Egmond Rambler & Typhoon bass projects

[JIO]

I grew up in Tilburg, which is not far from Best where Egmond was based, which is actually near Eindhoven. Egmond was certainly budget-friendly, but fairly decent playing from what I remember, at least it didn't hinder you like some of the Japanese imports of the time would - I remember a particularly vile Kinor-branded Teisco-style bass that felt like it was made of floppy cardboard - whereas other Japanese imports could be pretty amazing actually.
Moving on in time, the first Alembic I played (in a Tilburg guitar shop, around 1986) had a neck not dissimilar to the Egmond actually - kind of pencil-shaped, 24 fret, short-scale, narrow spacing with barely any taper. The similarities ended there, and quite abruptly.

Thanks so much for sharing! I very much appreciate the background info on basses once I discover them. (many times by working on them) I love how utilitarian the Egmonds are - using many of the same parts for both the bass & guitars, and coming up with a shape/look that works with both! The Typhoon must have been more of an upper level as it's really classy. And yes - pencil neck w/24 frets! I really love playing mine and am looking forward to discovering the Rambler playing-wise. The Typhoon has a bit of a baseball-bat profile but the neck Dan made for me is a very sweet med-C profile.

These narrow-bodied basses are just so physically fun to play. (light, comfy, fast neck - usually hot pu’s) Nay-sayers categorize them as “toys” but they are missing the point. If you can’t create good music/sound playing one that is correctly set-up and in good condition… it ain’t the bass baby!

 

[JIO]

 

[adje]

I think the Typhoon was an earlier model, with the MoTS pickguard, plastic trim and funky pickups.

 

[JIO]

Tilburg

Best

 

[adje]

Yep, it's not the most attractive looking part of the country - but it's not totally bereft of interest. Vincent van Gogh spent nearly two years in Tilburg in secondary school, with an excellent arts teacher, you can visit a reconstruction of the class room.

 

[JIO]

One coat DUX satin clear acrylic (thinner based) to seal the green and a silver fine-glitter dusting. Looks sparkly! Hard to get a pic capturing it. Will do a couple to few more DUX coats with fine-sanding between.

a bit "lizard-y" ...

 

[JIO]

Back from rehearsal... I'm getting jazzed about the Rambler. I can possibly assemble/set it up on Saturday or Sunday. Another coat or two of LUX (can't have too much "LUX"...), attach the neck (laser align & drill neck-heal screw-holes), dial-in neck/bridge-related action and away we go! I added aluminum side position dots yesterday. Pics to prove I did it once I assemble - hard to get a decent pic right now.

I just realized I need to look for a suitable strap for it... just any old strap won't do.

shortly thereafter... (and inexpensive too!) ...perfect.

 

[JIO]

flash - where's my shades!

no flash - looks more like this

 

[T_Bone_TL]

Corey Hart is wearing them at night. Some guy that studied nuclear science is wearing them to contemplate his future at other times. He's got a big beer budget.

 

[Beej]

The greatest gift Iggy Pop's ever received! And ZZ Top recommend cheap ones.

 

[5StringBlues]

The choice is up to you CUZZ they come in 2 classes.

Corey Hart is wearing them at night. Some guy that studied nuclear science is wearing them to contemplate his future at other times. He's got a big beer budget.

 

[JIO]

 

[JIO]

I was going to start assembly this weekend but the DUX felt a little tacky even after sitting for a couple days in warm CA sun. So I shot a couple very thin coats of StewMac satin clear lacquer. Sorted - looks and feels like I like it. I'll leave it out in the sun a couple more days to off-gas and assemble mid-week.

 

[rickwrench]

a couple days in warm CA sun

Mission District "warm sun"...

Rick

 

[JIO]

Mission District "warm sun"...

Rick

I mean, it's not LA/SoCal... but yes, a bit redundant for the Bay Area...

 

[JIO]

I assembled the Rambler today. 5.7lbs! Talk about a bass you could play all night! It sounds really good with strong output from the pu and decent tone control. I was able to intone it perfectly and action is a nice medium height. (not too high, not too low - just right!) It's 28-1/4" scale so a short shorty. You can see hints of the sparkle dusting - they really come out under lighting.

Dan did a nice job lining the grain up on the scarf-joint -

Hangin' with cousin Typhoon - The Typhoon is 29-3/4" scale

 

[JIO]

 

[Beej]

boy that is GREEN!

Did you use Montana Gold on this? Or is it Montana Black?

 

[JIO]

A shot showing the aluminum side dots, string/pu/bridge profile, and the craquelure texture.

More of the texture and some nice grain-chatter on the maple neck.

 

[JIO]

Perfect timing! The strap just arrived and couldn't be a more perfect match visually! However... a sub 6lb bass, even a shorty-short scale - neck-dives like a Stuka. I may add some grippy backing to the strap, but it's so light it's barely an issue to hold in place. I shined up the pu screws also - they were a bit rusty as you can see in the pic above. Devil's in the details...

I added a strap button to the neck-plate as the original at the heal would not work with the strap. No modification - used the same screw. Hah! Mona fur in my pic - inescapable!

"...who me?"