Supernova Bass project : Ovular content

[BassHappy]

I think it comes down to the realization that a design reflects/represents the designer, in thoughtfulness/consideration, intent/innovation, execution/quality and function. A conceptual vision/idea goes through many stages before one is ready to 'sign-off' on that creation/product. If I hand my bass to any discriminating bass player/musician, it will be assessed and rated on every detail; weight, balance, ergonomics, feel, tone/sound and visual quality. I wouldn't even hand it to that person until I felt 100% confident of the result.

Hey JIO

Basso Profundity of the highest order. Man, can I quote you on this?

It's looking sick, in the highest sense of the word, of course, and as usual.

Keep up the stellar work.

Hmmmm, stellarnova?

That headstock is beyond human comprehension!

 

[JIO]

…what's the best bass for metal?

Have to assess it in daylight, but the existing pg isn't bad…

 

[Hopkins]

You know me, a black pick guard gets my vote.

 

[BassHappy]

…what's the best bass for metal?

Have to assess it in daylight, but the existing pg isn't bad…

Hey JIO

Have you purchased the Delano's yet? White or black?

I love the white pick guard for sure, but if you are going white on the pickups - the black pick guard may provide more contrast and could be more appealing.

 

[JIO]

You know me, a black pick guard gets my vote.

Black (as mapleglow knows), is always beautiful.., (until they invent something darker) so a consideration. My initial concept I still may explore is (silver) mirror, to keep the metal/spacecraft vibe going. So far, the MOTO pg I have bridges a bit to the neck (wood) and has a bit of light catching (pearl) variation - so works.

It's wild how different the same finish looks depending on light. That's why stage lights especially create magic w/gilded finishes.

Hey JIO

Have you purchased the Delano's yet? White or black?

I love the white pick guard for sure, but if you are going white on the pickups - the black pick guard may provide more contrast and could be more appealing.

Already have the pu's (black) that were originally installed in Mk I and will re-install them. Considering white for the SuperB 5'r.

 

[BassHappy]

Black (as mapleglow knows), is always beautiful.., (until they invent something darker) so a consideration. My initial concept I still may explore is (silver) mirror, to keep the metal/spacecraft vibe going. So far, the MOTO pg I have bridges a bit to the neck (wood) and has a bit of light catching (pearl) variation - so works.

It's wild how different the same finish looks depending on light. That's why stage lights especially create magic w/gilded finishes.

Already have the pu's (black) that were originally installed in Mk I and will re-install them. Considering white for the SuperB 5'r.

Hey JIO

Yup you are right about the finish. Changes completely with the light!

Man, with the black pickups - it's going to be hard to improve on that! I love that pick guard on there - I guess that guard is tending towards cream, when it originally looked white to me. Looking SUPER good, and I understand completely about the ergonomics you were previously struggling with. As hard as it was to watch, you had to go the surgical route.

 

[mapleglo]

I like the current pick guard with the current finish. It has a classy look to it. I might has put a slight point on the upper treble side though, to follow the body line. Though I know you made the pick guard before adding that lower horn point.

 

[JIO]

I like the current pick guard with the current finish. It has a classy look to it. I might has put a slight point on the upper treble side though, to follow the body line. Though I know you made the pick guard before adding that lower horn point.

I like it for the same reason and design-wise, the current pg works with the lower horn in the same way it does with the upper horn - it starts to 'peak' toward the horn w/o following through.

 

[ICM]

The finish's ability to change that drastically is really cool.

I still strongly think this guard would he wicked.

 

[JIO]

The finish's ability to change that drastically is really cool.

I still strongly think this guard would he wicked.

View attachment 494280

That pg needs it own stage! Like it's backdrop, it would look best on a black bass (or possibly white) - it would compete and overpower any other colour/finish.

 

[Hopkins]

That pg needs it own stage! Like it's backdrop, it would look best on a black bass (or possibly white) - it would compete and overpower any other colour/finish.

Yep,

The most important aspect of design is to know how to not have components competing with each other for being the main focal point of the instrument.

 

[JIO]

Yep,

The most important aspect of design is to know how to not have components competing with each other for being the main focal point of the instrument.

It would be like joining a band, and after a series of low-key rehearsals - showboating the 1st gig, either in dress or playing (or worst yet - both!) as the bass player in a songs/center focus singer=leader band.

 

[Dadagoboi]

Since we're discussing design...anyone else think the coasters under two of the pots is an arbitrary decision? Or that a custom bridge cover might relate to the elliptical theme better than one lifted straight off a 51 Precision?

