Redefining a custom bass

[nonohmic]

I dig it!

 

[JIO]

Gotta say....Love you to bits JIO but that bass looks like its been dragged behind a buss for a couple of miles.....From me....a thumbs down.....

Hey.....Horses for courses though....right?

As an lifelong artist, I've learned long ago to humbly accept approval as well as rolling with the punches -

 

[dukeorock]

Gotta say....Love you to bits JIO but that bass looks like its been dragged behind a buss for a couple of miles.....From me....a thumbs down.....

Hey.....Horses for courses though....right?

I sympathize here...anything involving relic type treatments is very touchy with some folks, which is cool. Horses for courses, indeed. Thumbs down? The only thumbs that concern me here are mine and Jio's, so that's 4 thumbs up

I closely follow the luthiers corner and there are so many different and interesting designs. Honestly, most of them don't fit my aesthetic, but I so admire the craft and detail that I can enjoy the threads and builds for what they are. So for example, one persons ultimate dream bass just looks like a silly wizards coffee table to me. They got their dream bass, so I'm happy for them. Wouldn't have the nerve to tell tell someone their bass is ugly just because its ugly to me. It ain't my bass! How boring life would be if we all liked the same stuff.

 

[Fat Freddy]

I sympathize here...anything involving relic type treatments is very touchy with some folks, which is cool. Horses for courses, indeed. Thumbs down? The only thumbs that concern me here are mine and Jio's, so that's 4 thumbs up

I closely follow the luthiers corner and there are so many different and interesting designs. Honestly, most of them don't fit my aesthetic, but I so admire the craft and detail that I can enjoy the threads and builds for what they are. So for example, one persons ultimate dream bass just looks like a silly wizards coffee table to me. They got their dream bass, so I'm happy for them. Wouldn't have the nerve to tell tell someone their bass is ugly just because its ugly to me. It ain't my bass! How boring life would be if we all liked the same stuff.

I agree with you almost 100%....

Just need to state that I never said that the bass was ugly....Just not to my taste....

I apologize if you thought that I meant otherwise.....

I simply can't get my head around the whole relicing thing.....

Guess I never will....

 

[themarshall]

Cool thread, cool bass.

Actually northwestern Nebraska has some interesting landscapes. Sort of dark side of the moon-esk...

Picks up again on the eastern side where it borders the Miss'ri. I've made that drive west to east a few times as an alternative to I90.

 

[Old Blastard]

I have to say that I agree with @Fat Freddy as far as relic treatments go, but this one feels different to me. It doesn't seem like a great instrument that has been beaten to death through the ignorance of some bass miscreant. It looks like some cool old buildings I've seen where the brick is peeking through the plaster, where something is hiding underneath and maybe trying to get out. I was a little concerned about how it would turn out because I love Andrew Drake's work, but I love the shape, the pickguard and the the control plate and I have grown to like this one. It doesn't look abused.

 

[JIO]

I agree with you almost 100%....

Just need to state that I never said that the bass was ugly....Just not to my taste....

I apologize if you thought that I meant otherwise.....

I simply can't get my head around the whole relicing thing.....

Guess I never will....

When I see a response like this my first inclination is to try and enlighten a closed view into a broader light. I've taught art (UMKC/KCAI/SAIC), so my teacher-switch automatically turns on. Relic-ing has long been an aesthetic stylistic device for furniture and artifacts/object of art. Its use on guitar finishes is very recent, and inspired by actual player worn instruments. As it is relatively new (Fender did their 1st relic'd Strat in the early 90's for Keith Richards) and because some people think that 'look' is easily achieved (by dragging it behind a truck etc) the result has been many poor DIY examples out there. I give anyone trying it kudos for wanting to achieve that look - "A" for effort even if south of "C" for result. We live in a DIY Mecca with the likes of Stew Mac and the availability of aftermarket parts to use in DIY modifications. The goal for all these DIY'rs is to personalize their instrument - make it their bass, one not pulled off the shelf. For players like Mark - a working professional musician, to have a custom bass made for him to his specs is a very special deal. It's why I wanted to take on this bass and with great respect for its maker - to transform it into a bass he will play because he not only loves the way it plays/sounds, but equally as important - because of the way it looks and feels. Mark trusted my vision honed over a lifetime to deliver a beautiful bass to him. It had it's gen1 beauty delivered by Andrew Drake - and I brought my gen2 art to it which allowed Andrews layered wood to play a vital supporting visual role. The result is a beautiful bass. I'm flatly stating this more than tooting my own horn - beauty is in the eyes of the beholder so my professing its beauty is most definitely through my eyes first. If in the end I don't feel that - it wouldn't be 'done'. I'm the gatekeeper and it won't leave my hands until I'm happy with it - and if I'm happy with it after working with Mark and hearing that he loves it - bingo! In fact, I am really pleased to hear Marks honest insights on it from first look to now. (and not counting his having it in his hands) What I heard was eyes expanding - this is what art does when done right. I know this from experiencing all the art I've seen in museums, galleries, artist studio's or homes over my lifetme. I see beauty in a rusted artifact, a crumbling wall or a pealing billboard. When your eyes open wide - there is so much beauty in the world that isn't always shiny and perfect.

