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Chris Squire Bass Build Challenge
- Thread starter Robert Canfield
- Start date
It looks like the ones in the link have stock Rickenbacker bridges.
It looks like the horns on Chris's end in line with the 16th fret whereas the stock models are longer, maybe at the 14th fret. Custom/prototype or different model?
Didn't he have some effects built into it, like a flanger or envelope filter? Seem to remember that from an old video Squire did. I saw him play it live during the first tour with the Buggles guys, but assumed he had pedals at the time.
He did use a pedalboard, but yes, the Electra had built-in effects. Actually, there was a set of modules you could plug into the back for different effects options, so you could change them out depending on what you wanted. He discusses it in this video...
...starting at 21:24.
I imagine for the builders, creating the effects modules would be the biggest challenge. But I'm not one, so what do I know?
I think I'd skip the effects, given how much better the pedals are these days, interesting concept though. Are these bolt on basses or neck through?
Looks like that one at Springville music pictured above is neck through.
Take a look at those pictures and try not to drool: all kinds of cool vintage gear there - I spy a BF tone ring Showman, some kind of vintage Sunn...
LOL... those photos are from a music shop down the road from me.
LOL... those photos are from a music shop down the road from me.In case the link goes dead:
Rôckhewer
Commercial User
- Feb 28, 2015
- 2,922
- 9,028
- Disclosures
- Owner/Builder- RockHewer Custom Guitars LLC
hrodbert696.... Thanks for posting that video.
Got very emotional at the end when he played Amazing Grace...considering
his
untimely death.
.....Rest in peace Chris
Got very emotional at the end when he played Amazing Grace...considering
his
untimely death.
.....Rest in peace Chris
Ive heard (I think from mouridians) that Chris had them shave mass off his rickenbackers to get the weight down, so I would assume the horns were possibly trimmed for the same reason.
Chris's model looks like a Bad Ass bridge instead of the Ric style.
Chris's Ric was shaved down because it had a psychedelic paint/wall paper that he wanted removed. the lighter weight and thinner neck was a result of that process.
I would like to have that chorus sound he gets on Tempus Fugit. He plays the Electra on it. It's one of my all time favorite tracks.
Does anyone know what effect that is on Tempus Fugit? Sounds like some kind of auto-wah + chorus.
What kind of pickup is in the neck position?
Two changes I would make: reverse the P-Bass pickup and (especially for my small hands) Make it a medium or short scale.
Two changes I would make: reverse the P-Bass pickup and (especially for my small hands) Make it a medium or short scale.
Looks a lot like a clone of the Fender humbucker, most recently used in the Starcaster Bass, and of course made of Unobtainium.
He has the Octave Divider and the Flanger modules; based on the clip, I'd say he was using both for the snippet of Tempis Fugit he plays there.
A bit more info on Electra MPC's is available here
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I take back what I said earlier about the neck pickup -- it's actually about the size of a typical humbucker, so could probably be approximated by starting with a blank (no holes) cover. ARRGH!! I'm starting to think more and more about actually doing this!
