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You know what would be cool? Reasonable priced Les Claypool's signature bass.

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Drzejzi, Jul 2, 2020.

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  1. Jul 2, 2020 #1
    Drzejzi

    Drzejzi

    Aug 6, 2014
    Poland
    Hi Talkbass.

    Over the last few years we could see some of our favorite bass players like Flea or Marcus Miller creating their own lines of signature basses. Both Fleabasses and Sires were a cheaper/more reasonable priced copies of basses that the players were known for, targetted for beginner and intermediate players, but both Flea and Marcus Miller were using them live sometimes. There is also a whole bunch of artists, that have their signature basses produced by major guitar companies - and most of the time they differ only in details from their stock equivalents.

    I'm happy with basses that I have right now (Jazz, ATK, Jazz 6-string, fretless), but whenever I'm watching Les Claypool, I'm longing for something more extraordinary: a small and comfortable 32-scale bass like his main Carl Thompson or Pachyderm, with an active EMG near the bridge, 27 frets etc.

    I'm really curious why there is no such bass available on the market, that reminds Claypool's basses in any way. I guess, that anything, that would have these features, would sell faster, than the factory would produce them. These features seem to be fancy, because no one mass produces them right now, but there should not be any significant price difference between producing a 34 vs 32 inch neck.

    It wouldn't have to be anything fancy or hand made. It shouldn't be a problem for CNC machines to cut a shape similar to the Claypool's bass - it is not pattented, AFAIC. The body wouldn't have to be so rounded and profiled like his CT. The woods also would not have to be exactly the same. It would simply have to have a look and feel of a fast, lead bassist's slap machine.
    (Maybe the tremollo could be an option in more expensive models.)

    A colleague of Claypool produced a couple of his signature Pachyderm basses, but they were never meant to be sold to ordinary mortals. And that's shame, because both sides (Les and his fans) could benefit from an unusual line of reasonably prices instruments. They would be more interesting than another Jazz or Stingray copies.

    What do you think about that idea?
     
    Last edited: Jul 2, 2020
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  2. Jul 2, 2020 #2
    Honkey tonk

    Honkey tonk Turn it up

    Feb 10, 2019
    Lower 48
    Pretty sure Carl Thompson could wip one up for ya,
     
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  3. Jul 2, 2020 #3
    Craig T Vector

    Craig T Vector

    Sep 8, 2013
    Liberty Hill, TX
    My guess is that since he plays the Carl Thompsons anything that would be mass produced and "inexpensive" would be viewed as an obvious cash grab.

    If he got famous on a more traditional P or J it wouldn't be as far of a stretch.
     
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  4. Jul 2, 2020 #4
    Honkey tonk

    Honkey tonk Turn it up

    Feb 10, 2019
    Lower 48
    It would be like buying a 20,000 dollar new Rolls Royce?
    Some people will pay ridiculous money for redicluose perfection
    style is part of the brand of the builder
    we have shady laws for using others Designs
    One of the reasons for patent is to create new ideas and foster individually
     
    Last edited: Jul 2, 2020
  5. Jul 2, 2020 #5
    CatchaCuda

    CatchaCuda

    Feb 3, 2018
    Transfer, PA
    I like the idea. However, I'm no businessman. The fleabass idea seemed to tank. If players want a Carl Thompson, they can order one.

    Something I've thought about- There are some skilled luthiers (some are self-proclaimed hobbyists) who could build a CT or Pachyderm tribute.
     
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  6. Jul 2, 2020 #6
    BJMtz

    BJMtz

    Oct 18, 2010
    Columbus, OH
    Not quite reasonably priced.

    I agree with OP. I really like his Pachyderm and my next project is going to be a body blank from Warmoth that I can style in a similar fashion. Will probably be a 34" scale and have 24 frets. Not sure if Warmoth can do a 32" scale neck.

    Edit: just checked Warmoth. They do have 32" scale necks but the headstock is already shaped. I'd like to get a paddle headstock so I could shape it myself. Might have to ask them if they could do a 32" paddle when I'm ready to order.
     
    Last edited: Jul 2, 2020
    design, Drzejzi, hereandgone18 and 1 other person like this.
  7. Jul 2, 2020 #7
    fretno

    fretno Supporting Member

    May 10, 2009
    Nashville
    There are several talented builders that make a CT clone. Let’s start that list:
    Christopher Small
    Ok next :)
     
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  8. Jul 2, 2020 #8
    BJMtz

    BJMtz

    Oct 18, 2010
    Columbus, OH
    As an aside, I know his 4 stings (specifically his main CT 4 string) is called a piccolo bass on the CT website. I thought piccolo basses were tuned to a higher frequency (per Wikipedia). His looks to be strung with normal size strings so what makes it a piccolo bass?
     
