eude

[quote name='Brave Sir Robin' post='317216' date='Oct 29 2008, 12:46 AM']I went with a recurve SC, it's gorgeous, and well balanced, aesthetically and physically. It's also pretty light, and the body is small and fits well. It's got a bookmatched top and back with accents. There'll be more pictures in three weeks, after the bassday UK Manchester, hope that will help you more with your (in)decision Oh yeah, they look really good in the flesh, better than in pictures (for me, like some of the warwicks).[/quote] Yeah, it was a shame not to get a shot of a Recurve Single-Cut, however as it's Alan's most popular model, I feel the others deserve a bit more publicity. I'm always a fan of the underdog... Cheers, Eude

[quote name='thedontcarebear' post='317145' date='Oct 28 2008, 10:41 PM']I didn't mind the weight for the few hours I had it for! I guess they could always be chambered.[/quote] Well I didn't really notice when it was on a strap, so it wasn't that bad, just heavy compared to some of the other ACGs. Eude

[quote name='ped' post='316819' date='Oct 28 2008, 04:14 PM']I would love to visit one day. It must be fascinating. Lazarus looks just amazing. That shape is incredible.[/quote] It was a brilliant day and yeah, and that Skelf is a peach [quote name='thedontcarebear' post='316890' date='Oct 28 2008, 05:36 PM']Glad you appreciated my choice of wood for it's cosmetics on the Mac Skelf, didn't even consider what it would sound like, just concentrated 100% on looks, haha, think the thicker accents definitely look awesome, turned out better then I thought they would even. Did you see my housemates Wenge top one there? I think it's built, cannot remember if the finish was applied though.[/quote] Well you sure picked a gorgeous combination dude, albeit a little heavy [quote name='GreeneKing' post='316971' date='Oct 28 2008, 06:42 PM']Yes thanks I reckon that'd be my Harlot hanging up there Nice to see the beast is taking shape. Glad you had a good day, Alan's a star! Peter[/quote] Your Harlot was gorgeous in the flesh, amazingly the back is as hot as the front! It's gonna be a hell of a bass once it's done... Eude

