Rhiannon and Galadriel

[Hamish MacCleod]

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"?

2groggy,
Ever since I first heard the Alumatone p'up I have liked the sound. It is clean, some detractors might say sterile, but for me that means my preamp is what shapes the tone. The Lace Alumatone is a departure from conventional design and I am cool with that. I have always preferred the sound of single pickup basses and told Michael to put the p'up in the MM sweat spot. He went one better and designed the Sonum Experior to test an infinate number of locations between the bridge and neck. It turns out that the MM sweet spot seems the best compromise for growl and thump for me. P'up style, selection and location is very personal and there are tons of flame wars to show it. This combination of components and how they work together are those that will give me the tools I need to craft my sound. Your needs and preferences may be quite different. The bottom line was, no off the shelf bass has this combination so a highly modified standard bass or a custom build were the only options.
Rondo
For MM info: Music Man sound and pickups | TalkBass.com
For the p'ups:

 

[Hamish MacCleod]

2groggy,
Just a few other notes: I intentionally avoided using any tone shaping/altering components in the bass, no preamp, no variac... I want a clean signal going to the preamp/amplifier. The p'up is wired through a selector that gives single or humbucking sound and provides for killing the sound all together then straight to the jack. This eliminates the chance of any electrical or electronic components within the bass dirtying up the signal.
Rondo

 

[Up the dose]

At Tanagra.......

 

[michaelwayneharwood]

At Tanagra

Do you mean "Darmok and Jalad...at Tanagra." ???

 

[Hamish MacCleod]

At Tanagra

In an effort to follow the reference I now know much more about TNG. Usually I am pretty good with metaphors but I am having trouble relating this to my replies to 2groggy [if it relates to those posts]. Call me dense.
Rondo
Edit: Nevermind, I get it now...In the broadest sense of any problem to be solved, requiring logic, trial and error, and ultimately a workable solution. Sokath, his eyes uncovered.

 

[michaelwayneharwood]

Call me dense.

Kiteo, his eyes closed.

 

[Hamish MacCleod]

Sokath, his eyes uncovered... the sleeper has awakened!
Rondo

 

[michaelwayneharwood]

Tembra at rest.

 

[michaelwayneharwood]

Nevermind, I get it now...In the broadest sense of any problem to be solved, requiring logic, trial and error, and ultimately a workable solution.

@rondodunbar and @michaelwayneharwood, on the ocean.

 

[2groggy]

Thanks Rondo
and I like your sig, BTW

 

[Hamish MacCleod]

@rondodunbar and @michaelwayneharwood, on the ocean.

All other TB'ers... in Plato's Cave
Rondo

 

[Hamish MacCleod]

And everyone, please forgive me for mixing metaphors, nearly as bad as mixing speaker sizes in the same cabinet, right?
Rondo

 

[Hamish MacCleod]

Thanks Rondo
and I like your sig, BTW

If any of that didn't make sense PM me.
Rondo

 

[michaelwayneharwood]

Rhiannon's truss rod channel has been routed, and set in place with some silicone caulk. Once that cures the fingerboard will be glued down.

 

[michaelwayneharwood]

With the 1 hour silicone caulk cured enough to be solid, and the help of a strip of blue tape covering the truss rod, the fingerboard has been glued down.

 

[Hamish MacCleod]

Quick update:
Met up with Michael very early this morning, gave Galadriel back to him for some changes and he loaned me a bass with a 32" scale to see if that works out better. I will update when I have more to report.
Rondo

 

[michaelwayneharwood]

Quick update:
Met up with Michael very early this morning, gave Galadriel back to him for some changes and he loaned me a bass with a 32" scale to see if that works out better. I will update when I have more to report.
Rondo

I received an update via email from @rondodunbar this morning, and it appears that the 32" scale is a significant improvement from a comfort perspective. The jury is still out, the signs are good that 32" will be where we land.

 

[Hamish MacCleod]

Okay, 32" scale is going to be the way to go. I have been noodling with one of Michael's 32" scale basses and it just fits so much better than the 35". This was also a chance to evaluate Michael's prototype tuner design... they are the bomb! I think most people underestimate just how tiny these tuners are, I have included two pics showing pocket change next to the tuners to give an idea of scale. These tuners hold a tune, set it and forget it. Awesome!
Rondo

 

[michaelwayneharwood]

Okay, 32" scale is going to be the way to go. I have been noodling with one of Michael's 32" scale basses and it just fits so much better than the 35". This was also a chance to evaluate Michael's prototype tuner design... they are the bomb! I think most people underestimate just how tiny these tuners are, I have included two pics showing pocket change next to the tuners to give an idea of scale. These tuners hold a tune, set it and forget it. Awesome!
Rondo

Thanks for the kudos man! With the scale length firmly set in I can now get moving on the necks.

 

[michaelwayneharwood]

After a bit of conversation with @rondodunbar a decision has been made to use my headless tuner design instead of the ABM tuners. I am going back to the drawing board and a new concept illustration will be crafted for approval in the next few days.