new job, then you have to rennovate someones toilet and bathroom (because you promised, once... whilst drunk), then someone 'sort of' offers you money to make a telecaster and (because you're a whore) you can't resist (but end up owning it anyway), then you loose track of time, and then you're getting up at 5am to commute every morning and aren't quite sure if you still have a soul, and then your relationship kind-of falls apart (and you're not sure whether immigration are going to politely remind you to that you've 'overstayed your welcome')...
... and, even having survived the enslaught of a gazillion dangerous creatures (literally, I've counted), at the back of your mind there's the nagging suspicion you've forgotten something...
And, honestly, before you think the preamble was some form of horrible guilt-trip (it's genuinely not), I realised I started a story on Talkbass that I hadn't finished (after some prompting mind).
The long-story-short version goes: I left a (slightly fraught) long-term-relationship today (yup, today), and I've had to commit a large number of things to storage in the last couple of months to ensure they didn't end up as collateral-damage (woodern things especially).
As such, the final article I show you here is still not completely finished (I have yet to hear how she sounds plugged in), but all connections are essentially sound (according to multimeter) and it's just a case of final soldering.
Fretwork is 100% level, and she plays (unplugged, on ProSteels) beautifully.
Ach, but you've all come for the pictures, so here we go...
Coin was inlaid, filled with epoxy, and sanded flush. Overlaid with lacquer, logo floated between a couple of layers, cut and polished. Came up a treat
Yes, no strap locks, I know. I was going to do them this evening but it looks like they may have been lost in my relocation. The originals 'had' been resprayed in satin black and looked lovely, but... and I feel very guilty for saying this (especially since a very generous Talkbasser sent me the original set) but I would probably have ended up swapping them out for a set of Schallers (and just not told anyone). The originals look great, but they're not as practical as I would like.
The bridge looks like sex. Period.
I know the addition of the brass thumb-screws wasn't to everyones taste, but nor is Scarlett Johansson.
Poles on all the pickups were also resprayed (no reason, just looked nice) and new screws all round (old ones were just too far gone).
More headstock...
Neck was done in oil and wax (mmmm... natural...), polished within an inch of its life, and is simply gorgeous.
mmmmmm....
Neck plate looks lurvely, and the stainless neck bolts are more solid than a bread pudding.
Ok, knobs.
Have shunned the usual (because she's a special girl) and given her a set of annodised aluminium jobs.
Front: Volume, Mid: Tone, Back: 5-way PRS-style selector (to switch between coils).
Figured there was no sense in just blending between humbuckers (hate blend pots anyway), and think she deserves more 'sonic poential' (to sound pretentious for a moment) so, ther y'go.
Don't ask me how it sounds, as you can see, I'm missing a jack (due to aforementioned situations).
Parting shot. (for now)
I love this bass, but for a great many conflicting reasons.
She's definitely a looker, and I have no doubt will sound spectacular once I'm finished, but she also has a checkered upbringing.
She represents a bit of a difficult time for me, but I think I've made the most of it, and I can only apolgise (again) for keeping people in suspense, but I hope you can understand it wasn't for (purely) selfish reasons.
Anyho, note to self: if you're going to start a project in the luthiers corner, make sure you finish.
Lots of manly-love to all those who've been supportive, given advice, or even been mildly supportive - you've all been stars (and I appreciate it more than I'll let on).
Signing out for now - I've got some house-hunting to do.
Cheers,
Dave