Hey guys, I had a hugely enjoyable visit to see Alan (Skelf) of ACG fame on Saturday and just thought I'd share my thoughts and a few shoddy photos, plus some good ones robbed from Alan's site, with permission of course... I've popped in on Alan a couple of times in the past, once just to say hello and once to let [b]AlphaDave[/b] have a shot of my 33" 6er but this time I was there to try out some of the newly finished Stock Basses for Bass Day, especially the Harlot 6 string, check out some wood porn and discuss some details of a possible future project. First things first, I tried out the Harlot Six String with a pretty extreme pickup layout, here's some not so good pics >> [attachment=15282:harlot_01.jpg] [attachment=15283:Harlot_02.jpg] This bass has very sexy Goncalo Alves top and back with a butternut core and a 7 piece neck Mac Ebony/Maple/Black Limba/Maple with a flat Rosewood finger board and Alan's asymmetric neck profile, oh and a 34" scale. The bass was simply stunning, mere photographs could never do it justice. The flat fingerboard and the asymmetric neck profile made for a very comfortable left hand, having only ever played radiused fingerboards before, it was a really nice change, and although it's never made sense to me on paper, in actual application it works, I think I may well be converted. The bass hung perfectly on a strap, was pretty light for a 6er and was fairly comfy sat down too, although the short lower horn might not be to everyone's taste. Electronics wise there's a RFB (Musicman style) Pickup at an extreme neck position and a SB (Single Coil) Pickup at an extreme bridge position combined with ACG's EQ01 filter based preamp - this was the bit I was really looking forward to. The combination of a fat humbucker at the neck and a single coil at the bridge, to me is really the best of both worlds. You can get a nice think, dark and mellow tone from the neck pickup, more mellow than I was expecting, by making use of the preamp you can get a really solid dub tone right through to a very convincing P Bass tone. The bridge pickup was a real surprise - my experience of bridge position single coils is usually a little disappointing, lots of sizzle and punch but not enough guts to stand on it's own. This single coil was something very different though, it sounded like it was supposed to, however it just had so much more weight and growl to it. If I had been playing the bass blindfolded I would have sworn the pickup was a lot closer to the neck position. Another thing to note, the pickup was virtually noiseless in operation apart from when using extreme treble settings on the preamp, however that is to be expected. Over all I think this bass is capable of producing almost any tone you could ever hope for, those pickups in conjunction with the EQ01 preamp is just so versatile it's almost dizzying! One hell of a bass! After that I had a go of [b]dontcarebear[/b]'s ill fated Skelf 5 string which was dealt a terrific mauling by a courier company, to such a degree that it was returned and he ordered another bass. Well Alan has managed to resurrect this bass into a thing of beauty with a new Pale Moon Ebony fingerboard and it'll be off to it's new owner very soon I believe. I affectionately called this one Lazarus (sorry for the bad photo, and check out the size of the neck of 7string's upcoming 9 string ACG) >> [attachment=15284:Skelf.jpg] This bass looked good enough to eat up close, the wood combo of a Mac Ebony top, flame sycamore veneer, wenge body, another sycamore veneer and a wenge back was gorgeous. Add to that a 7 piece neck made up of flame sycamore and mac ebony with a pale moon ebony board and you're in heaven. You do come back to earth with a bump when you pick it up though, as it's a heavy beast, not a surprise given the wood combination, but it wasn't so noticeable once you've got it on a decent strap, it also balanced very nice when sitting. The Skelf body shape wasn't one of my favourites as I always thought it looked a little big, however, like all of Alan's basses, it's very compact. The offset body, the opposite way from almost every other bass type, actually suited my build quite well, being a short arse, as it shifts everything a little towards the right hand side of your body and as a result the reach to 1st position on your left hand isn't quite as far, which I really appreciate (the reason I sold my Thumb Bass and why I play a 33" bass...) This bass has two FB (Soap Bar) pickups and an EQ01 preamp, which i should add, so I don't continue to repeat myself is standard on all of Alan's basses. As with the Harlot and all of the ACG's the variety of tones available is almost overwhelming, not to everyone's tastes arguably, if you're a P Bass, plug in and play kinda guy, probably best leave well alone, but if, like me, you're a bit techy it's pure bliss. Just for the record the EQ02 is a little more simple, with just one low pass filter for both pickups rather than one for each. Anyway, in the time I had with the Skelf I dialed in a few really nice tones, which had a tendency to lean towards the more aggressive (might be something to do with all the dense woods involved) including a very convincing Flea style slap tone from the bridge pickup, very nice. Next on the menu was the stock Recurve 4 string (photo stolen from Alan's site) >> [attachment=15285:recurve.jpg] It has a lovely Camphor Burl top with, I think a Tulipwood accent and a Cedar body matched with a very tasty Santos Rosewood (or Pau Ferro)/wenge neck with an Acrylic Impregnated Black Limba fingerboard. This bass was very lightweight, and as a result very comfortable to play. The body shape of the Recurve is incredibly compact while still feeling solid, a bit of a design triumph. Electronics where the same as the Skelf and as expected there was again a vast range to tones available, but with leaning towards a sweeter, softer tone than the Skelf, again possibly down to the woods involved. Last but by no means least was the Finn Fretless Prototype 4 string (you can see [b]GreenKing[/b]'s [I think] Harlot S Type 4 string there to the right hand side) >> [attachment=15286:Finn.jpg] ... and a much nicer pic from Alan's site >> [attachment=15287:finnFretless.jpg] This bass is quite simple in construction, an Alder body with figured maple bolt-on neck, with black veneers and an unfigured ebony fingerboard. The body and headstock are finished in a luxurious gloss black which just oozes class. The difference with this bass is the electronics. There's a single RFB (remember the Musicman style pickup, keep up...) in the "sweet spot" and a Ghost Piezo system matched to the EQ01 preamp. This combination really opens up a world of possibilities tone-wise, particularity for a fretless. The output from the Piezos was enormous and full ranged. The over the top high end sizzle you can get with piezos is easily tamed or entirely removed using the treble filter on the preamp. I liked the sound so much I almost forgot about the RFB pickup. It too had a nice range of tones, all well suited to a fretless bass. The combination from both pickups was very useable, as you could really bring out the "mwah" and hear the wood in every fretted note. When I tried this bass it wasn't even properly set up and it still played brilliantly! Like the Recurve, the Finn body shape is surprisingly compact and very comfortable. I know Alan doesn't like this comparison, but to me it's a bit like an evolution of the Jazz Bass. It's certainly the most traditional of all of his designs anyway. There's some of these being built at the moment, including a single-cut version, can't wait to see these ones come along. I got sneak peak at one other stock bass while I was there, I hope Alan doesn't mind me sharing my picture >> [attachment=15288:Harlot_R.jpg] It's a Harlot R Type 5 string. I had always preferred the S Type shape to this, bit in the flesh it was really really sexy. Just a shame it wasn't quite finished Anyway, after all that I got to dig through some very sexy bookmatched tops and acrylic impregnated fingerboards, the mango ones caught my eye in particular. Then we had a bit of a chat about a 6 string headless idea I'd like to get off the ground next year, I was originally planning on a single-cut Finn, but I'm starting to think a Skelf might make more sense. More news on that when I have it though ..... Anyway, sorry for the length of this "reportage", summarising things like this is definitely not a strong point for me, oh and apologies for any typos. I'd also like to take the opportunity to thank Alan once again for being so generous with his time and so welcoming. If anyone has any questions just give me a shout. Cheers, Eude

