I received my AC6 back from George about a week or two ago and wanted to share how happy I am with the re-finish and modifications.
The main reason for sending the bass back was to have it re-finished in the newer, non-nitro finish. My bass was damaged in shipping to Australia and over our last winter, (in a very cold house), the cracking spread all over the bass. As silly as it sounds I found myself not playing the bass as much as I should have been, I just wasnt happy with the damaged finish. I asked George to finish the bass in more of a solid red than the usual AC yellow to red sunburst. I must admit that on first receiving the bass I didnt know how I felt about the solid red colour, but now I LOVE it.
Previously, I found myself wanting to be able to roll in a little roundness, in the form of a neck position pickup. (Not all the time, I actually love the sound of the bridge pickup soloed, particularly when paired with my Aguilar DB680/Crest CA9/Bergantino AE410 combination). Nonetheless, I think I was used to hearing , and wanting to be able to replicate a more traditional fretless sound, (as I know it), and not always being forced into the bridge pickup sound, (or of course the piezo sound).
Other than the neck position pickup (with extra volume control) and re-finish, I also had George install strap locks, (because all my basses have them and I like being able to interchange straps) and a master stand by switch, (because A. I am used to having one, and B. because this bass now has 3 individual pickup volume controls I would prefer to be able to mute than loose a volume balance / tonal sweet spot every time I need to mute/unplug/etc).
Ive had limited opportunity to experiment with the bass since receiving it, (due to me putting my hand for a Salsa fill in gig and having to cram a whole repertoire into my head in one week), BUT so far so good! The difference in tone achieved by blending the bridge and neck pickups is subtler than anticipated but the pickups reveal their personalities more obviously when soloed, (which is how I'm mostly using it at the moment). The new neck pickup has a unique quality; inheriting a little p-bass type of flub whilst still portraying with clarity, the AC character. It doesnt bite (read aggressive mid range bark) like the bridge pick-up, but thats kinda the point! I am still discovering sweet spots at different percentages of blend and have yet to find favourite positions.
I was hoping to record some sound clips of the various pickup options last night but opted for a relaxing night with my girlfriend instead! I will endeavour to record something in the next couple of days though.
Finally, I cant sign off without commenting on the amazing setup of the bass. Im not sure if George worked on the bass himself or not, but the instrument came back feeling like a totally new, and different instrument. Different in the sense of overall action, totally re-finished fingerboard, etc. Whatever, was done I am greatful because the instrument plays better than anything I have personally played before. Overall, I am very happy with the decision to refinish/modify the bass, the patience and guidance George offered, the general customer service and particularly the final result!
Now for the pics:
And the obligatory family pic:
