Who Cares!! Spread the word baby.
Some good things going on in the Sei world. I get to visit HQ on Wednesday to check out some of the builds. Oh by the way, I pick up my fretless while I'm there
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Who Cares!! Spread the word baby.
Some good things going on in the Sei world. I get to visit HQ on Wednesday to check out some of the builds. Oh by the way, I pick up my fretless while I'm there
Geez, and it only seems like yesterday that you got the first one !!
It's going to be a tortuous couple of days....
It's going to be a tortuous couple of days....
I've been dipping into this forum thread for about a week on the run up to my buying a Sei Flamboyant Headless 6 (fretted) second hand. I now own it and I am very pleased to do so.
I emailed Martin to arrange a time to visit the Gallery (for the first time) to get a couple of the allen screws swapped out as a former owner has been less than careful with them. He hasn't responded yet but I appreciate how busy they are in the workshop.
I have admired Sei basses for quite some time but never had the chance to try one or see one close up. I hope it will quickly become my first choice bass as I also have an Ibanez BTB 6 and a Cort Curbow 6 (both fretted).
There are some lovely looking basses pictured throughout this thread. Don't you feel looking at pictures of basses is almost a fetish? I do, and I don't care if that makes me seem off the main track...
I'm looking forward to dipping into the forum from time to time to see what other users get up to.
Cheers.
I emailed Martin to arrange a time to visit the Gallery (for the first time) to get a couple of the allen screws swapped out as a former owner has been less than careful with them. He hasn't responded yet but I appreciate how busy they are in the workshop.
I have admired Sei basses for quite some time but never had the chance to try one or see one close up. I hope it will quickly become my first choice bass as I also have an Ibanez BTB 6 and a Cort Curbow 6 (both fretted).
There are some lovely looking basses pictured throughout this thread. Don't you feel looking at pictures of basses is almost a fetish? I do, and I don't care if that makes me seem off the main track...
I'm looking forward to dipping into the forum from time to time to see what other users get up to.
Cheers.
Hi Bob,
Others will chime in but welcome to the thread !! Look at pictures may be a fetish, but looking at pics of Sei's on here is essential. Please post some of your Sei if you can !!
OK, guys I need some advice....
I've come to the conclusion that the 'all-passive' route hasn't really worked for me. I changed the strings on my Sei this evening and even with the new set gleaming away, I know that active is the way to go. Martin and I agreed that Jezebel should have a rout for the pre should I want to go that way in the future.
So the answer seems to be a pre, but which one. I know that some of you have the Schack circuit, but which one should I go for ??
Any help, as always, would be greatly appreciated...
Others will chime in but welcome to the thread !! Look at pictures may be a fetish, but looking at pics of Sei's on here is essential. Please post some of your Sei if you can !!
OK, guys I need some advice....
I've come to the conclusion that the 'all-passive' route hasn't really worked for me. I changed the strings on my Sei this evening and even with the new set gleaming away, I know that active is the way to go. Martin and I agreed that Jezebel should have a rout for the pre should I want to go that way in the future.
So the answer seems to be a pre, but which one. I know that some of you have the Schack circuit, but which one should I go for ??
Any help, as always, would be greatly appreciated...
Bob
That bass looks stunning, is the wood Amboina root or thuya, I can't tell from the photo, but whichever it looks damm sexy.
How long till you pick hre up?
Regards
Matthew
That bass looks stunning, is the wood Amboina root or thuya, I can't tell from the photo, but whichever it looks damm sexy.
How long till you pick hre up?
Regards
Matthew
Here is a summary of the bass' features:
# 34" Scale 7 piece neck - Wenge and Maple
# 24 fret Ebony fingerboard
# Ash Wings with Burr Mertyl facings
# Battery and electronic compartment covers cut out from facing
# ABM hardware
# Bartolini pickups
# Schack electronics
I still had it in my Ebay...
Welcome Bob - PM me and I'll send you a membership number.
7 - I really like the Schack circuit. Works well for me, I find I don't need to play around with the DP switches. Just focus on the bridge pick up, dial in a bit of mid boost - jobs a good 'un.
I'm a bit bored here so I think I'll leave now and pick up my fretless. You know, I got nothing better to do...
I'll check in on the other builds while I'm there. Back later with a report and pics
7 - I really like the Schack circuit. Works well for me, I find I don't need to play around with the DP switches. Just focus on the bridge pick up, dial in a bit of mid boost - jobs a good 'un.
I'm a bit bored here so I think I'll leave now and pick up my fretless. You know, I got nothing better to do...
I'll check in on the other builds while I'm there. Back later with a report and pics
It's a very cool bass you have there, Bob !!
