*The Wing Bass Club*

[Mark Plays Bass]

@Mark Plays Bass I can't really comment on the tone of mahogany and maple, but I can tell you that I think 17mm feels a bit too tight on a 5 string at times. I'm not sure how much of a difference 1mm makes, but if I was to order again I'd probably go with 18mm spacing.

Thanks so much Photobassist. That's really helpful!

 

[Andy Brown]

I've recently become aware of the Wing bass and they seem like a terrific idea and beautiful to look at too! I'm planning on ordering one very soon. Probably the six string model.

Does anyone have advice on how the wood choices affect the tone? The choices are Mahogany or Black Limba for the body and Rosewood or Maple for the neck. I like the Mahogany and Maple aesthetically, but I know I prefer a tone that's on the deeper and darker side and not too bright, especially for the C string.

Also, any thoughts or comments about the the string spacing of either 18 or 17 mm? I know it must seem obvious that either I like a narrower spacing or don't, but it's such a unique instrument I just thought it was worthwhile to ask.

Thanks and I'm looking forward to joining your club soon!

Hi Mark,

Mahogany is more dense than Black Limba and does sound warmer. I'm not convinced that the finger board wood would effect the tone as much on an instrument of this size. I personally have 17mm, which is what I'm used to. What is your current bass? If it's 19mm, I'd recommend 18mm.

Thanks for your interest!

 

[48thStreetCustom]

Hi Mark,

Mahogany is more dense than Black Limba and does sound warmer. I'm not convinced that the finger board wood would effect the tone as much on an instrument of this size. I personally have 17mm, which is what I'm used to. What is your current bass? If it's 19mm, I'd recommend 18mm.

Thanks for your interest!

Hi Andy,

Is the maple fingerboard coated with a gloss finish?

 

[Andy Brown]

Hi Andy,

Is the maple fingerboard coated with a gloss finish?

Hi There... the fingerboards are only treated with a Tung Oil mixture. Nothing is sprayed.

 

[gully_jones]

Andy,

Any plans to offer a ramp as an option like the 7 string bass on your website?

 

[Andy Brown]

Andy,

Any plans to offer a ramp as an option like the 7 string bass on your website?

We don't have it on the site, but we already offer a ramp for $50.

 

[48thStreetCustom]

We don't have it on the site, but we already offer a ramp for $50.

Hi Andy,

Is a quilted maple top also a custom option? Because I'm drooling over this:

 

[Mark Plays Bass]

On last question before I place my order for a Wing bass please:

I play mostly six string basses, but I find it physically uncomfortable to play the B string above the 12th fret and seldom or never do so. So I'm wondering whether to order a 6 string or 5 string Wing bass. I thought it was possible that ergonomics of the Wing bass could be so different from that a full size bass (34" or 35" scale) that the B string on a Wing bass might be more accessible and easier to play.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Photobassist]

@Mark Plays Bass, I hear what you're saying about ergonomics of the B string above the 12th fret... And while the Wing Bass does provide easy access to all frets/positions above the 12th, personally, I find myself using mostly the D and G strings in that area.

 

[Andy Brown]

On last question before I place my order for a Wing bass please:

I play mostly six string basses, but I find it physically uncomfortable to play the B string above the 12th fret and seldom or never do so. So I'm wondering whether to order a 6 string or 5 string Wing bass. I thought it was possible that ergonomics of the Wing bass could be so different from that a full size bass (34" or 35" scale) that the B string on a Wing bass might be more accessible and easier to play.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Mark

I feel the B string is definitely more accessible on a Wing Bass and is very playable. You would have to use your own judgement however. We have a six string being made, that is close to completion... Mahogany / Rosewood / 17mm spacing if you're looking to avoid our current lead time of 14-16 weeks.

 

[Mark Plays Bass]

I just placed my order for a 6 string Wing Bass. Can't wait to be a member of this club!

 

[Photobassist]

Congratulations @Mark Plays Bass what are the specs on your future bass?

 

[Mark Plays Bass]

My new Wing Bass will be a 6 string with 18 mm spacing, a mahogany body with a maple fretboard.

I was really taken with the picture of the Wing Bass with the beautiful quilted maple top that Duuuuuuuuuude posted: https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/upload_2016-7-27_14-59-25-png.916107/. So this morning, with the encouragement of my friend Basehead, I wrote to Andy Brown to add the quilted maple top to my order.

Life is good!

 

[48thStreetCustom]

My new Wing Bass will be a 6 string with 18 mm spacing, a mahogany body with a maple fretboard.

I was really taken with the picture of the Wing Bass with the beautiful quilted maple top that Duuuuuuuuuude posted: https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/upload_2016-7-27_14-59-25-png.916107/. So this morning, with the encouragement of my friend Basehead, I wrote to Andy Brown to add the quilted maple top to my order.

Life is good!

Cool! So how much extra was the quilted maple top?

 

[Andy Brown]

Cool! So how much extra was the quilted maple top?

We offer the following fancy top wood options at a cost of $200:

One Piece Tops

• amber flamed maple
• claro walnut

Bookmatched Tops

• figured bubinga
• purpleheart
• flamed maple
• birdseye maple
• walnut
• yellowheart
• figured myrtle wood
• amber flamed maple
• claro walnut
• quilted maple

 

[Showdown]

Just arrived today:

A beautiful piece of wood. Plays very well. I haven't tried it through an amp yet, but I did use my Bass Pod>computer and it sounded good through the computer speakers. I like it a lot. Besides travel, which I bought it for, I can sit here in my La-Z-Boy and practice while watching the Olympics!

 

[Photobassist]

Congratulations! Very nice looking indeed.

 

[Mark Plays Bass]

Just arrived today...

It's beautiful! Good luck with it.

I would love to hear your impressions and experiences.

 

[Showdown]

I would love to hear your impressions and experiences.

I travel a lot for work, often for 3-4 weeks at a time. I have tried various things - Ubass, buying a cheap bass in Korea, etc. - but none of them were ideal. When I saw the Wing Bass it looked like it would be perfect for me. It is a little risky to buy a bass like this without playing one, but I had a little extra money and decided to do it.

I think it is just what I want. Small, lightweight, can just carry it on, or stick it in a suitcase. Very solid since it is one piece of wood, not much to break. The wood is excellent, and the workmanship is top notch. Took a few minutes to get used to the position and size, but not long. For me this is a bass to play sitting down, it slides a little too far to the right standing.

I just spent about 30 minutes playing it in my recliner, through an iRig into my iPhone. I ran through some songs I needed to go over before band practice in a couple of hours. Very nice. Sounds good, and as I said earlier I can sit and play while watching the Olympics on TV. The smaller neck is nice on my arthritic fingers too.

I may get an octaver and see how it sounds.

 

[gully_jones]

I feel the B string is definitely more accessible on a Wing Bass and is very playable. You would have to use your own judgement however. We have a six string being made, that is close to completion... Mahogany / Rosewood / 17mm spacing if you're looking to avoid our current lead time of 14-16 weeks.

@Andy Brown Still available?