Show us your Martin Keith Basses

[J.Wolf]

Yes, those are Hipshots.

I meant not sure if he officially switched but this bass has hipshots. I always liked them more than Gotohs

 

[emjazz]

I just finalized an order for a doublecut headless. It'll be painted blue, not as sexy as the gorgeous natural ones that most of you play, but I'm excited about it.

Martin told me you put in an order. Super excited to see yours!!

 

[emjazz]

I've been waiting long enough for my headless (coming up with some of your orders this year!) that I'm starting to wonder about some details of my order...I know that I can't go wrong with anything Martin makes, but my original intention was to have him make basically a headless version of my main electric bass of many years....but now I wonder if I'd be better off with a hybrid of that bass and my semi hollow.....if money were no object I'd just order both right now...but that's not the case unfortunately. I always have like four or five different builds in my head at one time because I can imagine them all for different types of gigs and situations.....but limited funds (for now) delay my being Martin's sole benefactor (hahahahahahahaha)

 

[emjazz]

Because I'm tired and need to stop practicing....what I have on my mind, in short:

Headless 6 like my main electric 6...33" scale/chambered mahogany body/mango top/maple neck/katalox board/BigRigs

Headless 6 that's more warm/acoustic...33" or 32" scale/chambered mahogany body/red cedar or spruce top/mahogany hybrid neck/rosewood or katalox board/BigRig

Headless 6 for more general work....possibly a 32" scale/one piece alder body/port orford cedar top/maple neck/rosewood board/more traditional pickups...possibly P/BigRig combo

Headless fretless 5 string....not sure what scale...probably 33"/alder body/maple neck/ebony board/maybe the P/BigRig combo as well

I'm intrigued by the 32" scale now that I have a 5 string that I've been playing with that scale. With a thicker neck it gives you an amazing low B....would love to have a 6 with that scale length.

I don't really NEED anything more, but these have been on my mind if I ever get a great paying gig to support it all.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I meant not sure if he officially switched but this bass has hipshots. I always liked them more than Gotohs

I have installed them on a lot of basses that didn't come with them originally (my two Martin Keith basses have them from new).

 

[mikezimmerman]

Mine also came with Hipshots, which I would have asked for anyway...

Gorgeous! Did he switch from Gotoh to Hipshot tuners?

 

[Fuzzbass]

I'm excited about that! 5 string? pickup configuration?

Yes, 5 string fretted. Pair of Nordy Big Rigs, Richter preamp. Martin recommended poplar over alder, and I was happy to take it based the MTD 535 I owned. Maple neck and board because I'm a rock guy.

 

[Aram]

I think I'm still salty because many, many years ago an Ultralight broke off in my hand (at a gig!). I'm sure they've improved the design, but I never went back.

I have Gotoh GB350 (Res-o-lites) on all my basses and I can't imagine a smoother turning tuner, but again haven't touched a UL in a while...

 

[J.Wolf]

Bummed to have to let this one go, but I still have big brown .

Anyone interested, don't sleep, this bass is so good. Its really hard to part with, even though all my 6 string needs are covered. It just isn't getting used for gigs, and I have some other pressing gear needs....

For Sale - Martin Keith Elfin Semi Hollow 6 32"

 

[emjazz]

Bummed to have to let this one go, but I still have big brown .

Anyone interested, don't sleep, this bass is so good. Its really hard to part with, even though all my 6 string needs are covered. It just isn't getting used for gigs, and I have some other pressing gear needs....

For Sale - Martin Keith Elfin Semi Hollow 6 32"

Wish I had money for you my man!

 

[TapyTap]

If you want a great deal on a Martin Keith 5-string headless that's just sitting in its case, here ya go:
For Sale - 2022 Martin Keith Headless 5

 

[WG Plum]

Does anyone in the Seattle area have one of Martin's semi-hollows? I'm getting closer to reaching out to him to discuss a build, but it would be nice to actually play one beforehand. I ordered a Rob Allen Mouse a few years and it did not work for me, so I'm hoping to be able to check out one of Martin's basses so I don't waste any of his time.

 

[emjazz]

Does anyone in the Seattle area have one of Martin's semi-hollows? I'm getting closer to reaching out to him to discuss a build, but it would be nice to actually play one beforehand. I ordered a Rob Allen Mouse a few years and it did not work for me, so I'm hoping to be able to check out one of Martin's basses so I don't waste any of his time.

There aren’t that many out there yet. I would suggest asking Martin. He may know

 

[WG Plum]

There aren’t that many out there yet. I would suggest asking Martin. He may know

Just sent him an email. I mean, I know what I want - Jake Wolf's bass, but in a 33" four string. I know the Lane Poor's won't be available, but I've asked Martin what is equivalent these days. I'm more of an art nouveau fan, so a plain black headstock for me, but otherwise? That's the bass I want, electronics and all.

 

[J.Wolf]

Just sent him an email. I mean, I know what I want - Jake Wolf's bass, but in a 33" four string. I know the Lane Poor's won't be available, but I've asked Martin what is equivalent these days. I'm more of an art nouveau fan, so a plain black headstock for me, but otherwise? That's the bass I want, electronics and all.

two words for you man: Zen Blades. I just put a set in a fretted 5 string, and they're the closest thing I've heard to the Lane Poors in a long time. They are also sidewinding pickups, like the LP's. color me impressed. Just make sure you add series parallel switching and a preamp with hearty amounts of gain and strong EQ, as theyre pretty quiet and they really like getting some EQ boost in the right places.

And if your bass is half as good as mine, you'll be very happy. this thing is just outrageously great.

 

[WG Plum]

two words for you man: Zen Blades. I just put a set in a fretted 5 string, and they're the closest thing I've heard to the Lane Poors in a long time. They are also sidewinding pickups, like the LP's. color me impressed. Just make sure you add series parallel switching and a preamp with hearty amounts of gain and strong EQ, as theyre pretty quiet and they really like getting some EQ boost in the right places.

And if your bass is half as good as mine, you'll be very happy. this thing is just outrageously great.

It's such a first-world problem, but I wonder if Carey makes shells for them without exposed magnets. I think they're kind of ugly.... I'm a little ashamed to say that, but Martin's basses are so beautiful I wouldn't want to put pickups on it that take away from the aesthetics of the instrument.

 

[J.Wolf]

good question, Im not really sure. I havent seen them do that for the blade style pups but wouldn't be surprised. I would email Mo or Adrian over there and ask.

 

[emjazz]

It's such a first-world problem, but I wonder if Carey makes shells for them without exposed magnets. I think they're kind of ugly.... I'm a little ashamed to say that, but Martin's basses are so beautiful I wouldn't want to put pickups on it that take away from the aesthetics of the instrument.

Pretty sure they have to be exposed with the blades…HOWEVER! I’m sure Martin could make wooden covers

 

[smperry]

I'm sure Carey can/will do that (edit: assuming sound isn't compromised). My red bass has a Nordstrand p pickup in a mm shell, because I'm not a fan of the mismatched look.

 

[emjazz]

I'm sure Carey can/will do that (edit: assuming sound isn't compromised). My red bass has a Nordstrand p pickup in a mm shell, because I'm not a fan of the mismatched look.

The blade pickups are a completely different design. But worth asking!

I had BigRigs under wooden shells in my fretless from Martin, and they were suuuuper low in volume. Apparently not all of their pickups work non exposed