^ I sort of agree with this part. Pickguards look great with solid colors, not wood tones, IMHO. I don't think think it necessarily looks cheesy, but if I were to pay what you paid for that hunk o' wood, I'd wanna see the whole thing.
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Honest opinions on my basses?
- Thread starter Jared Lash
- Start date
^ I sort of agree with this part. Pickguards look great with solid colors, not wood tones, IMHO. I don't think think it necessarily looks cheesy, but if I were to pay what you paid for that hunk o' wood, I'd wanna see the whole thing.
Other then not being a fan of the lighter pickgaurd on the darker bodied one. I think they look nice imo. Id of gone with either same dark pickgaurd as on the other or a black pickgaurd for it instead. They kinda remind me of some Guild basses from body shape. Not variation of that.
To me...they look like something a medieval warrior named Thor would raise from atop their Steed as they charged into battle with a flock of evil dragons in a dark enchanted forest in a mysterious and magical land.
I appreciate the woodwork and the craftsmanship...looks like some real quality work went into them. As basses, they don't do much for me. I don't dislike them, but they aren't anything I'd buy.
All of which is irrelevant - because I'm not the owner.
All of which is irrelevant - because I'm not the owner.
Lots of great responses. Again, I love hearing peoples' thoughts on these basses, good and bad. I wanted to respond to a few and make some clarifications but I hope I don't sound defensive on any of them. I asked for honest opinions and I'm glad to be getting them.
Yes, yes he does.
Thanks, and yes you hit on a big reason I'm asking now. I've thought about doing the new bass in this same style. A six stringer (maybe even a singlecut version) like the other two. Maybe with a holly top and a burl (redwood, amboyna etc) for the "pickguard" to give a tort like look.
But then I think I should go different with this one. Maybe use Chris' ODB shape for a bass and end up with something clean and elegant like Ben Lesser's Stambaugh:
I'd probably go with a maple board and darker top wood, but otherwise pretty similar.
Thanks. I've actually switched the pickup covers in the past. Chris actually gave me two sets of each and at the moment I've got both maple ones on.
An aesthetic choice. It maintains the look of the Guilds that these are based on.
I've worked quite a bit on pickstyle the last few years (hard rock stuff, funky strum picking, palm muting) to be well rounded but I'm primarily a fingerstyle player using my thumb and first two fingers and occasionally slapping. Of course the pickguards on my Valenti P and Lakland DJ are also primarily just for looks. Even playing pickstyle I don't ever really contact them when playing.
Yep. The fretted is maple inlayed on walnut and the fretless is mac ebony inlayed on zebrawood.
So you like them?
Thanks! But honestly I posted because I've gotten virtually NO response any of the countless times I've posted them. Even in the Stambaugh threads there were very few comments other than build details (wenge neck, set neck vs bolt, inlayed fretlines on etc) from people ordering basses themselves. This is the most feedback I've ever gotten.
On the other hand, I've posted my Valenti P5 just a few times and gotten a TON of comments.
The last comment is important, and the fact is that I DO really dig them regardless of what anyone else thinks. And they are different enough that I know some people will really like them and some will really dislike them and everything in between. But I was just confused by the fact that I've posted one or the other or both countless times and gotten only a handful of comments either way. I was really just curious what other people honestly thought.
And as I said I am debating on whether my third Stambaugh should follow the first two or be very different so it is nice to hear some input one way or another. So thanks for the posts and please keep them coming.
Yes, yes he does.
Thanks, and yes you hit on a big reason I'm asking now. I've thought about doing the new bass in this same style. A six stringer (maybe even a singlecut version) like the other two. Maybe with a holly top and a burl (redwood, amboyna etc) for the "pickguard" to give a tort like look.
But then I think I should go different with this one. Maybe use Chris' ODB shape for a bass and end up with something clean and elegant like Ben Lesser's Stambaugh:
I'd probably go with a maple board and darker top wood, but otherwise pretty similar.
Thanks. I've actually switched the pickup covers in the past. Chris actually gave me two sets of each and at the moment I've got both maple ones on.
An aesthetic choice. It maintains the look of the Guilds that these are based on.
I've worked quite a bit on pickstyle the last few years (hard rock stuff, funky strum picking, palm muting) to be well rounded but I'm primarily a fingerstyle player using my thumb and first two fingers and occasionally slapping. Of course the pickguards on my Valenti P and Lakland DJ are also primarily just for looks. Even playing pickstyle I don't ever really contact them when playing.
Yep. The fretted is maple inlayed on walnut and the fretless is mac ebony inlayed on zebrawood.
So you like them?
Thanks! But honestly I posted because I've gotten virtually NO response any of the countless times I've posted them. Even in the Stambaugh threads there were very few comments other than build details (wenge neck, set neck vs bolt, inlayed fretlines on etc) from people ordering basses themselves. This is the most feedback I've ever gotten.
