Warmoth Gecko owner's club

[tubby.twins]

Let's start a new club. And why not? I think they're great basses. If you own a Warmoth Gecko bass (or have owned one in the past) you're welcome to join and share pictures.

Here's an outdated picture of my collection of Geckos:



Here's the membership so far:
#1 - wyliee
#2 - tubby.twins
#3 - Gecko 5

[wyliee]

I don't know Tubby. I think slot #1 rightfully belongs to you.

[BassFrends]

Another bass that you can't get left handed

Love the collection!

If they made it lefty I'd be in the club for sure!

[Jim Nazium]

Well, this club doesn't seem to be in danger of overcrowding

Seriously, I'm thinking about building one of these. Do they balance well? How is the access to the upper frets? Anything else I need to know?

[lowfreqgeek]

Originally Posted by Jim Nazium

Well, this club doesn't seem to be in danger of overcrowding

Seriously, I'm thinking about building one of these. Do they balance well? How is the access to the upper frets? Anything else I need to know?

Balance is superb. Upper fret access is good, but can be better. They go together well and are solid basses. The necks are a little chubby, but comfortable.

I'll get some Gecko pics up soon, but I'm working on my 3rd. The first was built in 2001, the second was built in 2003-2005 and included some "refinements" after my experience with the first. The current one is using the neck from the first, but I shaved it down. The new body includes further refinements such as a super light, thinned body (1.5" thick, <3lb), custom pickup locations, and custom horn reshaping that gives full access to the last fret.

Doing all the refinements myself has been a challenge. There are lots of little details that I'm having to re-engineer as I go, but the results are VERY cool. I just need to do a few things before I start the oil/urethane finish. I'll get some in-process pics up soon, too.

[lowfreqgeek]

A previous incarnation with some hand-carved "refinements":

[WilsonMusic]

Holy moley tubby.twins! That's alot of gecko in that pic!

[SCMan88]

Wow man,just wow.
Thats a big collection.

That also makes me wonder...Why?
Yes,these are great basses.
But if I'd buy a bunch of them,it will be:

4 String,5 string,6 string,6 string fretless.
Lets go wild,and add a 4 and 5 string fretless basses.

I'd understand it if you did something like that.
But what I see here is 11 basses that are all 5 string basses,and just have different woods..

[lowfreqgeek]

Originally Posted by SCMan88

I'd understand it if you did something like that.
But what I see here is 11 basses that are all 5 string basses,and just have different woods..

Look closer. There's a ton more than just different woods going on there.

All in the details...

[BananaKing]

Originally Posted by SCMan88

Wow man,just wow.
Thats a big collection.

That also makes me wonder...Why?
Yes,these are great basses.
But if I'd buy a bunch of them,it will be:

4 String,5 string,6 string,6 string fretless.
Lets go wild,and add a 4 and 5 string fretless basses.

I'd understand it if you did something like that.
But what I see here is 11 basses that are all 5 string basses,and just have different woods..

The man knows what he likes and has the disposable cash to do with as he wishes.

However, I am also curious as to why it's just 5ers...

[tubby.twins]

Originally Posted by wyliee

I don't know Tubby. I think slot #1 rightfully belongs to you.

Nope, I insist.

Originally Posted by lowfreqgeek

A previous incarnation with some hand-carved "refinements":

Nice! I had forgotten about this one.

#4 - lowfreqgeek
#5 - RoosterRusek
#6 - BassAdrenaline

[garmenteros]

The only difference I can tel is fretted/fretless, and pickup configurations and brands. I imagine different electronic configurations as well. All this besides the obvious wood choices.

I've always thought about having a gecko made down the line if I had some money to throw around. I like the gecko inlay on the neck and would dig a 35 in mahogany or swamp ash.

[tubby.twins]

Originally Posted by BananaKing

However, I am also curious as to why it's just 5ers...

I've stuck with the 5-string Geckos for two reasons: I've grown accustomed to 19mm string spacing at the bridge, since it offers me more control over fingering techniques; and a 6-string bass is just too much for me to manage. I used to have a 6-string bass a number of years ago, and it was just too wide.

My Geckos are an ongoing, evolving set of combinations of different neck and body woods, different pickups and variations to electronics. Each combination sounds different to me, and I regularly mix things up just to try something new. It has been a fun journey and it's not over yet!

[lowfreqgeek]

Originally Posted by tubby.twins

Nice! I had forgotten about this one.

Thanks! Wait till you see the next one...

I'll get some in-process shots up.

[lowfreqgeek]

Originally Posted by tubby.twins

My Geckos are an ongoing, evolving set of combinations of different neck and body woods, different pickups and variations to electronics. Each combination sounds different to me, and I regularly mix things up just to try something new. It has been a fun journey and it's not over yet!

Have you tried the graphite rods in a Gecko yet? I've considered getting a new neck for the new project bass with graphite rods and a rosewood board without the Gecko, but that's a lot of money to spend when I have a perfectly functional neck that I've used for over 10 years.

I wish I had the disposable cash to build a few variations, but I'll use what I've got for now.

[bgartist]

Originally Posted by lowfreqgeek

A previous incarnation with some hand-carved "refinements":

Reborn!!





SGC Sidewinders and Nordstrand 2-band pre.

My former... due to serious gas!

[lowfreqgeek]

Originally Posted by bgartist

Reborn!!





SBC Sidewinders and Nordstrand 2-band pre.

My former... due to serious gas!

Very nice! I can't wait to get my new version together. I do miss that Walnut, though!

I like what you've done with it.

[tubby.twins]

Originally Posted by bgartist

Reborn!!
...
SGC Sidewinders and Nordstrand 2-band pre.

Nice. Welcome to the club!

#7 - bgartist

[woo10]

Nice looking basses, but let me ask the most obvious question of all, is there a way to get rid of the 'Gecko'? I don't mind it when it's not too conspicuous in the more recent bgartisit's bass, but on the maple fretboard, I think it's looks very out-of-place, to put it mildly.

Also, could you guys give us an idea (range) about how much these basses cost? Are they comparable to Carvin's?

[lowfreqgeek]

Originally Posted by woo10

Nice looking basses, but let me ask the most obvious question of all, is there a way to get rid of the 'Gecko'? I don't mind it when it's not too conspicuous in the more recent bgartisit's bass, but on the maple fretboard, I think it's looks very out-of-place, to put it mildly.

Also, could you guys give us an idea (range) about how much these basses cost? Are they comparable to Carvin's?

Sure there is... Just pay the upcharge for them to custom build you a neck without it. Or wait till you see one you like in the Showcase; they tend to put a lot of non-inlaid necks in the Showcase.

Personally, I like the big contrast more than a subtle contrast. I would forgo it on a dark-wood fingerboard, and DEFINITELY forgo it on a fretless. It is unique, though.

Depending on the option, you can build a nice Gecko for probably $1000-1200. At least you could the last time I tallied it up. Get a pre-finished body from the showcase (~$350), a neck from the showcase ($300), hardware ($200), pickups of your choice ($200), maybe add a preamp and other little odds and ends... Or spend a bit more and get more custom options.