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[/\/\3phist0]

i'd love to add my name to the list of the riddler unfinished beneficiaries

 

[dedpool1052]

Hey Brad,
any pics of the completed Ridler?

 

[BTL]

Honestly, I've been dragging my feet a bit, waiting for Ridler #2 to show up and for NAMM to pass.

Also, my mother was hospitalized unexpectedly, so that was a bit of a distraction.

She's doing fine now, but it was touch-and-go for a bit.

The neck is being PLEK'ed tomorrow, so I should have it all together again by the end of this week.

 

[dedpool1052]

Sorry to hear about your mother. Good that she's doing better now. Things like that are far more important than musical instruments.

 

[BTL]

Absolutely.

Still, I have been thinking about getting a booth at Summer NAMM.

I will know in the next week or two if I'm going.

If I do, I need to kick it up a notch...or two.

 

[DerekW]

That would be awesome for you! Hope you can swing it!

You've got a great, unique product, and you seem like a great person. All the best!

Thoughts and prayers for your mom!

 

[BTL]

Thanks!

FWIW, I haven't been completely idle...here's a little doodle I've been working on:

 

[dedpool1052]

I like the more symetrical design.
That'll look killer with your 2+2 headstock.

 

[DerekW]

Yeah, a little more "modern traditional" than some off your really unique designs.
I like it! And it adds something to your lineup for people that want that feel. I know with your past designs, it'll not be an off the rack instrument, you've got a great eye for unique.

 

[BTL]

Another little project...I posted information on a 32" "conversion" neck group buy in the bazaar.

That seems like the most appropriate place to address that topic.

http://www.talkbass.com/threads/32-medium-scale-bass-conversion-neck-group-buy.1132123/

 

[BTL]

So, most of me energy over the last month or so has been focused on bringing the 32" scale conversion bass necks online.

Now that project is in production, it's back to building.

I should have some updated pics tomorrow, but in the mean time, here are shots of the necks as of today:

 

[BassHappy]

So, most of me energy over the last month or so has been focused on bringing the 32" scale conversion bass necks online.

Now that project is in production, it's back to building.

I should have some updated pics tomorrow, but in the mean time, here are shots of the necks as of today:

Hey Brad

Wow, this is so great to see everything that you are up to! I am on Luthier's corner a few times a week at least - I have no idea how I have missed this thread! Anyways, I will be a regular now that I know it's here and good luck with all the projects and the conversion necks and I am glad to hear that your mom seems to be back in the swing of things! Summer NAMM seems like a great idea if you can swing it. I imagine there is a lot to that kicking it up a notch thing...

 

[BTL]

Thanks Rick!

I determined summer NAMM was not in the cards, mostly because of the limited time available to accumulate inventory.

A more realistic approach is to start planning now for 2016.

 

[BassHappy]

Thanks Rick!

I determined summer NAMM was not in the cards, mostly because of the limited time available to accumulate inventory.

A more realistic approach is to start planning now for 2016.

Yeah, in early 1985, when Paul of PRS made his first sojourn up and down the East Coast showing his first factory prototypes - just as he was putting final plans on building the factory - he got so many orders it completely freaked him out!

Ultimately a good problem to have but he was scrambling like a mad puppy for well over a year and pulling everything off just by the skin of his teeth!

 

[BTL]

Yeah, in early 1985, when Paul of PRS made his first sojourn up and down the East Coast showing his first factory prototypes - just as he was putting final plans on building the factory - he got so many orders it completely freaked him out!

Ultimately a good problem to have but he was scrambling like a mad puppy for well over a year and pulling everything off just by the skin of his teeth!

That's definitely a good problem if you're trying to make a go of a business full time.

However, that's not my intent, so managed, sustainable growth with respect for my other commitments is the plan for me.

That said, I've really been enjoying how things have been coming together lately.

 

[BTL]

So, I'm not a big fan of swimming-pool routs and pickguards, but I've been looking for a way to expand my "palette" and introduce some more affordable options at the same time.

To that end, I’ve sourced some economical, pre-finished, import bodies made out of swamp ash and available in a wide variety of colors.

These will be distinguishable from my US-made bodies in a few different ways:

- Standard neck plate
- Swimming pool rout
- NO faux binding

I am pre-drilling these for interchangeable, string-through bridges:

- Allparts BB-3575-010
- Fender 005-8396-000
- Lowe Design by Hipshot

Allparts:

Fender:

Lowe:

A swimming-pool rout will replace the standard “P” rout, and pickgurads will be available to accommodate Thunderbirds, P90s, TV Jones, and Darkstars.

Here is the first body in black being mocked-up:

You can get a sense of how everything works together here:

 

[jdb72]

I'm lovin those Riddlers.
Quick question you ever thought of offering Chi sonic pickups in your builds???

 

[BTL]

I'm lovin those Riddlers.
Quick question you ever thought of offering Chi sonic pickups in your builds???

I'm open to offering anything a client is interested in, within reason.

Last time I checked the site, Hanson wasn't offering the Chi-Sonics for sale directly.

However, their Facebook page leads me to believe differently.



Hmmm...

 

[jdb72]

They offer them. They have a page with an email link for them.
Here it is.
[email protected]

 

[JIO]

Fender:

You can get a sense of how everything works together here:

I like the Fender bridge - just right in many ways. Also, dig the red bass design the most out of the group.