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Sei Owner's Club (Part 3)
- Thread starter Bryan R. Tyler
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Huzzah
Looks fantastic there russ, good job! When you commissioning one for the little one - looks like we have a new bass player in the ranks...
I had him lined up for a Kala U-Bass when he's old enough to play one, but maybe I might get Martin to make a Sei version - it occurred to me that getting hold of an Ashbory, gutting its electronics and building a mini-Sei around them might work out quite well.
Greetings all you Sei bass zealots!
I have been extremely interested in Sei basses for a long time, and I've almost made up my mind to order one...But I do still have a couple questions that are hindering my decision. I thought that this forum would be the right place to ask, 'cause you seem to be so devoted to the issue.
Since I'm from Finland I don't really have an opportunity to try out any Sei bass, but the "oral lore" on the web has been darn convincing. There seem to be an indisputable consensus that the Sei basses are exceptional instruments indeed (especially among the Sei club members...).
So a couple questions:
1. My "dream sound" would refer to American gospel/R'nB bassists. Tone that would be a bit MTD-ish but with my extra ingredients. Players like Tim 'Rawbiz' Williams, Adam Blackstone and Adam Johnsson to name a few. Is it possible to build a Sei that would sound really "contemporary gospelish" (so there's an extremely indecisive sound-description for you!)
2. I need a B-string that is tighter than tight BUT 34' scale (small hands, bad genes). Could the Sei be the answer to my rumbling B-fantasies?
3. Just curiosity: Can you tell me about the offset construction? Why? Pros?
Thank you!
ps. Sorry, the message ended up to be quite long. Unfortunetaly I have this appealing feature to gab a lot...
I have been extremely interested in Sei basses for a long time, and I've almost made up my mind to order one...But I do still have a couple questions that are hindering my decision. I thought that this forum would be the right place to ask, 'cause you seem to be so devoted to the issue.
Since I'm from Finland I don't really have an opportunity to try out any Sei bass, but the "oral lore" on the web has been darn convincing. There seem to be an indisputable consensus that the Sei basses are exceptional instruments indeed (especially among the Sei club members...).
So a couple questions:
1. My "dream sound" would refer to American gospel/R'nB bassists. Tone that would be a bit MTD-ish but with my extra ingredients. Players like Tim 'Rawbiz' Williams, Adam Blackstone and Adam Johnsson to name a few. Is it possible to build a Sei that would sound really "contemporary gospelish" (so there's an extremely indecisive sound-description for you!)
2. I need a B-string that is tighter than tight BUT 34' scale (small hands, bad genes). Could the Sei be the answer to my rumbling B-fantasies?
3. Just curiosity: Can you tell me about the offset construction? Why? Pros?
Thank you!
ps. Sorry, the message ended up to be quite long. Unfortunetaly I have this appealing feature to gab a lot...
Martin should be able to make whatever you might want. To my mind, the sound you're describing is very much the MTD sound - active, a little compressed, Bartolini electronics, possibly with a maple neck. Kinda a "super-J" sound. Is that right?
As for the low B, my new fretless has an awesome B string, and it's 34" scale. I've even played a through-neck Sei with a 32" scale that had a great B.
When you talk about the offset construction, are you talking about the Flamboyant Offset body style? It's just a variation on the regular Flamboyant shape that shifts the centre of gravity a little towards the back/bridge end of the bass - I think the idea is that it brings the neck a little closer to the body, meaning a slightly shorter reach to the low frets, which some people might find more comfortable, and for the bass to be a little less neck-heavy for 5- and 6-string instruments.
Yes, to be honest, the sound that I'm after is something between the American MTD and Pre-Gibson Tobias. My tonal taste seems to be a bit narrow... 
I don't actually know what you mean by "super-J". A hi-fi jazz-bass?
I don't actually know what you mean by "super-J". A hi-fi jazz-bass?
Hello, more info & pics, 17mm string spacing, emg jj's , bartolini preamp, anyone recognise this one, would like to know some history of my new partner, mike b.
Yes, to be honest, the sound that I'm after is something between the American MTD and Pre-Gibson Tobias. My tonal taste seems to be a bit narrow...