...and as Paddy quietly leaves and slowly walks down the street (yeah right, he's now sprinting down the road into whichever form of transport that he's using).
Poor guy, he probably hasn't even taken a jacket with him....he's going to catch a really bad cold....what would his mother say....
...and as Paddy quietly leaves and slowly walks down the street (yeah right, he's now sprinting down the road into whichever form of transport that he's using).
Poor guy, he probably hasn't even taken a jacket with him....he's going to catch a really bad cold....what would his mother say....
Bob_Sixer - Very warm welcome to the thread and beautiful SEI headless 6...bet you're having fun with that one!
7, what do you not like about the current sound? Most onboard pre-amps add a certain colour to the passive tone of a bass, so think carefully what it is you really are after and then let us know so we can try and recommend some.
As a starter, here are several circuits and my own experiences:
Ive also heard good things about Pope, Noll, John East, Basslab
7, what do you not like about the current sound? Most onboard pre-amps add a certain colour to the passive tone of a bass, so think carefully what it is you really are after and then let us know so we can try and recommend some.
As a starter, here are several circuits and my own experiences:
- Schack Very flexible and one of Martins favourites, though I never really got on with it (bass control never did the really deep clear clean bass thing I want)
- Aguilar OBP3 Very bright clear sound with a powerful rather thick bass control, can sound a little cold / hard in the treble and be a little noisy.
- Bartolini Clean sounding noiseless circuit, not as bright and clear as some other circuits (e.g. Aguilar, Audere etc).
- Demeter Neutral clear sound with tone controls that are not as dramatic as some other circuits (no real experience of this one)
- Audere Very clear, clean neutral and noiseless circuit with unique Z control for instant changes in tone (again no real experience but very nearly had this put in the SEI 8)
- Glockenklang Really neutral, clear, clean noiseless preamp, with deep clear clean bass, mids that cut right through and unique treble that uses presence to rather than brightness to boost the existing treble (my favourite by far and what is in the SEI 8)
Ive also heard good things about Pope, Noll, John East, Basslab
I never really got on with the Schack circuit personally. I guess it could've been the bass, but I found I was always tweaking the dip switches and I was never 100% happy with the tone I got; it seemed a little sterile to me.
I really like the Demeter in my current singlecut, but of course the construction of the bass is totally different; without trying out different circuits in the same bass it's always going to be a bit of a crapshoot, if you'll pardon the expression!
I really like the Demeter in my current singlecut, but of course the construction of the bass is totally different; without trying out different circuits in the same bass it's always going to be a bit of a crapshoot, if you'll pardon the expression!
I have used a LOT of circuits in various basses over the years (the Singlecut fretless 5 that's nearing completion is my 8th Sei so far)
I have used the Schack - it sounded pretty good to me, and have used the East J-Retro in one of the Jazz basses - didn't like that too much - bit too "fiddly" in it's layour for my liking.
The Aguilar sounded pretty nice. I have the Demeter in my fretted Singlecut 5 and it is ne of the nicest sounding EQ's I have used - very nice across all of it's range - just sounds nice and "musical".
At the end of the day, there are a load of nice circuits out there - it's all about about how you use each one - be sympathetic to the inherent sound of the bass, and the sound is mostly created from your fingertips - that's my experience anyhow.
I have used the Schack - it sounded pretty good to me, and have used the East J-Retro in one of the Jazz basses - didn't like that too much - bit too "fiddly" in it's layour for my liking.
The Aguilar sounded pretty nice. I have the Demeter in my fretted Singlecut 5 and it is ne of the nicest sounding EQ's I have used - very nice across all of it's range - just sounds nice and "musical".
At the end of the day, there are a load of nice circuits out there - it's all about about how you use each one - be sympathetic to the inherent sound of the bass, and the sound is mostly created from your fingertips - that's my experience anyhow.
Ladies & Gentlemen we have a success story 
The good Dr Peterson & Co have done it again. Time for some pure self-indulgence - my fretless baby is here and boy am I happy 
.
1st impressions are that it's a much lighter instrument than the fretted. It also requires a much lighter touch than the fretted, especially on the B string - the action is ultra-low and that may well have something to do with it
Having got it home and played it out of the shop environment the thing just seems so effortlessly playable, which unfortunately really shows up my lack of ability. Btw does anyone like playing in a store?