I like the leaf and the redesigned body (form following function) but those shiny bits are head scratchers for me.

 

[pilotjones]

I'd like to see it with a chrome PG to match the ashtray and the knob trim rings. Silver and gold is a nice combo.

 

[ICM]

It would be like joining a band, and after a series of low-key rehearsals - showboating the 1st gig, either in dress or playing (or worst yet - both!) as the bass player in a songs/center focus singer=leader band.

I'm guilty if over-eccentric outfits! So that probably transfers to the pickguard.

 

[couchsofa]

I was skeptical at first but it turned out great!
However, speaking design, there are a few little things that bother me. The flat bottom of the bridge cover clashes with the free flowing form of the body contours. I'm with Dadagoboi on that subject.
I really like the individual 'pickguard' pieces (or coasters, as they seem to have been dubbed ), made me grin a little and looks great with the stacked pots. But the pickguard doesn't incorporate them (like on a traditional jazz). I think it would look a lot better if the distance between the two coasters was the same as the distance to the pickguard, but I guess that's hard to fix now. So maybe offset the radius of the middle pots coaster by the distance to the bottom one and cut that out of the PG. Not sure how that would go with the pot though :/

 

[JIO]

Since we're discussing design...anyone else think the coasters under two of the pots is an arbitrary decision? Or that a custom bridge cover might relate to the elliptical theme better than one lifted straight off a 51 Precision?

I like the leaf and the redesigned body (form following function) but those shiny bits are head scratchers for me.

I rather think of the bridge cover as resourcing an existing design element. A bridging of old and new. Flash Gordon.(a 50's thing when such design was space-age but clunky all the same) I like it and with all due respect, it's staying.

I'd like to see it with a chrome PG to match the ashtray and the knob trim rings. Silver and gold is a nice combo.

Yes, am planning on cutting one for exactly those reasons.

I'm guilty if over-eccentric outfits! So that probably transfers to the pickguard.

You don't wear scuba flipers with a tux do you? I'm guessing your unique look is part of what defines you. (and that's a good thing!) Eccentricity is part & parcel of a creative spirit!

I was skeptical at first but it turned out great!
However, speaking design, there are a few little things that bother me. The flat bottom of the bridge cover clashes with the free flowing form of the body contours. I'm with Dadagoboi on that subject.
I really like the individual 'pickguard' pieces (or coasters, as they seem to have been dubbed ), made me grin a little and looks great with the stacked pots. But the pickguard doesn't incorporate them (like on a traditional jazz). I think it would look a lot better if the distance between the two coasters was the same as the distance to the pickguard, but I guess that's hard to fix now. So maybe offset the radius of the middle pots coaster by the distance to the bottom one and cut that out of the PG. Not sure how that would go with the pot though :/

Thanks, yes, the chrome-plated brass knob skirts stay - I chose to use an Audere pre which is a fixed position layout (Jazz spacing) and worked within that framework for how I composed the design. The focus is the knobs which are equidistant and the pg is a deliberate visual overlap. Disrupting an accepted known creates a certain amount of visual tension - which you are responding to. I'm suspecting the chrome pg will both continue and resolve that tension. (a nice trick if I can pull it off!)

 

[Hues]

I'm wondering how it would look with the bridge cover etched to mimic the Pearloid PG.

Something like this,but more detailed.

 

[JIO]

I'm wondering how it would look with the bridge cover etched to mimic the Pearloid PG.

Something like this,but more detailed.

That's wild - thanks for posting. Is it polished and sand-blasted steel? I've seen etched designs on bakelite pg's and they look cool. Some guy on ebay sells them but only in established styles. (Jag, Jazz etc) I'll be religated to what material (as a blank/sheet) is available so straight chrome mirror it will be.

In fact, just ordered it (chrome acrylic pg blank)

 

[Hues]

That's wild - thanks for posting. Is it polished and sand-blasted steel? I've seen etched designs on bakelite pg's and they look cool. Some guy on ebay sells them but only in established styles. (Jag, Jazz etc) I'll be religated to what material (as a blank/sheet) is available so straight chrome mirror it will be.

In fact, just ordered it (chrome acrylic pg blank)

Polished Stainless Steel,...the site doesn't say blasted,but it has to be. A contact resist sheet and some fine abrasive is the only way to get that.

Found it on Reverb....The PG came from down under.
https://reverb.com/item/23956-free-...r-kaleido-etched-polished-mirror-metal-chrome