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New Bee is coming together

2

20Hz

Dec 2, 2007
76
0
Seattle
#1
I'd just like to point out that Fred Bolton is a fantastic guy to work with. I'm pretty particular about what I like and don't like (I'm picky) And sometimes go back and forth a lot on decisions, weighing the pros and cons.. So I'm not exactly the ideal customer for a custom luthier :) But Fred has been great, patient and enthusiastic, and willing to give his opinion when likes an idea or he thinks I'm making a bad choice or something.


5 string
36" scale
fanned frets
5 piece maple/bloodwood neck
solid quilted sapele body


Not too long now. I can't wait to play it. More pics as they become available.
 
#6
So I picked it up this weekend and I'm in love. I've spent every spare minute (to my wife's chagrin) playing it. Initial impressions: I can't believe how easy it is to play. Coming from a fat necked, restrung (B-A) 4 string Peavy Fury, I thought it would take more adjustment but it is very easy and rewarding to play. Fred's necks kick ass. This one in particular is fantastic. One of the main design criteria for me was a very strong neck-thru and long scale, in the hopes of getting a tight B string with lots of definition in the tone, and I think we succeeded. I'm still playing with my amp settings and so forth to adjust to the new tone of the bass, but so far it seems both deeper and more bassy, while at the same time has lots more definition in the upper frequencies, compared to the Peavy with it's Bartolini P pickup. One thing that has totally blown my mind is how the thing sustains. You can pluck an open string and walk away and come back 5 minutes later and it's still ringing. :)

Better pics will come when I have time....

bee.jpg
beeback.jpg
 
#9
alexclaber said:
Awesome! Fred was so helpful with all my enquiries despite me eventually going with a much more local luthier. So is the B-string 36" scale, decreasing to 34" on the G?

Alex
Click to expand...

it's 36-33.

Fred is the best. I picked the bass up Friday night at like 11p, even though he was trying to get his wife ready to go out of town the next morning, and had an all day gig the next day, and has like 9 other basses in build. I think he sensed my head would explode if I had to wait 2 days in the same metro area as my ready-to-be-picked-up bass (I was in town anyway visiting family):cool:
 

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