Supernova Bass project : Ovular content

[JIO]

 

[Brett Zeppelin]

Awesome! Congrats, bro. Is this a first major appearance for your work?

 

[JIO]

Awesome! Congrats, bro. Is this a first major appearance for your work?

Thanks Brett - yes, and I'm higher than a kite! The beautiful part of it is that Chris is the sweetest guy - I'm so happy for him and his success as a musician. He gives me hope in this crazy world that good people do exist and flourish.

Here's a pic of us when Ingrid played an outdoor gig in SF this spring after their show. Chris grew up surrounded by the legendary east-coast luthiers/builders of our guitar/bass world - Stewart Spector and the like. His dad is Hap Kuffner who is a long time industry cat associated w/Ned Steinberger. (manages world-wide distribution) Chris also toured w/Lou Reed before his passing last year. My live is richer being associated with him - I can only hope for more of the same (w/future Gildaxe clients) as time goes on.

Ned Steinberger - standing / Hap Kuffner - center w/hat

 

[Brett Zeppelin]

Thanks Brett - yes, and I'm higher than a kite! The beautiful part of it is that Chris is the sweetest guy - I'm so happy for him and his success as a musician. He gives me hope in this crazy world that good people do exist and flourish.

Here's a pic of us when Ingrid played an outdoor gig in SF this spring after their show. Chris grew up surrounded by the legendary east-coast luthiers/builders of our guitar/bass world - Stewart Spector and the like. His dad is Hap Kuffner who is a long time industry cat associated w/Ned Steinberger. (manages world-wide distribution) Chris also toured w/Lou Reed before his passing last year. My live is richer being associated with him - I can only hope for more of the same (w/future Gildaxe clients) as time goes on.

That's really awesome to hear. All it takes is one of your works to get out there in the public eye, and then the network just grows and grows. I bet there are forums around there right now talking 'bout "hey, did you see what the bassist on Kimmel was playing the other night? I want one of those things!"

Hopefully with any luck, the word spreads and your Gildaxe creations become world renowned.

 

[JIO]

That's really awesome to hear. All it takes is one of your works to get out there in the public eye, and then the network just grows and grows. I bet there are forums around there right now talking 'bout "hey, did you see what the bassist on Kimmel was playing the other night? I want one of those things!"

Hopefully with any luck, the word spreads and your Gildaxe creations become world renowned.

It's a small step, but an important one. I have local players playing them, but this is the first toe in the big pond. I want to see Chris on the cover of BassPlayer magazine rocking that bass! He's a talented fresh player and seems a perfect candidate. (it always starts with a dream!)

On a different level, Phil Kubicki's Factor became an overnight 'must have' after John Taylor played a white one w/Duran Duran on Saturday Night Live in the late 80's. Story goes he received it right before the show.

 

[zuma]

I've enjoyed watching this build and I am also pleasantly surprised to see John Taylor mentioned. I will nitpick and say that I believe the bass he used on SNL was a black prototype with un-scalloped, super-hot pickups. I believe the neck pickup was also closer to the neck. Later, as in the 1987 Strange Behaviour tour, he used that white one above.

Back on topic, I'd still love to hear those Delanos in action!

 

[JIO]

I've enjoyed watching this build and I am also pleasantly surprised to see John Taylor mentioned. I will nitpick and say that I believe the bass he used on SNL was a black prototype with un-scalloped, super-hot pickups. I believe the neck pickup was also closer to the neck. Later, as in the 1987 Strange Behaviour tour, he used that white one above.

Back on topic, I'd still love to hear those Delanos in action!

I couldn't find the SNL vid to watch but was it really from 1983? (that's what I found out on a SNL info link) I found Live Aid 1985 footage w/DD and he's playing a white Factor (was it pearl white?), and a 1986 Spanish TV spot of DD where he's playing a black Factor. Very grainy and hard to make out details but it looks normal. Any '83-84 footage he was playing different brands of standard basses. Where did you read about that prototype?

 

[zuma]

Apparently NBC is very protective of SNL content. That's why you can't find it on YouTube very easily. According to my Power Station CD/DVD set from 2005, that SNL performance was February 16th, 1985.

A good while back (April 2010?), that first bass was auctioned off. I saved the web page to a PDF. I uploaded it here for all to see:
http://zumaz.com/John_Taylor's_Kubicki_Ex_Factor_auction.pdf

It's difficult to see black on black but you can clearly see that the neck pickup is right up against the end of the neck assembly. In a production one, there would be some space there. In the "Some Like it Hot" video you can just barely make out the odd pickups. Then we have this as another source (incredible web page formatting!):
http://mc2.freeservers.com/kubickifacts.htm#extrafacts

 

[JIO]

Apparently NBC is very protective of SNL content. That's why you can't find it on YouTube very easily. According to my Power Station CD/DVD set from 2005, that SNL performance was February 16th, 1985.

