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Aluminum Neck Club

#701
Khrist92 said:
For any interested, there is something interesting developing in the "Aluminium Axes" Facebook group regarding EGC and Travis Bean Designs right now. Evidently Kevin from EGC can't be reached by Travis Bean's remaining family, who are evidently partners in the TBD side of the business.
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Was the post taken down? I saw it earlier but it looks like it's missing.
 
#706
IMG_9931.JPG


First gig with this one at the weekend! was very happy indeed
 
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#707
so, I was watching an old video on Mastodon and one of the guitarists has a EGC guitar, aluminum neck and lucite body, and he was saying it was a temperamental guitar, that it was very reactive to temperature and humidity changes and that he had to stay on it. I thought that was one of the selling points of these necks, that they don't react as much as wood does to temperature, altitude and humidity. He did mention that the tremolo was a factor, was he wrong? I'm probably going to get a two aluminum necks for my G&L L basses. I was concerned. Still, the chisel tone it imparts is the main reason.
 
#708
justbass4 said:
so, I was watching an old video on Mastodon and one of the guitarists has a EGC guitar, aluminum neck and lucite body, and he was saying it was a temperamental guitar, that it was very reactive to temperature and humidity changes and that he had to stay on it. I thought that was one of the selling points of these necks, that they don't react as much as wood does to temperature, altitude and humidity. He did mention that the tremolo was a factor, was he wrong? I'm probably going to get a two aluminum necks for my G&L L basses. I was concerned. Still, the chisel tone it imparts is the main reason.
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Plus, Brent is in a touring-around-the-country band, so I imagine they experienced some pretty vast temperature changes between venues, or even in venues, under stage lights, etc. I think for the most part its an overstated problem, nothing a few minutes of playing wouldn't fix. I think the bass necks might be more stable cause of the heavier gauge strings. I've never had mine react to humidity changes. I imagine having a tremolo could be a factor, but I couldn't say why.

A more common complaint is that some find the necks cold during the winter. That's actually a pro for me, as I am generally a warm individual.

A bit of trivia - unfortunately, Brent doesn't use that guitar anymore. He said why in a few interviews about 8-10 years ago if you're curious.
 
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#709
justbass4 said:
so, I was watching an old video on Mastodon and one of the guitarists has a EGC guitar, aluminum neck and lucite body, and he was saying it was a temperamental guitar, that it was very reactive to temperature and humidity changes and that he had to stay on it. I thought that was one of the selling points of these necks, that they don't react as much as wood does to temperature, altitude and humidity. He did mention that the tremolo was a factor, was he wrong? I'm probably going to get a two aluminum necks for my G&L L basses. I was concerned. Still, the chisel tone it imparts is the main reason.
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I’ve used aluminum necks live almost exclusively for the last few years and never had any tuning stability issues. Kramers and EGC bolt on
 
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#710
I got to try out a neck from Aluminati on one of my new bass designs! It's a different vibe than the solid neck thing, but it's pretty incredible what they're doing. It's probably actually lighter than a number of wooden necks I've come across over the years. Also, I'm still obsessed with the DiMarzio Will Power. It's so good, and I feel like I'm in on a secret that almost nobody knows about. The Relentless Js are really nice too - they're physically beautiful and sound killer. The customer wanted this bass wired with a master volume and tone, an independent volume for the Will Power and an on/off switch for each J pickup - a really neat setup.

IMG_3111.jpg


I also recently put together another instrument I'm calling Thunderstang, also with a really unique pickup setup. They're Lollar TBirds and a Fralin Reverse P. Super interesting and unique combo. This one has an RGI neck

DSC04550.jpg


Lastly - I've teased this previously, and I think I can finally let the cat out of the bag: I'm working on a medium (33") scale 5-string headless neck as well as a short (likely 31") 4-string headless neck I hope to have them ready in the first quarter of next year. I think it's going to be a game changer in terms of weight and balance and I genuinely can't wait to get a 5-string high C setup going.
 
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#712
sargebaker said:
I got to try out a neck from Aluminati on one of my new bass designs! It's a different vibe than the solid neck thing, but it's pretty incredible what they're doing. It's probably actually lighter than a number of wooden necks I've come across over the years. Also, I'm still obsessed with the DiMarzio Will Power. It's so good, and I feel like I'm in on a secret that almost nobody knows about. The Relentless Js are really nice too - they're physically beautiful and sound killer. The customer wanted this bass wired with a master volume and tone, an independent volume for the Will Power and an on/off switch for each J pickup - a really neat setup.

View attachment 5213231

I also recently put together another instrument I'm calling Thunderstang, also with a really unique pickup setup. They're Lollar TBirds and a Fralin Reverse P. Super interesting and unique combo. This one has an RGI neck

View attachment 5213233

Lastly - I've teased this previously, and I think I can finally let the cat out of the bag: I'm working on a medium (33") scale 5-string headless neck as well as a short (likely 31") 4-string headless neck I hope to have them ready in the first quarter of next year. I think it's going to be a game changer in terms of weight and balance and I genuinely can't wait to get a 5-string high C setup going.
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Great job on those basses! I really like the lightweight of those Aluminati necks, and I actually prefer the carbon fiber fretboard over aluminum. I'm now contemplating a Baguley bass neck with the richlite fretboard since now they do custom profiles
 
#713
sargebaker said:
I got to try out a neck from Aluminati on one of my new bass designs! It's a different vibe than the solid neck thing, but it's pretty incredible what they're doing. It's probably actually lighter than a number of wooden necks I've come across over the years. Also, I'm still obsessed with the DiMarzio Will Power. It's so good, and I feel like I'm in on a secret that almost nobody knows about. The Relentless Js are really nice too - they're physically beautiful and sound killer. The customer wanted this bass wired with a master volume and tone, an independent volume for the Will Power and an on/off switch for each J pickup - a really neat setup.

View attachment 5213231

I also recently put together another instrument I'm calling Thunderstang, also with a really unique pickup setup. They're Lollar TBirds and a Fralin Reverse P. Super interesting and unique combo. This one has an RGI neck

View attachment 5213233

Lastly - I've teased this previously, and I think I can finally let the cat out of the bag: I'm working on a medium (33") scale 5-string headless neck as well as a short (likely 31") 4-string headless neck I hope to have them ready in the first quarter of next year. I think it's going to be a game changer in terms of weight and balance and I genuinely can't wait to get a 5-string high C setup going.
Click to expand...

that’s me, that’s mine! The Tonoplata is such a gorgeous bass and it sounds thunderous. Thank you, Nic!!
 
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#714
ZachM said:
I’ve been watching your stuff on instagram for a while, and these basses are exquisite! I would love to hear some audio of the Thunderstang especially, those pickup positions are super cool. Is the p-pickup in the traditional position on that one?
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Thank so much man, I appreciate the interest! :)

I'm not 100% sure actually, I didn't measure/convert vs. a standard 34" scale P. I put it where it seemed to make sense to me, mostly visually. It looks pretty similar to where Fender put it on their P-equipped Mustangs. I should've recorded some clips before sending it out but alas... Its owner is over the moon and has already gigged it a bunch of times since receiving it - if I ever get some soundclips I'll pop em up here!
 
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