• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Wishbass Club pt. 2

Status
Not open for further replies.
#661
They will both be set up with piezos, one of my winter projects.

The upright sounds great for playing around the house, but doesn't have enough mass to do a live setting unplugged. I have no other experience with uprights tho so I don't have much to compare to.

Yeah I'm a big fan of minimalist "clean" design.
 
#662
jlane72t said:
They will both be set up with piezos, one of my winter projects.

The upright sounds great for playing around the house, but doesn't have enough mass to do a live setting unplugged. I have no other experience with uprights tho so I don't have much to compare to.

Yeah I'm a big fan of minimalist "clean" design.
Click to expand...
Sounds fascinating. How do you plan to set the piezio into the Hyper? Thanks.
 
#663
jlane72t said:
They will both be set up with piezos, one of my winter projects.

The upright sounds great for playing around the house, but doesn't have enough mass to do a live setting unplugged. I have no other experience with uprights tho so I don't have much to compare to.

Yeah I'm a big fan of minimalist "clean" design.
Click to expand...

You should check out Link Removed for a piezo-type pickup that would work wel...simply "sandwiched" between the body and the corian bridge. (PUTW #27 pickup). I used to own one of Dave Enke's basses and it had one of his pickups installed in it. It produced a very nice woody tone. It would require some kind of internal or external preamp.
 
#664
Yes, I've looked at PTW for inspiration...but a big part of my project is that I'm going to build the system myself. I've got all kinds of piezo tabs, discs, and threads collected on my workbench, as well as a few styles of preamp, and the plan is to keep on experimenting until I find the setup (for both the upright and the wishbass) with the best combination of sound and stealth. Nothing relaxes me like some time hidden in the basement with a soldering iron in my hand and good tunes on the stereo.
 
#665
jlane72t said:
Yes, I've looked at PTW for inspiration...but a big part of my project is that I'm going to build the system myself. I've got all kinds of piezo tabs, discs, and threads collected on my workbench, as well as a few styles of preamp, and the plan is to keep on experimenting until I find the setup (for both the upright and the wishbass) with the best combination of sound and stealth. Nothing relaxes me like some time hidden in the basement with a soldering iron in my hand and good tunes on the stereo.
Click to expand...
jlane72t: Do you think you could post some pix when you get them (especially the Hyper) done? I would be really interested in seeing how that turns out. Hmmm, you've got me thinking now ...........
 
#666
jbybj said:
Well, just went to the Fretfx site for the first time in a while, my purpleheart Scarab is right at the top of the testimonial page, a little further down is an older family shot with my Standard and my Scroll in front, behind the Scroll is my Alembic Epic and then an old Hohner I have since passed on to a friend. And then down further is a nice shot of my Scroll. So yes, I like the lights...........

Since you have to install them yourself, Roz, the proprietor, requests photos of the working array in order to start your warranty. That's why I sent in so many pictures. They choose to include them in the testimonial page because Wishbasses look so freakin cool............ :-)
Click to expand...

what is the fretfx site?
 
#668
49sfine said:
WaveRider: Yes, a bit. The guitar wants to hang "level" on your body when standing. I asked the same question about the one on Ebay right now and he admitted his is the same way. I think this body shape is prone to that unless really heavy woods are used in the body.
Click to expand...

Yes, regarding the Scarab, the one in question above is mine, I just relisted it again on Ebay. Plenty of watchers, no buyers yet and this is the third time I've listed it. A little history on it just in case anyone is interested. Potential downside: yes the bass hangs level, parallel to the floor, a little neck heavy but not too bad, certainly does not "dive". Repositioning the pegs may make a difference on that. The neck is also very thick, certainly one of the thicker Wishbass necks I've had. Feels pretty close to an upright. A downside for some, but for those worrying about a lack of a truss rod, the thickness adds to the sturdiness. Potential upside: Really a great looking, playing and sounding Wish. Of all the Wishes I had, this one seems to have had the highest attention to detail as there really are no flaws in the wood and the finish is even and the best I've seen coming from a Wish purchased direct off of Ebay. Originally he had it listed at $500 which is the most I've ever seen Steve offer a 4-string for before on Ebay. Perhaps because of the rare wood used (I do not remember at all what it was) plus the fact that he charges $50 more to place the electronic cover in the back on his customs. No one touched it at $500 and then he relisted it at $400 and I snapped it up in an instant.

