• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

A New "Wish" Competitor?

#201
Dark Horse said:
I like the body shape - but what is the top cavity on the back for ?

Seems like there is TONS of room in the bottom cavity for pots, preamp, battery, living room furniture, etc - so I was just curious.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the compliment on the shape. Mr. Martinson let me design it and choose the wood. The bottom cavity will be the preamp, wiring, and pots. The top cavity is for two 9-volts. I purchased an Aguilar OBP-2 and two MEC gold active jazz pups, hence the batteries.
 
#202
stepswork4me said:
Thanks for the compliment on the shape. Mr. Martinson let me design it and choose the wood. The bottom cavity will be the preamp, wiring, and pots. The top cavity is for two 9-volts. I purchased an Aguilar OBP-2 and two MEC gold active jazz pups, hence the batteries.
Click to expand...

I figured that was the case, but the bottom cavity looked large enough to hold it all - that's why I wondered. I guess changing batteries would be easier with the separate cavity though.


Really nice looking body shape - and I'm pretty much a die-hard Fender guy, so I don't typically like many or the more "boutique/oddball" bass shapes.

:)
 
#203
Dark Horse said:
I figured that was the case, but the bottom cavity looked large enough to hold it all - that's why I wondered. I guess changing batteries would be easier with the separate cavity though.


Really nice looking body shape - and I'm pretty much a die-hard Fender guy, so I don't typically like many or the more "boutique/oddball" bass shapes.

:)
Click to expand...

Thanks again. I tried to come up with something a little different but not way out there.
 
#205
timbass, you seem like a stand up guy and the reviews on your contact with customers were great. But we have seen bad work (no this post is no slamming you im trying to help :P). your new to the game its understandable to make mistakes. also good on you for coming in here to address the claims.

FL did an honest review, i am with you that i wish he would have played it but cant win them all. id take this time and talk to FL and the new buyer of that bass. I know from many of FLs postings that he knows his stuff. ask your buyers for feed back, good and bad. sometimes the guy who hates what your doing will be the only one who isnt afraid to tell you how to truly fix it.

from what ive seen for your wood selection and bass design i do dig it, allot and i would love to see you making great quality basses, which i honestly do not think your far off from.

one suggestion i can make it do a build project thread here on TB for lets say 6 basses (no dont just pick the best, just the next 6) and post a crap load of photos. ive seen so many guys get allot of great advice on there builds here, that it couldnt hurt to get the info. also consider this TB and you have gotten off on the wrong foot, what better way to show devotion to your craft and your customers then putting the wood where your mouth is and letting us see all the steps so we can make a detailed call.
 
#206
That new bass he is building for step is really nice looking. Beautiful wood choices on that thing. Good luck with it. I'd really be interested to see it when it's done.

I hope the builder takes the comments here to heart. It seems like there is a lot of potential there. He is doing this for a great price it seems. With a little extra effort and some cleaning up here and there, I think he could really make a decent bass. I wish him the best of luck.
 
#207
jojobean39 said:
That new bass he is building for step is really nice looking. Beautiful wood choices on that thing. Good luck with it. I'd really be interested to see it when it's done.

I hope the builder takes the comments here to heart. It seems like there is a lot of potential there. He is doing this for a great price it seems. With a little extra effort and some cleaning up here and there, I think he could really make a decent bass. I wish him the best of luck.
Click to expand...

I'll keep posting pics and do a full review once I have it in hand. Even with the Aguilar preamp and MEC pups I still got this bass for an unbelievable price.
 
#208
I do like the shape but I can see some teear out around the fret dots. Looks like this builder needs to learn what a brad point bit is.

stepswork4me said:
Here's the progress on my T.L. Martinson...

vzv81h.jpg

2ivnlc.jpg

fefc5g.jpg

346vnu1.jpg


:D
Click to expand...
 
#210
stepswork4me said:
You must have like 200/200 vision.:smug: I'll let ya know if there's "tear out".
Click to expand...

I can see it also because my bass had the exact same thing. It will be interesting to see how he handles the nut on your bass. Hopfully it will be properly mounted in a slot and supporting the strings at a functional level. Despite my displeasure, I'm really hoping yours turns out well!!
 
#214
IMHO these pictures and the maker's responses lead to only one possible conclusion... FAIL. The bass below was constructed by someone who doesn't have the slightest idea of how to cut and position a nut, align a bridge or level, crown and dress frets... or worse yet, someone who didn't care enough to do these things well on an instrument he was intending to sell. I wish I had FL's bass so that I can actually take some measurements, especially of the fret positions, check the function of the truss rod and determine if that neck pocket is even large enough to be a solid neck/body joint. Don't get me wrong, I have built basses this bad before, but the fact is I learned from my first few construction mistakes, I never had the gall to actually sell them nor could I ever think of trying to justify their existence as viable instruments. I hope this builder is successful in overcoming the initially steep learning curve as a bass builder.

Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed
 
#215
Diogenes said:
IMHO these pictures and the maker's responses lead to only one possible conclusion... FAIL. The bass below was constructed by someone who doesn't have the slightest idea of how to cut and position a nut, align a bridge or level, crown and dress frets... or worse yet, someone who didn't care enough to do these things well on an instrument he was intending to sell. I wish I had FL's bass so that I can actually take some measurements, especially of the fret positions, check the function of the truss rod and determine if that neck pocket is even large enough to be a solid neck/body joint. Don't get me wrong, I have built basses this bad before, but the fact is I learned from my first few construction mistakes, I never had the gall to actually sell them nor could I ever think of trying to justify their existence as viable instruments. I hope this builder is successful in overcoming the initially steep learning curve as a bass builder.
Click to expand...

The distance from the nut to the 12th fret was OK. The distance from the 12th fret to the saddles/individual bridges was one of the reasons I never really tried to play it. It was way off by eye. This will be one of the challenges the new owner will have in making it playable. I'm not sure he'll be able to move the top two single bridges back far enough without them hanging off the body. IMHO, he'll have to make a new fretboard no matter what. I'm thinking he can "favor" it towards the headstock, cut a groove for normal style nut and have the bridges end up in the right place.
 
#217
FL Knifemaker said:
... I'm not sure he'll be able to move the top two single bridges back far enough without them hanging off the body. IMHO, he'll have to make a new fretboard no matter what. I'm thinking he can "favor" it towards the headstock, cut a groove for normal style nut and have the bridges end up in the right place.
Click to expand...
jojobean39 said:
The bass FL got seems it would best be suited as a fretless.
Click to expand...

I'd like to know what he uses to measure scale length and determine fret placement... and if he uses a decent/reliable method to cut the fret slots. I'm a little worried about fret accuracy on this build... it looks to me like the distance between the 22nd and 23rd fret slots is closer than that of the 23rd and 24th.:eyebrow:


closeuppics001.jpg
 
#218
Good eye!

There's defenitely something amis with those slots.

:eyebrow:

Diogenes said:
I'd like to know what he uses to measure scale length and determine fret placement... and if he uses a decent/reliable method to cut the fret slots. I'm a little worried about fret accuracy on this build... it looks to me like the distance between the 22nd and 23rd fret slots is closer than that of the 23rd and 24th.:eyebrow:


closeuppics001.jpg
Click to expand...
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back