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Anyone else like “coffee table” Basses?

#143
RBrownBass said:
:wideyed: Was the body ebony as well?
Warmoth has (or used to have- I haven't looked for the page in years) a page that detailed the relative weights of the wood choices they offer. It can help a new builder avoid ending up with a bass that's too heavy for them. Beautiful tonewoods often come at a price, and the price can be comfort if you're not careful.
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The body was solid Walnut, 2-piece. The neck shaft was Wenge, and the fingerboard was a pretty thick slab of Ebony. It was my first build from scratch, so didn't really have a basis to figure out what contributed most to the total weight of that particular beast. Plus, I ordered both custom, instead of from their existing inventory (where they list the individual weight). I'm sure my choice of components were a factor. Fully active electronics, knurled metal knobs all over, full size tuners, etc. Best sounding, best playing instrument I've ever had, though.
 
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#144
alexgeddy said:
Here's a couple
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I really dig that Stockton MTD, but ah, the Modulus... I had a dragonburst Q5, and I truly regret selling that one. I've thought about seeing if I could track it down and buy it back. :crying: (apologies for the 10-year-old old/poor quality cell phone shot)

Quantum5.jpg


gumbynotpokey said:
Do either the Carvin or the Clement qualify? Just wondering.

Here they are. First the Clement, then the Carvin. Please let me know if these qualify. :)
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Indeed they do. "Coffee Table Bass" is about the woods/bass, not the brand. ;) I had a couple Carvin/Kiesels in my post. That fretless birdseye board is pretty memorable, and I love the top on your Clement.

RBrownBass said:
Wow! Did the luthier also make the miniature? That's incredible.
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The full size is a Stambaugh, but Chris didn't make the mini... My girlfriend got it for me for my birthday, she found an Instagrammer from Brazil who builds miniatures. WashingtonMiniaturas_

5sg.
 
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#150
For more than 15 years my basses were black...I had 5 years off playing bass and started back with a Warwick thumb. Now i basically own only what could be called coffee table basses..I fell in love with natural waxed style wood finishes and once over the general aesthetics of having a natural bass I now seek them. This post is redundant without pics but i have no recent group shots and need to do one. FNA jazzman (flame maple) two Warwick thumbs (bubinga and wenge), Walwannabe (Stained Qld Maple, Silkwood top), Wal on order (Wenge top). I do own two black basses a Pbass and a fretless spector but they are rarely played.
 
#151
fivestringgecko said:
I really dig that Stockton MTD, but ah, the Modulus... I had a dragonburst Q5, and I truly regret selling that one. I've thought about seeing if I could track it down and buy it back. :crying: (apologies for the 10-year-old old/poor quality cell phone shot)

View attachment 4030196



Indeed they do. "Coffee Table Bass" is about the woods/bass, not the brand. ;) I had a couple Carvin/Kiesels in my post. That fretless birdseye board is pretty memorable, and I love the top on your Clement.



The full size is a Stambaugh, but Chris didn't make the mini... My girlfriend got it for me for my birthday, she found an Instagrammer from Brazil who builds miniatures. WashingtonMiniaturas_

5sg.
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Really like the finish on that Modulus!! Mine is a 2004.. Just put EMG X back in with simple EMG BTS.. Sounds awsome.. I had The original Barts in it and it never sounded right.(At least to me). Would be hard to find a Q5 for cheap they are over 5 G new. And only place you can get them is Planet Bass. He bought the molds.
 
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#156
JPMcGuire said:
I love coffee table Basses. after many years of collecting it seems all my final favorites look like coffee tables. But I love them!
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FWIW, I don't "love" any of my basses; they are tools.

But, I do highly appreciate the ones I am privileged to play ATM. I have gravitated towards bass guitars with attractive wood tops because I like the way they look; and they are made out of wood, for the most part anyhow. And, when paying top dollar for some custom job, it just seems appropriate to accentuate the wood; at least to me. I also like my painted Fenders in any color, as long as it's black. Or, I also have a nice trans white one....

I suppose the matter is a little like kitchen cabinets; which seem to go in and out of fashion between natural wood and paint jobs.

In the case of bass guitars, no one other than the player and perhaps potential band leaders / mates gives a rip one way or the other. And, you certainly can't tell on the recording what kind of finish was going on. Like people, the beauty in musical instruments is not skin deep; but, rather revealed by the substance beneath.
 
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