I don't actually know what you mean by "super-J". A hi-fi jazz-bass?
Firstly, you are pretty specific about the type of sound you're going and can articulate it. Because of that I have little doubt that Martin could build you an instrument that you'd be happy with. From what I have heard and read the people who are disappointed with custom instruments are often the ones who don't really know what they want and leave the builder to guess.
Secondly "super J" tends to mean an active Jazz bass sound, often with a slightly emphasised bottom end and top end. To me "super J" tone means somewhere in the area of Marcus Miller. It always seems to me that those gospel guys go for humbuckers so I would have thought a super J might be a little thin for what you wanted.
Yes, I'm definitely a humbucker guy. Some kind of Dual Coil Bartolinis would be "the thing", 'cause they are the pickups that have been used in all MTDs and Pre-GTs. Maybe CXX series, or custom wounds. Dark but not boomy or over-exaggerated low end.
Do you have experiences how these Sei basses work in an actual band setting? As I told you, I don't have an opportunity to try out one, so ordering a Sei is pretty much a jump to the darkness...
There are some high end basses that sound amazing when you play them home alone in your bedroom, but get's totally lost in band situation. So I'm after something, that sounds modern/Hi-fi, but still cuts through and contains "wood" in it's tone (like MTDs
). I wan't a bass that sounds good on a gig, not in my bedroom...Is Sei that kind of bass? And please, give me some more B-string reviews. The bass would be a 5-stringer BTW
So why not MTD, You might ask... Well, I live in EU region, and customs and Finnish VAT would raise the ultimate price way too much.
Playability is an another issue. Regular MTD necks are way too large for my tiny hands.
Also, Sei has an extremely good reputation!
Thanks!
Yes, I'm definitely a humbucker guy. Some kind of Dual Coil Bartolinis would be "the thing", 'cause they are the pickups that have been used in all MTDs and Pre-GTs. Maybe CXX series, or custom wounds. Dark but not boomy or over-exaggerated low end.
Do you have experiences how these Sei basses work in an actual band setting? As I told you, I don't have an opportunity to try out one, so ordering a Sei is pretty much a jump to the darkness...
There are some high end basses that sound amazing when you play them home alone in your bedroom, but get's totally lost in band situation. So I'm after something, that sounds modern/Hi-fi, but still cuts through and contains "wood" in it's tone (like MTDs
Is Sei that kind of bass? And please, give me some more B-string reviews. The bass would be a 5-stringer BTW
So why not MTD, You might ask... Well, I live in EU region, and customs and Finnish VAT would raise the ultimate price way too much.
Playability is an another issue. Regular MTD necks are way too large for my tiny hands.
Also, Sei has an extremely good reputation!
Thanks!
Regarding how a Sei works in a band context, I played in a band with two guitarists with Les Pauls and Mesas, and my Sei singlecut cut through the mix like a knife - it was designed with this in mind. The wood selection emphasised the mids (wenge body, wenge/bubinga neck, ebony fingerboard), the pickups are P/MM, so plenty of humbucking grunt, and my old band played in drop tunings (I tuned the B down to A, and, for one song, down to low G) and the low string still sounded great. Mine is an extreme example - most bands won't require the bass to cut to that degree, but it's good that my tonal requirements were not just met, but exceeded.
The simple answer is to talk to Martin about what you want tonally, and he'll make suggestions. He's been doing this for close to 20 years, so he knows his subject well. I've played Seis that would be unsuitable for my requirements (too "polite") but they were right for the people who ordered them. Every Sei is different and was made to accommodate the needs of the player who ordered it.
Yes, I'm definitely a humbucker guy. Some kind of Dual Coil Bartolinis would be "the thing", 'cause they are the pickups that have been used in all MTDs and Pre-GTs. Maybe CXX series, or custom wounds. Dark but not boomy or over-exaggerated low end.
Do you have experiences how these Sei basses work in an actual band setting? As I told you, I don't have an opportunity to try out one, so ordering a Sei is pretty much a jump to the darkness...
