XO-Bionic, are you completely satisfied with your choices? If you could, what would you change now and why (same question goes to all sei users)?
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Dragonlord said:
I'm very happy with my choices. The only thing I've thought about changing is the active circuit - I'm thinking of getting John East to do me a new preamp with the same frequency centres as a Stingray preamp, to make the most of the MM-style pickup (doesn't sound all that Stingray-ish now thanks to the preamp settings on the OBP-3). Thankfully, that's an easy thing to change.
HPM said:Hi Folks,
Well, I went to see Level 42 yesterday and as usual spent the rest of the night trying to overcome the desire to put my basses on a bonfire. Instead of being inspired by the awesome playing of Mark King as I should be I end up in a deep depression.
However, common sense prevailed on this occasion so I went to The Gallery today and placed my order for a Sei Flamboyant.
The spec is roughly as follows:
Flamboyant offset 5 string.
Walnut body wood.
Thuya facing (full front, wings only on back)
Twin Bartolini pickups.
Schack electronics.
Active/passive push/pull on volume control.
Black hardware (abm bridge, 5 control knobs).
LEDs on small toggle switch.
Wenge and flamed maple neck (7 piece).
Macassa Ebony fretboard.
5mm Abalone position markers.
Green LEDs on side only.
That is pretty much it.
I must say how friendly Martin and John are. Could not ask for more.
So the 8 to 10 months wait starts here.
Thanks for the welcome to the forum Matthew, you are right, I am going to need help I reckon.
I will keep you posted of progress as and when.
Cheers.
Howie.
Great to hear of your order, Howie. The waiting isn't too bad, honest (he says 6 months in !!).
I'm due to meet Mark King in a couple of weeks time. I'll tell him of your depression !!
Howie
Congratulations on placing the order. The specs sound great and as always I will be looking out for the build thread!
Regards
Matthew
P.s. Don't be afraid to ask us or Martin questions or change your mind over your specification because you must make sure you end up with the bass of your dreams. You probably have a couple of months before the build starts in earnest.
Congratulations on placing the order. The specs sound great and as always I will be looking out for the build thread!
Regards
Matthew
P.s. Don't be afraid to ask us or Martin questions or change your mind over your specification because you must make sure you end up with the bass of your dreams. You probably have a couple of months before the build starts in earnest.
Quick update
Played my 1st gig on Friday night with the new baby. Only a small pub gig but ideal to try her out and play with different settings.
Very, very pleased with how it feels and plays. The bass needs a little tweak but thats for Martin in a month or two - I can definitely live with it till then.
Sounds awesome - IMHO
I may post a couple of pictures if people can please refrain from taking the mick...
One happy, happy camper...
Played my 1st gig on Friday night with the new baby. Only a small pub gig but ideal to try her out and play with different settings.
Very, very pleased with how it feels and plays. The bass needs a little tweak but thats for Martin in a month or two - I can definitely live with it till then.
Sounds awesome - IMHO
I may post a couple of pictures if people can please refrain from taking the mick...
One happy, happy camper...
One more question for you: are the prices for the extra stuff strict or is Martin flexible on this matter? That is, did he give you any free "extras"? If you don't want to say it in public, then pm me.
My written quotes have always been priced out for every item that I have requested, with no reductions or freebies. More than happy with that approach
Regards
Matthew
Regards
Matthew
Same here - everything written down and priced out before commissioning the bass.
No reductions or freebies here - quite happy with that.
No reductions or freebies here - quite happy with that.
Just thought this might be of interest..
In Guitarist magazine this month, there's an interview with Martin Sims of Sims LED fame.
"....Regular finishing work is carried out for numerous customers and many small UK brands, including.. GB Guitars, Martin Petersen's Sei Bass, a lot of shops too mention to mention really".
It goes on to mention that other customers include Ibanez and Fender Europe
In Guitarist magazine this month, there's an interview with Martin Sims of Sims LED fame.
"....Regular finishing work is carried out for numerous customers and many small UK brands, including.. GB Guitars, Martin Petersen's Sei Bass, a lot of shops too mention to mention really".
It goes on to mention that other customers include Ibanez and Fender Europe
7 String,
I snuck [I think thats the right word] up to The Gallery yesterday with my fretless 7 which needed a small electrics repair caused by user failure
Whilst I was there, I saw your glued up neck which looked to have very nice flame maple with wenge stringers also of a really nice colour. I think Martin said that the wings were also glued. I can't give you much more information but it is at least something.
Whilst there I spoke to Martin about a problem I was having with eveness of volume accross the strings with my fretless and after a bit of detective work found a problem with the pickups. Martin has now ordered a set of custom Kent Armstrong Js which will be used instead of the Bartolini G6's. The advantage of the Kent Armsrtongs is that they have a much fuller sound which is something I am after.
My fretless was therefore left with Marting for the next few weeks whilst the pickups are made and fitted, so I hope to have a new sounding bass in time for the Christmas season!
Regards
Matthew
I snuck [I think thats the right word] up to The Gallery yesterday with my fretless 7 which needed a small electrics repair caused by user failure
Whilst I was there, I saw your glued up neck which looked to have very nice flame maple with wenge stringers also of a really nice colour. I think Martin said that the wings were also glued. I can't give you much more information but it is at least something.
