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Leafenbacker

#281
how cool would a set of maple-leaf-shaped tuners be on this thing…

It could be done-hey? (sorry to Canadians ;), my Bob & Doug is showing) First you'd have to fabricate a metal template to wedge against the paddle, file it (x4) and polish the edges. It wouldn't be easy and imo it wouldn't look good on this bass. (especially if using her current tuners- it would look truncated/squatter and too pointy) Only a possibility if using the Fender 70's era elephant-ear tuners. (larger paddle) Wait a minute.., aren't they referred to sometimes as Getty Lee tuners? hummm… :p

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#283
Okay, so maybe not maple-leaf tuners after all; I didn't realize they'd be so dangerously painful looking (lots of sharp edges there, sort of like Chinese throwing stars!)...

What I *should* have suggested, duhhhhh, was OAK LEAF tuners, to now tie in with the theme, particularly if there's going to be acorns on it anywhere...
hell, even acorn tuners perhaps... or something leafy, anyway, maybe?...
(Edit: oak leaves look like they could draw blood too, so maybe acorns might be the smarter way to go, on straight tuner stems of course... or rounded tips on the oak leaves...)
And yes, whatever leaf pattern they ended up being (if considered), they would have to be fabricated, but I figure it couldn't be any harder to cut and polish metal and chrome dip it, versus any other difficulties of this very complicated-and-amazing project thus far.
I'm not trying to hijack the thread with my momentary flash of genius (or not), and I'm sure this bass will end up looking far beyond beautiful in the end no matter what tuners are used!
 

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#287
Hopkins said:
Leaf shaped tuners, even if available I think would be a bit to much and would lean towards the corny side. The cloverleaf tuners are perfect.
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yep - I don't know if this is still used, but graphic designers used the call this over-the-top matching tendency "Micky Mouse" … as it, "that would make it too Micky Mouse"
 
#290
Josh Thatguy said:
Wow, I'll go sit quietly in a corner.

It's a Lemmy 4004LK-based project with a TREM, for god's sake, but acorn tuners would be over-the-top?!?
To each his, or her, own, I suppose....
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oh - for sure Josh, no malice intended. Simply put, whatever the design concept (any design concept) is from subtle to full-blown, there is a sense of gestalt that will dictate it's parameters/details. Having said this, it almost goes w/o saying that the standard "clover-leaf" tuners used cover any further attention to that particular detail within the gestalt.

Think of it this way; a person who knows nothing about basses, Lemmy, or even the difference between a bass and a guitar sees this bass while attending a show. They may be visually drawn to it (as it is a distinctive instrument) and while watching the performance, casually study it's details. "Wow", they'll think, "it has leaf shaped chrome bits at the small end!" Then there's the painfully insider/detail-aflicted guitar geek (including me) who would think - "nice, using clover-leaf paddle tuners is a nice touch!" ;)
 
#291
Hopkins said:
Well, that is a must have for this bass :D
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gmjhowe said:
To me, that strap is just a reassurance that this bass project was meant to exist.
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I just placed the order. Please don't tell my husband.

I think Levy's got the idea from this thread :D


JIO said:
how cool would a set of maple-leaf-shaped tuners be on this thing…

It could be done-hey? (sorry to Canadians ;), my Bob & Doug is showing) First you'd have to fabricate a metal template to wedge against the paddle, file it (x4) and polish the edges. It wouldn't be easy and imo it wouldn't look good on this bass. (especially if using her current tuners- it would look truncated/squatter and too pointy) Only a possibility if using the Fender 70's era elephant-ear tuners. (larger paddle) Wait a minute.., aren't they referred to sometimes as Getty Lee tuners? hummm… :p

Image_zpsdb3d6496.jpg
Click to expand...

Ouch!

Josh Thatguy said:
Wow, I'll go sit quietly in a corner.

...

It's a Lemmy 4004LK-based project with a TREM, for god's sake, but acorn tuners would be over-the-top?!?
To each his, or her, own, I suppose....
Click to expand...

I laughed when I read this! This comment wins the thread - it's downright sig worthy!

Funderbird said:
I forgot if I asked this previously or not, but hey.
Are you going to be painting this?
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Ah, paint. Well, I'm working with someone who has a lot more experience in that department. We're attempting to come up with a color scheme that works. I'm thinking I may go with some kind of autumn colors - brown, yellow, red perhaps, sunburst kind of thing just on the leaves, with some kind of background on the insets.

