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Rhiannon and Galadriel

#241
She's wired, and has a fundamental setup in place. The switch works perfectly. Flip up for a single coilish tone, all the way down for a humbuckerish tone, and then place her in the middle to kill the signal. @rondodunbar will receive her tomorrow and then we get to see how close to the mark I came.
 
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#242
I spent some time last night playing and tweaking the setup, and I am becoming more convinced that I need to drop the neck in the pocket a bit. I am really enjoying the experience of working on such a radical radius, but the 35" scale makes testing difficult. I have tiny hands and am used to a 30" scale. The extra 5" is a HUGE difference, especially on a fretless. Today I get to put it in @rondodunbar's hands to get some initial impressions and determine what needs changing. One of the things I love about building for others is the conversations that drives me to improve my skills, as well as entertaining ways of doing things that would not normally be in my balliwick.

Joy!
 
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#243
I took delivery of Galadriel about noontime. I won't have a chance to play her until tonight, and will probably live with her for sometime before commenting on specifics. The things most important to me are how the 7.25" radius on the fingerboard works and how well that radius works with the 19mm string spacing.
Rondo
 
#244
I received some feedback from @rondodunbar today on Galadriel, and based on what he provided I am VERY glad we did a prototype. The few issues in design that are present are easily corrected, and we have a firm confirmation on several aspects that I wanted to verify before cutting into the premium wood we have set aside for Rhiannon. I am thinking that I need to include this as a standard offering for customer builds as it provides for a better experience and customer satisfaction.
 
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#245
Here's the results of a conversation with @rondodunbar :

1. The body is spot on
2. The pickup location sounds great when the Lace Alumitone bassbar is in single coil mode
3. The string 19mm spacing and 7.25" radius works very well
4. The 35" scale length is too much - we are going to regroup and try a 32" scale length
5. The light colored fret dots are all but lost on the maple - higher contrast dots are needed.

With that in mind I am going to get moving on gluing up Rhiannon's body, and build a new neck for Galadriel.

Here's an updated concept for Galadriel:

galadriel.png
 
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#246
Just an informative note for those following the thread: The saying about being too close to the forest to see the trees comes to mind. I have had two basses before commissioning Michael to build Rhiannon and Galadriel, a Hohner BAV and my current Spectorcore. The Hohner was damaged in shipment to a luthier for defretting and the Spector was bought to replace it. The Hohner had a 34" scale and I had no problem playing it fretted. The Spector is 35" scale and fretless and I have never really bonded with it. Last night while playing Galadriel I found I was having the same issues with her as I have with the Spector. After noodling a bit more I finally realized that the 35" scale was just too much for me on a fretless bass.
It is likely that had the Hohner not been damaged and had been defretted as planned I would have faced the same issue. I really need to thank Michael for insisting on building a prototype as I may not have discovered this otherwise. No one wants to play an instrument that doesn't fit them and is uncomfortable. Had I simply ordered a bass as I originally spec'd with a 35" scale I would have continued to be dissatisfied and it may have taken several more basses and possibly years to finally figure out. So, thanks @michaelwayneharwood, you probably saved me thousands of dollars and years of frustration.
As for the other points: Man am I digging the 7.25" radius, the body shape is perfect, and the 19mm spacing works like a dream.
Rondo
 
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#247
rondodunbar said:
Just an informative note for those following the thread: The saying about being too close to the forest to see the trees comes to mind. I have had two basses before commissioning Michael to build Rhiannon and Galadriel, a Hohner BAV and my current Spectorcore. The Hohner was damaged in shipment to a luthier for defretting and the Spector was bought to replace it. The Hohner had a 34" scale and I had no problem plying it fretted. The Spector is 35" scale and fretless and I have never really bonded with it. Last night while playing Galadriel I found I was having the same issues with her as I have with the Spector. After noodling a bit more I finally realized that the 35" scale was just too much for me on a fretless bass.
It is likely that had the Hohner not been damaged and had been defretted as planned I would have faced the same issue. I really need to thank Michael for insisting on building a prototype as I may not have discovered this otherwise. No one wants to play an instrument that doesn't fit them and is uncomfortable. Had I simply ordered a bass as I originally spec'd with a 35" scale I would have continued to be dissatisfied and it may have taken several more basses and possibly years to finally figure out. So, thanks @michaelwayneharwood, you probably saved me thousands of dollars and years of frustration.
As for the other points: Man am I digging the 7.25" radius, the body shape is perfect, and the 19mm spacing works like a dream.
Rondo
Click to expand...
Thanks man! I have to thank you for helping me to flesh out what will be a standard offering for customer builds. Of course once my build docket gets cleared I may never have another customer, but just in case... ;)
 
#248
I own several, beautiful 34 & 35 scales that I hardly ever play due to my torn up shoulders (and stubby fingers:).