There was a time, a few years ago that I was determined to buy EVERY Scarab that he listed on Ebay. I did, I bought maybe six of them, along with a few Peanuts and others that looked cool. Slowly, because they weren't really practical for me (I am primarily a 5-string, fretted, active electronics player) I started to sell them off as the collecting bug went away for me. I am still keeping my last one, the one pictured in my avatar for a few sentimental reasons. It was the first Wish I bought, I have actually used it a bit, it looks really cool, I marked up the side of the neck with a felt tip marker to add the correct "fret marker" positions (the "nails" were off) and it was used for six months straight as the bass in Wishbass's Bass Player Mag ads. Who knows, someday I may custom order a 5-string fretted, but for now, I'll just stick with my more practical axes.
 
#669
Uhhhh .... I bought this Scarab last night - in spite of my pronouncement that I was done acquiring more Wishbasses. Dang!!! You know what that means - I have to let something else go. Bummer ... But I'll worry about that after the holidays. This one promises to be a very nice Wish. I'm not sure why it didn't get sold sooner - perhaps the Scarab body style is not an easily acquired taste after all? Anyway, more news at 11:00 .........
 
#670
Yeah, you'll love this one Pete, thanks for the purchase. I think the economy is why it didn't get sold sooner. I have had several basses up over the last couple months and sales have been poor. But I was able to make a few good purchases though. Definitely a buyer's market. Great if you have money. I love the Scarab style, it is by far my favorite Wish style. I think it is a little too wild for some though, a more modest style like the Peanut or Lobe may be more popular.
 
#671
BassDudeSA said:
Yeah, you'll love this one Pete, thanks for the purchase. I think the economy is why it didn't get sold sooner. I have had several basses up over the last couple months and sales have been poor. But I was able to make a few good purchases though. Definitely a buyer's market. Great if you have money. I love the Scarab style, it is by far my favorite Wish style. I think it is a little too wild for some though, a more modest style like the Peanut or Lobe may be more popular.
Click to expand...
Sid; No, thank you! I think when the dust settles on all of this collecting madness, this Scarab will probably one of the three or four I keep, along with my zebrawood Fantasy, ash Hyper, and persimmon Lobe.
 
#673
newfuture said:
Along those lines, if that banana in your avatar goes, let me know!
Click to expand...
Newfuture: Okay, I will keep that in mind - actually I forgot about the Banana in my thinking about the previous post. It won't be for a bit though I suspect - probably between now and end of July. One thing about the Banana though, due to how dry it is here in New Mexico, I have acquired two cracks in the body (1 on the top and 1 on the back). One of them happened while I was holding it one day - just a big pop! and then I had this inch long split. It doesn't bother me too much and doesn't effect how it plays, etc, but it certainly is disconcerting. Once I move to Austin, the humidity there will definitely be more to this bass's liking. I was hoping to not have to control humidity with these, but I have learned otherwise - duh ........... Thanks for asking.
 
#674
49sfine said:
Newfuture: Okay, I will keep that in mind - actually I forgot about the Banana in my thinking about the previous post. It won't be for a bit though I suspect - probably between now and end of July. One thing about the Banana though, due to how dry it is here in New Mexico, I have acquired two cracks in the body (1 on the top and 1 on the back). One of them happened while I was holding it one day - just a big pop! and then I had this inch long split. It doesn't bother me too much and doesn't effect how it plays, etc, but it certainly is disconcerting. Once I move to Austin, the humidity there will definitely be more to this bass's liking. I was hoping to not have to control humidity with these, but I have learned otherwise - duh ........... Thanks for asking.
Click to expand...

these are the sorts of things that terrify me with acoustic instruments!
 
