ACG Finn SC Classic 6 string - Build Thread

[SoVeryTired]

I never used to be sure about SC basses but the ACG builds just look fantastic.

[eude]

Originally Posted by SoVeryTired

I never used to be sure about SC basses but the ACG builds just look fantastic.

Thanks mate
The Finn shape, at least to me, is like a very modern downsized reinvention of the classic Jazz Bass, you might see that if you look at a double cut version.
I've always loved the way Jazzes look and feel, but they are a bit massive. I've also loved single cuts since the first time I saw a Fodera.
The Finn SC Classic, is the best of both worlds, in my humble opinion anyway

Eude

[SoVeryTired]

My ideal shape would depend on the neck. Without trying them I've got a feeling that fanned frets would be a good way to go, and I think the angle of the upper-register frets and pickups suit the Skelf body shape better (I'm following that build with great interest!). For a traditionally-fretted neck the Finn shape is really nice.

[eude]

Originally Posted by SoVeryTired

My ideal shape would depend on the neck. Without trying them I've got a feeling that fanned frets would be a good way to go, and I think the angle of the upper-register frets and pickups suit the Skelf body shape better (I'm following that build with great interest!). For a traditionally-fretted neck the Finn shape is really nice.

The Skelf does really lend itself to fanned frets for sure.
I love the Skelf single cut shape too, nearly had it on this one, but I ended up going back to the Finn SC, as it's now so familiar...

Eude

[MarkA]

Found this thread linked in another. Wouldn't mind hearing more detailed impressions of the bass, or recordings, if you ever found the time to make them.

Do you find any drawbacks to the 33" scale?

[eude]

Originally Posted by MarkA

Found this thread linked in another. Wouldn't mind hearing more detailed impressions of the bass, or recordings, if you ever found the time to make them.

Do you find any drawbacks to the 33" scale?

Hey Mark,
I'm over the moon with the 33" scale.
I'm a fairly small guy, 5 foot 6, and I always thought that larger scale heavy basses were a bit of a struggle, certainly on long gigs/sessions.
A while ago now, I played a Fodera Matt Garrison in Boston and was blown away by the playability (not so much the tone though , just not my kinda thing) anyway, I asked about a bit about the bass and found out it was a 33" scale and I was sold! That experience and having played a Warwick Thumb Bass for a while really gave me an interest in the ergonomics of the bass.
When I could afford my first custom bass I ordered a 33" 6 string, at that point not that many builders, at least in the UK were that interested, I'm glad to say that's a thing of the past now.

Anyway, I'm going off track here.
Basically, I honestly can't really see any drawbacks whatsoever for 33" scale. You obviously need to adjust string gauges a little, as the tension will be ever so slightly softer and if you use drop tunings you might enter difficulties, but again, you could use different or custom string gauges to help. As it happens, I still use the same gauges I did before I started playing 33".
The sound of the bass isn't really that different to a regular bass, however the higher strings and upper register are a little fuller and sweeter which is nice.
Some might argue that you need a lighter touch to play a 33" bass but I completely disagree, I play quite heavily sometimes and it doesn't mind at all.

I'm afraid I don't have any recordings of this particular bass yet, I do intend to sort something out soon, but life keeps getting on the way.
I have some recordings with my ACG Finn SC 5 string though, which is also 33".
This one >>
Just collected my first ACG!

You can hear it on these >>
http://soundcloud.com/eudeboy/02-body-soul
http://soundcloud.com/eudeboy/06-rusty-car
http://soundcloud.com/eudeboy/09-tsunami-of-soul
As far as I recall, there's a bit of low B string on all of those.

Here's a couple of other recordings with my first 33" 6er, which I no longer own.
You can hear the sweetness of the upper register here >>
http://soundcloud.com/eudeboy/ewan-beck-chordal-piece
This isn't unique to that bass, it's the same on all of them.
You can also hear a bit of low B on this too >>
http://soundcloud.com/eudeboy/ewan-b...nd-finger-funk

On a side note, I can also thoroughly recommend ACG basses if you're in the market for a custom, I've owned a played a lot of high end basses through the years and nothing comes close IMHO. I've got 3 now, 4, 5 and 6 string, all 33" scale and I will never ever part with them. Hopefully sometime soon I can order a 6 string fretless too and then I seriously think I'll be GAS free for life

Anyway other questions mate, feel free to give me a shout.

