I am based in the US but several years ago I was able to try one of the original Sei basses and right then and there I knew that I would eventually own one. Unfotunately I have never found anywhere in the US that actually has one.
I am traveling to London for three weeks this summer and I want to either order a Sei or find a used example to bring back. Can anyone give me a little more information about the ordering process and overall opinions about the various options available.
Thanks so much!
Very happy to help. The best thing to do is to pay Martin a visit at The Bass Gallery, 142 Royal College Road, Camden, London, NW1 0TA (020 7267 5458). Alex runs the shop, whilst Martin and John do the luthier stuff in the basement. Whilst the shop is open 6 days a week (not Sundays) from 11am - 5.30pm, Martin & John are there weekdays only (Mon-Fri).
Allow as much time as possible (at least half a day), as his shop is the best stocked bass shop in London by far with
loads of really nice basses and amps. There you will be able to try out some the pre-owned SEI basses and talk to Martin about a custom order if none of those take your fancy (he has built and exported basses to the USA before).
If you go the custom order route, try as many of the models you can and go with the one that feels / looks best. Whilst he prefers to stick to his core designs, he will tweak them to meet customer requirements. The options are where your personal taste, requirements, budget etc come into play, but for me:
- Headed / Headless - Both designs balance and work really well (I've had both). Headed costs more money.
- Neck & Fretboard Woods - Be guided by Martin, he will choose the best combination for your sonic requirements (not necessarily the most expensive)
- Bookmatched Tops, Backs, Headstocks, Pickup Covers - Cosmetic, but I love them though they cost more money
- Fan Frets - Try before you buy. Works well for some but less so if you have small hands like me!
- Carbon Neck Reinforcement - Not really required unless you are going ERB
- Pre-Amps, Switches etc - Martin will install just about any electrics, so choose what you want not the limited selection there!
- Piezo & Midi - Talk with Martin as several options available (Ghost piezo works beautifully on my SEI 8).
- LEDs - Expensive but beautifully executed in variety of colours. Well worth the money if working on dark stages.
- Custom Inlays - Great bass personalisation but may make selling it harder if required
- Flightcase - Big, heavy & robust. A Hiscox type moulded case in an unlisted cheaper option that many prefer (gigbag is standard).
- Lightwave System - Definitely try before you buy (expensive and I've heard the Lightwave system is not always very easily set up)
You will need to spend a good hour or so discussing your requirements with him (including which model, number of strings, sonic objectives, wood combinations, pickups, electrics etc). Go with as clear an idea of what you want sonically and take care to listen to what Martin suggests...he
really knows his stuff but will not force his ideas on you. He has an interesting range of wood facings on site and can get special requests if requested...
It will be approx 12-14 months from the time you place the order to the bass being completed:
- Months 1-6 - Little apparent progress, but plenty of opportunity to finalise decisions re pickup, electrics etc
- Months 7-10 - Bass built & sanded ready for finishers
- Month 11 - Bass at the finishers
- Months 12-14 - Bass completed (hardware, pickups, electrics installed etc).
One last tip, phone & check Martin is there before you go as he is the main man for SEI basses (he is occasionally out or on holiday). In the meantime, check out his web-sites (
www.seibass.com and
www.thebassgallery.com).
Let us know how you get on.