There are some high end basses that sound amazing when you play them home alone in your bedroom, but get's totally lost in band situation. So I'm after something, that sounds modern/Hi-fi, but still cuts through and contains "wood" in it's tone (like MTDs
Is Sei that kind of bass? And please, give me some more B-string reviews. The bass would be a 5-stringer BTW
So why not MTD, You might ask... Well, I live in EU region, and customs and Finnish VAT would raise the ultimate price way too much.
Playability is an another issue. Regular MTD necks are way too large for my tiny hands.
Also, Sei has an extremely good reputation!
Thanks!
+1 to what Rusty had to say. There is no standard SEI sound because each SEI bass is tailored to the specific requirements of the customer (why Martin is happy to install just about any pickups or electrics). He really does know his subject and will be able to guide you very well given your clear idea of what you want.
All the SEI's I've had (3 now in total) and tried (probably 50+ by now) have a uniquely svelte sculptured feel...everything from the body size through the neck profile is carefully crafted with the small but perfectly formed mentality (i.e. no bigger/thicker/fatter than is necessary). They are real players basses, built by a gifted bass player for bass players and truthfully I've yet to find anything better over the past 15 years (and I'm always keen to try new things).
Also don't necessarily write off a 35" scale length. I've got really small hands, but it has not been a problem for my 35" scale length SEI 8 because of the wonderful neck profile ([Invalid or Expired Link Removed])
Welcome by the way and really looking forward to hearing what specs you agree with Martin.
Yes, I'm definitely a humbucker guy. Some kind of Dual Coil Bartolinis would be "the thing", 'cause they are the pickups that have been used in all MTDs and Pre-GTs. Maybe CXX series, or custom wounds. Dark but not boomy or over-exaggerated low end.
Do you have experiences how these Sei basses work in an actual band setting? As I told you, I don't have an opportunity to try out one, so ordering a Sei is pretty much a jump to the darkness...
There are some high end basses that sound amazing when you play them home alone in your bedroom, but get's totally lost in band situation. So I'm after something, that sounds modern/Hi-fi, but still cuts through and contains "wood" in it's tone (like MTDs
Is Sei that kind of bass? And please, give me some more B-string reviews. The bass would be a 5-stringer BTW
So why not MTD, You might ask... Well, I live in EU region, and customs and Finnish VAT would raise the ultimate price way too much.
Playability is an another issue. Regular MTD necks are way too large for my tiny hands.
Also, Sei has an extremely good reputation!
Thanks!
And another +1 for what Rusty said. You're not paying for "a sound" like you would with alot of makers. You're paying for craftsmanship, experience and bespoke specifications.
Best advice there by Russ 
believe fedora works the same way-Martin works with you to get your sound out of the bass.
Listen to martin - he'll make it happen for you...
believe fedora works the same way-Martin works with you to get your sound out of the bass.Listen to martin - he'll make it happen for you...
Been meaning to say...if anyone happens to be at the Gallery and comes across a cocobolo topped Jazz 5 under construction, feel free to have a look and post piccies here. I ain't gonna be down south for a while :-(
Quick update ... Just spoken to Martin and apparently my bass is back from the finishers!!! (I didn't even know it had gone...the last I heard he was putting on the top.)
Hopefully Alex is gonna send me some piccies tomorrow.
Hopefully Alex is gonna send me some piccies tomorrow.
Quick update ... Just spoken to Martin and apparently my bass is back from the finishers!!! (I didn't even know it had gone...the last I heard he was putting on the top.)
Hopefully Alex is gonna send me some piccies tomorrow.
Alex sent me some pics earlier this afternoon. Hardware, circuit and pickup decisions to be made soon.
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That's stunning.
I'm still in the office but suffice to say that even a late night at work isn't going to ruin my mood. I can see my colleagues' eyes starting to glaze over as they get chapter and verse on the process.
I love the redness in the wood that comes out in the lighter pictures.
I don't know when it's going to be finished, I'm going to be talking to Martin on Friday about electronics etc.
It's looking like:
Nordstrand split coils (they've said they could do an SE wind ... decisions, decisions)
Nordstrand 3 band circuit with passive option and tone control
Schaller strap locks, bridge TBC (chrome hardware)
