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Dark Stars!!

#21
Hambone said:
If you want to get overanalytical here, that last pic nails why these get so busy looking. Aside from the number of different pieces, the shiny ring tends to reflect images from all around it and those reflections act like additional "frames" around the pup. So you've got the black pup, then the edge of the frame, followed by numerous reflections that view as rings around that then the outer edge of the frame and it's mounting screws. I bet a matte black ring made from phenolic or simply a metal one that has been powder coated would be stunning and it would drop out the busy visuals.

Fred, I understand your situation with the biz as you're going along with it. I'm not ragging or even suggesting that this is something you should offer or have to offer before I would try one of these. That's just not true! I really want to put on of these in one of my new creations but finances will make that wait. I just tend to think out loud and offer my POV for what it's worth. I just see things a little differently than a lot of folks.
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ummm...helloooo...that's what I'm talking about...those shiny rings don't fit the subtle guitar design...

a toned-down classic, needs a toned-down classic pickup...
 
#23
What bother's me most about the bass is more the pickup placement rather than the pups themselves, it just doesn't flow visually. Tonally, on a bass like this, I would want one right up against the neck and one closer to the bridge. Speaking of the bridge, I don't care for this one much on this bass. I love the actual bass though, looks very cool.
 
#24
budman said:
Some of those basses actually have shims under the DS's. Maybe that is what you are seeing, Hambone. It's a very low profile pickup and since there's a lot of retro-fitting going on folks are having to shim them up to get a height level that will work. I won't have to do that on my bass.
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The "last pic" I was pointing to was the one just above my post in the quote - it was the ad shot of the gold frames. I get what you're saying - since you built the instrument for the pups, you solved all of those clearance issues early. The only way to go.
 
#27
Bud it looks amazing, but I'm not too sure I like the way the pickups are grafted in on this boutique classic. At the same time, I like you've mixed to coolest of the cool from both worlds. However, I'm going to withold my final opinion, until you've strung her up and are completely done.

My opinionon what DS app. would look best... Ash bodied SG, walnut top, two-piece bridge, DS's, neck-through walnut and maple, with a contrasting (to the walnut) fingerboard, and classic brushed hardware. That's on my GAS list right now!

~Ryan
 
#29
Peter Parker said:
What bother's me most about the bass is more the pickup placement rather than the pups themselves.
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I would agree with this. Aesthetically, I think a single pup in the sweet spot would look best. It would open up the look of the wood. Also would restrict the tonal capability of the instrument. Can't have everything. But for 2 pups, I agree with Peter about separating them more.
 
#30
Thanks.

From what I understand about Dark Star pickups placement is crucial because of the pole size. I positioned the pickups so the pole pieces will be directly centered under the strings (I hope). Fred makes a wider spaced bridge pickup but I opted for a narrower one. It is what it is. There is just as much room between the pole pieces, outside to outside, as there is on a Jazz bass. A larger separation is not always a good thing. Just because you can doesn't mean you should. You might take a look at the photos of the other basses and notice that the brige pickup is often turned around facing in the same direction as the neck pickup. Got to be a reason why those owners didn't go for maximum separation. We will have to wait and see how it sounds.
 
#31
We will have to wait and see how it sounds.
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Bud.
I'm getting tired of waiting.
action-smiley-073.gif

Hurry up!
 
#35
It's just the same old s/c method a lot of guys use. I was confident it was going to work on this body style, but I wasn't sure exactly how it was going to turn out. I knew it was going to be a little tight because of the smaller upper bout, but I like it. :) Just need to some finish sanding and it's ready for some clear.
 
#36
budman said:
It's just the same old s/c method a lot of guys use. I was confident it was going to work on this body style, but I wasn't sure exactly how it was going to turn out. I knew it was going to be a little tight because of the smaller upper bout, but I like it. :) Just need to some finish sanding and it's ready for some clear.
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FWIW:

maybe I missed it but was wondering if someone ordered this or is a personal project? Was also wondering if there was some reason for those "nodes" in the control bay or just something for looks/craftsmanship? What's the plan on the knobs?

Looks/boutique stuff aren't of much interest to me and I usually don't bother commenting but I'm here so for what it's worth.

I think this is a pretty tastie piece that most guys would find appealing by varying the cosmetic things that have been addressed. I personally would never even take something like the bass in your screen pic off the rack - maybe it's not be it looks awkward and uncomfortable just in appearance - just wierd to me. Well I might take it off the rack just to verify that.

This bass is sort of like an upgraded classic. Like having a '65 Mustang convertible but with current technology. Nice southwestern tones to it. You can almost smell the sage and dry desert air from looking at.

Hard to tell untill something is done and the strings are on cause everything compliments/contrasts everything else. Like that series of Gibson (?) shots. Those make me thing of 50's Caddies lead sleds with all the chrome, humongus bumpers and grills - bulky, clutzy looking tanks. Still, comparatively, to me that "burnt orange" SG piece is pretty smooth and just works.

Nice piece though.
 
#37
Bud, I've got an idea but I don't want you to think I'm being some arrogant bastard by suggesting it. The thing is, I respect your work too much to NOT like what you've done so I've kept thinking about a solution that might work to help me over my quirk.

I think this will appeal because it takes one of your building details and integrates it into the pups. What if you were to take a piece of veneer (match body?) just thick enough to be able to shape to fit inside the frame and over the pole piece after adjustment. You would make small inlets in the thin slab to accomodate their height and then attach them in the frame. Finish them like the body. You would have a metal frame and wood matching look without the distracting pole pieces or the black visual "holes" in your bass canvas.

OK, I can take it.

:hiding:
 
#38
Hambone, I think you might have some clearance issues between the strings and pickup covers doing something like that. Your idea did get me thinking about the possibility of making that black plastic piece out of wood though. I checked out the pickup and it looks like it could be done, but it would have to be done during the original assembly. These pickups don't look like they come apart too easily. I wonder if Fred would consider doing something like this for a future project. Of course you would have the pole pieces and adjustment screw heads visible, but that doesn't bug me. I like the way the pickups look.
 

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