[quote name='stinson' post='312865' date='Oct 23 2008, 11:52 AM']Cheers my man. Its a Schro 1212L. Had a good few months with it now and with the Littlemark and all of those basses it sounds amazing in rehearsal and live, plenty of bottom end delivers the rich tone Ive been after at silly volume.[/quote] Wow, that's a really compact cab! It looks about the same size or smaller than my Aguilar GS112 when it's on it's end! I've often thought about getting my grubby ol' mitts on a Schroder cab, just so I can have a single cab 4 Ohm solution. Hmm, well my 30th is coming up soon, might see if I can treat myself... Cheers, for the GAS, Eude

Nice setup dude. What's the cab? Eude

[quote name='fumps' post='312728' date='Oct 23 2008, 08:45 AM']Yeh i'll be honest i'd never heard of Shuker Bass' before thats why i was so intregued by what they look & play like. But the more i see them the more i really want one lol.[/quote] Apologies for the thread hijack... <hijack> Go on - get yourself a Shuker. You know you want too... </hijack> Eude

[quote name='fumps' post='312234' date='Oct 22 2008, 04:05 PM']Is it rude to ask for a ball park figure on a 4 string Headless?[/quote] You'd be best emailing Jon himself, I'm sure he'd be glad to give you a guesstimate though, he's a really laid back guy. Here you go >> jon "at" shukerguitars "dot" co "dot" uk Cheers, Eude

[quote name='presoulnation' post='312090' date='Oct 22 2008, 01:58 PM']I owe you one for some inspiration on the shape as well mate [/quote] No bother bud, glad to help a fellow Shuker-head out It's gonna be a beast! Eude

[quote name='presoulnation' post='311814' date='Oct 22 2008, 09:33 AM']OK here is where we are up to I am rather happy with this [/quote] Holy crap! That is gorgeous mate! The new shape looks great too. Nice one, Eude

[quote name='jonthebass' post='311079' date='Oct 21 2008, 10:04 AM']HI Eude, I did see a black jazz body hanging up...no neck attached though. There wasn't many instruments complete but there are necks and bodies everywhere! Watched Rob start to shape the heel of a 5 string neck through bass which was good. Jon.[/quote] Cheers for that dude. Got pics of the finished body a while back, but nothing of the neck as yet. I reckon I'll leave it till the end of the month, then I'll give Jon a shout. Now get off this forum and go play your new bass! Cheers, Eude