A good while back (April 2010?), that first bass was auctioned off. I saved the web page to a PDF. I uploaded it here for all to see:
http://zumaz.com/John_Taylor's_Kubicki_Ex_Factor_auction.pdf

It's difficult to see black on black but you can clearly see that the neck pickup is right up against the end of the neck assembly. In a production one, there would be some space there. In the "Some Like it Hot" video you can just barely make out the odd pickups. Then we have this as another source (incredible web page formatting!):
http://mc2.freeservers.com/kubickifacts.htm#extrafacts

Thanks for this - I'm a big Kubicki fan, and 2 of my hybrid basses using Kubicki parts are featured on "The Kubicki Factor" Facebook page. The strange one w/P/J pu's (second link) is also featured there. I wish I could have met him, he moved back east when I was close to his Santa Barbara digs. I spoke with him a few times on the phone over the years. He installed the 18v pre in my FCS Factor early on. They mention that in the second link article.

 

[zuma]

Really? Wow, small world. I just reviewed that FB page up and down (for the third time!) last night. I never met Phil myself. I waited too long. I thought a nice trip up to Santa Barbara would be nice but I could never justify spending the cash as my Factor is in pretty great shape.

 

[JIO]

Really? Wow, small world. I just reviewed that FB page up and down (for the third time!) last night. I never met Phil myself. I waited too long. I thought a nice trip up to Santa Barbara would be nice but I could never justify spending the cash as my Factor is in pretty great shape.

My basses are in the Mods & Hybrid section within the 2013 pictures - the Factorbird fretless and 'J' Factor. I've since sold the JFactor but still have and play the Factorbird.

 

[zuma]

I guess I'll have to look at those photos yet again!

 

[JIO]

speaking of John Taylor & Kubicki Factors… from the current/October issue of MOJO on the last page -

I owned 2 black Factors and a sonic blue one, and now realize that owning a white one would have always provoked John Taylor references. It became his 'signature' bass during that very high-profile period.

 

[zuma]

Great find! Thanks for that. I saw the 1987 Strange Behaviour tour in Irvine, CA. I was right next to a nice vertical stack of speakers near the back. The Kubicki tone was monstrous! I was in complete awe.

 

[JIO]

I'd think twice about putting the jack on the back like that. I'd done a few guitars like that now and wouldn't do it again.

I really like the looks of the design. I've got a question though on the ergonomics - have you made a test body with that shape and scallop? It seems to me that the body point at the bass side (roughly in line with the neck pickup), with the edge of the scallop running into it, is at the exact place where the right arm commonly goes over the edge of the bass when playing, and so could be uncomfortable. I know that is where my own arm goes over. Your scallop seems well placed (functionally, not talking about looks) more for those few jazz guys who play with the bass all the way high on their chests.

Also, cool idea with the fret markers.

As Jaco Pastorius was famous for saying, "it ain't braggin' if you can back it up". On the other side of that same coin, is my saying du jour, "if you were wrong, admit it and acknowledge those who were right"

The Supernova is going to get a major 'post done' facelift. As much as the Supersonic came out great/no complaints, the Supernova has 3 design issues/flaws and all of my doing; 1) the 'peak' at the top forearm location is right where my arm hits - and although it isn't pointy/sharp, it is annoying/uncomfortable 2) the rear mounted jack/cord plug when standing hits my right thigh (even w/a 90 degree plug) - again, annoying ... and 3) the bass slides off my leg when seated (lower horn too short). All bad designs because comfort/functionality has to be top of the list.

Sooo... the bass will be disassembled, the peak worked on with a rasp/files to taper it way back, altering the scallop shape (which sort' works functionally but will aim to work better), the jack will be relocated to the side hip or front, a new (solid) control cover will take the place of the 'Strat-jack' cover, and a flat curved (chrome) bar will be fabricated to be attached to the horn arch to extend for no-slip seated playing... or, since I'm gong this far already, possibly graft on a piece of (the same) wood to extend the horn. It's funny because this project has had more than a few set-backs, and maybe it's meant to be to teach me some lessons. I can't pretend it's "all good" if I have any intention to produce others, and I'm my own harshest critic. My lesson learned is more R&D before full completion. The new Super B 5'r will be built-up w/electronics/strings etc and played for a while before final finishing & sign-off. (rule #1 from now on) I was lucky with my other custom builds, the Factorbird and the Supersonic - both are very successful designs. Luckily all of these concerns address the physicalness of the bass body only, as the sonic qualities are very favorable as is.