 

[JIO]

I have to say that I agree with @Fat Freddy as far as relic treatments go, but this one feels different to me. It doesn't seem like a great instrument that has been beaten to death through the ignorance of some bass miscreant. It looks like some cool old buildings I've seen where the brick is peeking through the plaster, where something is hiding underneath and maybe trying to get out. I was a little concerned about how it would turn out because I love Andrew Drake's work, but I love the shape, the pickguard and the the control plate and I have grown to like this one. It doesn't look abused.

success!

 

[dukeorock]

When I see a response like this my first inclination is to try and enlighten a closed view into a broader light. I've taught art (UMKC/KCAI/SAIC), so my teacher-switch automatically turns on. Relic-ing has long been an aesthetic stylistic device for furniture and artifacts/object of art. Its use on guitar finishes is very recent, and inspired by actual player worn instruments. As it is relatively new (Fender did their 1st relic'd Strat in the early 90's for Keith Richards) and because some people think that 'look' is easily achieved (by dragging it behind a truck etc) the result has been many poor DIY examples out there. I give anyone trying it kudos for wanting to achieve that look - "A" for effort even if south of "C" for result. We live in a DIY Mecca with the likes of Stew Mac and the availability of aftermarket parts to use in DIY modifications. The goal for all these DIY'rs is to personalize their instrument - make it their bass, one not pulled off the shelf. For players like Mark - a working professional musician, to have a custom bass made for him to his specs is a very special deal. It's why I wanted to take on this bass and with great respect for its maker - to transform it into a bass he will play because he not only loves the way it plays/sounds, but equally as important - because of the way it looks and feels. Mark trusted my vision honed over a lifetime to deliver a beautiful bass to him. It had it's gen1 beauty delivered by Andrew Drake - and I brought my gen2 art to it which allowed Andrews layered wood to play a vital supporting visual role. The result is a beautiful bass. I'm flatly stating this more than tooting my own horn - beauty is in the eyes of the beholder so my professing its beauty is most definitely through my eyes first. If in the end I don't feel that - it wouldn't be 'done'. I'm the gatekeeper and it won't leave my hands until I'm happy with it - and if I'm happy with it after working with Mark and hearing that he loves it - bingo! In fact, I am really pleased to hear Marks honest insights on it from first look to now. (and not counting his having it in his hands) What I heard was eyes expanding - this is what art does when done right. I know this from experiencing all the art I've seen in museums, galleries, artist studio's or homes over my lifetme. I see beauty in a rusted artifact, a crumbling wall or a pealing billboard. When your eyes open wide - there is so much beauty in the world that isn't always shiny and perfect.

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Perfectly said! I love my bass, so it's all good from my end. My musician friends I work with all flipped out when I showed em pictures. Some didn't want me to bring 'gen 1' to their gigs, but ALL want me to bring 'gen 2.' That was the goal and Jio went through an enormous amount of time getting to know me and my aesthetic (for what it's worth, I rarely like relic basses, except Jio's and Fano's, for the most part). Not to sound pretentious, but it felt like Jio did some soul searching to make sure everything was done with love and respect. What more could I ask for?

 

[JIO]

Perfectly said! I love my bass, so it's all good from my end. My musician friends I work with all flipped out when I showed em pictures. Some didn't want me to bring 'gen 1' to their gigs, but ALL want me to bring 'gen 2.' That was the goal and Jio went through an enormous amount of time getting to know me and my aesthetic (for what it's worth, I rarely like relic basses, except Jio's and Fano's, for the most part). Not to sound pretentious, but it felt like Jio did some soul searching to make sure everything was done with love and respect. What more could I ask for?

