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Club Bordwell

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#141
miskha said:
I'm amazed that these basses even go on the market. This particular one was for sale from a double bassist who didn't quite make the jump to electric. It's make of a curly Makore body and a burled thuya top. The neck is maple with Maple with Panga and the fretboard and pickup covers are Bloodwood. I'll bet she smokes :bassist:
Click to expand...

I think that the main reason (other than financial) custom basses like Cliff's hit the used market is as follows:

Customers spend hours reading about the supposed different characteristics of different woods, necks, pickups, pickup placement etc.etc. They then formulate in their mind what combinations of wood and pickups, etc. "should" make their ultimate bass. They then order. THEN, they impatiently wait 9months, a year, whatever, anticipating the arrival of the "Most amazing, perfect, sound in my head" instrument. When it arrives, I can't believe that it ever fully meets expectations (from a tone standpoint only). The customer has no real basis for how an odd-ball combination of woods will sound.

They had never actually played a Ziricote body bass with bubinga back, lacewood top, blood-wood neck and an ash fingerboard. They just thought that this would create a specific sound. It's not like you can just go down to your local GC and play instruments that are made from much more than ash, alder and maple (and basswood/poplar) in order to get an approximation of this combination of woods will sound.

Now, that bass may sound great, but that doesn't mean it was the same great sound that the customer wanted it to be. And that's the reason alot of great sounding customs hit the used market. Like all the advise that is given around here "play before you buy" - obviously with a custom, that is not an option. So customers really don't know what an instrument is going to sound like until they get it.

That is why, for the bass cliff is building me now, I went with all standard woods - Classic neck (maple with maple board), ash body and a maple top. Jazz pickups in the exact 60's J-bass location, and you basically have a familiar combination - one that has been done a million times before. This gives my tonal expectations a better chance a being met. Not that they were not met with the first bass that Cliff built me (I sold it - one of my German Shepherds had some huge vet bills, and I only have so much "play" money...). My expectation for the bass Cliff is currently building me is that it will basically be a lighter, more responsive, better looking, better playing Jazz bass.
 
#143
miskha said:
I loved cliff's work so much on the 4 stringer I got (see page 5 i think? maybe 6?) I decided to go for something a bit more exotic.:hyper: This puppy should be arriving Wednesday! I'll let you guys know more then!
Click to expand...

:hyper::hyper:Nice find! That's the D-Bass Cliff uses on his site, it has a 5 piece Panga Panga and Maple neck!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been hoping the 5 string Ball Bass with Panga Panga fret board (the one on his site with the Bubinga top) would show up again because I would love to get my hands on her.
:cool:
 
#144
You can say what you want about the woods and tonal characteristics and all that but I see it a different way.
This is all IMO. Maybe the problem is people don't have any patience anymore. They have a whole bunch of money laying around to blow on an instrument that they probably don't even necessarily need. They order it expecting it to solve all their problems with their playing. They get it, find a that it maybe isin't everything they expected and then turn around and sell it.
Personally I think this is kinda disrespectful to the luthier. I am sure some of these custom builders take what they do very seriously and to build a bass for somebody and then have them get it and realize that the neck profile isin't perfect, then sell it... that has to be a little aggravating. I could be wrong though.
The thing that i get the least is this. Why don't people just put in the time and practice with their custom until they are comfortable with it. I have never had the option of having a really great bass so I am stoked about my upcoming CB. But, my current bass, a Lakland 5502 was the least comfortable thing for me to play when I initially got it. I went from a fretless MIM jazz to a 35 in scale 5 string huge neck lakland. I struggled seriously with it at first, but after many hours of shedding i got used to it. It seems like guys just give up to fast on these instruments and then blame it on the axe instead of their own unwillingness to adapt to something new and spend time shedding the instrument.
Plus... you think some more people would take the time to do the research and figure out exactly what specs they are comfortable with and not just guess. I went kinda of nuts with the wood and options on my CB but in the end it is the playability factors i am most pumped about. Deep Cutaway, lightweight body, thin neck, access to all 24 frets, balance, wood pickup covers and ramp for a nice even playing surface, etc.
End Rant/
 
#146
The story thus far...

I'd like to upgrade my passive CB 5 (Delano pups) and have been offered an OBP-3 with vol / blend / push-pull mid / stacked treble-bass. I also have my eye on the Audere Classic with vol / blend / stacked hi mid-treble / stacked low mid-bass. Both are comparably priced so the that's not an issue.