Cheers,
Eude

[Darren Low]

Very sweet looking bass. Bet it sounds great too.

Originally Posted by eude

Anyone know where I can sell a kidney? I need a fretless to match this...

As for this, you could perhaps try the classifieds section.

[eude]

Originally Posted by Darren Low

Very sweet looking bass. Bet it sounds great too.

As for this, you could perhaps try the classifieds section.

Thanks man, and thanks for the advice too, will speak to the moderators about where to place the ad...

Eude

[MarkA]

Thank you! I only have a second now, but I will come back and listen to the recordings when I have more time. I'm interested in the 33" scale -- never played one -- but worry about sound/response (especially slapping) and that playing my 34" basses will be more difficult, but, still, worth exploring, I think.

Originally Posted by eude

Hey Mark,
I'm over the moon with the 33" scale.
I'm a fairly small guy, 5 foot 6, and I always thought that larger scale heavy basses were a bit of a struggle, certainly on long gigs/sessions.
A while ago now, I played a Fodera Matt Garrison in Boston and was blown away by the playability (not so much the tone though , just not my kinda thing) anyway, I asked about a bit about the bass and found out it was a 33" scale and I was sold! That experience and having played a Warwick Thumb Bass for a while really gave me an interest in the ergonomics of the bass.
When I could afford my first custom bass I ordered a 33" 6 string, at that point not that many builders, at least in the UK were that interested, I'm glad to say that's a thing of the past now.

Anyway, I'm going off track here.
Basically, I honestly can't really see any drawbacks whatsoever for 33" scale. You obviously need to adjust string gauges a little, as the tension will be ever so slightly softer and if you use drop tunings you might enter difficulties, but again, you could use different or custom string gauges to help. As it happens, I still use the same gauges I did before I started playing 33".
The sound of the bass isn't really that different to a regular bass, however the higher strings and upper register are a little fuller and sweeter which is nice.
Some might argue that you need a lighter touch to play a 33" bass but I completely disagree, I play quite heavily sometimes and it doesn't mind at all.

I'm afraid I don't have any recordings of this particular bass yet, I do intend to sort something out soon, but life keeps getting on the way.
I have some recordings with my ACG Finn SC 5 string though, which is also 33".
This one >>
Just collected my first ACG!

You can hear it on these >>
http://soundcloud.com/eudeboy/02-body-soul
http://soundcloud.com/eudeboy/06-rusty-car
http://soundcloud.com/eudeboy/09-tsunami-of-soul
As far as I recall, there's a bit of low B string on all of those.

Here's a couple of other recordings with my first 33" 6er, which I no longer own.
You can hear the sweetness of the upper register here >>
http://soundcloud.com/eudeboy/ewan-beck-chordal-piece
This isn't unique to that bass, it's the same on all of them.
You can also hear a bit of low B on this too >>
http://soundcloud.com/eudeboy/ewan-b...nd-finger-funk

On a side note, I can also thoroughly recommend ACG basses if you're in the market for a custom, I've owned a played a lot of high end basses through the years and nothing comes close IMHO. I've got 3 now, 4, 5 and 6 string, all 33" scale and I will never ever part with them. Hopefully sometime soon I can order a 6 string fretless too and then I seriously think I'll be GAS free for life

Anyway other questions mate, feel free to give me a shout.

Cheers,
Eude

[eude]

Originally Posted by MarkA

Thank you! I only have a second now, but I will come back and listen to the recordings when I have more time. I'm interested in the 33" scale -- never played one -- but worry about sound/response (especially slapping) and that playing my 34" basses will be more difficult, but, still, worth exploring, I think.

There's a bit of slapping on this demo >>
http://soundcloud.com/eudeboy/ewan-b...nd-finger-funk
I seriously don't think the scale length makes any difference, my slapping on 33" sounds the same, or at least too close to call, the string spacing and position of the front pickup have so much more impact on technique, that should be more of a concern.
I've ended up going with 16.5mm spacing on my 6er, as that was what I had on my old Thumb Bass and I had no difficulty slapping on that and its oh so comfy for finger style playing which I do most of the time anyway Took a little while to get used to it again, but its not problem now.

Cheers,
Eude