N1/2BD - My Miezo 18 Arrived!!!

[MovinTarget]

OMG this is a rabbit hole I can't afford to go down....

Now with the 18", am I reading correctly that it does *not* do typical bass tunings but is more akin to guitar? (I keep seeing things like, "tuning similar to 12th fret of a bass"...

 

[Anachronism]

OMG this is a rabbit hole I can't afford to go down....

Now with the 18", am I reading correctly that it does *not* do typical bass tunings but is more akin to guitar? (I keep seeing things like, "tuning similar to 12th fret of a bass"...

If you don’t get too elaborate the Miezo builds are very affordable…

 

[monsterthompson]

OMG this is a rabbit hole I can't afford to go down....

Now with the 18", am I reading correctly that it does *not* do typical bass tunings but is more akin to guitar? (I keep seeing things like, "tuning similar to 12th fret of a bass"...

There are some string options to get low notes, but if you use a standard E string you’ll be up an octave, with a little extra tension. I’m still experimenting with tuning ideas. In theory you could do a BEADG 5 string set and get lower. If I dropped that tuning a while step I’d be at a standard 5th fret A.

Simple answer is yes. Tuning will match a guitar. But the sound isn’t exactly a guitar tone because of using a bass string.

 

[monsterthompson]

25574200[/URL], member: 270111"]If you don’t get too elaborate the Miezo builds are very affordable…

Totally. A single pickup with basic wood options isn’t bad at all. Honestly, the up charge for wood customization is not bad at all. The non standard dual pickup configuration with Nordy was my biggest add on in price.

 

[JRA]

it looks like a bacon strip. It’s hard to resist

yeah, but it looks like it could bring some real sizzle to the game! i hope you post some playing/musings as i/we would really like to hear something. it's a gorgeous looking piece --- good luck with it --- i know you're gonna have fun! congratulations on your new instrument!

 

[monsterthompson]

i hope you post some playing/musings as i/we would really like to hear something.

My first clip is up. It’s around the bottom of page 2
More to come.

 

[MovinTarget]

There are some string options to get low notes, but if you use a standard E string you’ll be up an octave, with a little extra tension. I’m still experimenting with tuning ideas. In theory you could do a BEADG 5 string set and get lower. If I dropped that tuning a while step I’d be at a standard 5th fret A.

Simple answer is yes. Tuning will match a guitar. But the sound isn’t exactly a guitar tone because of using a bass string.

Ah, I think I got it... should basically think of it like the nut = a capo on the twelfth fret of a conventional bass.

 

[monsterthompson]

Ah, I think I got it... should basically think of it like the nut = a capo on the twelfth fret of a conventional bass.

I think that's a good way to look at it. It isn't exactly that, but it is close.
For reference, my eyeballing says the space between frets 0 and1 is about the same as it is on my 30" Jaguar from 6 to 7.

 

[MovinTarget]

I think that's a good way to look at it. It isn't exactly that, but it is close.
For reference, my eyeballing says the space between frets 0 and1 is about the same as it is on my 30" Jaguar from 6 to 7.

Well, right... Its a different scale length, but from a tuning perspective...

I suppose if you had a 36" scale neck, it would line up at the 12th pretty well.

 

[monsterthompson]

Well, right... Its a different scale length, but from a tuning perspective...

I suppose if you had a 36" scale neck, it would line up at the 12th pretty well.

Exactly, from a tuning perspective.
Agreed on the scale.
Philosophically, it is a different animal. It doesn't behave exactly as you might expect from a 12th fret capo bass, or a guitar. I'm sure multiple factors are in play. It is a refreshing take on something you initially expect to seem more familiar.

 

[Bob_Ross]

Padauk body. Walnut & padauk "neck-through" top. Ebony board.

I'm a sucker for anything made of Padauk, so this is checking off a lot of boxes! Looks like a fun instrument to play.

 

[dukeorock]

I’m intrigued by these basses. For most of my work, I just want a passive caveman 34” scale, 4 string workhorse (P basses, TBirds, etc), but for my pretentious “experimental” soundscape type stuff I like the idea that an instrument like this seems like it could force one into thinking/playing differently, which could be a very good thing

 

[monsterthompson]

I'm a sucker for anything made of Padauk, so this is checking off a lot of boxes! Looks like a fun instrument to play.

I’m hoping the red of the padauk holds up. I’ve seen some go brown over time, which would be a shame.

 

[monsterthompson]

this seems like it could force one into thinking/playing differently, which could be a very good thing

It definitely changes things up in my brain. The X3M is also worth a look. You can get necks for it from 18” to 27” and they swap out easily. I’ve considered this route but I didn’t like the look of the single cut with the longer neck, and the back of the neck access is different.

Maurizio could get more business from me. I like the endless fretboard fretless he makes. I’ve also seen a 30” 5 string J design he’s building that looks like fun.

 

[Bob_Ross]

I’m hoping the red of the padauk holds up. I’ve seen some go brown over time, which would be a shame.

That's always a prudent concern. I've been slowly putting together an all-Padauk guitar made from Warmoth parts, and in an attempt to maintain the wood's gorgeous hue I slathered the unfinished body in MinWax Helmsman's Spar Urethane, which contains an ultraviolet block that's supposed to prevent Padauk from turning brown...though A) I've been told UV blocks are only marginally successful and that I should just suck it up and expect a brown guitar in 10-20 years; and B) I've proven to myself once again that I suck at finishing musical instruments, so I'll probably wind up sanding all that Spar Urethane off anyway.

30-something years ago I built a new body for an old Rickenbacker fretless bass out of maple with a 1/2" thick Padauk cap, and used a Spar Urethane with UV blockers on that...my crappy finishing skills notwithstanding it stayed red for at least the next 5 years. Wish I knew what happened to that bass so I could see how the color aged since.

 

[MovinTarget]

It definitely changes things up in my brain. The X3M is also worth a look. You can get necks for it from 18” to 27” and they swap out easily. I’ve considered this route but I didn’t like the look of the single cut with the longer neck, and the back of the neck access is different.

Maurizio could get more business from me. I like the endless fretboard fretless he makes. I’ve also seen a 30” 5 string J design he’s building that looks like fun.

Yeah I'm currently very slowly putting together a 27" scale headless so to see these... /facepalm

I would be very interested in going 18" with regular bass strings as I travel for work. Having built in Aux in and phone out basically makes it an all in one (unless I want some effects).

 

[Haroldo]

A rough idea of what I was trying to get out of this beast.
Miezo in drop D. Dunwich Wizard Fuzz. Hilbish Sol Invictus and Compressimiser. Zoia and OTO BAM for delay and reverb.

The tune, the player, and the instrument are all top shelf.

 

[Katoosie]

It definitely changes things up in my brain. The X3M is also worth a look. You can get necks for it from 18” to 27” and they swap out easily. I’ve considered this route but I didn’t like the look of the single cut with the longer neck, and the back of the neck access is different.

Maurizio could get more business from me. I like the endless fretboard fretless he makes. I’ve also seen a 30” 5 string J design he’s building that looks like fun.

Do you have any idea what scale of the X3M would be the shortest while still allowing normal tuning? 30"?

I think the X3M just looks better, what I can't get past on the Miezo 18 is the headstock shape... Just rubs me the wrong way. Nu-uh.

Another question to you, is fretless an option?

I'm thinking a fretless 6 string X3M in the shirtest scale possible...

 

[monsterthompson]

The tune, the player, and the instrument are all top shelf.

I appreciate the compliment!

 

[B-Mac]

It’s because it looks like a bacon strip. It’s hard to resist