Leafenbacker

[mapleglo]

By the way, it's coming in at 9 pounds exactly, on the bathroom scale. It feels heavier than that somehow.

 

[Spectrum]

That is beautiful, TRC and all! Can't wait to hear it. That headstock is really striking when you pose it next to the 4003. RIC should hire you.

 

[PDGood]

All the other basses look so ordinary next to it.

 

[Aceonbass]

Thanks. Actually, I'd be afraid to install the Kahler whammy in a Ric. Looking at the body thickness, I'm not sure there's enough depth. I sunk the body on mine 1/2" lower than the fretboard, after reading through some of the Kahler installs I've seen. The saddles sit pretty high off the body, so in many cases, they had to sink the Kahler into the body to get the action right. And the rout without sinking the bridge has to be about 3/4" for it to work. Additionally, I think it's interfering with sustain, or maybe it's clarity. Likely because it's not a solid mechanical connection with the body, with all those springs and cams. It's super heavy - likely over a pound as well. That said, I have seen a Ric or two with the Kahler over on the Tremolo Fanatics message board.

A 4003 is 1/4" thick, so I don't think thickness would be an issue, but weight can be an issue. I'd have to see what the weight differencial is between the Kahler and a complete stock assembly.

 

[mapleglo]

That is beautiful, TRC and all! Can't wait to hear it. That headstock is really striking when you pose it next to the 4003. RIC should hire you.

All the other basses look so ordinary next to it.

Thanks, to both of you

A 4003 is 1/4" thick, so I don't think thickness would be an issue, but weight can be an issue. I'd have to see what the weight differencial is between the Kahler and a complete stock assembly.

1 1/4", right. Mine looks thinner than that, but I haven't measured it. I seem to remember that 1 1/4" is the published spec. If that's the case, and assuming it would have to be sunk into the body 1/4", with a 3/4" rout, you'd still have 1/4" remaining, so it should work. As I mentioned, I did see a couple over on the Tremolo Fanatics board. But yeah, there's the extra weight, and the reduced sustain. I bought mine from Wammi World, through Ebay. I think it was around $180.00 or so.

 

[ICM]

Wow, that looks really nice. I'm glad I could see it through the stages of the build. So sound files?

 

[lowsideonacurve]

Looks fantastic!

 

[buldog5151bass]

So very nice. You should be very proud. I almost hate to ask, but when you play it for a while, I'd be interested how it stacks up against the Ric, sound and playability-wise. Congrats.

 

[Liam McMonigle]

Glad to see that it's finished, but it's also sad that it's done, I've enjoyed watching this from Day 1! Well done!

 

[Hopkins]

Beautiful Job, the strings really do a lot to tame the over the topness of the leaf TRC. Its not quite as outspoken as it was before.

I really want to hear sound clips of this bass with those pickups.

 

[gmjhowe]

Brilliant. It's like the trump card of all your basses.

Infact, you should give all your other basses away.

 

[aRandomAggie]

Wow, you've really got something to be proud of right there! I was excited to finally see it strung up and ready to rock, so I can only imagine your level of excitement.

And I too think you have perfected the Ric headstock design with this build. Congrats!

 

[GKon]

Way To Go!!!
It look fantastic!
I do hope we get to hear it.

 

[joelns]

Lovely job. I'd love to hear it.

 

[potomac]

I like the Leafenbacker, wonderful musical instrument. This thread could be a tutorial, it is also perfect, thanks.

 

[hover]

Oh come ON! That came out so gorgeous! WOW!

 

[mapleglo]

Thanks everyone

I plan on taking the bass to band practice today. Looking forward to that. I also will put a second coat of tung oil on the TRC, and the magnets are scheduled for delivery on Monday. More pictures to come!

 

[geddy402]

Does anyone have an iPhone in the band? Take a quick recording and post it!

 

[ctmullins]

Fantastic - congratulations!

All the other basses look so ordinary next to it.

Heartily agreed. The others look rather pedestrian (well, except for your other build. ), especially the P-basses. Of course, that could be because P-basses are pedestrian by nature.

Be sure and post this in the three-pickup bass thread!

 

[mapleglo]

Thanks, yes, definitely. As soon as I take some proper pictures, I'll post it in the 3 pickup bass thread.

So no video today. The guitarist had something come up, so it'll just be me and the drummer. We're going to work on the song list. You all may remember the three of us - lead guitar, drums, and me - left the band to continue without the BL on our own. We'll look for a 4th member, a keyboard player/vocalist. But for today, there may not be much music played. More of a re-grouping.