On the other hand, I've posted my Valenti P5 just a few times and gotten a TON of comments.
The last comment is important, and the fact is that I DO really dig them regardless of what anyone else thinks. And they are different enough that I know some people will really like them and some will really dislike them and everything in between. But I was just confused by the fact that I've posted one or the other or both countless times and gotten only a handful of comments either way. I was really just curious what other people honestly thought.
And as I said I am debating on whether my third Stambaugh should follow the first two or be very different so it is nice to hear some input one way or another. So thanks for the posts and please keep them coming.
I dig them, but probably wouldn't order one exactly like them. Personally I'm in the camp that doesn't care what others think of my gear. I order my gear tailored exactly to my needs. However, these are yours and your style. A lot of musicians lack their own style. I still think your next Stambaugh should continue with your current style.
Well, only because you asked, I don't like them. To me they have that 70's west coast organic hemp buckminster fuller vibe. I think of redwood bowls and walnut vases. They're not poorly designed, they're good examples of that. I just don't like that. And personally, for 90% of the music I play, that vibe would send the wrong message. But for an oregon-based jam band, they'd rule.
Just being honest.
But I admire any person who does luthiery for a living, and anyone who tries new things.
Just being honest.
But I admire any person who does luthiery for a living, and anyone who tries new things.
But then I think I should go different with this one. Maybe use Chris' ODB shape for a bass and end up with something clean and elegant like Ben Lesser's Stambaugh:
From a purely 'looks' perspective I prefer this one myself.
I do like your basses, and I think it's pretty cool you've got 4 string twins, fretted and fretless. With a 6 coming I think you've got a great opportunity to close the Guild/'Guild based' chapter and try something new and be a little different here.
I think we might have discussed this a long time ago, but I love the Stammies you have. I played a Guild B301 for 22 years as my only bass so they look like home to me.
They are probably 2 of the coolest basses I have seen. I love wood grain and fully believe that is the best way a bass can look. Why hide what the bass should naturally look like....this coming from an owner of a fender jag hot rod red...ha ha.
Seriously, they are sweet. If I had them, I would be addicted to playing them. If people told me they didn't like them, I would tell them they had no class, but that's just me.
Black is typical and boring.
Seriously, they are sweet. If I had them, I would be addicted to playing them. If people told me they didn't like them, I would tell them they had no class, but that's just me.
Black is typical and boring.
On the other hand, I've posted my Valenti P5 just a few times and gotten a TON of comments.
I know I'm not helping by reiterating your point, Jared, but that Valenti is beyond beautiful. I'd say the color scheme has a HUGE hand in making it seem as special as it is.
I won't say I don't like your stambaughs, because I do. It's just that many of us don't have the acquired taste to appreciate the look of natural wood on electric instruments.
On the other hand, I've posted my Valenti P5 just a few times and gotten a TON of comments.
Every single time I see this, I get motivated to get a job, invest wisely, eat cheap and take the bus, just so I can own a beautiful bass like this as soon an possible.
I wish I were kidding!
Do they look cool to YOU?
Do they sound good to YOU?
Do they play good to YOU?
Do they do what YOU need them to do?
Do they make YOU smile when you think about them?
The bottom line is no matter how much the TB audience loves or hates your basses, it's not really about them. Sure it's nice to hear/read "That bass is awesome!", but you already know they are, otherwise you would not have bought a second one and there's no way would you be designing a third if they weren't killer basses. Your basses are amazing for YOU, and that's all you need to know.
For me I couldn't say having never played one, but I do like the whole woody look even if I'm not 100% on board with the body shape.
Do they sound good to YOU?
Do they play good to YOU?
Do they do what YOU need them to do?
Do they make YOU smile when you think about them?
The bottom line is no matter how much the TB audience loves or hates your basses, it's not really about them. Sure it's nice to hear/read "That bass is awesome!", but you already know they are, otherwise you would not have bought a second one and there's no way would you be designing a third if they weren't killer basses. Your basses are amazing for YOU, and that's all you need to know.
For me I couldn't say having never played one, but I do like the whole woody look even if I'm not 100% on board with the body shape.
Well, they don't do it for me and here's why:
1- I don't like wood pickup covers.
2- wood pickguard looks odd to me
3- not big on the headstocks, seem a little large compared to body
4- body shape is ok but doesn't grab me
All that matters is that you dig them and I do appreciate wanting something different. I do really like unusual designs (MVP/BUZZ, Alembic Dragon's Wing, Warwick Buzzard, ect.) but these just don't do it for me.
Rock on!
1- I don't like wood pickup covers.
2- wood pickguard looks odd to me
3- not big on the headstocks, seem a little large compared to body
4- body shape is ok but doesn't grab me
All that matters is that you dig them and I do appreciate wanting something different. I do really like unusual designs (MVP/BUZZ, Alembic Dragon's Wing, Warwick Buzzard, ect.) but these just don't do it for me.
Rock on!