Whilst there I spoke to Martin about a problem I was having with eveness of volume accross the strings with my fretless and after a bit of detective work found a problem with the pickups. Martin has now ordered a set of custom Kent Armstrong Js which will be used instead of the Bartolini G6's. The advantage of the Kent Armsrtongs is that they have a much fuller sound which is something I am after.
My fretless was therefore left with Marting for the next few weeks whilst the pickups are made and fitted, so I hope to have a new sounding bass in time for the Christmas season!
Regards
Matthew
matthewfoote said:7 String,
I snuck [I think thats the right word] up to The Gallery yesterday with my fretless 7 which needed a small electrics repair caused by user failure
Whilst I was there, I saw your glued up neck which looked to have very nice flame maple with wenge stringers also of a really nice colour. I think Martin said that the wings were also glued. I can't give you much more information but it is at least something.
Whilst there I spoke to Martin about a problem I was having with eveness of volume accross the strings with my fretless and after a bit of detective work found a problem with the pickups. Martin has now ordered a set of custom Kent Armstrong Js which will be used instead of the Bartolini G6's. The advantage of the Kent Armsrtongs is that they have a much fuller sound which is something I am after.
My fretless was therefore left with Marting for the next few weeks whilst the pickups are made and fitted, so I hope to have a new sounding bass in time for the Christmas season!
Regards
Matthew
Huge thanks for the info, Matthew. Great to hear that it's coming together.
Unusual to hear of a problem with Bartolini's, but at least the problem is being solved...
Cheers,
Mark
Hey 7 - some positive news at last - it's starting to come together
If my build is anything to go by - the process starts to get faster from here on out. You hear nothing at all for months then it all moves along nicely.
I plan to visit again in a few weeks to get a couple of tweeks in - I'll try for an update then for you.
Exciting times...
If my build is anything to go by - the process starts to get faster from here on out. You hear nothing at all for months then it all moves along nicely.
I plan to visit again in a few weeks to get a couple of tweeks in - I'll try for an update then for you.
Exciting times...
Dragon Lord
Are you any closer to taking the plunge into the wonderful world of Sei Ownership?
Regards
Matthew
Are you any closer to taking the plunge into the wonderful world of Sei Ownership?
Regards
Matthew
Paddy said:Hey 7 - some positive news at last - it's starting to come together
If my build is anything to go by - the process starts to get faster from here on out. You hear nothing at all for months then it all moves along nicely.
I plan to visit again in a few weeks to get a couple of tweeks in - I'll try for an update then for you.
Exciting times...
Cheers, Paddy. Much appreciated !!
Been a good few days. Met 2 of my bass heroes. Kip Winger at Firefest at the weekend and I interviewed Mark King tonight. Add to that news that THE BASS LIVES and it's been a good week !!
Rusty Chainsaw said:
I am the owner of a Custom Sei 5 (MM/J/Piezo w/ LEDs), very nice bass indeed. I do hold a question for you (for what I've quoted above):
If the basic sound of your bass is not all that Stingray-ish, do you think that by placing an East preamp with the SR frequency centers will make the bass sound like a Stingray? (I have the outmost respect for both Martin and Mr East).
I feel that each bass has a certain sound and personality that comes from the woods, construction and pickups (preamp is of lesser importance for me; if you need to look in the preamp for the sound then you have the wrong bass)
Hey Matt, thanks for askingmatthewfoote said:
I'll be in London one month from now and I will go spend some time at Martin's shop. If everything seems right (incl. the price for all the options I want, I'm not even sure if everything can be done), I will place my order either immediately or a couple of weeks later, when I return to Greece. I'm also thinking of going with LeCompte who have almost 1/3 of the waiting time for a Sei, but I'm not sure about import taxes, plus I feel a bit safer talking with the luthier face to face as it's my first custom, although there might be practically no difference if you can't check the progress out from time to time. Anyway, it's a matter of price and the vibe I'll get from the Seis I'll play there, from Martin etc. But I think it will turn out fine and I'll be placing my order before Christmas
Hello Sei lovers, thought I'd get some thoughts while we're on the subject.
I've seen a Sei Jazz 5 for sale which I'm very interested in. It's got a J PU at neck position and a MM at bridge. It has the 18v Shack preamp. Any opinions on this set up would be gratefully received!
I've noticed most Sei owners, on here anyway, don't own the jazz. Why is that? Are the other models better or just different.
Cheers
Matt
I've seen a Sei Jazz 5 for sale which I'm very interested in. It's got a J PU at neck position and a MM at bridge. It has the 18v Shack preamp. Any opinions on this set up would be gratefully received!
I've noticed most Sei owners, on here anyway, don't own the jazz. Why is that? Are the other models better or just different.
Cheers
Matt
The one that I own is the one you describe (Bartolini's) with the addition of piezo and LEDs. Ash body, maple top, maple neck and fingerboard (22 frets). Martin replaced the old piezo preamp with another one that has 2 trim pots (bass-treble). Very nice bass indeed. Good sound. I may think of parting with it (similar custom bass on the way)
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