Obviously it's going to take a bit of time to settle and for me to get used to the tones available. Martin reckons the tone and growl will develop over time as grooves get established on the fingerboard and the instrument settles. However I can tell you the D&G strings just sing with a bit of mid boost
Specs
Body Style - Headed Flamboyant Offset 5 string Fretless
Fingerboard - Ebony
Neck - Flamed Maple with Purpleheart stringers
Body Wood - Mahogany
Facing Woods - Birdseye maple
Circuit - Schack 18v
Pickups - Nordstrand Fatstacks
Veneer - Dark
General Options
- Blue side Leds
- Tuning pegs slightly angled towards body
- Strap button behind top horn
- clearly lined
- Gold hardware
- Full facing on front
- Schaller straplocks
- Carbon fibre rods
I'm no photographer but here are 8 photos
"Dig That Maple Baby"
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I know these lines caused Martin some hassle and a lot of work. The fretlines are a real big deal to me and we bounced some ideas back and forward. I'm so pleased with how they've turned out. Nice that they come over the top edge as seen in the first photo. Not to everyones taste but they most certainly are mine - and it's my bass so there 
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And Lastly - A Family Group Shot...
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The good Dr Peterson & Co have done it again. Time for some pure self-indulgence - my fretless baby is here and boy am I happy .1st impressions are that it's a much lighter instrument than the fretted. It also requires a much lighter touch than the fretted, especially on the B string - the action is ultra-low and that may well have something to do with it
Having got it home and played it out of the shop environment the thing just seems so effortlessly playable, which unfortunately really shows up my lack of ability. Btw does anyone like playing in a store?Obviously it's going to take a bit of time to settle and for me to get used to the tones available. Martin reckons the tone and growl will develop over time as grooves get established on the fingerboard and the instrument settles. However I can tell you the D&G strings just sing with a bit of mid boost
Specs
Body Style - Headed Flamboyant Offset 5 string Fretless
Fingerboard - Ebony
Neck - Flamed Maple with Purpleheart stringers
Body Wood - Mahogany
Facing Woods - Birdseye maple
Circuit - Schack 18v
Pickups - Nordstrand Fatstacks
Veneer - Dark
General Options
- Blue side Leds
- Tuning pegs slightly angled towards body
- Strap button behind top horn
- clearly lined
- Gold hardware
- Full facing on front
- Schaller straplocks
- Carbon fibre rods
I'm no photographer but here are 8 photos
"Dig That Maple Baby"
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I know these lines caused Martin some hassle and a lot of work
. The fretlines are a real big deal to me and we bounced some ideas back and forward. I'm so pleased with how they've turned out. Nice that they come over the top edge as seen in the first photo. Not to everyones taste but they most certainly are mine - and it's my bass so there Invalid Link Removed
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And Lastly - A Family Group Shot...
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Holy moly, that's one cool Sei !!
Digging the birds eye maple top. In fact, loving all of it. The lines are a really neat idea, and the neck has some really flamey maple...
Huge congrats on the new addition
Thanks guys for giving me some ideas on the pre. My problem is the mids. The bass sounds great down low and is sounds great up high, but gets nasally in between. I've tried eq-ing it out with my ART Nightbass, but it just doesn't change the sound as much as I want it to. Please don't get me wrong I love this bass to bits (apart from the coil-tap button and Matthew PM'd me a fix for that, which I will try when I gain the courage). I really wanted the simple approach without having the extra on-board stuff, but I really need to do something with the mids which is driving me mad. I suppose that if i heard the bass as a one-off I'd love it, but I play the bass almost every day and this little problem is just chipping away becoming more and more of a concern.
Actually, I just thought in the last 15 minutes or so (tend to do my best thinking late at night !) that I could get an outboard box, like the Sadowsky outboard, preventing Jezebel from going under the knife....
I'm being really out of character and being very patient and thinking carefully about exactly what I need..... must be my better half's influence
Anyway, enough of this and back to Paddy's new baby, which looks pretty darn marvellous
Digging the birds eye maple top. In fact, loving all of it. The lines are a really neat idea, and the neck has some really flamey maple...
Huge congrats on the new addition
Thanks guys for giving me some ideas on the pre. My problem is the mids. The bass sounds great down low and is sounds great up high, but gets nasally in between. I've tried eq-ing it out with my ART Nightbass, but it just doesn't change the sound as much as I want it to. Please don't get me wrong I love this bass to bits (apart from the coil-tap button and Matthew PM'd me a fix for that, which I will try when I gain the courage). I really wanted the simple approach without having the extra on-board stuff, but I really need to do something with the mids which is driving me mad. I suppose that if i heard the bass as a one-off I'd love it, but I play the bass almost every day and this little problem is just chipping away becoming more and more of a concern.
Actually, I just thought in the last 15 minutes or so (tend to do my best thinking late at night !) that I could get an outboard box, like the Sadowsky outboard, preventing Jezebel from going under the knife....
