Redefining a custom bass

[JIO]

Well you started it!

Unsolicited feedback or no, @Fat Freddy 's an important part of what I consider to be the community in this forum and has valued opinions. Just not today! lol I'm actually just kidding - the voice of dissent is important in this world, assuming one is emotionally strong enough to handle it. Differing opinions make the world go 'round...

Yes, lets' all help to keep it civil -

 

[Joshua]

The rule in Basses:

Updated 11-24-11 : Basses Forum Rules PLEASE READ

Is also in play here. Please don't make me interpret tone via the written word, as I will always err on the side of caution.

 

[Novarocker]

Thanks man - part of doing custom work is that I get to know the people I'm doing the work for. It's not just, "ok - paint it blue and here's the colour chip to match." I've done it my whole adult life as a professional finisher, and longer than that as an artist. It's part of what I like about 'the job'. I recently played the Flee J in a local music store. Felt great (satiny smooth, like mine) sounded great (classic Jazz bass tone) and looked cool. I nearly bought it as it was on sale but geez, I own a few awesome J's so couldn't justify it. But I thought, if I did I would have taken the machine made look to another level... but that's so me all over!

Sounds like a ton of fun. I work in OEM auto coatings and I think I would much prefer the work you do to cars lol. That sums up my experience as well with the flea J. If I had the spare funds to buy something that I pretty much already have (non concentric though). I would have bought one a while ago. If feels just like my jazz and that bass may very well be buried with me even though I don't play it as much.

 

[JIO]

Man, this thread got all heavy at the end!

I must admit the final product is not what I expected but I do like it far better than the original bass. I think the bricks behind stucco analogy is apt. There are hints of the original peeking out from behind the new bass it has become. It definitely implies that the bass had a different life prior to what you see now.

More importantly than my opinion or interpretation is that it sounds like you nailed it for your customer. If @dukeorock Is happy that's what matters. Seems you guys were on the same wavelength and this bass is gonna get more action which is the true success.

The finish focus/topic seems to always attract line-in-the-sand opinions. As Beej stated - so be it, to a point. I'll always do my best to educate as a first response but have no control over someones point of view beyond that. Not that I care to control anyones point of view, but I will try to offer insights to another viewing option.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

The finish focus/topic seems to always attract line-in-the-sand opinions. As Beej stated - so be it, to a point. I'll always do my best to educate as a first response but have no control over someones point of view beyond that. Not that I care to control anyones point of view, but I will try to offer insights to another viewing option.

You edamucated me. I have a new respect for it in an artistic way.

 

[Reedt2000]

The finish focus/topic seems to always attract line-in-the-sand opinions. As Beej stated - so be it, to a point. I'll always do my best to educate as a first response but have no control over someones point of view beyond that. Not that I care to control anyones point of view, but I will try to offer insights to another viewing option.

I think the TB rules make a pretty good point

"...artificially aging an instrument (i.e. relicing) is, at least visually, no different than artificially coloring an instrument (i.e. painting)"

 

[Fat Freddy]

With all due respect, probably best at this point.

Still ....How about you?....

 

[Beej]

Still ....How about you?....

Well, it is his thread...

 

[Fat Freddy]

Well, it is his thread...

Silly me....

 

[dukeorock]

Oddly, I have no problem that this bass ain't for everyone as it wasn't made for everyone. For 10 pages there was an awesome back and forth. Just good people talking about fun and interesting stuff. That's a beautiful thing and my kind of thread!

My problem is with anyone who doesn't contribute anything, except to come in at the end and be hurtful and rude. It's a real drag. This is my favorite bass. It cost me a lot of money and I like it more than ever now. Blows my mind how much joy some folks get out of being hurtful. I'll never understand the appeal.

As I've said, I watch nearly every build in the luthiers corner. I'm fascinated by the creativity and different ideas. All those very precise details just blow me away. Sometimes they aren't my bag aesthetically, but I have enough manners to keep that to myself and focus on the things I do love about the heart and soul that went into each build.

Thanks so much to all the fantastic folks who made this such a fun experience! HUGE thanks to Jio for doing such soulful work!

 

[Reedt2000]

Oddly, I have no problem that this bass ain't for everyone as it wasn't made for everyone. For 10 pages there was an awesome back and forth. Just good people talking about fun and interesting stuff. That's a beautiful thing and my kind of thread!