My 30" basses are my go to. I LOVE the Ibanez Mikro's (28.7') so much, I just converted a 5 string Jazz to a Jazz neck/MM Bridge. The shorter scale basses just work better for me.
 
#249
Okay... long overdue update. I've had Galadriel for over a week and have had a chance to live with her. I have found the proper technique to get the tones from her that I need so the pickup location is cool, it has required adjustments in my playing which is no problem. The 7.25" radius is like coming home for me. Years ago my first experience with bass was a double bass and having the more radical radius is like touching an old friend, very happy with my decision to go 7.25". The 19mm spacing is wider than what I am used to but it has been very easy to transition too it, again I am very happy. While I have adjusted to the 35" scale, I still struggle so I believe the 32" scale is going to be it, Michael has a bass with a 32" scale for me to try before we make a final decision but I am pretty sure I need the shorter scale. The CA coating on the fingerboard is smooth, I don't really notice it, which is to say it is good. Haven't had her on a strap yet but she seems to balance really well playing sitting down. As for the decision to go with the Lace Alumitone... it kicks serious a$$! I dig not having knobs and gee-gaws hanging all over the front of this beautiful instrument. A'int she purty?
Rondo
 

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#250
Interesting observations...
Going from 35" to 32" scale-
since the pickup will not be in the same place relative to the nut if the bridge is not moved, what would be changed ( if either)- the bridge, or pickup placement?

I must have missed it back there somewhere- what was the nut width you settled on? Would that have much affect on coupled with the 35" scale in this case?
 
#251
JustForSport,
I don't think the pickup location with this pickup is going make a huge difference, with a 32" scale she'll be darker for sure but I have found that when switched to single coil mode she is quite clear and clean. We also have the option of adding a new p'up at the bridge. I think the nut width is 1.75" [it is a Hipshot head piece and nut width (actually, no nut on this one, she has a zero fret) was determined by that] but I'd need to measure it. In any event, Galadriel was built as a prototype for Rhiannon to test ideas and as a proof of concept. Rhiannon's p'up will be placed farther south and the difference in scale length will be accounted for. Currently, the plan is to have Michael fashion a 32" neck for her and leave the p'up where it is. For anything else, I'll defer to Michael, he knows more about the details than I do. Maybe he'll chime in.
Rondo
 
#252
rondodunbar said:
JustForSport,
I don't think the pickup location with this pickup is going make a huge difference, with a 32" scale she'll be darker for sure but I have found that when switched to single coil mode she is quite clear and clean. We also have the option of adding a new p'up at the bridge. I think the nut width is 1.75" [it is a Hipshot head piece and nut width (actually, no nut on this one, she has a zero fret) was determined by that] but I'd need to measure it. In any event, Galadriel was built as a prototype for Rhiannon to test ideas and as a proof of concept. Rhiannon's p'up will be placed farther south and the difference in scale length will be accounted for. Currently, the plan is to have Michael fashion a 32" neck for her and leave the p'up where it is. For anything else, I'll defer to Michael, he knows more about the details than I do. Maybe he'll chime in.
Rondo
Click to expand...
The nut width is 1.88", with a .75" string spacing (center to center) at the bridge saddles. As Rondo said earlier I am cleaning up a 32" scale bass I have on hand to lend to him so that we can be 100% sure on the scale length before we create another neck. The string spacing on my 32" scale length bass is quite a bit tighter than the .75" we are aiming for, but I think it should be OK from a "verify the scale length" perspective. The absolute worst case scenario would be the necessity of building a new body for Galadriel to even the pickup tone out, but that's not a huge deal at all.
 
#254
Deep Cat said:
I have no doubt you'll get more customers.
Click to expand...
Thanks man - that's kind to say.

A quick update is in order. I fitted one of my earlier 5 string 32" scale basses with my single string tuners to lend to @rondodunbar. I consider it one of my prototype builds, so it's a bit rough around the edges. I need to mark up some fret lines, and as I am intending to sand and refinish it at some point I am just going to use a sharpie. Ghetto - I know, but it will serve it's purpose.

IMG_20150723_124705885.jpg
 
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#259
rondodunbar said:
..When I commisioned Michael to build this bass I was adamant about 3 things, had to be headless, had to have a Lace Almatone p'up, and had to have the Tele body. If anyone has questions about any of these criteria feel free to ask. ...
Click to expand...
Rondo, this is a quote from about 8 pages back. I totally get the headless and the Tele shape requirements. However, I know approximately zero about pick-ups. Can you edjamacate me on the Lace p'ups and the MM "sweetspot"?
 
#260
A lovely section of Peruvian Walnut has been sliced to 30" by 4", and the fingerboard is complaining that it's lonely. I need to get a truss rod route carved out, and then some clamps can be applied. If all goes well I have a second quilted maple fingerboard that I can use on Galadriel's new 32" scale neck.

IMG_20150727_092501299.jpg
 
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