#675
newfuture said:
these are the sorts of things that terrify me with acoustic instruments!
Click to expand...
NewFuture: Yeah, I hear 'ya ... Fortunately, the finish I applied to the Banana is a forgiving one (lacquer) since it is in a satin sheen. My idea was once I get relocated in Austin and the guitar gets (re)acclimated, I could effect repairs and touch-up the areas effected. Wish's stuff is pretty tough so I do not predict any lingering problems, but it's kind of a bummer when you spend so much time refinishing/refining an instrument and then the climate does things you weren't prepared for. If I sold it before that point all I could do is just be up-front about the trouble spots. However, it is my avatar!
 
#677
Hello --
I found this forum while trying to find info on a Wish acoustic upright I just purchased. The owner originally got it directly from Steve.

I purchased my first Wish in April of this year - peanut, fretless, four-string, mahogany. I have not done anything to it, besides play it, since April and I really enjoy it.

The upright was posted on Craigslist for $100 and sounds decent - though I am not an upright player. I plan on bringing it out to Steve at some point after the new year so he can take a look and let me know if the bridge needs to be replaced.

Has anyone else had experience with his uprights?

I'm enjoying going through the posts so far. Doubt I'll ever get through all of them, but will keep an eye on this forum going forward.

Thanks, and nice to meet you all.
 
#678
Happy New Year everyone! I trust the holidays thus far has been good. I came home tonight after being gone since Christmas Eve and found 2 new large boxes in my living room. Santa was really good to me! The burl Scarab arrived along with the fretted Kewel that were recently posted on Ebay.

The burl Scarab is just as BassdudeSA promised - awesome! It really is a very, very nice Wish and sounds fantastic, even with the stock roundwounds. The woods are just really special with all kinds of colors, swirls, grain patterns, etc. I was never told that the top and back are built on a core wood (spalted maple I think) that is sandwiched by a double layer of purpleheart - the sides are as interesting as the top and back - yikes it's kool! The neck has double stringers of walnut and purpleheart, not to mention the rear-mounted control panel which tends to show off the wood more. Action is good right where it is and the finish is the best I've seen on any of the Wishes I have dealt with (I'm still going to re-do it some day though) to date. This one is definitely a keeper ... Thanks again, Sid.


About the (cherry or pear?) Kewel - well, not my favorite body style that is for sure (ok, it is awfully ugly), but I just had to see what one of Wish's fretted 4-stringers felt and played like (very nice actually!). This bass, while plain looking wood-wise, sounds really good (the sustain is just unreal!), plays sweet and is finished nicely due to some work by the previous owner. I still do plan to refinish/refine it and I think narrowing the neck a little is called for and looks like very a feasible mod. It also is a very comfortable body style for sit-down playing - it hits you just right in fact, and has a nice girth to it. Now, finding a case for it is another story!

I'll get some pix out at some point I suppose ...

Oh Curmei, welcome aboard! Be warned though, G.A.S. is sure to follow if you spend too much time scrolling through these threads. Also, I have no experience yet with his uprights. Some pix would be kool though.

Later on ...
 
#680
49sfine said:
The burl Scarab is just as BassdudeSA promised - awesome! It really is a very, very nice Wish and sounds fantastic, even with the stock roundwounds. The woods are just really special with all kinds of colors, swirls, grain patterns, etc. I was never told that the top and back are built on a core wood (spalted maple I think) that is sandwiched by a double layer of purpleheart - the sides are as interesting as the top and back - yikes! The neck has double stringers of walnut and purpleheart, not to mention the rear-mounted control panel. Action is good right where it is and the finish is the best I've seen on any of the Wishes I have dealt with (I'm still going to re-do it some day though) to date. This one is definitely one I will hang on to. Thanks again, Sid.
Click to expand...

I'm glad you like it, but I knew you would. I kind of hated getting rid of it, but I was just not using it, it just sat, unplayed and lonely. A bass like that needs to get out, make some music, to be heard. Glad it is staying in the Talkbass Wishbass family.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back