NBD - ACG Recurve fretless

[SpectorStu]

Hi folks

It’s always a good day when a new bass comes into the fold. I know many members here on Talkbass will be aware of the extraordinary instruments built by Alan Cringean of AC Guitars in Scotland.

I have 3 ACG basses already however this is my first fretless and with many hours spent on this bass I just wanted to comment on how glorious it is.

This Recurve model is built using Turkish walnut with gold resin on a swamp ash body. The neck is an ebony fingerboard on an ash/wenge neck. The pickups are an ACG FB Humbucker at the neck and an ACG BZ1 pickup at the bridge. This is my first time using the BZ1 pickup and it’s the best pickup I’ve ever heard. It delivers such a rich, solid and versatile tone that compliments the FB humbucker perfectly.

The preamp is the ACG Dual Filter Modular 4k type. Volume, blend and low pass filter control for each pickup allowing for very accurate and versatile adjustment of tone which I’ve found extremely useful playing in different venues with varying acoustic resonances. The DFM developed between ACG and John East has recently been made available separately so if you’re in the market for a filter preamp the quality and versatility of the ACG DFM is in my opinion the best. Hardware is by Gotoh and I opted for a mix of gold and black hardware to go with the gold walnut body which I think goes pretty well.

The playability is exceptional. It’s a lined fretless with Luminlay dots on the side of the neck. The neck just feels so smooth providing all that fretless mwah you could hope for. The strings are Dunlop flatwounds. Ive never used them before but I’m really enjoying them.

I’m not sponsored or affiliated with ACG in anyway I just think that the instruments Alan builds are world class plus he has always been extremely helpful and the customer service is always spot on. He is an absolute gentleman.

If you’re in the market for a custom build have a good look through the ACG website on builds and options. Alan also does some stock builds which takes the pain out of trying to decide on the various options available

I utterly love this bass and can’t thank Alan enough for all his hard work on it.

Cheers
Stuart

 

[kesslari]

That is a stunning bass and I'm certain that it sounds even more delicious than it looks!
Enjoy playing great music on that beauty!

 

[SpectorStu]

That is a stunning bass and I'm certain that it sounds even more delicious than it looks!
Enjoy playing great music on that beauty!

Thank you very much.

 

[eude]

That's an absolute stunner Stuart!
As a long time ACG player I know exactly how you feel about this bass, and your others I expect.
This post does not help my GAS, I'm very much going for a fancy 4 string single cut later this year, but now I think I might need a fretless 4 too. Curses!

 

[soulstew]

Man, that's gorgeous. Congratualations!

 

[SpectorStu]

That's an absolute stunner Stuart!
As a long time ACG player I know exactly how you feel about this bass, and your others I expect.
This post does not help my GAS, I'm very much going for a fancy 4 string single cut later this year, but now I think I might need a fretless 4 too. Curses!

Thanks Eude

Go for it. I can’t put the fretless down it’s such a joy to play.

 

[Iridescentone]

It's beautiful. I can practically taste the quality that's oozing out of that build. Grats.

 

[SpectorStu]

It’s absolute pure quality in every area.

 

[Poobini]

I would LOVE to hear this. I had a long email thread with Alan earlier this year that didn't yield any results (my own hesitation and lack of disposable funds) but I'm a dang sucker for fretless' and filters.

 

[SpectorStu]

I have been intending to do some videos on all of my ACG basses but work and family life have prevented that from happening. I will try and do a demo in the fretless over the next few days and I’ll post it here on talkbass.

Trust me tho it sounds just as sublime as it looks

 

[OJ Dorson]

I have what seems to be a fraternal twin to yours, only an Über Spec with the multi-coil pickups. I can’t believe how amazing these are. I was so blown away I put in a fretted and fretless custom order so I could pick everything. Yours is beautiful and has been an inspiration for my custom in some ways. This one needs a new home, now, but only because I’ll have two perfect ACGs for me.

 

[SpectorStu]

I have what seems to be a fraternal twin to yours, only an Über Spec with the multi-coil pickups. I can’t believe how amazing these are. I was so blown away I put in a fretted and fretless custom order so I could pick everything. Yours is beautiful and has been an inspiration for my custom in some ways. This one needs a new home, now, but only because I’ll have two perfect ACGs for me.


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Hi OJ

Your Recurve is stunning. I haven’t had the chance to try the multi coil pickups that Alan puts into the Uber builds but have heard nothing but good things about them. I hope u find a good home for the recurve. I have a Salace SC E Type 5 string fretless order from Alan so I’ll post pics when that is finished

All the best
Stuart