[quote name='jonthebass' post='310735' date='Oct 20 2008, 07:51 PM']Cheers Eude! It sounds immense! In all seriousness it is bright and punchy as you would expect a swamp asn 'n' Maple Jazz to be. Those SD Classic Stacks are the nuts!!![/quote] Nice one dude, well chuffed for you. Don't suppose you saw an all black jazz bass with a mahogany/wenge neck down there when you popped in? Ain't heard anything from Jon for a while, but I promised I wouldn't badger him this time, made a real pest of myself when he was building my single-cut... Cheers, Eude

That's gorgeous mate! Congratulations! How's it sound? Eude

[quote name='presoulnation' post='306900' date='Oct 15 2008, 10:18 AM']Awww feel the love!! As for the shape I have got a pic from a while back that Jon sent me which will give you some idea of the body shape! It is something similar to what you suggested, Eude [/quote] Awesome mate, that's gonna be one sweet bass! Eude

[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='306812' date='Oct 15 2008, 05:39 AM']It's "The Demons Bite", Clip One on your Shuker bass page. I really like that riff. I've seen the clips of Victor Wooten doing the speed bit and the tap bit, and that superfast slap guy posted here. And I think that given that I'm now older and busier, I don't think I'll ever be able to practice enough to do that, and in the case of the extreme slap bass guy, don't want to. But even though The Demons Bite is [b]comparatively[/b] simple and straightfoward compared to the Wooten and Jaco extended solos, I heard it and thought "that's what I want to be able to do, and if I keep practicing, I'll be able to do". I like the percussion too. Other playing I aspire to includes Paul McCartney's playing on "Wings at the speed of sound", not his most popular album, but I much prefer the bass playing on it to anything else he's done. That sort of "riff that's melodic enough to be a hook in itself" bit is what I like. And I think "The Demons Bite" is an excellent example of that.[/quote] Hey man, glad you like it, that's high praise indeed, and I thought it might've been a bit noodly I know exactly what you mean about all these extreme techniques. They're hella impressive and so much fun to play, however in my own musical experience I've found very little room for them in anything I've done with other people musically. I'll let my drummer know you like the drums too, he was going for an Adam and the Ants moment Cheers, Eude

[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='306730' date='Oct 14 2008, 10:29 PM']I've just realised who you are, by following your band's myspace page. Did you know that I posted on another forum giving a link to one of your pieces on the Shuker site and saying that this is the kind of bass playing I aspire to?[/quote] Seriously dude? Me? I'm well flattered! What piece was it?! Eude

Nice one dude, sounds rocking! What shape did you go for in the end? Eude

[quote name='Brave Sir Robin' post='303268' date='Oct 9 2008, 07:44 PM']very well! I haven't posted clips (too lazy I suppose). The tone shaping options are huge. Each pickup can be made to sound like anything (but not quite the Fender bridge pickup burp). The asymetric neck is very comfortable, the bass is light (lighter than my corvette 4), very comfortable to play standing up, although sitting down, the balance gets more horizontal. One small flaw is the placement of the neck pickup, slapping is done over the pickup (which is still no problem, and for the record, that was my decision). I tend to favour series for the bridge pickup in series, cutting the lows (to get a stingray vibe), and I use the neck to give more low mids and more of a single coil flavour. I'm also having fun with the neck pickup in mud mode, with loads of fundamentals (dub sound), or a in a Ric' configuration (For Tool stuff). I haven't tried it with the Sansamp yet. It's still shockingly beautiful :wub:[/quote] Awesome dude! Glad it's going so well. It has to be one of the hottest ACGs yet. The oil finish looks good enough to eat. Congrats again mate! Eude

Nice one dude, glad you like 'em That's a fine looking bass! Eude

So dude, been a wee while now, how you getting on with your ACG then? Eude

Nice one dude, that's gonna be one sexy bass! Looking forward to seeing at all assembled! Cheers, Eude

How do the EMG's sound mate? Eude