Frankly, I'm a litte torn. My previous build was all maple, and it is a bit plain. This one has a lot more going on, so I'm not sure if paint will be too much, or add to it.

What do others think about using some color?

And finally, regarding the tuners, I'm happy with the current set. On the other hand, if I found some kind of decal, or even a pattern I could etch on the cloverleaves, I might do that.

Lots of great suggestions and input, thanks you all for your help :)
 
#292
JIO said:
oh - for sure Josh, no malice intended. Simply put, whatever the design concept (any design concept) is from subtle to full-blown, there is a sense of gestalt that will dictate it's parameters/details. Having said this, it almost goes w/o saying that the standard "clover-leaf" tuners used cover any further attention to that particular detail within the gestalt.

Think of it this way; a person who knows nothing about basses, Lemmy, or even the difference between a bass and a guitar sees this bass while attending a show. They may be visually drawn to it (as it is a distinctive instrument) and while watching the performance, casually study it's details. "Wow", they'll think, "it has leaf shaped chrome bits at the small end!" Then there's the painfully insider/detail-aflicted guitar geek (including me) who would think - "nice, using clover-leaf paddle tuners is a nice touch!" ;)
Click to expand...

It's funny - I never thought as the clover leaf tuners as part of the gestalt. When I was looking for tuners, I though to go with standard Rickenbacker tuners, even though the tuners on Lemmy's bass are the Gotoh style. While I don't dislike that style - in fact, I used them on my previous build - I've always preferred the clover leafs. Maybe from all those years looking at Fenders.

The original also uses gold hardware, of which I am not a fan. To me, gold is just gaudy. While I encounter basses very occasionally where the gold hardware works, I can't imagine I'll ever use it. Of course, I say that now…

In any event, that's an insightful analysis.
 
#293
mapleglo said:
The original also uses gold hardware, of which I am not a fan. To me, gold is just gaudy. While I encounter basses very occasionally where the gold hardware works, I can't imagine I'll ever use it. Of course, I say that now…
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… like this Tele? (I feel the same, but when I saw this on another thread - I made an exception!)

8482682303_d01fb91b37_c.jpg
 
#294
Imho, the leaf tuners seem like overkill, and slightly tacky perhaps unless you're making a theme bass. Ditto paint, it might take it from a "Ric Lemmy bass tribute" to a "Festive seasonal celebration" bass.
And definitely no on the gold hardware (sorry JIO ;) ) Agree with Miss Mapleglo, if not on the right "looking" bass it just looks wrong, again, imo.
 
#296
wraub said:
Imho, the leaf tuners seem like overkill, and slightly tacky perhaps unless you're making a theme bass. Ditto paint, it might take it from a "Ric Lemmy bass tribute" to a "Festive seasonal celebration" bass.
And definitely no on the gold hardware (sorry JIO ;) ) Agree with Miss Mapleglo, if not on the right "looking" bass it just looks wrong, again, imo.
Click to expand...

So you vote no on the paint.
 
#297
wraub said:
Imho, the leaf tuners seem like overkill, and slightly tacky perhaps unless you're making a theme bass. Ditto paint, it might take it from a "Ric Lemmy bass tribute" to a "Festive seasonal celebration" bass.
And definitely no on the gold hardware (sorry JIO ;) ) Agree with Miss Mapleglo, if not on the right "looking" bass it just looks wrong, again, imo.
Click to expand...

Curiously enough I was similarly agreeing (as in, wasn't wanting to sway to gold on this bass) as I too am generally not a fan - I posted the Tele pic only as an example of an exception unrelated to the project. Sorry if that wasn't clear.
 
#300
If I may chip in with a suggestion, just with personal preference.
I wouldn't use the gotoh style tuners, not a fan personally. I feel as though that design cheapens the look of the instrument.
Same with the flower looking things gibson puts on guitars for that matter.

I would just keep it with the classic clover shape. The maple leaf is a cool idea, but I would vote no because the rest of the bass has oak leaves on it (even though the bass is made of some maple...I digress) also they would be pointy and hurt your hands.

Have you considered lollipop tuners?

(By the way, JIO, that gold hardwared tele bass you posted is just fantastic looking)
 

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