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NBD: My very first custom!

G On Bass

G On Bass

Dec 31, 2007
7,671
4,463
Ventura County, CA
#1
My most excellent and wonderful wife allowed me to order what is my very first (and will likely be my very last) custom bass. It was built by Ted Fairbanks at Mystery Guitars in Bonny Doon, CA (just outside Santa Cruz). The inspiration was to make a bass that is kinda a modern nod to some of those beautiful basses from the later 60's and 70's (Alembic and others) .

Here are some specs:

35" 5 piece Neckthrough made of alternating Maple/Cocobolo
Semi-hollow/chambered
Mahogany body with a maple stripe
Cocobolo top
12" radius Fretboard is Cocobolo w/Sapwood accents and abalone dot inlays
Bone nut
'Banjo' frets (like Lakland uses)
Babicz bridge w/19mm spacing
Hanson Chi-Sonic pickups (switchable Single/HB).
Each pickup wired Parallel HB/Single/Series HB via a switch
Pickup selector
V/T V/T
Passive!
Currently strung w/DR Black Beauties.

I can't stop playing it.


The pics:

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#6
Beautiful! The sapwood inlays in the board to go with the cocobolo sapwood on the top is a really nice touch, and the whole thing is just a lovely piece of work. Looking at the website, I can definitely see the influence of the 70's custom makers like Alembic.
 
#8
mikezimmerman said:
Beautiful! The sapwood inlays in the board to go with the cocobolo sapwood on the top is a really nice touch, and the whole thing is just a lovely piece of work. Looking at the website, I can definitely see the influence of the 70's custom makers like Alembic.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

It was actually an 'experience' seeing Jerry Garcia's guitar at a Dead show that inspired him to start making guitars in the first place. This is his first bass.
 
#15
A very beautiful instrument! Congratulations! I especially like the highly flamed maple neck - truly exquisite!

What kind of finish is that? Looks very smooth and slightly glossy.

My boyfriend is in the process of building me a bass, and we're still not sure what type of finish to go with. We're (he's) leaning towards oil (easier!), but I think a lacquered or similar finish would be nice as well. Def oil on the neck for me, though.

Enjoy your beautiful new bass, my friend!!
 
#16
BassChalice said:
What kind of finish is that? Looks very smooth and slightly glossy.

Enjoy your beautiful new bass, my friend!!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the compliments (you and everybody!).

The finish is a Polyuethane that cures under UV light. I don't know the name, but it's supposed to be a more environmentally friendly thing. It looks wet and is really smooth to the touch. I am usually a oil-neck guy, but this works for me as it is sooooo smooth.
 

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