That word "mojo" - this is the real definition.

 

[Old Blastard]

I think the reshaping and the pickguard/controls were very attractive. And, in the end, it's what the Duke likes that matters. I like the look, but I'm more of a shiny-shiny looks almost new kind of guy, but that's me.

 

[Fat Freddy]

When I see a response like this my first inclination is to try and enlighten a closed view into a broader light. I've taught art (UMKC/KCAI/SAIC), so my teacher-switch automatically turns on. Relic-ing has long been an aesthetic stylistic device for furniture and artifacts/object of art. Its use on guitar finishes is very recent, and inspired by actual player worn instruments. As it is relatively new (Fender did their 1st relic'd Strat in the early 90's for Keith Richards) and because some people think that 'look' is easily achieved (by dragging it behind a truck etc) the result has been many poor DIY examples out there. I give anyone trying it kudos for wanting to achieve that look - "A" for effort even if south of "C" for result. We live in a DIY Mecca with the likes of Stew Mac and the availability of aftermarket parts to use in DIY modifications. The goal for all these DIY'rs is to personalize their instrument - make it their bass, one not pulled off the shelf. For players like Mark - a working professional musician, to have a custom bass made for him to his specs is a very special deal. It's why I wanted to take on this bass and with great respect for its maker - to transform it into a bass he will play because he not only loves the way it plays/sounds, but equally as important - because of the way it looks and feels. Mark trusted my vision honed over a lifetime to deliver a beautiful bass to him. It had it's gen1 beauty delivered by Andrew Drake - and I brought my gen2 art to it which allowed Andrews layered wood to play a vital supporting visual role. The result is a beautiful bass. I'm flatly stating this more than tooting my own horn - beauty is in the eyes of the beholder so my professing its beauty is most definitely through my eyes first. If in the end I don't feel that - it wouldn't be 'done'. I'm the gatekeeper and it won't leave my hands until I'm happy with it - and if I'm happy with it after working with Mark and hearing that he loves it - bingo! In fact, I am really pleased to hear Marks honest insights on it from first look to now. (and not counting his having it in his hands) What I heard was eyes expanding - this is what art does when done right. I know this from experiencing all the art I've seen in museums, galleries, artist studio's or homes over my lifetme. I see beauty in a rusted artifact, a crumbling wall or a pealing billboard. When your eyes open wide - there is so much beauty in the world that isn't always shiny and perfect.

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I too see beauty in "rusty gold"....but, again, only in my opinion, it looks better to me if it's picked up it's mojo, whatever, from natural ageing or honest wear and tear......

I look at the basses that have been given artificial aging and I very rarely see anything that looks convincing to me.....

I appreciate the effort that you went to to convince me and other doubters of our errors in this respect but when all's said and done, my general reaction to artificial aging is Meh....

Again....I really must stress that I'm NOT calling your work ugly.....

If people like reliced items that's fine by me.....

I'm simply, and finally, saying that it doesn't ring my particular bell.....

With that, I shall bid you adieu....

Vive la differance.....

 

[Kelly robinson]

With much respect for Jio's obvious talent and skill here are my thoughts for what they're worth . First the reshaping of the body is my favorite part of this . I think Jio showed his excellent eye and artistic excellence there in spades . Now to me , the more problematic issue is not the relicing itself which came out well but the approach taken on the refinish . Much of this comes from an assumption on my part that Jio would somehow manage to alter and upgrade the original " breadboard " appearance while managing to still keep it looking recognizable . I don't feel that was accomplished and granted that was MY assumption not his but I was really looking forward to seeing how he would pull that off . As it stands now I think " Old Blastard " 's description comparing it to the old buildings with layered finishes exposed over time is very accurate . And as that it comes across as being very well done . If you compare it to Jio's example of a relic or weathered Indian or Eskimo bird head however it pales somewhat because the original ' breadboard ' finish was obviously not meant to be covered up by paint . Is it a success as is - very obviously , the answer is yes . Is it what I hoped to see - the answer is no , not really but as I said that is on me and my expectations for this project - Kelly

 

[dukeorock]

I think the reshaping and the pickguard/controls were very attractive. And, in the end, it's what the Duke likes that matters. I like the look, but I'm more of a shiny-shiny looks almost new kind of guy, but that's me.