I'd like to hear any opinions or suggestions, please. Sorry for the rush but I have to make a commitment shortly.

Thanks

Riis
 
#147
Zooberwerx said:
The story thus far...

I'd like to upgrade my passive CB 5 (Delano pups) and have been offered an OBP-3 with vol / blend / push-pull mid / stacked treble-bass. I also have my eye on the Audere Classic with vol / blend / stacked hi mid-treble / stacked low mid-bass. Both are comparably priced so the that's not an issue.

I'd like to hear any opinions or suggestions, please. Sorry for the rush but I have to make a commitment shortly.

Thanks

Riis
Click to expand...

I had the OBP-3 in my Jerzy Drozd and it was ok, I can't help you with the classic. Have you also considered the Sadowsky pre? I happen to love the Sad pre, I have it in my Nordy and of course my Sadowsky.
Good luck,
 
#148
BEADG said:
I had the OBP-3 in my Jerzy Drozd and it was ok, I can't help you with the classic. Have you also considered the Sadowsky pre? I happen to love the Sad pre, I have it in my Nordy and of course my Sadowsky.
Good luck,
Click to expand...

Strangely enough, I have the Sad pre in my Sadowsky Modern 5. I am curious as to how it would sound coupled with the Delanos. Doesn't sound as if the OBP provided much of an adrenaline rush.

Riis
 
#150
The plan for the bass that Cliff is currently building for me is to have Aero Jazz pickups put in. But here is what I have been thinking lately:

a) I already have a vintage sounding bass in my Darkstar loaded P-bass...why have another traditional sounding pickup configuration?

b) My DS loaded P-bass has only one pickup...and I love the fact that it forces me to just plug and play, instead of twiddling with knobs...makes me work more on technique than coaxing gear.

SO, this is the change of plan I am considering:

1) Have Cliff scratch the Aeros (I'd pay for his cost, obviously) and install a high end, aftermarket Music Man pickup in the typical MM sweet spot. I always love the Stingray tone (in fact, I owned one, but I hated the oiled neck and the neck profile was not to my liking...also, the EBMM stock pickup was very inconsistent in string to string volume).

2) Have Cliff install TWO MM style pickups:eek:

What do you guys think, should I just stick with the Aero J's?? SHould I go with a Nordstrand Quad Coil MM (or something like it)?? Am I just being stupid and allowing GAS to screw up my judgment??

:help:
 
#152
Tslicebass said:
I say one quad coil in traditional MM position. Another option would be to do a MM/J type of setup. I have that in my Lakland and it offers a lot of tonal options
Click to expand...

Have you used a Quad Coil? It is my understanding that they are ultra clear sounding. I probably wouldn't do a MM/J setup as I don't need/want alot of tone options - I want the bass to do one tone REALLY well, vs many tones that are good/ok.

Thanks, for the input. :)

All this, of course, is dependent upon whether or not Cliff can make this change at this point.
 
#156
Don't you worry Metropolis. Aero pups are really good (I have Aero dual coils in my first CB bass). ;)
I'd ask Cliff to go with the best J-type pups for the particular woods on your bass. But you sure know Cliff's always on time. Chances are he already ordered the pickups...:D
I'd say 2 MMs would have caused too much of a "pull effect" on the strings (IMHO)
Your bass is coming along just beautiful !
 
#157
It's official. I am in for a second CB.

Specs:
D-Bass 5-string

Dimensions
Scale length: 35
Neck shape: Thin D (thin .810)
Width at nut: 1.875
String spacing at Bridge: 19mm

Body thickness: 1.4, 1.525(required for battery), or 1.625(required for Push/Pull knobs)

Construction
Neck: Modern
Fingerboard: Stabilized Figured Bubinga

Fingerboard Radius: 16”

Nut: Stabilized Ebony

Full faced top: Yes
Body woods

Top: Pau Amarillo

Body: Butternut

Headstock Plate: Pau Amarillo

Hardware

Color: Chrome
Bridge: Hipshot style “A”
Tuners: Ultralites No charge

Truss rod: two-way adjustable

Fretted: 24
Dunlop Strap locks
Output: 1/4" Face mount (N/C)

Electronics
Pickups: (2) Nordstrand Big Splits w/ Pau Amarillo Covers and Exposed Pole Pieces

Preamp: A/P Aguilar OBP-3 w/ Passive Tone
Controls: Volume (p/p A/P switch)20 Balance, Passive Tone, Bass, Midrange (p/p Mid Frequency Select) , Treble. Butternut Knobs.
 
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