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Build thread - Martin Keith Guitars Modified SC 5
- Thread starter smperry
- Start date
Thanks. It's currently on a brown truck heading towards California. When it arrives, I'll be sure to post more pictures and an initial review.
M
Thanks. It's currently on a brown truck heading towards California. When it arrives, I'll be sure to post more pictures and an initial review.
M
**subscribed**
Bump because I like looking at it sideways
I like it better that way too, after all that's the way we play them
Great results Marshall; I can't wait for the review!
Absolutely gorgeous! Katalox is by far my favorite wood tonally and visually (along with ebony and walnut). Congrats on a fantastic looking instrument!
It's here!
Some brief (for me) thoughts so I can get back to playing it:
The short version - I'm very happy. It's got the goods.
Long version - The bass looks even better in person... the myrtle top is a little darker and more tan and the katalox fretboard is beautiful. Like the walnut body too...pure class. I'm glad I went with chrome hardware. It is very light due to the downsized body. I've owned and played a bunch of other boutique basses and the construction on this one is top notch. Frets are smooth and even, neck pocket is tight, action is low. Neck has a gloss finish, which is nice but I might go over with a Dobie pad to give it more of a broken in feel (without the dirty maple look). Despite that, I'm already noticing that my playing is cleaner on this than other basses. I'm feeling good about the neck profile, scale length, fingerboard radius, and bridge and nut spacing. Bass is very comfortable seated or standing.
I've only been able to plug it in briefly, but I'm happy with what I heard. It's sound reminds me of an F bass I used to have except this bass hangs better on my body and has a fuller sound, especially in single coil mode. It's not an aggressive sounding bass, but has a strong defined, and supportive tone like a good jazz bass should. Double and triple stops sound great. I'm glad I went with the Audere; the 5 way z switch is quite nice and all the tones were usable. I'm also impressed with the blend control. A minor complaint is that the battery meter is not viewable externally, but (I assume) inside the back plate. I imagine that the single cut/humbucker switch will be useful within songs when I want to make a quick change within a song to a slightly louder/solo-type setting. Didn't play with the active eq much but everything seems fine. Mid boost adds some "growl" without getting obnoxious. High z with some bass boost is a great tone. Low z is sweet too of course, but I might adjust the gain of it as it's a bit loud. Got a bit of hiss when I cranked up the treble, but I was standing right at my amp and had the treble way up. Haven't slapped it while plugged in but it sounds great acoustically.
All said, this bass has exceeded my expectations and was an incredible value. It's going to inspire me to become a better player. More later when I've had more time with it. Many thanks Martin!
Marshall
Some brief (for me) thoughts so I can get back to playing it:
The short version - I'm very happy. It's got the goods.
Long version - The bass looks even better in person... the myrtle top is a little darker and more tan and the katalox fretboard is beautiful. Like the walnut body too...pure class. I'm glad I went with chrome hardware. It is very light due to the downsized body. I've owned and played a bunch of other boutique basses and the construction on this one is top notch. Frets are smooth and even, neck pocket is tight, action is low. Neck has a gloss finish, which is nice but I might go over with a Dobie pad to give it more of a broken in feel (without the dirty maple look). Despite that, I'm already noticing that my playing is cleaner on this than other basses. I'm feeling good about the neck profile, scale length, fingerboard radius, and bridge and nut spacing. Bass is very comfortable seated or standing.
I've only been able to plug it in briefly, but I'm happy with what I heard. It's sound reminds me of an F bass I used to have except this bass hangs better on my body and has a fuller sound, especially in single coil mode. It's not an aggressive sounding bass, but has a strong defined, and supportive tone like a good jazz bass should. Double and triple stops sound great. I'm glad I went with the Audere; the 5 way z switch is quite nice and all the tones were usable. I'm also impressed with the blend control. A minor complaint is that the battery meter is not viewable externally, but (I assume) inside the back plate. I imagine that the single cut/humbucker switch will be useful within songs when I want to make a quick change within a song to a slightly louder/solo-type setting. Didn't play with the active eq much but everything seems fine. Mid boost adds some "growl" without getting obnoxious. High z with some bass boost is a great tone. Low z is sweet too of course, but I might adjust the gain of it as it's a bit loud. Got a bit of hiss when I cranked up the treble, but I was standing right at my amp and had the treble way up. Haven't slapped it while plugged in but it sounds great acoustically.
All said, this bass has exceeded my expectations and was an incredible value. It's going to inspire me to become a better player. More later when I've had more time with it. Many thanks Martin!
Marshall
But haven't you heard the latest?? Wood has NO effect on tone.
Sorry for the slight derailment.
Congrats!Another MK in California!It's so hard to describe the quality of Martins work,its just immaculate!When will the official Keith club start? Sweet bass!
Sweet bass!
Congrats!Another MK in California!It's so hard to describe the quality of Martins work,its just immaculate!When will the official Keith club start?
Thanks. It really is an incredible bass. Might get another.
What do you have? Did you get it from ivlucas?
Marshall
Thanks. It really is an incredible bass. Might get another.
What do you have? Did you get it from ivlucas?
Marshall
Yep,that would be the one.I am really considering another as well.I think it's kinda cool how You modified the shape.Although,Martins orig. SC design fits Me perfect.Very cool!
...Chris.Invalid Link Removed
Yep,that would be the one.I am really considering another as well.I think it's kinda cool how You modified the shape.Although,Martins orig. SC design fits Me perfect.Very cool!
You got that for a steal of a price! The _only_ reason I didn't go for it is that it had some similar specs to mine. If it were a fretless, I would've snatched it up. I'll let you know if/when I order one, and please feel free to do the same.
M
Quick update: I'm loving this bass! I'm playing in a jazz quartet now, and this bass is getting played most right now (as my DB chops can't always keep up...). I've only been using a small practice amp, but I'll be playing a block party in a couple of weeks, so I'll get to really hear it then.
I wanted a glossier finish and Martin offered to take care of that. He also installed an optic fiber for the LED so that the battery indicator shows through the back plate (which I prefer to being on the front). All extra work was free of charge, even though it wasn't stuff that I specified in the initial build. The bass looks incredible and plays and sounds even better. I could not be any happier.
Marshall
I wanted a glossier finish and Martin offered to take care of that. He also installed an optic fiber for the LED so that the battery indicator shows through the back plate (which I prefer to being on the front). All extra work was free of charge, even though it wasn't stuff that I specified in the initial build. The bass looks incredible and plays and sounds even better. I could not be any happier.
Marshall
