My first Skjold 5

First credits where due:


Ok, so it's far enough along I think I can officially at least partially let the cat out of the bag.

This really shoulda' been "my first Skjold", but I ended up getting a used Stage 4 from tombowlus after I pulled the trigger on this one, but before it's finish date.

It's a "Pro" model, but a new version to be officially released soon. I'll check with Pete to see if/when we wanna' release details, but in the mean time, here's "work in progress (WIP)" pics (mostly of the body.)

Oh, and just to be annoying, yeah, this is a second first for me. I got the first Thunderfunk 550-B, and this will be the first of the new model from Pete. I know that's no big deal, but I derive some enjoyment from it.

Anyway, the topwood is quilted birdseye, which I've never seen before. Here's the raw wood:

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Here's a short video which shows the grain off a bit better. Even tho the pics below are naptha'd, it's still kinda' hard to see due to the nature of this figuring:

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And then the body...

I can't recall the dark lam under the top, but the body is Pete's usual lightweight and very resonant ash (what some would call "swamp" ash, but I think I'm learning that's a dubious term). Currently, the finish is slated to be sort of an antique burst with a light amber as the core color... just enough to bring the grain out:

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The neck...

The neck will be three piece maple, but will have a matching headstock lam.

The Fingerboard will be the middle one in this picture. It's Pao Ferro, but a very unusually figured one. Pete says it also has some nice iridescence to it. I'm sure it will look much better when finished/oiled, as well, but this pic does a good job of illustrating how it looks compared to typical Pao Ferro and also a regular chunk of Macassar Ebony at the same raw stage:
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Oh, and it will have some of Pete's exquisite custom wood knobs as well.

Ken:

Hollow Man said:

Please hurry with the details of this 'new' Pro series bass... I'm doing all I can to restrain myself from ordering a Skjold before my bank account can take the hit, and so I'm especially interested in seeing what this new line offers.

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In good time... soon...

However, if you're "on the fence" about a Skjold, don't be. I view this as a particularly GREAT time to get into a Skjold. Pete has made some fairly significant changes over the last year that have resulted in some very nice improvements in his basses. I don't see as many changes coming from now on, tho you can count on continuous improvement.

The reason I say now is a particularly great time is because his popularity/demand has only now really started to grow, and I see this as a continuing trend. With that, usually also comes some inflation, so at this point, you can still get his basses at a somewhat "undervalued" price.

KJung said:

Ha! They will look great!

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Jeez, way to take all the fun out of it, you bastage.

tombowlus said:

I must say, following all the basses in this particular batch from Pete Skjold, I honestly feel that this group will end up being very special basses across the board.

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A BIG +1 on that, and judging by the way Pete's going, it gets BETTER from here (if you can imagine that).

Basso Gruvitas said:

Congrats Vic! Yours is VERY new by the looks of the new recessed jack that Pete has just incorporated.

Are you getting the 2-band or the 3-band with the bells and whistles?

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Thanks, yep, and ummm... TBA (respectively)

jive1 said:

You don't see many birdseye tops, and that one looks sweet!

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Yeah, yet again, I'm a slob and got lucky. In talking to Pete about this bass, I found out he has some pieces of exotic topwoods he reserves for his instruments (he also resells exotic woods, as you probably know, but some might not). Well, he had three pieces of this stuff, one already went to a 5 string whaleback, whose picture is what sold me on the piece... originally, I was thinking burl or quilt (my usual faves).

So I take it that the 535 is up for sale?

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LOL! Which one? The solidbody or the Marilyn?

Regardless, even tho I can't help you there, if I'm ever fortunate enough to see you at a GTG someday, I'll make sure to bring it so you can play it as much as you want. I always love hearing other players play on my stuff... especially proficient ones... it's like being introduced to a whole new voice in the instrument you never heard before.

burk48237 said:

Very cool Vic, I take it your getting rid of that ugly Roscoe?

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Uhhhh, no.

The other cool thing is while the right wood knobs give you a warm sound, you can switch to aluminum knobs to get that "Marcus Miller Funk sound". The secret is in the knobs, all this talk about spatted tops and quilted maple. The knobs is where a good bass gets it's sound!

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You're RIGHT! By the way, could you speak a little softer please?

PS: Ken and Mike and I are getting together tomorrow, the whole purpose is to determine if the Glock is all it's cracked up to be.

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Oh, this should be good. I'm all over that thread...