The Knuckle Quake 39.5" Scale Bass Thread

[Bass Below]

Now, because of you I'll probably end up getting a Quake

You're welcome

 

[The Hammer]

I own Quake #14. Here it is....
Link Removed

I've had it for several weeks now and it has easily become my number one go to bass. I have played it through my big rig (Ampeg SVP, Peavey GPS 2600, Acugroove El Whappo and El Whappo Jr) a Roland Combo with 2 10"s and a Roland Bass Cube and it sounds great on all of them. I haven't found it to be anymore difficult to play than any of my other 5'ers (Alembic Mark King Custom, Status Stealth) and it is almost as light as my Steath and the best balancing bass I own.

Before anyone passes judgement on this bass I would suggest playing one first otherwise you might wind up eating your words. Skip has made a groundbreaking bass for anyone who wants to play clear articulate notes below E. As for the poster who thought the Quake would "dissappear" I'm sure thats what they thought about Leo Fender's first P bass as well and we all know how that turned out.....

 

[Rowka]

I've got #7.
If anyone finds themselves in jacksonville, FL and would like to take a spin, I can make some time.

Just PM me.

 

[elysrand]

What a beauty, especially with that blue finish. What woods did he use for yours, in addition to what looks like flame-maple for the body wings?

Every one of the Quakes that I have seen (from afar) are GORGEOUS basses, and the only complaint that I have so far is that there is not enough eye-candy on Skip's website. He could at LEAST have posted much larger and higher-resolution photos of the basses that he has made so far, plus closeups of the components and optional components, and maybe some shots taken during the course of the build itself for each one too, kinda like Alembic will do for you.

So, since I have decided that I must try and order one or more of these fine basses, I guess I will just have to pester poor Skip via email until he sends me some really sharp photos and I can dream up my own combination of woods and options to start my collection too!

 

[knuckle_head]

I'm - mostly - feelin' the love.



A FYI thing - my 4 string Quake (the one Cliff is pictured with early in this thread) was designed specifically to go to A. Only a half step lower than a normal B. It's tuned to octave down E when I have it at home - soon, methinks.

Standard tunings benefit huge on a Quake IMO as a slightly thinner gauge string is used to get the same fundamental - identical tension as a standard scale length with a bit more overtone content, and a balanced tension that gets you closer to even technique from string to string.

What? ...you don't expect me to say bad stuff about what I build, do you?

 

[The Hammer]

I'm - mostly - feelin' the love.



A FYI thing - my 4 string Quake (the one Cliff is pictured with early in this thread) was designed specifically to go to A. Only a half step lower than a normal B. Standard tunings benefit huge on a Quake IMO as a slightly thinner gauge string is used to get the same fundamental - identical tension as a standard scale length with a bit more overtone content, and a balanced tension that gets you closer to even technique from string to string.

What? ...you don't expect me to say bad stuff about what I build, do you?

Skip you want to 'splain to elysrand what woods went into #14? I think you can do a better job than I.

 

[knuckle_head]

Skip you want to 'splain to elysrand what woods went into #14? I think you can do a better job than I.

The neck section is carbon fiber (that'd be the thin black lines you see down the center of the top) and eastern maple - a 5 lam that goes the length of the bass - with solid western maple wings.

I got to have my way electronically with Hammer's bass as well - no active electronics, switches to remove the pots from the signal path, and landing lights so I could find it in the dark.

 

[The Hammer]

The neck section is carbon fiber (that'd be the thin black lines you see down the center of the top) and eastern maple - a 5 lam that goes the length of the bass - with solid western maple wings.

I got to have my way electronically with Hammer's bass as well - no active electronics, switches to remove the pots from the signal path, and landing lights so I could find it in the dark.

I've got to say that next to my all graphite Status which NEVER goes out of tune the Quake almost never needs to be tuned. I've also found the "recharging" position of the three way toggle to be very useful to silence the bass inbetween songs when I play in church.

 

[Bass Below]

I've got to say that next to my all graphite Status which NEVER goes out of tune the Quake almost never needs to be tuned.

I've only tuned it out of the box. Haven't had to since. I noticed the same thing with Skips personal Quake, which I had for a few weeks last year... never had to tune it at all.

 

[Hoover]

The neck section is carbon fiber (that'd be the thin black lines you see down the center of the top) and eastern maple - a 5 lam that goes the length of the bass - with solid western maple wings.

I got to have my way electronically with Hammer's bass as well - no active electronics, switches to remove the pots from the signal path, and landing lights so I could find it in the dark.

sweet mother of god that #14 is a beautiful bass...

Can I ask, was all that included in the standard price of $2749 mentioned on your website, or do some of those features command a premium upcharge?

 

[BigRedX]

Both of those Quakes are gorgeous!

And Q-Tuners on #14?

 

[Bass Below]

Both of those Quakes are gorgeous!

And Q-Tuners on #14?

I was going to do Q-tuners on mine too but something came up and changed that. I still may switch to them eventually, but I'm so in love with the sound I have already, I'm not sure I want to mess with it... but I can't help but think that the Q-tuners would only further enhance what I already love about it. Raw, powerful, pure, articulate.....

 

[knuckle_head]

sweet mother of god that #14 is a beautiful bass...

Can I ask, was all that included in the standard price of $2749 mentioned on your website, or do some of those features command a premium upcharge?

The only upcharge on #14 was for the LED work and the cost of the Q-tuners.

 

[alexclaber]

I bet that sounds amazing! My RIM Custom 5 is a mere 36" scale but that's still enough to thunder through the Q-Tuners!

Alex

 

[alexclaber]

What gauges are you using for standard BEADG tuning? I've settled down to 38-58-78-104-134 which is fairly well balanced on a 36" scale in terms of both feel and tone.

Alex

 

[knuckle_head]

What gauges are you using for standard BEADG tuning? I've settled down to 38-58-78-104-134 which is fairly well balanced on a 36" scale in terms of both feel and tone.

Alex

Hey Alex

I'm running with 125 95 70 55(53) 40. The longer scale length allows a little more tension as there is more string to spread the pull along - they 'feel' looser than the actual numbers suggest they would.

 

[Whappo Grande]

I was fortunate enough to have a Quake at one of my NAMM booths & I can certainly attest to the fact that there is no hype. This baby lives up to the claims big time!

There was only one problem? The 5 string Quake had a low F# & players kept running it through our 21” Whappo Grande cabinet (which was a perfect combo). However, the hearing test trailer was around the corner & they came over everyday begging us to stop because they would have to recalibrate their test equipment. We almost got shut down.

Skip & Quake rules!

 

[Bass Below]

Skip & Quake rules!

Sure do!

I'm dying to get my hands on a Whappo Grande. To have that beast sitting below my three way cab would be mind blowing with the Quake in command.

 

[Bass Below]

Just thought I'd post some pics I just took, ain't she pretty?

 

[edbutler3]

Sweet! Can't wait until mine is ready to play.