Hey, it's new bass day here in New Zealand. This was a custom build from Alan Cringean Guitars (ACG) in Scotland. I thought I'd share my thoughts in case any of you were considering a similar journey.
I didn't have any particular reason to get a custom. But I wanted a "good" flexible, gigging 5 string in a natural wood finish with a clean look and I was prepared to take a gamble (and wait some time).
Did You Receive What You Expected? Yes. The finish came out perfect, and the lines are great. I chose no front-dots, and I'm glad with that call. A pair of humbuckers, and lots of knobs. A clear look with only touches of darker highlight on the front. Plain light wood on the three-piece neck.
How Long Did It Take? I made first contact in mid May 2019, agreed specs and paid a deposit quickly. The guitar shipped early January, and arrived (after sitting in customs and bio-security for a week) today. So 8 months elapsed. Perfectly reasonable when you see the final product.
How Good Is The Bass? Visually delicious. Beautiful to hold and play. Set up perfectly out of the case. The promise of a lovely sound (still very bright with brand new strings of course, waiting for it to settle in). The attention to detail is meticulous.
What Pleases You Most? What I most love about this bass is the knowledge that this was made by a caring, human, skilled craftsman, specifically for a caring, human, semi-skilled musician. Sure, I appreciate any bass when I'm playing it, and I'm thankful for what we do together. But sheesh, this is some next-level poopie altogether. This bass is sex on a shaging stick.
What Could I Have Choosen? The fancier the options, the more you pay of course. I was trying to stay within "basic" spec. Alan sent me photos of wood samples to choose from, and I liked one of the three. If I didn't, I'm quite sure that he would have dug up more options. Bass makers are patient people. I didn't stretch his skills, maybe next time I'll get a 38" 7-string with 22mm spacing and triple humbuckers. Left handed headless.
Was It Value For Money? How can you even ask that question, you mercenary bastard! This is about love! But yes, I think it most definitely was. I have a Godin A5 and an Ibanez GWB-205 that are in that exact same price range. Both are well-made, but it's not really fair to compare them to a completely hand-made one-off bass like this, which is in a different class altogether.
Do I Have Any Complaints? Only one. They are incredibly more-ish. I think I'm gonna do a six-string Krell.
Do I Recommend ACG? Yes. Without hesitation.
I didn't have any particular reason to get a custom. But I wanted a "good" flexible, gigging 5 string in a natural wood finish with a clean look and I was prepared to take a gamble (and wait some time).
Did You Receive What You Expected? Yes. The finish came out perfect, and the lines are great. I chose no front-dots, and I'm glad with that call. A pair of humbuckers, and lots of knobs. A clear look with only touches of darker highlight on the front. Plain light wood on the three-piece neck.
How Long Did It Take? I made first contact in mid May 2019, agreed specs and paid a deposit quickly. The guitar shipped early January, and arrived (after sitting in customs and bio-security for a week) today. So 8 months elapsed. Perfectly reasonable when you see the final product.
How Good Is The Bass? Visually delicious. Beautiful to hold and play. Set up perfectly out of the case. The promise of a lovely sound (still very bright with brand new strings of course, waiting for it to settle in). The attention to detail is meticulous.
What Pleases You Most? What I most love about this bass is the knowledge that this was made by a caring, human, skilled craftsman, specifically for a caring, human, semi-skilled musician. Sure, I appreciate any bass when I'm playing it, and I'm thankful for what we do together. But sheesh, this is some next-level poopie altogether. This bass is sex on a shaging stick.
What Could I Have Choosen? The fancier the options, the more you pay of course. I was trying to stay within "basic" spec. Alan sent me photos of wood samples to choose from, and I liked one of the three. If I didn't, I'm quite sure that he would have dug up more options. Bass makers are patient people. I didn't stretch his skills, maybe next time I'll get a 38" 7-string with 22mm spacing and triple humbuckers. Left handed headless.
Was It Value For Money? How can you even ask that question, you mercenary bastard! This is about love! But yes, I think it most definitely was. I have a Godin A5 and an Ibanez GWB-205 that are in that exact same price range. Both are well-made, but it's not really fair to compare them to a completely hand-made one-off bass like this, which is in a different class altogether.
Do I Have Any Complaints? Only one. They are incredibly more-ish. I think I'm gonna do a six-string Krell.
Do I Recommend ACG? Yes. Without hesitation.