So once the body design functions have been sorted, I'll gild it (white gold - looks almost silver) and install a mirror pu. Although the gold finish I ended up with is ok, it wasn't what I was initially aiming for and so the red alder doesn't work w/the gold - it probably would have gone better with the Sahara Taupe I originally planned for. The gilded version will not have exposed wood, as nice (grain pattern) as it is. I just hope the extra tapering will still be nice/aesthetically pleasing to look at. I'll keep the same outline but rasp/file into the peak and right of the peak toward the backside. It'll leave an edge but at the place where it will be against my body - not my arm. (and not jutting into my body) Since it has the futuristic George Jetson vibe design-wise, I think a more 'spaceship' appearance will suit it. The big winged bridge cover will balance nicely w/the chrome pg and knobs I think. As far as the hs face, I have the option of doing black on the scallop or all white gold. If all white gold, I could create a cool Supernova graphic within it following the shape. hummm…. Below is what I'm considering (nothing etched in stone other than first addressing the peak)

 

[Brett Zeppelin]

As Jaco Pastorius was famous for saying, "it ain't braggin' if you can back it up". On the other side of that same coin, is my saying du jour, "if you were wrong, admit it and acknowledge those who were right"

The Supernova is going to get a major 'post done' facelift. As much as the Supersonic came out great/no complaints, the Supernova has 3 design issues/flaws and all of my doing; 1) the 'peak' at the top forearm location is right where my arm hits - and although it isn't pointy/sharp, it is annoying/uncomfortable 2) the rear mounted jack/cord plug when standing hits my right thigh (even w/a 90 degree plug) - again, annoying ... and 3) the bass slides off my leg when seated (lower horn too short). All bad designs because comfort/functionality has to be top of the list.

Sooo... the bass will be disassembled, the peak worked on with a rasp/files to taper it way back, altering the scallop shape (which sort' works functionally but will aim to work better), the jack will be relocated to the side hip or front, a new (solid) control cover will take the place of the 'Strat-jack' cover, and a flat curved (chrome) bar will be fabricated to be attached to the horn arch to extend for no-slip seated playing... or, since I'm gong this far already, possibly graft on a piece of (the same) wood to extend the horn. It's funny because this project has had more than a few set-backs, and maybe it's meant to be to teach me some lessons. I can't pretend it's "all good" if I have any intention to produce others, and I'm my own harshest critic. My lesson learned is more R&D before full completion. The new Super B 5'r will be built-up w/electronics/strings etc and played for a while before final finishing & sign-off. (rule #1 from now on) I was lucky with my other custom builds, the Factorbird and the Supersonic - both are very successful designs. Luckily all of these concerns address the physicalness of the bass body only, as the sonic qualities are very favorable as is.

So once the body design functions have been sorted, I'll gild it (white gold - looks almost silver) and install a mirror pu. Although the gold finish I ended up with is ok, it wasn't what I was initially aiming for and so the red alder doesn't work w/the gold - it probably would have gone better with the Sahara Taupe I originally planned for. The gilded version will not have exposed wood, as nice (grain pattern) as it is. I just hope the extra tapering will still be nice/aesthetically pleasing to look at. I'll keep the same outline but rasp/file into the peak and right of the peak toward the backside. It'll leave an edge but at the place where it will be against my body - not my arm. (and not jutting into my body) Since it has the futuristic George Jetson vibe design-wise, I think a more 'spaceship' appearance will suit it. The big winged bridge cover will balance nicely w/the chrome pg and knobs I think. As far as the hs face, I have the option of doing black on the scallop or all white gold. If all white gold, I could create a cool Supernova graphic within it following the shape. hummm…. Below is what I'm considering (nothing etched in stone other than first addressing the peak)

All great ideas for change. It sounds like you've got your work cut out for you. I'm certain this version will come out smoking. The finish you're describing sounds cool as heck. Not that there was/is anything wrong with this one, but the new one just sounds cool.

 

[JIO]

Speaking of Marin.., I'm getting into Tiburon territory w/the Supernova. (The Supernova Tiburon?) Drew out the area and figured I'd do this with everything attached & working so I can play it while it's reforming. The first rasp bite was the hardest but I quickly got into the reshaping process. Much sawdust later and it is sooo much better. really comfy and very sculptural. I ditched the upper arch cut-off idea (like in my sketch) as I worked because I was seeing it evolve in 3D and it was telling me where to focus for continual flow of shapes/form. (love this part of making things) I rough sanded it (last pic) and as much as it feels great - the peak has to get rounded. It's not in the way depth-wise, but when it is interfaced it's still too pointy. Pics soon - back to shaping.

 

[Jonny5bass]

I really like what the topography of the carve does with the grain lines.

 

[Skarsoul]

You sure about not leaving the wood grain visible????

 

[JIO]

You sure about not leaving the wood grain visible????

There's no wood in space … other than the maple neck that is