NBD: Serek Midwestern 2

[mobeme23]

After what seemed like an eternity, I have just received my custom Serek Midwestern 2, and all i can say is...WOW!

If you have not checked out Jake's work yet, I highly recommend you do.
www.serekbasses.com

I went with a two-pup configuration: Curtis Novak Bisonic/Darkstar (BS/DS) at the bridge, and a Guild Bisonic at the neck. Simple volume and tone controls, and a 3-way selector.

I was conflicted about whether to go with his signature bowtie inlay, or stick with dots, and i am so glad i went with the bowties after all!!

the bass is light, but feels solid and so well-made.
every detail exceeds my expectations so far!

...needless to say, but i am a very happy-camper right now!

 

[nonohmic]

Very nice \m/

 

[trickyric]

If you don't mind telling us. What did it cost ?

 

[mobeme23]

If you don't mind telling us. What did it cost ?

the base-price for the MW2 was $1,750 last fall. with my specs, it priced out a little over $2k.
i think he increased the base-price early this year to $1,950. the website has a very useful quote generator tool, so you can input all your specs to see how much your bass will cost. and Jake is very easy to work with if you have any questions.

 

[NKBassman]

Beautiful.

 

[Microbass]

Hot damn! I love a Serek. This is no exception. Would love to get my hands on one some day.

 

[NKBassman]

@mobeme23 did you have a push-pull coil tap installed for the Novak BS/DS?

 

[mobeme23]

@mobeme23 did you have a push-pull coil tap installed for the Novak BS/DS?

unfortunately, not. though, even without the coil tap option, the Novak has monster tone!
i regret not having it done, but i have plenty of options between the Guild and the Novak.

 

[NKBassman]

unfortunately, not. though, even without the coil tap option, the Novak has monster tone!
i regret not having it done, but i have plenty of options between the Guild and the Novak.

Cool, I was just curious what the difference in tone would be.
Should be an easy mod to have done after the fact by any reputable tech.

 

[Benjamin Ross]

After what seemed like an eternity, I have just received my custom Serek Midwestern 2, and all i can say is...WOW!

If you have not checked out Jake's work yet, I highly recommend you do.
www.serekbasses.com

I went with a two-pup configuration: Curtis Novak Bisonic/Darkstar (BS/DS) at the bridge, and a Guild Bisonic at the neck. Simple volume and tone controls, and a 3-way selector.

I was conflicted about whether to go with his signature bowtie inlay, or stick with dots, and i am so glad i went with the bowties after all!!

the bass is light, but feels solid and so well-made.
every detail exceeds my expectations so far!

View attachment 3423159 View attachment 3423162 View attachment 3423164 View attachment 3423161 View attachment 3423167 View attachment 3423165 ...needless to say, but i am a very happy-camper right now!

I'm starting to love this bowtie inlay look... how do ya'll think it might look on an Ebony board?

 

[mobeme23]

I have zero regrets going for the (abalone-esque) bowtie inlays on this bass, and I really love the ways it contrasts with the fingerboard. it would probably pop a bit more on an ebony board.

one note about it, the inlay at some of the highest frets shows some slight blemish beneath the surface, as it looks like they had to do some creative filling to get the inlay to sit evenly into the wood. I can try to snap some photos if needed. It's really hard to see, and you would only notice on very close inspection.

When I get another Serek, i think I'll go with MOP dots.

 

[Benjamin Ross]

I have zero regrets going for the (abalone-esque) bowtie inlays on this bass, and I really love the ways it contrasts with the fingerboard. it would probably pop a bit more on an ebony board.

one note about it, the inlay at some of the highest frets shows some slight blemish beneath the surface, as it looks like they had to do some creative filling to get the inlay to sit evenly into the wood. I can try to snap some photos if needed. It's really hard to see, and you would only notice on very close inspection.

When I get another Serek, i think I'll go with MOP dots.

This may be a silly question, but... if I order a Serek, are MOP dots the standard inlay?

 

[mobeme23]

This may be a silly question, but... if I order a Serek, are MOP dots the standard inlay?

i dunno... i haven't checked the "build a quote" section on their website in a while, so i can't recall what was listed as the standard inlay, if any. my guess would be MOP dots is the standard, based on their "stock" production runs.

 

[Bassclef46]

I have zero regrets going for the (abalone-esque) bowtie inlays on this bass, and I really love the ways it contrasts with the fingerboard. it would probably pop a bit more on an ebony board.

one note about it, the inlay at some of the highest frets shows some slight blemish beneath the surface, as it looks like they had to do some creative filling to get the inlay to sit evenly into the wood. I can try to snap some photos if needed. It's really hard to see, and you would only notice on very close inspection.

When I get another Serek, i think I'll go with MOP dots.

On your original posted pics it literally looks like there are dots under the inlays at the 15, 17 and 19 fret. I love the inlays but what is going on with those dots under them?

 

[Eilif]

That's a beautiful bass. I've yet up play a Serek that doesn't impress.

For less than 2k, that's quite a bargain for a handmade bass

 

[mobeme23]

On your original posted pics it literally looks like there are dots under the inlays at the 15, 17 and 19 fret. I love the inlays but what is going on with those dots under them?

there you have it!
they must have drilled dot holes before they drilled for the the bowties.
i did make the adjustment to my order toward the end of my wait-time, so there is a possibility that the dots holes had already been drilled. I guess Jake would know the answer for sure, though he didn't mention anything about it at the time...

you can also see at the 21st fret how they had to fill a gap between the inlay and the hole.
i suspect those tall inlays at the highest frets require some serious fine-motor skills.

 

[mobeme23]

That's a beautiful bass. I've yet up play a Serek that doesn't impress.

For less than 2k, that's quite a bargain for a handmade bass

yup! it's my forever-home bass for sure, and I doubt anything will ever compare to it, imo.
Yeah, considering how much craftsmanship and skill goes into each build, it's safe to say that you get the most thump-for-your-buck with a Serek!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

After what seemed like an eternity, I have just received my custom Serek Midwestern 2, and all i can say is...WOW!

If you have not checked out Jake's work yet, I highly recommend you do.
www.serekbasses.com

I went with a two-pup configuration: Curtis Novak Bisonic/Darkstar (BS/DS) at the bridge, and a Guild Bisonic at the neck. Simple volume and tone controls, and a 3-way selector.

I was conflicted about whether to go with his signature bowtie inlay, or stick with dots, and i am so glad i went with the bowties after all!!

the bass is light, but feels solid and so well-made.
every detail exceeds my expectations so far!

View attachment 3423159 View attachment 3423162 View attachment 3423164 View attachment 3423161 View attachment 3423167 View attachment 3423165 ...needless to say, but i am a very happy-camper right now!

Now that is a well put together bass!

 

[mobeme23]

Now that is a well put together bass!

thank you, Dr.!
it is as much fun to play as it is to look at.

 

[knumbskull]

Really nice. What’s the scale on that?