  9. Jul 2, 2020 #9
    Drzejzi

    Drzejzi

    Aug 6, 2014
    Poland
    Yes, piccolo usually means, that the bass is tuned up to A. The scale of 32 inches is called "normal scale" - while nowadays there are practically no 32 inch basses on the market.

    I know, that it is possible to hire a luthier to build any bass, and I don't want to steal any intelectual property of anyone, but I was thinking about this subject because of other players, that have great signatures for common people, while one of my favorite musicians decided to build only a couple of Pachyderms, for tens of thousand dollars each :C

    Fleabasses were too expensive while looking like a very basic chinese bass, but take a look at Sire and Marcus Miller. They copied Fender's design - but it is ok, because everyone does it ;) - and people love them.
     
    Last edited: Jul 2, 2020
    CatchaCuda likes this.
  10. Jul 2, 2020 #10
    CatchaCuda

    CatchaCuda

    Feb 3, 2018
    Transfer, PA
    I'm sure John Isch in LC could make an outstanding Pachyderm or CT tribute bass. It might be headless ;). His winter build-off "Carl Factor" mash-up was sweet.

    That's where the word "tribute" comes into play. Don't make a clone, build a tribute to the original design. :D
     
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  11. Jul 2, 2020 #11
    bassdude51

    bassdude51 "You never even called me by my name." Supporting Member

    Nov 1, 2008
    Central Ohio
    What's your definition of "reasonable"? Carl Thompson?
     
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  12. Jul 2, 2020 #12
    Drzejzi

    Drzejzi

    Aug 6, 2014
    Poland
    I see it as a bass made in Asia, 32-inch scale, body cut with CNC with overall similar shape. I don't know if they would have the magic of CT, but they shouldn't be more expensive to produce than other mass produced basses.

    And it wouldn't even have to look like CT, but like a Pachyderm, to avoid any intelectual property problems. Pachyderm's body is not so rounded like the CT's.
     
    Last edited: Jul 2, 2020
  13. Jul 2, 2020 #13
    AudioTaper

    AudioTaper

    Sep 23, 2018
    As a Claypool fan, I would to see this.... but done well.

    As far as 'have Carl whip one up for you', yeah that would be the obvious best answer. But I dont have that kind of cash. I could scrimp and save up for a $1K bass, but it would take years for me to have the disposable funds to place an order with him.

    Why not buy a used one? Prices are really high, and if I'm spending that kind of cash I might as well have something built for me.
     
  14. Jul 2, 2020 #14
    InhumanResource

    InhumanResource Supporting Member

    Dec 28, 2012
    Bucks County, PA
    He plays a j live quite often but I'm not sure we need another signature jazz that's identical to all the other signature jazzes.
     
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  15. Jul 2, 2020 #15
    fretno

    fretno Supporting Member

    May 10, 2009
    Nashville
    for a 32" that is not a CT , yes Warmoth makes SSB in either 30" or 32" highly recommended , also TBe'r BeeTL makes a killer 32" conversion neck . I have a few of those as well and they are fantastic .

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    but back to CT clones my Small CT clone
    He does great work and one will pop up here in the classifieds now and then . Sadly he is not easy to reach but I think he is still building . at any rate it's a fantastic instrument that ran me about 1200 or so which is darn good imo
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  16. Jul 2, 2020 #16
    Grapevine921

    Grapevine921 Supporting Member

    Feb 8, 2011
    Lafayette, Indiana
    Fill the hole you see in the market.
     
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  17. Jul 2, 2020 #17
    cnltb

    cnltb

    May 28, 2005
    You know what would be cool? Reasonable priced Les Claypool's signature bass.
    Define 'reasonably priced'.
    i think tose that are out there are perfectly reasonable in price.
     
    jackn1202 likes this.
  18. Jul 2, 2020 #18
    CatchaCuda

    CatchaCuda

    Feb 3, 2018
    Transfer, PA
    It looks like you got a bargain! Lovely bass, for sure.
     
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  19. Jul 2, 2020 #19
    fretno

    fretno Supporting Member

    May 10, 2009
    Nashville
    no doubt about it , and it took only one month . He also sent progress pics at every step . I have about 100 pics from wood pile to complete .
     
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  20. Jul 2, 2020 #20
    johnson79

    johnson79

    Jan 8, 2010
    Lancaster, PA
    I could see Ibanez making something like this. I doubt it would be a huge seller though, despite its merits as an interesting bass. I know I wouldn't buy one.
     
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