Richard Bales's Discussions
New products - Advancements in design?
7 Replies
I was thoroughly engaged by the discussion of a new design for bridge pins. Lots of reasoned discussion. So I thought it might be of interest to look at another relatively new product that is…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Ned Knepp Nov 1, 2013.
Old-Time crack test
Just thought I would pass this on ...I was asked to repair a top crack in a 1930 Gibson recently. When the owner came to pick it up, he looked at it closely and said "Looks like you fixed it. Let's…Continue
Started Jun 6, 2013
Richard Bales's Page
String Instrument Technician
Providing services for Club Bass, CounterPoint Musical Services, Music-Tech, Cortktown Ukulele Jam and private clientele.
Bassist with Toronto-based bands Turning Point and The Deloraines. Resident bassist with the Corktown Ukulele Jam.
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Ha!... well, it started out as a joke. I'm a pretty old-school player & it drove me goofy to see all the 5-strings, 6-strings, 7-strings and worse. So I thought to myself..."screw it, I'm going the other direction". I built it in 2012.
The body was from Warmoth. The neck started off as a raw blank. I had to do the sunburst finish and configure the blank headstock for 3 tuners. The decals are bootleg Fender, but they're pretty convincing.
For a bridge, the setup is 3 single monorail bridges and the bass is tuned E, A & D... although there's no reason it couldn't be B, E & A as well.
The hardest part (for me) was doing the sunburst... I'm not a "paint guy" and came away with a whole new level of respect for those that can do it well and consistently.
The preamp is a 9V active unit I've had kicking-around for a long time, looking for a home. The name escapes me at the moment but it's a quality preamp. The pickups are EMG Selects. All in all the bass sounds really good! It's not easy to play right off the bat but you get used-to the fingering after a bit.
I sent some shots into Vintage Guitar Magazine and they did a little write-up in the back of their Nov 2012 issue (attached).
So that's about it... other than it's NEVER been played out. Maybe I don't trust myself to fall back onto "old 4-string playing habits" in the heat of the moment!
Anyway, thanks for asking. /// Mike
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