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Stambaugh custom bass decision

unity bass

unity bass

Dec 15, 2003
620
39
Modesto, Ca.
#1
OK, this is just for fun.
I thought I'd see what you guys think about my idea. I'm having Stambaugh build a "Jazz inspired" bass and I'm thinking of putting a pick guard on it.
Am I crazy? Do you like the Idea? Is this poll a waste of bandwidth?
Let me know.

For reference, here's a Mike Lull that has the same layout as what I'm getting
(natural ash body, maple neck, white pearl pick guard, Jazz pick-ups, chrome hardware) I'm also going with pearl block inlays.

lullash2.gif



Here's my current bass so you can see the body style (which I'm sticking with) and how a pick guard might look on it.
Chris's Idea was to install a custom cut metal control plate under the knobs to continue the Jazz theme.
Also, Chris will design the pick guard; this is just a sketch to help visualize it.

lgpkgrd.gif



Anyway, I thought it would be fun to hear your comments.

Chad
 
#5
Just curious... why not a Lull, Sadowsky, Lakland, Valenti, or Celinder J Bass? Also, what pickups and preamp are you going with? And, finally, I assume you are using 70's pickup placement given your wood choice?

Again, it should be very cool, but the boutique 'true J's' like the above brands are just wonderful IMO if you are looking for J style instrument in a high quality version.

If I wanted a boutique 70's style J and was on a moderate budget, I'd consider the Sadowsky UV70 Metro with single coil pickups and the optional VTC.... about $2,600 or so, I think... and a pretty killer boutique J for the money.
 
#12
KJung said:
Just curious... why not a Lull, Sadowsky, Lakland, Valenti, or Celinder J Bass? Also, what pickups and preamp are you going with? And, finally, I assume you are using 70's pickup placement given your wood choice?

Again, it should be very cool, but the boutique 'true J's' like the above brands are just wonderful IMO if you are looking for J style instrument in a high quality version.

If I wanted a boutique 70's style J and was on a moderate budget, I'd consider the Sadowsky UV70 Metro with single coil pickups and the optional VTC.... about $2,600 or so, I think... and a pretty killer boutique J for the money.
Click to expand...

Hi Ken,

To begin with, My wife paid the down payment on a custom Stambaugh as a birthday gift.
Needless to say, I'm stoked!
Also, I really like Chris' work as well as his body style. I think his interpretation of the Jazz bass will be cool.

As far as electronics I'm currently thinking Nordstrand NJ4SV vintage Jazz with an Aguilar OBP-2 preamp.
We discussed the pick-up placement and I'm just leaving it up to Chris. He'll get it right.

The basses you listed are all appealing and I will get a traditional Jazz bass someday but I really want another Stambaugh.

I'd love to hear your input on my electronics choices as well as the other aspects of the project.
Your perspective has always been very helpful and is always appreciated.

Chad
 
#13
unity bass said:
Hi Ken,

To begin with, My wife paid the down payment on a custom Stambaugh as a birthday gift.
Needless to say, I'm stoked!
Also, I really like Chris' work as well as his body style. I think his interpretation of the Jazz bass will be cool.

As far as electronics I'm currently thinking Nordstrand NJ4SV vintage Jazz with an Aguilar OBP-2 preamp.
We discussed the pick-up placement and I'm just leaving it up to Chris. He'll get it right.

The basses you listed are all appealing and I will get a traditional Jazz bass someday but I really want another Stambaugh.

I'd love to hear your input on my electronics choices as well as the other aspects of the project.
Your perspective has always been very helpful and is always appreciated.

Chad
Click to expand...

Cool! I was more curious than challenging your decision, and what a WONDERFUL present from your wife!

I'm not totally up on all these different pickups, but I played a Groove Shoppe 5 recently with the Nordy Dual coils. I assume the dual coils in single coil mode would be similar to the pickups you are choosing, and I really liked it. Not crazy 'Marcus Miller' sizzly... more warm and organic, but with a nice top end. They reminded me a little of the Aero pickups that Fodera uses.

Wilbyman is the J Bass pickup guru. He's lurking around on this thread, but if he doesn't drop back in, PM him. He's tried them all!

I'm not totally sure about the OB-2. From my understanding, it's an OB-3 without the mid control. The good news is you get the more traditional cut and boost versus the boost only of the OB-1. However, the treble control of the OB-2 and OB-3 is set very high (around 6.5K I think). It actually sounds very nice, but is more 'hi fi' and crisp than the more grindy 4K setting of the OB-1. Both are great circuits, just depends on what you want. I think Nino Valenti uses the OB-2 a lot in his J style instruments and he really likes that pre.

Seems like it's going to be a killer bass.
 
#14
KJung said:
If I wanted a boutique 70's style J and was on a moderate budget, I'd consider the Sadowsky UV70 Metro with single coil pickups and the optional VTC.... about $2,600 or so, I think... and a pretty killer boutique J for the money.
Click to expand...

That Stambaugh will probably run him just over half that $2600, too! Not only is Chris' work outstanding, but his prices are almost wrong...
 
#15
FretFree said:
That Stambaugh will probably run him just over half that $2600, too! Not only is Chris' work outstanding, but his prices are almost wrong...
Click to expand...

+1 I had one of Chris's basses for a while, and the price value and fit and finish were the best in the business. His fretwork, woodwork, etc. are literally perfect, and the neck on that bass (it was a 5 piece wenge/maple with a beautiful ebony board) was the stiffest I think I've ever seen. I don't think I ever adjusted it, and the action was smoking!
 
#16
AAAGH September first cannot come soon enough, for that is the day that I will finally be mailing in my deposit for TWO Stambaughs. :hyper:

Ahem, anyways, the nordstrand / aggie pickup preamp combo is freaking AWESOME. I had the NJ5's and OBP3 in a Valenti and it had the best tone I've ever experienced.
 
#18
Nobody builds a cleaner looking bass than Chris. It's just frightening how perfect they are...just like Ken says...they're just flawless. It's kinda freaky!

Edit: I would think more about the pickup placement. I find that's the most essential variable on any instrument. Do you go for a 60's sound or a 70's sound? Do you slap or play fingerstyle moreover?

As far as J-pickups...I really like the look and sound of the Bart Classic X-series narrow soapbars (or "jazz bars" as some people call them). If you want a modern looking instrument they look great and sound great. The problem is that they're the only pickups that come in that size/shape.

I would recommend the Bart Classics or the Nordstrands if you want a regular old jazz pickup. The Nordstrands are good if you like a grindy jazz sound that is still musical. The Barts are better if you like a modern jazz sound (read: Gary Willis) that is still very full-range.

If you're going to get into a dual coil, the Bart classics stuff is still tops for me...with the Nordy duals being second. Overall, I find the Nordy pickups to be musical sounding but very thin when compared to the Bart classic stuff, which I think is equally musical. Do you want a grindy, aggressive jazz tone or a punchy/burpy/fusiony sound?

Ken's right on the OBP-2...you don't want it. It's just the OBP-3 without the midrange. I would opt for the OBP-1 with a passive tone control if you want to go cheap, or a Pope pre if you want to spend around $500 more bucks. The Pope is the best on the market to my ears. Or just go passive.

I know alot here favor the Aero stuff, and Chris uses it himself. I think the low-end on the Aero's is great, I just find them to be a little harsh in the high end.

W
 

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