I just sent an email with a VB5 build as a guide for a ZB5 so let's see what they come back with.
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"Official" Carvin and Kiesel Club - Part 3
- Thread starter smperry
- Start date
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- Tags
- carvin bass club kiesel
No. I will see what they come back with pricing wise.
VB5
Left Handed
1 $1,299.00
-MA - Maple Neck/Alder Body (Standard) $0.00
-CG - Clear Gloss Finish (Standard) $0.00
QDR - Deep Red Quilt $400.00
BMF - Birdseye Maple Fingerboard (Tung-Oiled) $30.00
IB - Block Inlays $70.00
IA - Abalone Inlay Material $50.00
EVOR - Gold Vintage-Size Frets .043" H .080" W $30.00
-R14 - 14in Fretboard Radius (Standard) $0.00
-BLK - Black Pickups $0.00
-BC - Black Hardware (Standard) $0.00
-D50 - Dunlop Super Bright Nickel Roundwound .040 .060 .080 .100 .120 $0.00
WL - White Logo $0.00
SC10B - Black Ultimate Soft Bass Case $60.00
Custom Shop Total: $1,939.00
Options Discount:
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Got a call and an email from Noble but missed the call. Looks like 10 - 12 weeks for a Zeus. I'm going to call tomorrow to discuss the specs.
I am digging the headless basses and were I still a travelling gigging man would get one on order, sadly those days are past so will keep my LB50 in play.
Ok, but do you like the idea of a 7 pound 4 string?
I normally agree, but for some reason the Zeus just looks right to me. I really dig it.
Is there only one Zeus bass as of yet? I’ve only seen the antique ash 6 string.
They have only photographed and spec'd out the 6, but the 4 and 5 are available to order.
They have a 6.5 pound Vader in stock right now. Awhile back, they had a 6 string which was just over 6 pounds. If one payed extra for choice lightweight body wood, chambered, and specced a White limba neck: I bet you could get a 4 string under 6 pounds.
Also, the missing weight of the headstock wood and tuners-----feels relatively huge. The first couple of times you pick up a headless, it might actually feel kinda bad, because we are used to torquing against the headstock, like a counter weight. But once you get used to it, your fretting hand and arm are more relaxed. I bet there are long term benefits for muscle and ligament tension.
So even if I get a chambered headless, there still won't be neck dive? What would be the lightest wood combination that isn't an Op 50?
The lightest wood combo would be either swamp ash or alder body, chambered, with a white limba neck. I think they also offer 5 piece mahogany necks. So you could go that route, if multiple pieces makes you feel better. But with the lower length of the neck PLUS the carbon fiber rods, I don't think 5 piece necks are necessary on Kiesel's headless designs (whereas I still generally feel 3 piece or 5 piece is a good idea for a 34 scale neck through. For their bolt-ons, probably not needed with the carbon fiber rods and their drying methods. And I do think 1 piece necks sound better).
It only becomes an option 50, if you pay extra for someone to specifically look for something extra lightweight.
I'm not sure top wood choice is a big deal for weight. But I would say ash top or mahogany, or white limba top, to be safe.
The Vader I returned, was 7.3 pounds, with alder body and mahogany top. no chamber. 1 piece walnut neck. That bass would have been even lighter, with chambering and a mahogany or white limba neck.
The 6.5 pounder in stock is swamp ash body chambered with a swamp ash top. Maple neck.
**Also keep in mind, Kiesel's single coils are lighter than their dual coils. Also keep in mind that not all single coils are going to be lighter. I.E. Nordstrand Big Blades single coils are actually heavier than Kiesel's dual coils.
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Very interesting! Thanks for the info, I will certainly be going for the most lightweight bass I can get when I order.
So would a white limba body be even lighter than alder or swamp ash?
Generally speaking, not lighter. But there is variance. Jeff says White limba can be pretty light and is usually lighter than Black Limba.
I don't REALLY know, but I would guess it can be comparable to Alder, in some cases. You could certainly pay extra to have them look for an especially light piece. I have listened to many hours of Jeff. But I would definitely call and ask about this stuff. I wouldn't be surprised if chambered, choice white limba, is generally comparable in weight to chambered Alder.
White limba IS lighter than maple and walnut. So as a neck, it will be lighter.
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Bummer that 30" scale isn't an option on the ZB. Hopefully it'll become an option at some point.
