NBD: Carl Thompson

[davepack]

Three and a half years after putting down a deposit, my new Carl Thompson was delivered on Friday. Started as a semi-frills, but I had a few upgrades added on (set neck, carved scroll, wooden pickup covers).
Played it at rehearsal over the weekend and it plays/sounds absolutely amazing.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Pretty! 36” scale?

 

[davepack]

Pretty! 36” scale?

Yup, 36"

 

[two fingers]

Man, the little details on that thing are amazing. What's the red wood binding around the board?

 

[davepack]

Man, the little details on that thing are amazing. What's the red wood binding around the board?

I have no idea...lol I think the brighter red piece in the neck joint is bloodwood, so maybe the binding is mahogany since it's darker? Carl told be the body wings are walnut and the center block is black walnut...that's all I know for sure.
Any wood experts out there that can help identify all of these woods?

 

[two fingers]

I have no idea...lol I think the brighter red piece in the neck joint is bloodwood, so maybe the binding is mahogany since it's darker? Carl told be the body wings are walnut and the center block is black walnut...that's all I know for sure.
Any wood experts out there that can help identify all of these woods?

Either way, the little details on that bass are striking and beautiful. A talented somebody (or two or three) spent a lot of time on that bass. And they care about the small stuff.

 

[ejaggers]

Amazing!!!

057912

 

[TolerancEJ]

@davepack That is awesome! I have a semi-frills fretless 6 somewhere in Carl's queue.

 

[MrLenny1]

NICE! 3 1/2 years must have been agony for you.

 

[JPMcGuire]

Hey Dave. I have a very similar 5 coming tomorrow! Except bolt on. Its the one on the bench in that Instagram video of yours.

How does it sit in the mix? Playability nice? Big change from a 34?

The wings on yours are mahogany with a Walnut center block I believe

 

[JtSD619]

Wow just wow!

 

[cosmicevan]

Welcome to the club and the end of bass GAS (although you will want another CT).

 

[kesslari]

Nice. Enjoy!

 

[gwangi]

Excuse the dumb question but was your Carl Thompson built by Carl himself or a crew that works under him, the only reason I'm asking I swear I read a few years ago that Carl wasn't going to take orders anymore and I guess there was talk about people working under him were going to take over and help get orderes done and they were only doing straight forward options, I was just curious, my inquiring mind wanted to know.

 

[cosmicevan]

Excuse the dumb question but was your Carl Thompson built by Carl himself or a crew that works under him, the only reason I'm asking I swear I read a few years ago that Carl wasn't going to take orders anymore and I guess there was talk about people working under him were going to take over and help get orderes done and they were only doing straight forward options, I was just curious, my inquiring mind wanted to know.

Carl has had people working w him for probably about 40 yrs. If you have a 70s CT youve got one only Carl touched but other than that it was probably worked by Les Godfrey, Kelvin Daly, Pete Hilton, Joe Kruse...and a slew of others that have branched off on their own. These days I dont think Carl builds much but he does have hands on participation in the process. I mean Carl IS in his 80s at this point. Check out his instagram account to see the happenings.

 

[blowinblue]

Absolutely awesome instrument! If there is one ‘brand’ that I would like to add to my small arsenal of bass guitars, it would have to be a Carl Thompson. I have felt that way for years. The missing piece, you could say.

M. M.

 

[JPMcGuire]

My new CT just came today. Surprised it had this nice carved 3D scroll.

it’s light and perfectly balanced. 7.8lbs! It does not feel like a 36”. The B string is unreal how good it is. First bass where it’s a true extension of the other strings. Bass is very piano like in tone. Will just work in any mix. Deep rich mids I attribute to all the mahogany this bass has.

this was the best initial bonding of any bass I’ve had. Feel lucky to have it. Wish I’d discovered CT years ago.

 

[JPMcGuire]

Anyone know what brand type and gauge strings come stock on a CT 36” 5 string?

 

[davepack]

My new CT just came today. Surprised it had this nice carved 3D scroll.

it’s light and perfectly balanced. 7.8lbs! It does not feel like a 36”. The B string is unreal how good it is. First bass where it’s a true extension of the other strings. Bass is very piano like in tone. Will just work in any mix. Deep rich mids I attribute to all the mahogany this bass has.

this was the best initial bonding of any bass I’ve had. Feel lucky to have it. Wish I’d discovered CT years ago.

Sweet! Wonder if our body wings came from the same piece of wood. It's definitely difficult putting this bass down... glad you're enjoying yours as much as I'm enjoying mine!

 

[JPMcGuire]

Hey Dave was thinking the same thing. In any case both sound like they have great DNA. Warm and resonant, rich mids

Sweet! Wonder if our body wings came from the same piece of wood. It's definitely difficult putting this bass down... glad you're enjoying yours as much as I'm enjoying mine!