• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Custom Bass Wait Support Group Needed [Part 3]

#981
KohanMike said:
Here's the finished product, excellently painted by Pat Wilkins, which only took about 2 weeks. I couldn't find matching pearloid pickguard and block fret markers, so for now I just put on the basic pearl fret markers I had. Played it today at rehearsal with my 30 person ukulele group, sounded really good.

View attachment 718775
Click to expand...

Very interesting! How does it play? Can you compare it to anything?
 
#985
Thanks for bumping the thread. I see that I forgot to update it with the result of my custom build from last January! Again, this was built by a local luthier who's been a neighbor of mine for decades. He mostly does repair work; instrument builds are only done as favors -- not for free, but $1100 with a 2-month turnaround can't be beat. I asked him if he wanted credit, but he said absolutely not, he has all the business he wants and has to care for his ailing mother on top of that.

My goal: a '58-style P5. I'm thrilled with the result!
optLX2w03yxtBE_hcN0S5hvaPWwS03Hc3v81eZIir_05bEFDpEFXvYQ4opxwAfs3wCjQlt8uN8z1psflw0=w1349-h759-no.jpg


Specs:
  • One-piece alder body and one-piece maple neck (with skunk stripe) carved by the luthier himself
  • Neck has beefy, asymmetric profile. Also, I happened to mention that Sadowsky fivers have thicker headstocks, so he did that with mine
  • Tinted nitro finish -- it's more tinted in person (body and neck) than in this photo
  • Nordstrand NP5v pickup (alnico)
  • Stellartone Tonestyler passive tone control (11 position)
  • Gold anodized guard
  • Fender spaghetti logo (no, I will not sell this bass as a Fender, nor do I ever represent it as one)
As you can see, it's not a perfect Fender clone: the body and headstock shapes are just a bit off (I believe the upper horn is actually a J-bass horn); I didn't feel like paying for two sets of Kluson style tuners (one lefty, the other righty) so I went with modern cloverleaf; didn't want to add a tugbar; sadly there is no 5-string bridge with fully-threaded saddles; the string tree is not vintage correct... etc. To me those nitpicks don't matter because I still got the classic look I wanted.

This bass is heavy compared to my chambered Sadowskys, and even a bit heavier than my non-chambered Nordy, but it's not a boat anchor like most 70s-80s P-basses.

Aside from all that: this bass definitely has the look, it plays like a dream, and is an absolute tone monster. The Tonestyler is such a cool invention: I usually dial in some high mids for punch, but it can also be bypassed (same as passive tone set wide open). Bottom line is that it gets regular gigging duty with my classic rock/R&B bands, which is the highest praise possible for me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kevk and wmmj
#986
I'm waiting on a custom fretless Rob Allen Mouse 30. Lined, face dots, alder with an upgraded curly walnut top, f hole, binding, black hardware. I'd probably have it in hand now but Rob was about to move his entire shop when I placed my order so I'll have it by August 1st. I just chatted with him a couple of days ago via email regarding the output of his basses because I occasionally use effects and he said the past ten weeks were the hardest he's ever worked in his life, 'but worth it'. I've actually had dreams about playing the bass.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bare Bass
#987
Marial said:
I'm waiting on a custom fretless Rob Allen Mouse 30. Lined, face dots, alder with an upgraded curly walnut top, f hole, binding, black hardware. I'd probably have it in hand now but Rob was about to move his entire shop when I placed my order so I'll have it by August 1st. I just chatted with him a couple of days ago via email regarding the output of his basses because I occasionally use effects and he said the past ten weeks were the hardest he's ever worked in his life, 'but worth it'. I've actually had dreams about playing the bass.
Click to expand...
Ha, I know about the dreams. What is the normal wait time for a Rob Allen?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Marial
#991
Put an order for a Sadowsky Will Lee 5 PJ in candy tangerine with roasted neck and fretboard.....
Put the order in mid Jan during namm weekend... I still got about 3-5 month wait left...
Bass has been paid off already which makes the wait a lot easier.
There is another Sadowsky pj on the classifieds now that got my chain pulling until my customize done
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fuzzbass

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back