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Shawn May Custom Basses

#141
ImmortalSoul said:
Ya, I really dig exotic woods like Amboyna. Looking forward to see how it turns out.
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If and when I ever have a bass custom built for me, it'll probably be pretty simple in terms of woods/top (if it's too flash, people might expect my playing to follow suit ;)), but I appreciate a striking piece of wood and an artfully crafted instrument.
 
#142
It’s definitely just a work of art in my hands as the playing is mid. I’ve had a ton of basses over the years that are simple/clean looking, so now that I’m able to commission custom builds I like very loud/unique profiles.
 
#143
Really pleased with how this one turned out.
 

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#153
My new 33" 4 string is going to come from this pile! Thinking ebony or cocobolo board, 24 fret neck w/1.5 nut, new prototype radiused top pickups (from a secret manufacturer), roasted Spanish Cedar body, body shape TBD, Trickfish preamp.
Other option might be a wild flame maple top, dyed purple!
 

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#154
Matt Power said:
My new 33" 4 string is going to come from this pile! Thinking ebony or cocobolo board, 24 fret neck w/1.5 nut, new prototype radiused top pickups (from a secret manufacturer), roasted Spanish Cedar body, body shape TBD, Trickfish preamp.
Other option might be a wild flame maple top, dyed purple!
Click to expand...
What shape you going for?
And roasted Spanish Cedar? Never seen that before, I'll bet it'll be super light!
 
#155
eude said:
What shape you going for?
And roasted Spanish Cedar? Never seen that before, I'll bet it'll be super light!
Click to expand...
Thinking about the singlecut this time.

I roasted some alder last night...I lost about 15% of its body weight over 4 hours at 360 degrees. Spanish Cedar is the next mock-up experiment this weekend to see how much weight I can lose before Cliff cuts the real body wood up.
 
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#156
Matt Power said:
Thinking about the singlecut this time.

I roasted some alder last night...I lost about 15% of its body weight over 4 hours at 360 degrees. Spanish Cedar is the next mock-up experiment this weekend to see how much weight I can lose before Cliff cuts the real body wood up.
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Very cool.
Shaun has some super cool designs.
Does the "cooking process" change the tone much? To me, heavy wood sounds better, but nobody really likes a heavy bass, I've usually always ended up with fairly middleweight basses, although they're middleweight for a 6er.
 
#157
eude said:
Very cool.
Shaun has some super cool designs.
Does the "cooking process" change the tone much? To me, heavy wood sounds better, but nobody really likes a heavy bass, I've usually always ended up with fairly middleweight basses, although they're middleweight for a 6er.
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It makes no negative effect on the sound, but seems to add a more open tone in a oil-finish kind of way, at least to my ears. My current bass feels practically weightless...
 
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#158
When I asked Shawn about tops, I told him I'd REALLY like some flamed Koa, but I am sure he would have to hunt to find some.

Nope! He has a bunch in stock! So, as of now it is:

33" Singlecut
(Hopefully) roasted Spanish Cedar body
Flamed Koa top
Indian Rosewood board or ebony
Maple neck
1.5 nut
Tiny frets
Smith sized dots in Fender position
Electronics are Trickfish 3 band pre
Nordstrand dual coils in 60s J position with coil switching
Black Hipshot with gold highlights
Inset Dunlops

Target weight is 8 pounds

About 12 months to complete!
 

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#159
Matt Power said:
When I asked Cliff about tops, I told him I'd REALLY like some flamed Koa, but I am sure he would have to hunt to find some.

Nope! He has a bunch in stock! So, as of now it is:

33" Singlecut
(Hopefully) roasted Spanish Cedar body
Flamed Koa top
Indian Rosewood board
Maple neck
1.5 nut
Tiny frets
Smith sized dots in Fender position
Electronics are Trickfish 3 band pre
Nordstrand dual coils in 60s J position with coil switching
Black Hipshot with gold highlights
Inset Dunlops

Target weight is 8 pounds

About 12 months to complete!
Click to expand...
Awesome spec, excited to see this come to life.
 
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