I'm over the moon with this bass. While tone is subjective, I think it sounds amazing. Whether I want tight, modern punch, or round, growly warmth, or staccato 16th note finger funk, this beauty is up to the task. Very versatile and musical EQ. Edit 1: Headphone tone and playability are spectacular. Super comfortable and low action. My only (super minor) gripe so far is that the string feeds are black when I ordered gold hardware. The fit, finish, feel, mojo, tone, and sex appeal are all top notch. The light weight is heavenly! No scale yet, but guessing between 8-8.5 lbs. I'm somewhat confused that the gold color of the 2 sets of stacked knobs perfectly matching the gold hardware, but the volume and blend knobs are a bit lighter shade of gold. Much more of a chrome/gold complexion. Edit 2: Also, the location of the stacked mids and stacked bass/treble are reversed from the other 4 knob, 2 stacked, 3 band EQ I've installed in my other active basses. The bass/treble knob is closest to the output jack as opposed to the mid controls {} {} {} {} {} {} {} {} {} {} {} {} {} {} {} {} {} VM49K Right Handed About a week after ordering, I started second guessing myself and wanted to add some more options, so I did. I opted for the deep natural body binding, trans black over the antique ash, and trans black burst over the deep black flame maple top. ASH - Maple Neck/Swamp Ash Body -CG - Clear Gloss Finish (Standard) FDK - Deep Black Flame AAT - Antique Ash Treatment (Must Order Swamp Ash Body) CMB - Chambered Body (Must Order Optional Top Wood) 5WP - 5-Piece Walnut Neck w/ 2 Purple Heart Stripes -TN - Tung Oil Finish Back Of Neck (Standard) -IPH - Icon-Style Bass Headstock (Standard) FPH - Flamed Maple Headstock Matches Body Finish ZWF - Zebrawood Fingerboard NIN - No Top Inlays - Side Dots Only EVO - Gold Med-Jumbo Frets .048" H .103" W -R14 - 14in Fretboard Radius (Standard) -BLK - Black Pickups G - Gold Hardware -D45 - Dunlop Med-Heavy Super Bright Nickel Roundwound .045 - .105 GL - Gold Metallic Logo SL - Dunlop Straplocks BPP - Purpleheart Rear Electronics Cavity Cover HC8W - Black Tolex Wide Hardshell Bass Case
Nice! I want to try one of these for sure! What's the weight on it? To answer your concerns.. Saddles generally are not gold, they are black. The plating would fall off in the first week and would look terrible. The knobs are different shades of gold simply because they probably have different sources where they buy big knobs and small knobs. Even a $5000+ Fodera has black saddles on their gold bridges. {}
Perhaps I worded it incorrectly. The string feeds/ferrules on the back of the instrument are what I speak of. I have seen them on Kiesel/Carvin instruments before. A few visual examples are what helped to inspire me. {} I'm not upset. The fit, finish, accuracy, craftsmanship, wow factor, etc are all amazing. I don't mean to nitpick, but I do... because I do The weight on it is perfect or better. No scale yet, but I estimate between 8-8.5 lbs. Lightest I've ever owned. My imperfect arm test says it's a lb or more less than my much smaller bodied Brubaker Brute with a nato body. Zero neck dive too.
I feel the same way about the back. I'm not upset at all, I just feel I should let Kiesel know what someone ordering should expect. I adore every inch of this beauty. I truly appreciate everyone's kind words.
Kiesel had some very public issues getting the string ferrules just right. To their credit they didn't push something out that would cause issues when restringing the instrument. I think in an effort to not delay release of these instruments they used the black ferrules, with the correct dimensions. I would bet sometime down the road, if this model is successful, the gold ferrules in the proper dimensions will be available. These were custom machined specifically for this bass.
Is it 35.5-34" like Ibanez, or 37-34" like Dingwall? I would be more interested in a 37" B, but either way, your bass is a beauty. Your bass is a four, so neither set of numbers may apply to you, but I think you know what I mean.
Gold logo lol well picked Super nice, loving the zebrawood fretboard. I'm actually waiting for a Vader Bass in the 2 weeks or so. And I just saw the new Aries which looks pretty cool as well...
5 strings are 34"-36", 4 strings are 34"-35.5". Yes, my estimated date was 11 weeks, took 16. However, they were very transparent and honest about every delay. That is a way to maintain my business. Always quick to answer over the phone or email. Already plotting my next build. Again, thanks for the compliments ladies and gentlemen. The tung oil walnut neck is my favorite I've ever played. Might have to buy a bathroom scale today to know the actual weight.
I'd love to see a roundup of the "production" fanned fret basses that are available now. Dingwall Combustion, Kiesel, there's a new Schecter Studio, ESP, Ibanez, you could include the RondoMusic.com Brice/ Agile basses but everybody that I've read about buying those has upgraded a variety of parts on them.
Great. I knew it would happen. As soon as these started rolling of the CNC press, people have been having NBD threads, fueling my GAS even more. That is a life-long keeper you got there, but you know that.
Very nice! I came very close to getting a 5 string, but I already have two. I asked if they were going to produce a 6 (which is what I wanted) and was told it was not going to happen. I ended up with a Carvin LB76W. All I can say is that it is an amazingly well built bass; about 12 years old and still looks like new. Good with it!
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