Wishbass Club Part 11 - 'When you Wish upon a Mwaaah!'

Thunderitter · #1 03-26-2012, 07:27 AM

Continuation of this thread: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/thread773174.html

Rip Topaz · #2 03-26-2012, 07:38 AM

Wow. Part 11. Awesome.

**smperry** · #3 03-26-2012, 07:52 AM

Guys, please don't add filler posts just to get to 1000...

Thunderitter · #4 03-26-2012, 07:59 AM

As a Club we like to get together and brainstorm a new title each time a new Part comes a long.

In the past we've had the flow of a thread discussion killed because of the 1000 limit and that makes things harder, with folks having to jump back and forth between the old thread and the new thread.

I don't think there's one of us who doesn't really appreciate the great job the moderators do. Thank you again.

**smperry** · #5 03-26-2012, 08:32 AM

Thanks.

It's fine to start a new thread at 1000 posts, or keep a conversation going and wait for one of the mods to close it. Also, if a conversation does get cut short, feel free to repost stuff from the previous thread...I understand that a new thread can break up the flow of a discussion.

5108audio · #6 03-26-2012, 11:30 AM

Well, #156 has been living at my house the past few days and adapting quite well. This being my first fretted Wish, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. First imperssions:

1) The sound is fat (and so is that headstock)! I like the J pup on my fretless, but this KA is really nice on the fretted. I like the difference between the two. Now I see why you guys have so many...
2) It's nice to really slap a Wish, but popping will have to wait until TR removes some fingerboard. There's not much room between the pup and the board.
3) The wood grain is very nice and there is even a little sandwich action going on. I'd like to round the top horn off a bit to better match the bottom.
4)The headstock opening just past the nut has gotten chewed up by the strings a bit. Hopefully that will be gone post-refin.
5) I love the 7-piece neck! I'm guessing maple, purpleheart, and mahogany stringers? I'm not even sure of the body/board wood, so don't quote me on that.

Overall, I'm very happy with this new bass. I thought I would keep it awhile before I shipped it off for the refin, but I'm itchin' to see her all spruced up!

5108audio · #7 03-26-2012, 11:32 AM

Here's that monster headstock next to my Lobe...

jumbodbassman · #8 03-26-2012, 11:39 AM

here's a picture of number 500 for the new thread.

Upstate SC Bass · #9 03-26-2012, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5108audio

Here's that monster headstock next to my Lobe...

wow!
from the side of the HS you can really see a big difference in size
from the front it doesn't look soo imposing or out of place
I actually like the shape of the HS end a lot.
wonder if you could carry the theme from the HS end shape to the FB end cut some how.

so glad you got her! if that FB can be clipped off past the 24th fret that will be nice for thumping.

I love the unique figuring in the body wood on this bass

Upstate SC Bass · #10 03-26-2012, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5108audio

Well, #156 has been living at my house the past few days and adapting quite well. This being my first fretted Wish, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. First imperssions:

1) The sound is fat (and so is that headstock)! I like the J pup on my fretless, but this KA is really nice on the fretted. I like the difference between the two. Now I see why you guys have so many...
2) It's nice to really slap a Wish, but popping will have to wait until TR removes some fingerboard. There's not much room between the pup and the board.
3) The wood grain is very nice and there is even a little sandwich action going on. I'd like to round the top horn off a bit to better match the bottom.
4)The headstock opening just past the nut has gotten chewed up by the strings a bit. Hopefully that will be gone post-refin.
5) I love the 7-piece neck! I'm guessing maple, purpleheart, and mahogany stringers? I'm not even sure of the body/board wood, so don't quote me on that.

Overall, I'm very happy with this new bass. I thought I would keep it awhile before I shipped it off for the refin, but I'm itchin' to see her all spruced up!

5108--How is the sound and punch and volume and usability of the low B string on the Wish 5?
that is one thing I am wondering about her.

5108audio · #11 03-26-2012, 07:22 PM

SC - The B sounds nice to me, but I'm sure there are other folks on here with more expertise (and basses) that could give more detail. It doesn't seem too floppy and the volume is in balance with the rest of the bass.

I'm gonna leave the headstock and fretboard sculpting up to TR. I have some ideas, but he's usually a few steps ahead of me. I'd like to take 1/2" off the top of the headstock and perhaps round the edges just a touch. I'd also like to keep the fretboard extended all the way under the B. It makes a nice thumb rest!

I've also noticed the intonation is a bit wonky, but planning on a new bridge anyway. Now what kind of bridge? We'll see...

