Norton Merlin Vinatge Fretless Bass, Aluminum tube frame with sliding pickups!

Very cool. How does it sound?

 

This.

It does seem like a very complicated way to do things when an all wood build would get the job done with one tenth the engineering and expense - unless this approach yielded some superior results.

It does look interesting though. But the proof is in the pudding.

Sound clips or video?

 

Never heard of them. My first impression was that it came from Soviet Russia! I do know that that 'bucker is a DiMarzio Model 1; it's coil-split switch can be seen at the underside of the mounting.

Is it heavy?

 

The Rail

 

Reminds me of a Proto-pipe. Ultra technological answer to a question already solved with more traditional designs. Back when I puffed...

And I've never been a fan of sliding pickups, although I've only ever played a very used Grabber. The plastic (I'd guess) slider was worn and if you had the pickup all het way forward in the neck position it would slowly creep back to the bridge before the ssong was over. Much rather have multiple pickups and a switching blending system.

Piezo under bridge is pretty cool though. Have a Graph Tech Ghost system in a partscaster, really dig it, and thinking about incorporating the bass model into my latest build. Might have to hold off, as the more expensive stuff (Warmoth flamed maple neck with binding and block inlays is going to cost me a chunk of change, Omega bridge might not be compatible. Might have to go back to a Wilkinson or Fender style. And the pickups I haven't decided on yet, which are going to have on board electronics are going to cost me at least a hundred plus).

And +1 on how does it sound??

 

I love it. I don't care if it sounds like ass and weighs a ton. I'm a sucker for over-built, over-engineered things. Love the machined metal parts (presumably from aluminum billet).

Someone put a lot of work into that thing, the execution looks first rate. It also looks........expensive.

Cool score, even if it just hangs on a wall.

 

I remember this one! And the Hondo Flash!

 

I checked so-so but it's already growing on me. I really hate the gold bridge and knobs though. Shouldn't be that hard to find a nicely worn replacement in black, nickel or chrome and it would go a long way to improving the look..

 

I agree, that thing is awesome. Has a sort of almost steampunk vibe to it, or like an 80s Blade Runner future tech thing going on.

It does remind a little of the Westone Rail, which I have always been on edge of hunting down. I think these kind of overengineered gizmo basses would be cool to experiment with MIDI electronics and stuff.

 

this ...
formula is: sounds good = is good
as far as looks, it's a bit tech looking for my personal taste. Appearance is just aesthetics, and one mans cool look, is another's meh.... and then I would refer back to the formula above.

 

That thing looks totally awesome. Just be sure to never play it naked - some serious injuries may result with all the exposed machinery on the back side.

Where did you find this crazy thing? I'm jealous.

 

If you ever want to sell this, PM me

 

I have thought about doing this general design (on a smaller scale) w/ my '93 Strat Deluxe Plus. It has the swimming pool route & I had thought it would be great to have my favorite pickup in there & be able to use it at any (& every) point from bridge to neck & have it adjustable w/o having to detune the guitar...

 

Would this be the best bass for metal?

 

Total steam punk. Who cares how it sounds, some hipsters are already breaking up the band they formed around it when this post started yesterday. Tomorrow, they will be nostalgic for this dream machine from a bygone era. Ah the memories. I wouldn't be surprised if it played/ sounded alright.

 

And "is this the best metal for bass?"

 

I WANTS IT.

Its like something from a vision......