Oddly enough, me too for the most part! This bass was a total dilemma. I love Andrew Drakes instruments (your basses are works of art!). The striped thing was my idea initially, so also my fault for requesting something that looked better leaning against a wall than it did strapped to me on a stage. The shape also just wasn't quite 'right' to me. Also my fault for not being more clear and insistent that we stick closer to the original drawings. That's on me. Now what do I do?! I start wondering what could be done about it.

At some point I discovered Jio's Teisco inspired basses. THATS WHAT I LOVE! They weren't relic'd at all. They looked like new basses that were somehow discovered in a warehouse from the 60's. I considered buying one of those basses, but I really wanted what I already have, sonically and feel wise, but with those looks. Here's where the dilemma comes in. Neither myself nor Jio quite had the heart to cover up all of Andrews amazing work. It just felt...wrong. Disrespectful. This was the artistic solution to our dilemma, and I love it to pieces. I have every intention of commissioning Jio again for one of his Teisco inspired basses with a different sound than what I get from my Drake. For recordings, I like to have a lot of options. If and when we do this, I will want the bass to look new, because it will be new! Give me a couple hundred gigs with it and it'll surely get relic'd the old fashioned way!

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Let me start this off by saying you did a BEAUTIFUL job on that bass!

I'm with Fat Freddy on this though. I can appreciate the time and work and beauty of it, but it's not my cup of tea, which is the whole thing with art, not everyone likes the same things. To me an artificially reliced bass is like having a first edition Hemmingway, but all the pages are blank. The cover is there, but there's no story to it.

I really like the touch of sparkle though. Showing you're not trying to replicate true road wear, but making it look like it is a piece of art.

 

[dukeorock]

With much respect for Jio's obvious talent and skill here are my thoughts for what they're worth . First the reshaping of the body is my favorite part of this . I think Jio showed his excellent eye and artistic excellence there in spades . Now to me , the more problematic issue is not the relicing itself which came out well but the approach taken on the refinish . Much of this comes from an assumption on my part that Jio would somehow manage to alter and upgrade the original " breadboard " appearance while managing to still keep it looking recognizable . I don't feel that was accomplished and granted that was MY assumption not his but I was really looking forward to seeing how he would pull that off . As it stands now I think " Old Blastard " 's description comparing it to the old buildings with layered finishes exposed over time is very accurate . And as that it comes across as being very well done . If you compare it to Jio's example of a relic or weathered Indian or Eskimo bird head however it pales somewhat because the original ' breadboard ' finish was obviously not meant to be covered up by paint . Is it a success as is - very obviously , the answer is yes . Is it what I hoped to see - the answer is no , not really but as I said that is on me and my expectations for this project - Kelly

This, to me is a perfectly valid critique. I've been staring at this bass for several years wondering what to do with it. Plays like a dream, sounds massive, but just not me in the end. I wouldve been perfectly happy with the reshaping of the body, the addition of that awesome pickguard and send it back! Thing is, the more I look at the finished product, the more I love it. I also don't see the point of enlisting a true artist, then tell them how to do their art. The finished product also tells me Jio was listening to me. Getting to know me so he could interpret this in a loving way. Sounds sappy, but I can't tell you how much I appreciate that he went to so much trouble to get inside my head in order to come up with a cool bass for ME.

Ironically, I both understand and agree with why someone wouldn't love this bass for them. For me though, I am well pleased

 

[JACink]

All I can say is...

 

[Old Blastard]

I really like the touch of sparkle though. Showing you're not trying to replicate true road wear, but making it look like it is a piece of art.

I think this is exactly why I like the way it turned out. It seems more of an artistic interpretation of road wear rather than an attempt to create a new guitar that looks like it's been played hard for 50 years. Visually, I think it's a good combination of Andrew's wood aesthetic and Jio's interpretation. Sort of Monet and Dali working on the same project.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

I really like the touch of sparkle though. Showing you're not trying to replicate true road wear, but making it look like it is a piece of art.

I think this is exactly why I like the way it turned out. It seems more of an artistic interpretation of road wear rather than an attempt to create a new guitar that looks like it's been played hard for 50 years. Visually, I think it's a good combination of Andrew's wood aesthetic and Jio's interpretation. Sort of Monet and Dali working on the same project.

Exactly what I was trying to get at, worded a lot better!

 

[Old Blastard]

Interesting how much passion this thread has generated. I was really worried about what was going to happen to this bass that I don't even own and was shocked and then pleased how the bass that I don't own and will never play on stage turned out.

This was kind of fun. Hey Duke, have Jio do another bass so I can avoid conversations about politics and crime for another week!