Cool and interesting “detail” thread

[Dark Horse]

What are some “details” that you find interesting in various basses ? They could be tiny details, or bigger ones. I really like the sneaky little touches that make a custom bass unique.

For instance, I love the multi laminate headstock on this otherwise “normal” Unicorn Bass

….. and the cool “rippled ribbons” on the neck/body joint on this Xylem Bass …

 

[UNICORN BASS]

Yowsa!

 

[Zooberwerx]

Can we also have a "annoying design flaws that make my life difficult" thread?

The one "detail" that pops-to-mind after 40+ years is the sacrificial laminate Alembic installs (installed?) between the fingerboard and neck. It allowed for removal and truss rod service / replacement without destroying the wood of either.

Riis

 

[Dark Horse]

Can we also have a "annoying design flaws that make my life difficult" thread?

The one "detail" that pops-to-mind after 40+ years is the sacrificial laminate Alembic installs (installed?) between the fingerboard and neck. It allowed for removal and truss rod service / replacement without destroying the wood of either.

Riis

Definitely

 

[BassicJazzy]

Not sure I'd call it a detail, but the shark's tooth inlays marking fret intervals on my '72 Rick 4001 were my fav of any bass I've owned. More for looks than for functionality.

 

[Thumpin6string]

I built both my basses to have interesting details and to play and sound great.

 

[J Wilson]

I thought it was a stroke of genius, the pickup ring on the old Peavey T20 basses, with the thumb rest molded into the top/bass side:

And though most basses don't run pickup rings, I really don't get why nobody ever revived this, such an inexpensive and useful feature.

 

[TeaTime]

I've got some customs with cool stuff, but I expected that.

The thing that was a sneaky little touch that caught me off guard? I bought an Ibanez 32" as a keep in the trunk or leave at school bass, and was surprised by and fascinated by the swing open truss rod cover.

 

[monsterthompson]

I like finding interesting inlays. This Dunable guitar with green binding has a subtle fret marking. I also like the F Bass dots for the higher positions on G string side of the board. I also like this Dingwall outline inlay design, though I think the bigger shapes in the lower frets aren’t as cool as the narrow ones on the higher frets. The Dingwall speedometer markers are also nice. Padalka has some similar subtle but stunning touches.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

If we’re going with inlays, on Tim Sway’s fretless Aperion basses the “points” of the heartbeat inlay are the position markers.



aperionbass.com

 

[definenredefine]

If we’re going with inlays, on Tim Sway’s fretless Aperion basses the “points” of the heartbeat inlay are the position markers.

View attachment 7486362

aperionbass.com

That headstock is pretty sharp as well. I like the orientation of the tuners.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

The oval Delano pickups with the thumb rest cutout.

BBB

 

[Pauly 4001]

The Ovation Magnum 1 is chock full of quirky interesting design ideas:

The neck pickup has four separate coils wired in a humbucking design. Each coil has its own volume control which is adjusted by four screws set into the pickup, allowing you to balance individual string output.

Built in string mute

The rosewood neck is beautifully made and, apart from the usual trussrod, is strengthened by two strips of carbon graphite running under the fingerboard and one strip running down the back of the neck and through to the top of the head. Carbon graphite is extremely resistant to bending, and its use in wooden necks seems to be quickly becoming a standard feature of recently-designed basses.

The Magnum 1 is mono/stereo wired with individual volume and tone pots for each pickup.

It's definitely not a Fender shaped object

 

[hooky_marr]

The custom knobs used on Wal basses, which make them easier to pull to activate different preamp settings. AND the tiny metal pin they set into the body which provides the reference point.

Lusithand offer similar knobs to use with their filter-based preamp, and Göldo have some as well (available through Allparts).

More generally, I wish all bolt-on guitars and basses had MM-style truss rod wheels, magnetic or snap-in cavity covers, Ibanez-style sculpted heels, and Charvel-style rear angled jacks - just things which make maintenance and gigging a little easier

 

[Malak the Mad]

Painted headstocks. It may not be the most glamorous or groundbreaking detail, but for me, it makes a bass that much cooler!

Not mine, but I wish they were!

 

[Gervais Cote]

I quite like the wooden pickguard and pickup covers of those Bacchus basses :

 

[96tbird]

The so called “router bump” and hand rounded edges near the heel in pre-CBS Fenders. It gives a true hand made detail to the originals. Also the “good enough, send it out” vibe! But the bodies were cut with a bandsaw so router is a misnomer.

 

[konaaayukeeenee]

The 'F-hole' on Janek Gwizdala's Mattisson.

 

[BassicJazzy]

The so called “router bump” and hand rounded edges near the heel in pre-CBS Fenders. It gives a true hand made detail to the originals. Also the “good enough, send it out” vibe! But the bodies were cut with a bandsaw so router is a misnomer.View attachment 7486542

Also very useful, so you can get your hand down deep there to access the highest notes.

 

[Nedmundo]

I was happy to discover that Sandberg uses strap buttons that fit Schaller strap locks. I was getting ready to buy a new set of Schaller buttons for my Sandberg to work with my straps, but didn't need to.