Build Thread: ACG Finn 5 (the Wal killer)

[Zentner]

Originally Posted by grendle

Nice bass, but what would make you think it would sound anything like a Wal?

Probably the new dual coil pickups and the filter based preamp? Haha...

[Jared Lash]

Originally Posted by slowburnaz

The older Wal pickups were like that (the Pro models, I believe). The more modern Wal pickups are wired as such: The two coils under each string are wired in series, and then each of those pairs are wired in parallel.


...AFAIK

Interesting. I'll have to ask Alan (or Aaron Armstrong) how these new ACG pickups are constructed.

Originally Posted by kesslari

Sweet baby jesus with a beard, that's BEAUTIFUL Jared.

Thank you sir. Alan does some beautiful work doesn't he?

Originally Posted by eude

OK, that neck is gorgeous too!
I like the resolites, but I think I actually prefer the look of the Hipshots, that said, Alan wouldn't change to these for no good reason, hope to see some in the flesh soon

Eude

Yeah, I'm loving how the neck looks. It (and the fingerboard) should complement both the top and the walnut body. Nice.

I've had Hipshot Ultralites on a number of basses (including my current ACG) and had zero complaints, but I'm interested to check out the Gotohs. They are actually lighter and in the worst case scenario I replace them with Hipshots. But I think they'll do just fine. Plus I actually like the look. Nice to try something different.

Originally Posted by smperry

Looking good, Jared. I have those exact tuners on three out of four of my basses and I love them.

Very cool. I've never tried them, but I completely trust Alan's judgement. Still it's great to hear from others who have used them.

Originally Posted by grendle

Nice bass, but what would make you think it would sound anything like a Wal?

Well, the pickups are constructed very similar to the Wal pickups and the ACG/East preamp is filter based just like a Wal. In fact, from my experience with both the ACG is more versatile.

As a side note, I contacted Aaron Armstrong years ago to see if he would build me Wal-like pickups for a project. He said he could, but it was cost prohibitive (to me) at the time. Nice to finally be revisiting that project.

And to anyone unfamiliar with ACG basses, they are far from Wal copies. But Alan's preamp was filter based so I assume people kept asking about Wal tones and the MC pickups were the result of all those inquiries. But as I said, the other ACG/Armstrong pickups are fantastic as well.

Originally Posted by Zentner

Probably the new dual coil pickups and the filter based preamp? Haha...

Exactly. The Multicoil pickups and the ACG/East filter preamp (the EQ03) leave me no doubt that I'll be able to cop Wal tones and more with this bass.

[SoVeryTired]

Originally Posted by Zentner

Probably the new dual coil pickups and the filter based preamp? Haha...

That's just crazy talk. That'd be like saying if I had an ACG with P and J pickups and passive electronics I could nail the classic Fender tones... oh wait...

[SoVeryTired]

Jared, I'm really looking forward to the soundclips of this baby!

[Jared Lash]

Originally Posted by SoVeryTired

Jared, I'm really looking forward to the soundclips of this baby!

I forgot what Alan estimated for a completion date but whenever the bass is done and in my hands I'll be happy to oblige.

[SoVeryTired]

I always look forward to seeing the pictures of completed ACGs but this is one where the sound intrigues me at least as much.

[MarkA]

Originally Posted by Jared Lash

Yep. Most of BSSM was recorded with a Wal Mk II. The few that weren't used a 5 string Stingray (Righteous & the Wicked, Funky Monks etc). Suck My Kiss is absolutely the Wal. So it My Lovely Man, Apache Rose Peacock etc. You can find just the bass audio for Suck My Kiss on YouTube and hear that slightly overdriven Wal tone.

Coming back to this late, but I just went back and re-listened to some of the above-mention tracks (and the Karn and Rush stuff), while the soloed track sounds awfully rough, in the mix the bass sound on the "Wal" tunes speaks to me a lot more than the bass sound on the "Stingray" tunes. I have almost zero experience with a 'Ray, but I've associated it with Flea's sound on these tunes since I was a kid! Turns out it was a Wal (with which I have literally zero experience). I am a little shaken. This comes just as I've been contemplating a bass with a single MM pup...

EDIT: Apologies for the derail -- I have checked out the ACG threads from time to time -- always looks like cool stuff. Am particularly interested to hear how this bass turns out, and what it's like tonally.

[Jared Lash]

Well, Stingrays have a distinct and deservedly classic tone of their own, but I have yet to play anything that sounds quite like a Wal.

My favorite tones from both Flea and Geddy came during their Wal phases.

I will be as honest as possible about how my ACG stacks up when it is finished.

[deepestend]

subscribed!

[Jared Lash]

More detail work done on the body.

Looking good to me.

[Jared Lash]

Several ACG necks in progress. Mine is in the very front.

[eude]

Originally Posted by Jared Lash

Several ACG necks in progress. Mine is in the very front.

Lovely

[Jared Lash]

I thought so.

And it means my bass is entering the home stretch. Should be done in a month or two.

Really happy I went with the Finn R-Type. I think it looks great as a headless too:

[eude]

Originally Posted by Jared Lash

I thought so.

And it means my bass is entering the home stretch. Should be done in a month or two.

Really happy I went with the Finn R-Type. I think it looks great as a headless too:

It is indeed a brilliant shape. I personally lovely the slightly more classic styling of the regular Finn, but the R Type tweak really helps the bass hug into your leg when seated.
My next ACG is going to be a Skelf SC which has the same lower horn as it happens.

"Home Stretch" = awesome, not long now mate
You're going to be so impressed with the new MC pickups, they're simply amazing!

Eude

[Jared Lash]

The neck is just about ready to go into the body.

Awesome.

[eude]

Not long now dude