I think sparkle basses deserve their own threads! I've been wanting to build a bass with these aesthetics for quite some time. I got the last bits yesterday to finish it up and am quite pleased with the results thus far. Finished weight is 8.75 lbs. Here are the specs: Neck: - 34" scale, roasted maple, medium/slim asymmetric profile, graphite reinforcement, finished with gun stock wax, 1.875" nut Fingerboard: - Wenge, small SS frets Body - light swamp ash with forearm, tummy, and neck heel contours, deep cutaway for upper fret access Electronics - Nordstrand Big Blades (clean and clear), passive V-V-Tonestyler Hardware - Hipshot Kickass bridge set to 18.5mm spacing, Gotoh Resolite tuners, Dunlop strap locks, tele input jack, Dingwall string trees (they look so cool, and are nice and compact for the tele headstock). Initial Impressions: I really like the Big Blades - they appear to have a bit more output than some of the other Nordy models, and are a little dirtier/grindier sounding (in a very good way). I've always liked ceramic magnet pickups - the top end often has a nice high mid/lower treble bite, kind of like a maple board, versus alnico which has more top end air, more akin to say an ebony board. The Big Blades give a nice meaty pick sound, and the top end is not at all harsh or clanky. Very even output across all the strings. Running the pair full up is very balanced tonally, without the big mid scoop you get with some dual pickup arrangements. The Tonestyler in the first position (bypassed) isn't overly bright with these pickups - it works very well, as does the second position (I never use a tone knob, but I like to be able to alternate between the different loadings). I shielded the pickup and control cavities with copper foil, and connected the pickup cavities to the control cavity. Used a star ground system. Everything is very quiet, even with one pickup solo'd. I'm also a big fan of the Gotoh Resolite tuners - great looking, very light. I installed them on a slight angle which I think looks cool. It is strung with a balanced set of EB Cobalt rounds, 40-135, tuned down a half step. Rock-N-Roll! {} {} {} {} {} {} {}
Very nice attention to detail, well done!drool The binding is slick. That beauty deserves a cool headstock decal, imho. Can you give more details on the stylish string retainers? Or, I could just read thru the gory details provided.
you might be right about a sparkle bass thread! it's a beauty! congratulations on your new instrument!
The binding looks stunning with the paint, the cavity cover too, shame to hide it. I'd be very pleased if that were mine! I have the same bridge (4 string version) on my Jazz, very pleased with it after a couple of years use
Hey, @armyadarkness , it sparkles AND it's a 5 stringer. *grabs popcorn and waits to see if a human head exploding in New Jersey can be heard from Massachusetts*
WOW, what a Doozzy! 1st class build all the way! Really, the appointments, SPARKLE knobs, wth, custom neck plate, string trees. For me, your attention to detail speaks volumes, top of my list of outstanding builds of the year!
Wow! That's a unique look. The fretboard looks cool, and so does the custom neck plate. Not too many silver sparkle jobs out there that look as complete as this one. Congrats and enjoy it.
Here are some related products that TB members are talking about. Clicking on a product will take you to TB’s partner, Primary, where you can find links to TB discussions about these products. Browser not compatible
