My First Custom and sadly Non-W Bass

IncX

IncX

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now, i might have talked about this custom a few months back.

i got jared of JC basses (he also made Seth Horan's latest faned fret 5 string) to make this and its pretty obvious of where the bass' design comes from.

janvanhowe helped me with some graphic work on the design... and i guess the design is pretty much a fusion of an alembic omega and a warwick vampyre.

here it is, the JC Bass' Nerubian 4 string:

Nerubianvampyre.jpg


here's its creation process:




and here are a few bad videos:

[video=youtube;oD2RiqTmW1E]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD2RiqTmW1E[/video]

[video=youtube;T6LqFMoNAcQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6LqFMoNAcQ[/video]
 
specs (i memorize them by heart, hehe)

1.) neck and FB = wenge
2.) body = Bubinga .... top = lacewood burl (with matching headstock)
3.) Pre-amp = nordstrand 18 v preamp
4.) PUPs = EMG P & J
5.) Tuning Heads = hipshot ultralight
6.) bridge = kahler trem bridge
7.) output jack = Neutrik
8.) nut = graphite (which i'd probably change - i wish i got wick JANs)
9.) Bolt-on with those ritter screws (theres only 4)

that's it.

the headstock is a modded version of a Moser Widow (its smaller than the Moser one).
 
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Damn, dude. That bass will make the devil himself shake in his boots! Nice bass!
 
Congratulations Incx...that bass looks kewl !!! 8:
 
That is a seriously awesome looking bass. How does it play? How does it sound? How does it feel?
 
thanx... glad you like it.

currently, the set-up is sooo messed up from shipping (it was stuck for 2 months at sea) ... so the bass isnt near the playability of my warwicks.

soundwise, it is very powerful with a considerable volume, probably because of the 18 volt preamp... it sounds pretty close to the Warwick Darklord although it has a different "response" and sounds 'dryer' ...

feel-wise, i had the neck made like a warwick, so it doesnt feel any different (feels like home actually).

control wise, i guess it has a very good, basic flat tone, just not as versatile as the warwick vampyres (all 3 of them) probably because the the nck and bridge PUPs arent that far from each other. i actually think of this as a 1 PUP bass (like a P-bass) since the sonic difference between switching PUPs isnt that big.

in the growl level, i have to say that the vampyre LTD still has the best growl, followed closely by the vampyre SN's trebly bite.

the bass has a growl, but its a different one (not like an alembic too)... i cannot describe it, but i cant compare it to the signature wick growl.

all in all, for the price i paid (its as good as getting a brand new warwick BO) ... i think its very much worth it.
 
I'm beginning to like all these pointy basses, dare i say i think i prefer the body shape looks to the vampire! Congratulations!
 
Nice axe Reuel.Are ya sure the tops isnt redwood burl?It sure looks like it to me,alot more than lacewood.
 
In the blog the luthier states the top is redwood burl, so I'm saying you're right Greg. Neat bass, one offs are pretty kewl.
 
Greg said:
Nice axe Reuel.Are ya sure the tops isnt redwood burl?It sure looks like it to me,alot more than lacewood.
Click to expand...

i actually got the top off ebay.. and in the auction it said "red lacewood burl" *lol* ... but yah, i havent seen both lacewood burl or redwood burl ... so you are most likely right Greg.
 
Callum said:
I'm beginning to like all these pointy basses, dare i say i think i prefer the body shape looks to the vampire! Congratulations!
Click to expand...

i guess i can always find a kindred spirit with guys who owns a warwick buzzard

i should send jan van howe a pic since he was a big help in getting my ideas to the luthier...

the bass actually had more contours and edges with a recessed bridge cavity like the vampyre... but well, i guess the top wasnt thick enough and i wanted a Kahler bridge, so those ideas werent feasible
 
IncX said:
i actually got the top off ebay.. and in the auction it said "red lacewood burl" *lol* ... but yah, i havent seen both lacewood burl or redwood burl ... so you are most likely right Greg.
Click to expand...

That's pretty unique.iirc redwood originates in the northwest USA & lacewood is either Australian or south American,maybe Brazilian.
 
Stunning.
Another name for redwood burl is madrona,which sounds heaps sexier huh.
get ya madrona runnin,
& head out on the highway,
go looking for ad ven tcha,
in whatever comes ma way,
yeah lord I'm gonna make it happen,
ummm,sorry.Got a little carried away there.:x
 
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:-) I've noticed you are coming very close to 10000 posts matey :-)
 
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