:-)

eli · #12 03-27-2012, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Upstate SC Bass

5108--How is the sound and punch and volume and usability of the low B string on the Wish 5?
that is one thing I am wondering about her.

My Wish low B is pretty firm, one of the nicest low B's I have, doubtless owing to the neck construction.

Gratuitous Wishporn:

Upstate SC Bass · #13 04-01-2012, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eli

My Wish low B is pretty firm, one of the nicest low B's I have, doubtless owing to the neck construction.

Gratuitous Wishporn:

Ah hey wow
that is the first Arrow I have seen anyone have and a 5 to boot
cool
nice bass
49sfine has my new Arrow in the applying Tru-Oil stage of his refin.

Upstate SC Bass · #14 04-01-2012, 05:01 PM

I got a message from Wish saying he has finished my Mahogany Hipper.
(I had specified a PurpleHeart FB and a Kent Armstrong Soapbar in communications with him.)

And was given a price for it including extra charge for the soapbar.

Well just like most who have posted about ordering basses from Wish--

the message said he used the KA MM pup by mistake.

Which means of course he routed for the MM pup and so ----

oh well................gotta laugh about it.

so it is a Mahogany Hipper but with a MM

not a biggie.

It is costing me less of course as it will not cost the extra for the soap.

Maybe it was too much trouble for the pickup to be ordered. Or just too much trouble and or organization to pay close attention to customer details.

And so judging by the finish work that wish puts out there one has to question how much caring there is.

I still know that for the money we are paying for these basses they are still a fine bargain however.
And that is why I am getting them.
and it is no surprise since I was well aware of others and their issues from ordering basses from Wish.

but I would gladly pay somewhat more and get something finished a bit better and with some of the details
more consistant.
One good thing is it looks like the shape might not need too much reworking except for the upper horn---not too sure if i want that thick part up by the end

49sfine · #15 04-01-2012, 05:46 PM

Speaking of Arrows - I finally got to finish stage after finding several areas on the bass that needed attention once the shellac was applied. Several coats of shellac later and lots of sanding, Arrow #1375 went into the tent today for it's first coat of Tru-Oil. Yay! I'm on the backside of this one now, for sure.

You can see the forearm contour in the 2nd photo too ...

5108audio · #16 04-02-2012, 06:26 AM

SC - Welcome to the 'Wish Custom Order Club!'. My Lobe was supposed to have a mahogany back and the soapbar pup too. Ended up with ambrosia maple all around and the J pup. Like you, I knew what was coming and just hoped it wasn't too 'bad'. It wasn't. I love my Lobe and wouldn't trade it for the world. Enjoy your new (and truly custom) bass!

justaguyfromkc · #17 04-04-2012, 08:58 AM

Hi all,

I was wondering what sort of amplification each of you thought went well with a Wishbass. I understand that there is no singular answer since there are different pickups installed, styles played, etc., but I was wondering which amp(s) under $1000 (preferably under $500) would be able to reproduce the relatively pure signal of a Wishbass without adding too much extra color to the sound?

On a more specific note, what does everybody think of the Hartke kickbacks or Hartke amps in general?

What about a bass pod with or without a Hartke amp?

Thanks for your input. My Les Paul is currently on ebay, so I should be officially joining the club soon.

MARCOvdBoogert · #18 04-04-2012, 01:00 PM

It's all a matter of taste to be honest. I like the Eden amps of Galien&Kruger amps.
I'm testing my WB on several amps because I want to buy a new set in stead of my Hartke kickback. I prefer amps made for accoustic sounds. Upright amps, natural sounding amps. But it's taste. I like to really hear the natural woodsound of the wishbass.

Thunderitter · #19 04-04-2012, 03:24 PM

The Hartke kickback is a great amp used and endorsed by Aram Bedrosian. Have a listen on YouTube and you'll here that it has a very crisp and clean sound.

I've played my Wishbass through a range of amps, Ampeg, GK, Peavey, Eden, Genz Benz; they all sound good!

jumbodbassman · #20 04-04-2012, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5108audio

SC - Welcome to the 'Wish Custom Order Club!'. My Lobe was supposed to have a mahogany back and the soapbar pup too. Ended up with ambrosia maple all around and the J pup. Like you, I knew what was coming and just hoped it wasn't too 'bad'. It wasn't. I love my Lobe and wouldn't trade it for the world. Enjoy your new (and truly custom) bass!

i have 5 or 6 customs annd none are correct....