I'm being really out of character and being very patient and thinking carefully about exactly what I need..... must be my better half's influence
Anyway, enough of this and back to Paddy's new baby, which looks pretty darn marvellous
Cheers 7 - I just can't put this thing down - I should be in bed by now!!! It's really gonna bring a new lease of life into my playing. A bit of octave and chorus, everything flat and my God, CLASSIC PINO!!! Howie - you gotta get your arse over here and try her out...
I'm now making a huge mistake and trying to get my head around "Wherever I Lay My Hat..."
. I got the sound but not the ability 
...
People have commented on the exposed pole pieces of the fatstacks. Well, they are flush with the covers on mine - really tight with no "raised bits" - so that shouldn't be a problem.
Had a great chat with the guys today - hopefully I didn't get under their feet too much. Showed me some of the builds. The Millenium edition is looking great as are the singlecuts (Kevins has a real, real deep dark look). Unfortunately didn't see yours Mike - it may be back from the finishers don't know.
The highlight today was a half fretted/half fretless beast!! bottom strings are fretted, top strings fretless. AWESOME
I'm now making a huge mistake and trying to get my head around "Wherever I Lay My Hat..."
. I got the sound but not the ability ...People have commented on the exposed pole pieces of the fatstacks. Well, they are flush with the covers on mine - really tight with no "raised bits" - so that shouldn't be a problem.
Had a great chat with the guys today - hopefully I didn't get under their feet too much. Showed me some of the builds. The Millenium edition is looking great as are the singlecuts (Kevins has a real, real deep dark look). Unfortunately didn't see yours Mike - it may be back from the finishers don't know.
The highlight today was a half fretted/half fretless beast!! bottom strings are fretted, top strings fretless. AWESOME
Cheers 7 - I just can't put this thing down - I should be in bed by now!!! It's really gonna bring a new lease of life into my playing. A bit of octave and chorus, everything flat and my God, CLASSIC PINO!!! Howie - you gotta get your arse over here and try her out...
I'm now making a huge mistake and trying to get my head around "Wherever I Lay My Hat..."
People have commented on the exposed pole pieces of the fatstacks. Well, they are flush with the covers on mine - really tight with no "raised bits" - so that shouldn't be a problem.
Had a great chat with the guys today - hopefully I didn't get under their feet too much. Showed me some of the builds. The Millenium edition is looking great as are the singlecuts (Kevins has a real, real deep dark look). Unfortunately didn't see yours Mike - it may be back from the finishers don't know.
The highlight today was a half fretted/half fretless beast!! bottom strings are fretted, top strings fretless. AWESOME
Hey Paddy
Great stuff man - congrats etc - all I can say is that as a fretless player of some 4 years standing I suspect that you will take a while to get to know the bass and neck more thoroughly. As for the tone 'maturing' this genuinely happens - as the fingerboard gets more use it definitely growls a lot more. Also I wouldn't worry about any markings that occur while playing it, caused by the strings, these also actually help a bit with the growly tone.
It really does look lovely - my custom fretless is all mahogany with a fat slab of ebony for the board - it's a great combination for a very sweet fretless tone - good choice man!
As for my bass it is due back from the polishers any day now so I am being as patient as I can be - I'm just really hoping she'll be ready for my Christmas holiday - I just got some new KRK Rokit6 monitors so the home studio is ready to rock - can't wait to get recording with the new bass... anyway I'm sure it's all OK - I just know it's gonna be a killer bass - aaaaaahhhh! The waiting continues...
M
Paddy, beautiful fretless and liking those fretlines! Wish I'd been able to try it when I was last in The Gallery. Keep enjoying the fretless element and the wonderful sense of freedom when one isn't restricted by those pesky frets!
Mike, hang in there for your bass...hopefully it shouldn't be long now!
7 String, you might want to look at the frequency at which the mid controls work. 400Hz mid's tend to impart a more rock type tone, 800Hz have a distinct warmer jazzy type impact on the tone. My favourite is around the 500Hz mark, which to my ears allows me to cut nasal type mids without fundamentally impacting the rest of the tone (Glockenklang mid does just this and works at 550Hz...
).
Mike, hang in there for your bass...hopefully it shouldn't be long now!
7 String, you might want to look at the frequency at which the mid controls work. 400Hz mid's tend to impart a more rock type tone, 800Hz have a distinct warmer jazzy type impact on the tone. My favourite is around the 500Hz mark, which to my ears allows me to cut nasal type mids without fundamentally impacting the rest of the tone (Glockenklang mid does just this and works at 550Hz...
).- Status