My problem is when with anyone who doesn't contribute anything, except to come in at the end and be hurtful and rude. It's a real drag. This is my favorite bass. It cost me a lot of money and I like it more than ever now. Blows my mind how much joy some folks get out of being hurtful. I'll never understand the appeal.

As I've said, I watch nearly every build in the luthiers corner. I'm fascinated by the creativity and different ideas. All those very precise details just blow me away. Sometimes the aren't my bag aesthetically, but I have enough manners to keep that to myself and focus on the things I do love about the heart and soul that went into each build.

Thanks so much to all the fantastic folks who made this such a fun experience! HUGE thanks to Jio for doing such soulful work!

Thanks for sharing your build with us

 

[Old Blastard]

I may be dense, OK that's a given, but Indidnt think fat Freddy was really being a negative downer, at least by TB standards nor did think the reply to him was meant to be as sarcastic as it may seem.

I could be wrong, but I like everyone on this thread and we post on a lot of the same topics and Indidnt really get the bad vibe.

Art is difficult for me. I used to play with him in a band -- good drummer-- but I'm far from an artist. Word guy, here. I often see the road worn look like those pre-holed jeans. I don't know why I think wear should be earned. I'll think about for a day or two and come back.

That being said, I don't see this bass as a Road worn bass. I see it as an expression of wear and age, like Dali's melting clocks or odd landscapes. The bass has really grown on me the more I've studied it's photos. I feel different about it than I do pictures of custom shop relic basses.

I don't know why I feel that way. I understand Jios defense of relic design, but my heart doesn't get it. I get this bass, however, probably because I was familiar with it and its morphed into something familiar but different. Like those damn clocks!

Anyway, good on ya. And thanks for engaging us and being good sports about the disagreements. Sometimes this forum surprises me.

I've been a news reporter for 40 years. I'm seldom surprised, only appalled.

PS Ima big Dali fan.

 

[Gabasss]

Woow! Been following this thread and waiting for the final result. My waiting is over and the final result is totally gorgeous!
Great job JIO!
Our taste on instrument might be similar, dukeorock. Because I really envy you of your new bass' look!

 

[dukeorock]

Woow! Been following this thread and waiting for the final result. My waiting is over and the final result is totally gorgeous!
Great job JIO!
Our taste on instrument might be similar, dukeorock. Because I really envy you of your new bass' look!

Thanks! I think Jio knocked it out of the park

 

[reverendrally]

Franky I can't see the need for redefinition - and interestingly enough, one of my personal rules is when re-finishing/re-doing something (anything) it has to be of quality stock. You know, never gild a lily or polish a turd... (and I only frame it like this as you opened the door)

Well played sir. Well played.

 

[JIO]

I may be dense, OK that's a given, but Indidnt think fat Freddy was really being a negative downer, at least by TB standards nor did think the reply to him was meant to be as sarcastic as it may seem.

I could be wrong, but I like everyone on this thread and we post on a lot of the same topics and Indidnt really get the bad vibe.

Art is difficult for me. I used to play with him in a band -- good drummer-- but I'm far from an artist. Word guy, here. I often see the road worn look like those pre-holed jeans. I don't know why I think wear should be earned. I'll think about for a day or two and come back.

That being said, I don't see this bass as a Road worn bass. I see it as an expression of wear and age, like Dali's melting clocks or odd landscapes. The bass has really grown on me the more I've studied it's photos. I feel different about it than I do pictures of custom shop relic basses.

I don't know why I feel that way. I understand Jios defense of relic design, but my heart doesn't get it. I get this bass, however, probably because I was familiar with it and its morphed into something familiar but different. Like those damn clocks!

Anyway, good on ya. And thanks for engaging us and being good sports about the disagreements. Sometimes this forum surprises me.

I've been a news reporter for 40 years. I'm seldom surprised, only appalled.

PS Ima big Dali fan.

