NBD: Serek Midwestern

[ahdw]

Got in a new-to-me Midwestern this week, and I'm super happy to own one of these again after a couple years Serekless. Just a rock solid little short scale and such a looker. Pictured in tandem with a Gibson LP Jr DC Tribute that I had gradually modded into a "Midwestern Lite" with a B90 and Hipshot bridge.

(Almost) full family photo:

A couple of these will be leaving soon but the three up front are probably lifers for me at this point. I might have a type…

 

[bassist4dalord]

Congrats! Very cool collection.

 

[dmt]

Interesting collection for sure, and enjoy your new bass

 

[pb9717]

Oh that Ric…

 

[PennyroyalWe]

Gorgeous collection you have there

 

[ahdw]

Oh that Ric…

Isn't it pretty? It's a modern 4003S, but I swapped the knobs for the older silver-top style, tracked down a non-OEM black embossed truss cover and had a 4-ply beveled guard made by Pickguardian. The pickguard in particular I thought really classed it up over the 1-ply ones.

Gorgeous collection you have there

Thank you! I am admittedly a bit of a form over function person sometimes and usually gravitate toward a ~70s vintage vibe, chunky chrome hardware, natural woods or neutral paint - but I just can't help myself. Pretty much all of these basses play well after having some basic tweaks and setups. Well, the Gretsch is a bit of a baseball bat and the lucite one weighs approximately 900 pounds, but...

 

[MrAB4003]

Got in a new-to-me Midwestern this week, and I'm super happy to own one of these again after a couple years Serekless. Just a rock solid little short scale and such a looker. Pictured in tandem with a Gibson LP Jr DC Tribute that I had gradually modded into a "Midwestern Lite" with a B90 and Hipshot bridge.

View attachment 7461867

(Almost) full family photo:

View attachment 7461868

A couple of these will be leaving soon but the three up front are probably lifers for me at this point. I might have a type…

Congrats on your new Serek and a beautiful collection OP! Play your Serek (and all of them for that matter) in good health and have fun!

Isn't it pretty? It's a modern 4003S, but I swapped the knobs for the older silver-top style, tracked down a non-OEM black embossed truss cover and had a 4-ply beveled guard made by Pickguardian. The pickguard in particular I thought really classed it up over the 1-ply ones.

View attachment 7461964


Thank you! I am admittedly a bit of a form over function person sometimes and usually gravitate toward a ~70s vintage vibe, chunky chrome hardware, natural woods or neutral paint - but I just can't help myself. Pretty much all of these basses play well after having some basic tweaks and setups. Well, the Gretsch is a bit of a baseball bat and the lucite one weighs approximately 900 pounds, but...

I love your 4003S! The Jetglo on Jetglo with silver accents looks so classy!

 

[4Mal]

Sweet MW!

 

[Kindness]

A Serek sitting in between a Ric and a Gibson feels symbolic.

 

[JohnnyChatter]

Great collection! I always feel to big for short scale basses but I often envy on how cool some of them look and sound.

 

[gtirard]

Congrats, I'd love a Serek Midwestern like this. Superb finish.

I also love the Gretsch TK-300 (it's the first time I see one, I had a hard time finding what it was on Google). It seems to be quite rare. I'm curious how does it sound?

 

[triviani]

Congrats, nice bass!

That Gretsch headstock is obscenely beautiful.

Nice record collection too.

 

[TomB]

Is the red MW body shape the usual stock one? In that photo it looks "rounder" than I remember, but maybe that's just the contrast with the others. ?

 

[ahdw]

Congrats, I'd love a Serek Midwestern like this. Superb finish.

I also love the Gretsch TK-300 (it's the first time I see one, I had a hard time finding what it was on Google). It seems to be quite rare. I'm curious how does it sound?

It sounds better than it plays ergonomically, honestly. The pickup is similar to a RIC "toaster" design. I have thought about replacing it with an actual RIC pickup or a TV Jones, but the stock one isn't bad. Admittedly the quirky look is what drew me to that bass!

 

[ahdw]

Is the red MW body shape the usual stock one? In that photo it looks "rounder" than I remember, but maybe that's just the contrast with the others. ?

I think you might be talking about the Les Paul Jr DC Tribute? That's the one on the right in the first pic, the Midwestern is on the left.

 

[TomB]

I think you might be talking about the Les Paul Jr DC Tribute? That's the one on the right in the first pic, the Midwestern is on the left.

Got it - thought for a minute it was a Serek.

 

[ahdw]

Got it - thought for a minute it was a Serek.

They look a little bit different stock, I made some changes (including getting a Serek pickup) to bring it closer to what I had liked about my previous Midwesterns, before picking up another.

Since getting discontinued they have run up in price but if you can find one for 1k or below I think they are one of the best playing short scales I have ever had! I just wish I had pulled the trigger on one when they were on clearance for $500.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I like your Serek. Serek's have a vintage vibe without being copies of actual vintage basses.

 

[ahdw]

Yeah, I've always liked that the Midwestern starts with a cool vintage design as inspiration (Epiphone Newport/Coronet) and then builds something that is very far from just a tribute/replica.

 

[JamesGrant]

Amazing collection of basses, and records!
Can we be friends…