• 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

Status
Not open for further replies.
#81
It looks like Wish is experimenting with the round bottom (bridge-end) cutouts on the Scarab style. I've now seen three distinct styles - one with no bottom cuts (like BassDude's avatar), one with a single cut (as on BassDude's walnut Scarab), and one with a double cut, similar to the double cuts on the wings. I saw that somewhere here on TB.
 
#82
PeteH said:
It looks like Wish is experimenting with the round bottom (bridge-end) cutouts on the Scarab style. I've now seen three distinct styles - one with no bottom cuts (like BassDude's avatar), one with a single cut (as on BassDude's walnut Scarab), and one with a double cut, similar to the double cuts on the wings. I saw that somewhere here on TB.
Click to expand...

Certainly. Actually he just uses a rough outline for all his body styles, but each one is unique. Especially these Scarabs, the shapes and points and bottoms are different on each one. Some certainly look better than others.
 
#85
So how many of you guys have ordered directly from Wish? Was it easy to get him to do what you wanted? Who purchased used and did you then use the bass as is or modify it to your needs?

I was wondering if I would actually get more of what I want through a custom order. I don't really want a custom model but I think I may like to do the pickup and electronics selection, routing and mounting after I had a feel for what the bass sounded and felt like acousticly. I also would prefer to do the finishing myself. So what I really would want is a either a complete Bass without any routing or, if it was routed, no electronics in place. Of course I could just buy one and rip out anything I don't like and replace it.

Any comments on what may be the best course of action?

Peace,
S
 
#87
TheSuzie said:
Any comments on what may be the best course of action?

Peace,
S
Click to expand...

S, I have bought many direct from Wishbass on Ebay. Eight I think, some of them have since been sold and two of the five I have kept were upgraded with Basslines Quarter Pounder J pickups.

Although I have never custom ordered from Steve I have dealt with him many times through the Ebay purchases. He is very accomodating and has a very casual attitude. If you want a bass without electronics, then just call or e-mail and ask. My guess is that he'd go for it with a cheaper price than his basic completed model. However, you can have him install the pickup, bridge, etc. of your choice if you "wish".
 
#89
Qohelet said:
I've been seeing for years folks having problems with the side markers on the fretless wishbasses. Has anyone just ordered on w/out the tacks and did it themself?
Click to expand...

You NAILED it. I have said this several times before. Those side "dots" are off on every Wish I have, some more than others. I just took the simple approach and made new "dots" on the side of the neck with a thick felt tip marker :eek: . It is permanent since the ink seeps right into the wood. I used a tuner and just marked the dots where the real notes were using the E string as a guide. May sound primitive, but it did the trick. I suppose I could sand out the dots if I ever needed too. Heck, works for me. :hmm:
 
#91
PeteH said:
Hey, BassdudeSA,

Did you ever get around to checking the dots according to the scale guide I mentioned a while back in this thread? I'd be curious to know if it was a simple bridge position issue or truly mismeasurement on Wish's part.
Click to expand...

Pete, I have to admit that I took the lazy way out. I don't think it was a bridge position issue although I did not experiment around with the bridge by moving it around. I placed the bridge in the position that I wanted it and then just tuned as is with an electronic tuner. I made sure the E string was tuned absolutely perfect, then found out where the G,A,B..... was on the string and made a new, larger dot in each spot next to the original inaccurately placed position markers. It worked perfectly and now I can use those dots for reference and play in tune. There may be a more scientific way of doing this with scales and rulers as you suggested, but my simple way worked, so I have no complaints there. However, I figure if I ever want to sell one of my Wishes with pen marks on the side of the neck, potential buyers may not like that. They look OK though, just thick black dots.
 
#92
I'm thinking about having one made, does he ONLY made fretlesses? and do you think he could make me a new headstock? I'm not a fan of the cello-type headstocks. The one bassdude has in his avatar is magnificent, even for a wishbass.


or, I could just have him carve me a body and send me the electronics and whatnot, and just get a neck from warmoth. ;)
 
#93
Eric Killinger said:
I'm thinking about having one made, does he ONLY made fretlesses? and do you think he could make me a new headstock?
or, I could just have him carve me a body and send me the electronics and whatnot, and just get a neck from warmoth. ;)
Click to expand...