Thanks for this OB - I have much respect for a man of words. It's all part of the same shared goal - communications. You translate life through words, I translate life through art. We both translate life through our music. I like "Art as drummer" - I like my drummer too, but his name is Steve. I also was critical of new jeans with holes/wear until I met my partner Beth who worked for Levis here in SF when I first met her. I was then educated to every aspect of that type of look in fashion and what went into creating it on a mass, very popular level. At first it all seemed (and looked) silly. Countless 'even sillier' cheap (non-Levis) spin-offs were born and some crazy versions were seen being worn everywhere. I'm a very active person, always have been - and so for me, blowing out the knees in my jeans was a common result of wearing them. So once that happened, I bought a new pair. Why would anyone spend money on jeans that had holes and wear already? Then I started to see (especially woman) wearing these fashion jeans fashionably and it started to all make sense. I didn't feel proud of the holes in my jeans created by "real wear" - and also didn't feel they were aesthetically pleasing or "hip". But I've seen (again, especially woman who always have a more acute fashion sense than most men hands down) that 'look' delivered and it looks great.

I like Dali also. I loved the Woody Allan movie "Midnight In Paris" where Dali was like "Dal-EEE! Much of my early art was Surrealism influenced. I love David Lynch for many reasons, (he's produced some cool music also) but one of which is his contemporary alignment with Surrealisms rich history. "Familiar yet different" could be the title to my operational text book. If you can get someone to look at something twice - you're more than half way there.

And finally, part of what happened (in this thread) happens all to often in this removed anonymous cyber world we live in now - mis-interpretations, assumed reactions to responses and ruffled feathers - without actually facing someone in the flesh eye to eye! That's the part we all need to face objectively and do our best to not let it clog an otherwise healthy flow of ideas and insights. Let's all shake hands and when prudent agree to disagree and have the fun we all are part of, what brings us all together - 'slappin' da bass"



(please stop...)

 

[JIO]

You edamucated me. I have a new respect for it in an artistic way.

music to my ears

 

[Kelly robinson]

Written to the fine Animals tune " Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood " !
Personally , I felt a tad misunderstood earlier and I hope this isn't too . I know this is a touchy subject and a very subjective one at that . Jio choose to reinterpret this bass in this "weathered building " way that we see now . Most folks here like his end result - most importantly - it's owner ! Some folks aren't as thrilled and frankly , that's to be expected in any scenario like this . I'm very much on the fence about it because of my expectations and the fact that this is being done by such a talent as Jio . Perhaps I should have kept my doubts to myself but I feel like we are all grown ups here and can manage to discuss the approach taken by Jio honestly and without any malice implied or intended . Jio is exceptionally talented - of that there can be little debate . One only has to have read thru his previous builds or visited his work site online to see that . He did what he thought worked out best for his vision and his clients and no doubt - it is a success on that level for sure . I too , very much like the bass as it's been redefined . It looks cool - is very well reshaped and does have a great reliced aura about it . However , I do feel like it would have been more interesting for me to see if Jio could have refinished it while maintaining and improving the original look . Assuming of course , that the task of keeping the original look while improving it is even possible ! Personally , I can't imagine how that could have been done but my guess is that Jio is one person who might have been able to pull that off . To me it comes down to how much or little of the spirit of the original " breadboard " finish is kept in the resultant work . I find the original finish to be very hard to look at - thus unappealing and as such , a tremendous challenge to modify and improve . I was hoping for some positively fantastical transformation of that original that maintained it's spirit . Whether he succeeded in that or even was attempting that as a goal is a question open to various viewpoints and answers . In the end though , it was painted over like a remodeled building - then sanded back as if time had weathered it in some places to the original finish . It's a good practical solution to a complex problem but not the solution I hoped for . Ironically , if it wasn't a Jio project I wouldn't have commented about my somewhat dashed hopes . I hope my opinion and thought process has reflected the respect I have for what was or wasn't accomplished by a very talented artist . Sincerely , Kelly

 

[cdlynch]

This is a super interesting project because it started with breadboard/hippie sandwich, and was modified (in part) with relic/worn/accelerated aging. Two very purposeful and polarizing design choices, and done in a way that each style points directly at the other and says, "dude, LOOK at that!" There may be other examples of this, but I haven't seen them.

The more you think about it, the more there is to think about. It kinda doesn't matter what you think about it, but you're damn sure thinking about it, and inspired feverishly compelled to discuss it at length. To me, that's one of the more lofty goals an artist can hope to achieve.

Whatever you think about the before and after, try not to miss the art and design education.

Thanks @JIO, as always.

 

[Jon Clegg]

Wow, I don't read a thread for a few days...

Normally, distressed finishes aren't my thing, but @JIO has done it in a way that looks cool. Well done (again!) !

Congrats to @dukeorock on a cool reborn bass.