Experimental 5-string build

[Thumpin_P]

Lookin' good man!!!

 

[ctmullins]

Thanks! The crazy thing is that these are just "plain" pieces of maple - the boards didn't have any real figuring to speak of, and yet, when sanded and finished, all sorts of "micro-figure" pops up in the wood. The pictures can't show it, but as you move the neck in the light, the grain captures the light in different subtle ways, and makes the whole thing look alive.

Another happy accident is the contrast between the darker outer pieces, and the lighter middle strip. As mentioned, this was originally a one-piece neck, but since I screwed up the first truss rod route, it became a three-piece, with the center strip from a different board, and now I love the look!

 

[ctmullins]

Right, so it's been awhile, and that's because I've been letting the lacquer cure for a good month or so. I figure I've got maybe twelve thin coats of Deft rattlecan lacquer on it now, and I did some careful sanding and leveling along the way, so it has a decent "satiny" shine to it now, despite the fact that I haven't done any buffing yet.

Contouring of the top half of the body:

Recessed output jack:

Good break angle over the Kahler bridge:

Front of the headstock was stained and lacquered...

...while the rest of the neck was just Tru-Oiled:

Fingerboard looks so much better when oiled:

Tiny tummy cut for my tiny tummy:

Battery box and cavity cover:

Tuners are Gotoh GB7s, and not the original Grovers:

At this point, I'm not even sure if I want to do any buffing - it has a nice sheen to it as is.

It's still rather heavy. My strap buttons haven't arrived yet, so I haven't played it standing, but it is heavy. As in, quite possibly too heavy to gig with. Oh well.

I've also been plunking on it some, and I think I can tell a faint difference in output on the A string versus the others, so I may look into replacing the Duncans with some sort of blade pickup after all. Even so, between the pickup coil switching and the Bart NTBT, the array of sounds possible with this thing is boggling to me...

 

[Thumpin_P]

Looks great, sir!! Looking forward to soundclips!

 

[Omnipharious]

I didn't want to comment on this many months ago, when it was being built, because- to be perfectly honest- I didn't like the look, or idea of it. But now that I've seen it, I am just in love with how insanely cool it is! I hope to hear it soon, somewhat because I've wanted to start experimenting with that super-humbucker type of pickup for a while.

 

[Stealth]

The suspense is killing me.

 

[ctmullins]

Thanks, guys! I completely understand, Omni - the truth is, I'm not completely sure that I like it either! I mean, sometimes when I walk into the room and I see it hanging there on the wall, my first reaction is "woah - what was I thinking?". It's certainly not traditional, which is, of course, part of the experimental nature of it. If/when I bring it out in public, I'm fully expecting some weird looks...

Soundclips are here, in case you missed them earlier.

 

[Eric Albany]

That is THE best looking bass I've seen that wasn't made by a pro with a big name. I love it!!!

 

[Omnipharious]

Yeah, I did miss the clips the first time It sounds amazing, but I'm surprised at how little turning some coils on, or off effected the sound. I think 1 and 4, or 2, 3, and 4 would be my favourite tones. Great job on that thing, though, it really came out great.

 

[tbassist4]

Yeah, I did miss the clips the first time It sounds amazing, but I'm surprised at how little turning some coils on, or off effected the sound. I think 1 and 4, or 2, 3, and 4 would be my favourite tones. Great job on that thing, though, it really came out great.

I don't know, I'd say the sound changes quite a bit, haha. Especially since there was no EQ applied with either the Bart or in Garageband. Yeah, adjacent coils aren't night and day, but then again the pickups are right next to each other. This design is cool in that you're getting the most variation out of the best range of places to put a pickup. I bet that thing would be nice for recording. It could open up and sing like crazy in almost any mix with just by flipping a few switches. The only thing I'd consider adding is series/parallel capability - that would really make this thing a swiss army knife.

I'm considering doing a four coil design myself using two pairs of standard jazz pickups, I hope my results turn out nearly this good!

 

[wraub]

Greetings CT, I have to say I agree with the poster who had reservations but has been won over.
Didn't really dig the appearance at first, but now am really feeling the luv for this bass.
Nicely done! The contouring/finish etc. really works.
Also a fan of the Kahler 7450 bridge, my 5 string has one, it has needed almost no adjustment (string height only) in the 15+ yrs since installed.
Happy playing!

wraub

 

[Hopkins]

I love the shape, its completely unique. Personally though, and this is just my opinion, I would have skipped the purple dye.

 

[J Lund]

I am also among the group of people that feels like this design has grown on me. The more I like at it, the more I appreciate how well all aspects of the design are integrated into an overall concept. It looks unique and comfortable at the same time. And it sounds awesome! Nicely done.

 

[ctmullins]

Thanks guys! H, the purple dye was as much of an experiment as the rest of the bass. Sometimes I have to actually try something to really tell whether or not I like it. My wife would have rather I skipped the purple too! LOL. W & JL - thanx - the contouring was done as an effort towards weight reduction, but the truth is that it is surprisingly comfortable to play, at least seated. Should have strap buttons by the end of the week, then I can hang the albatross around my neck...

Oh, and Eric - that is one hell of a compliment! Glad you like it. I, of course, can see the flaws in it, perhaps more than most, but I'm definitely getting better at building!

 

[ctmullins]

Been a while. I got the strap buttons. It's way too f***ing heavy to actually gig with.

But I did record a couple of Christmas tunes with it recently:

Stille Nacht

Linus & Lucy (the Peanuts Christmas theme) (that theme is hard for me to play, esp on a fretless!)

 

[ctmullins]

It's way too f***ing heavy to actually gig with.

I take that back. A nice wide suede strap helps a lot.

This one is going to see the stage after all. I'm using it on Purple Rain!

Been playing it a lot, actually. I'm trying to come to grips with its versatility, but this thing sure delivers - everything from a mighty thump to a mighty growl! And the solidity and heft make it feel almost menacing at times. Definitely not a toy bass! I've dubbed it the PurpleBeast, and it's earned a spot in my sig!

 

[octaedro7]

Super nice build mullins, I specially dig the inlay markers.

 

[The Turk]

Inlays and your headstock style look good, but I didn't love purple paint thing

 

[eukatheude]

Really peculiar instrument you've got there. I love the colors and the electronics. The shape is something few people would like, but who cares? It's truly a one of a kind instrument, you should be proud.

 

[ctmullins]

Lol - peculiar, yes! Well, experimental. And I do consider the experiment a success.

Thanks!

I'm actually looking at replacing the Duncans with some SGD Neobuckers. Sure hope David can get back up to full speed soon!