Definitely he makes basses with frets. Just check www.wishbass.com for details about that and prices. Adding frets does cost more. I'm not sure about the different headstock style though. I read an interview with Steve Wishnevsky where he states that making this style of headstock was much faster and easier than the standard style, so even if he did make the headstock in a standard style, it would cost more. You can certainly ask. As far as a body only with no neck? I wouldn't attempt that one as Wishbasses are made uniquely and I doubt you'd want to try to match one up with a standard style neck.
 
#94
BassDudeSA said:
Pete, I have to admit that I took the lazy way out. I don't think it was a bridge position issue although I did not experiment around with the bridge by moving it around. I placed the bridge in the position that I wanted it and then just tuned as is with an electronic tuner. I made sure the E string was tuned absolutely perfect, then found out where the G,A,B..... was on the string and made a new, larger dot in each spot next to the original inaccurately placed position markers. It worked perfectly and now I can use those dots for reference and play in tune. There may be a more scientific way of doing this with scales and rulers as you suggested, but my simple way worked, so I have no complaints there. However, I figure if I ever want to sell one of my Wishes with pen marks on the side of the neck, potential buyers may not like that. They look OK though, just thick black dots.
Click to expand...

How far off where Wish's marks? I have a fretted Wishbass and the frets are dead-on in tune, and I have a Wishnevsky Bass Gamba fretless that has lines on the fingerboard and they are right on also.

Is is possible that the position markers on your fretless are where they would be if it were a fretted bass... you know, marking the position rather than the fret?
 
#95
BassChuck said:
Is is possible that the position markers on your fretless are where they would be if it were a fretted bass... you know, marking the position rather than the fret?
Click to expand...

I don't think so as if that was the case the markers would be way off, as in between where the notes should be. With mine, they are usually 1/8" to 1/4" off. A couple of them are right on, most are not, and this is with most of my Wishes. A few of them are pretty close, but none exact. It's OK, I have that simple fix-it method and I don't expect perfection from a Wishbass. But they just have so much personality and upsides that I happily deal with the flaws. Besides, the imperfections give them "character". Still, at $300-$400 each for most standard models, you get alot for your money, so no complaints here.
 
#96
BassDudeSA said:
That new Scarab is gone already. Sold in less than a day. Those pretty ones never last long. Did one of you guys get it?
Click to expand...

Hey there. I'm the guy that bought the walnut Scarab. It showed up a couple of days ago. It's quite possibly the most shoddily finished thing I've ever seen.

I can't seem to put it down :)

So I've purchased a fine assortment of sandpapers to get to work on the beast.
 
#97
Glad to hear you like it, other than the finish. Yeah, get used to it, that half-azz finish is the Wishbass style, but that is one reason why they are so cheap. So, how do you like the sound and playability? How are those position markers? Are they off as usual or did you get lucky? Give us a review of the new beast. It's always interesting to see what other players think about Wishbasses. By the way, I just received my new Scarab today too. I just got home, it's still in the box but will be opened soon. This is the one I just received: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130022006920
 
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
#98
OK, check this one out, I just bought it direct from Wishbass on Ebay yesterday. Most unusual body style I've seen yet. I just had to have it. Looks kinda' cool actually. Wish has another nice lookin' 4 and 5 string fretless on Ebay now.
 
#100
You know, I had no trouble with the concept that I was buying a bass that was simply "roughed out" for me to finish. I don't have the tools necessary to route a truss rod channel, or laminate a neck-thru, or put in 12 frets so I just paid Wish to do that part for me, then I got out my sandpaper, Tru-Oil and went to work.
Put in a set of Lace P-bass pickups, a concentric tone and volume control, and grafted on a scroll from a broken cello to the top of that upright-like headstock. I also shaved the neck (which has a truss rod) down to be sort of in the fat-Precision range.
But I like it, and it actually sounds pretty good... well worth the money.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back