Kees_SoS

I don't blame you, but it was worth a try ;-)

[quote name='pablo100' timestamp='1384948742' post='2282601']
I do and if I've got any say in the matter I'm not parting with it! It's the best bass I've had for both live & studio work. I'm playing it on this EP [url="http://vetobroadway.bandcamp.com"]http://vetobroadway.bandcamp.com[/url]
[/quote]

Here's my two: a 1979 factory fretless Sabre and 1980 fretted Sabre (both rosewood).
[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/215184-1979-fretless-and-1980-fretted-music-man-sabres-open-to-serious-offers/page__fromsearch__1"]http://basschat.co.u...__fromsearch__1[/url]

Hi, John.

I was aware that you designed the preamp. I'd actually been thinking of asking the guys at Overwater if they knew of a preamp that would give me more flexibility in the mid range, so when Scott's signature bass came out, I couldn't wait to hear for myself what the electronics could do. To be honest, I'm surprised that so few manufacturers offer an equivalent option. For me, being able to find the sweet spot in the mid range is crucial.

[quote name='John-E-Retro' timestamp='1378819789' post='2205047']
You guys may or may not know this, but I designed and produce what's called the Scott Devine Signature preamp.

Laurence, at Overwater, asked if I could come up with something which has a flat response, so no change to to response going from passive to active when controls set in neutral as already mentioned, and with more of a US vibe.

I already had something in my head which I mapped on to a U Retro 5 Knob Deluxe. If I had to coin some sort of description, I'd say Fodera style.
[/quote]

Thanks, guys. I am indeed mega chuffed with it. I spent all of yesterday evening playing on it and just couldn't put it back in the case and go to bed ;-)
Really pleased with how the specs have worked out, too, particularly the pickup configuration and Scott Devine circuit.

So, I finally collected the bass on Friday. Needless to say, I'm over the moon with it.

As anyone who is familiar with Overwater will know, the quality of finish on their instruments is second to none, and this bass is no exception.

Like my previous custom order, this one has turned out exactly as I had envisaged. We made a few subtle changes along the way, all of which have ultimately made for a better instrument - classic but contemporary, with great looks, tone and playability. Thanks to the Scott Devine signature circuit, the bass has also a wide range of tonal possibilities, but is still easy to use.

What I'm now looking forward to is trying it out in a band situation.

[quote name='eude' timestamp='1378388493' post='2199531']
That is gorgeous mate!
You must be VERY excited!

Eude
[/quote]

Cheers! Can't wait to collect it.

Assembly almost completed.

[quote name='JPJ' timestamp='1377609041' post='2189325']
Wow that flamed ash has some figure doesn't it? Looking great Kees, I bet you can't wait to get your hands on it now?
[/quote]

Yes, the flaming is quite spectactular. From an aesthetic point of view, I'm over the moon with it.
Just over a week to go until collection now. Naturally, I'm more than a bit excited! ;-)

The wood the guys have got me for my fretted Original Series looks equally stunning! ;-)

Before and after and lacquering (see photos). The guys at Overwater also used a translucent stain to bring out the grain in the flamed ash. As you can see, it now looks really striking!

We decided on 15mm pickup spacing in the end, with the bridge pickup also 15mm from the bridge.
This symmetry gave the most aesthetically satisfying result, and will also give me what I'm looking for tonally.

I initially had a fretted and factory fretless pair of pre-EB Sabres up for sale, but the fretted has now been sold.

The fretless is a 1979 example in black, with a factory rosewood fretboard. It’s in all-original condition, right down to the impossible-to-find black and white mini-switch tips. As you might expect with a bass this age, it has a few dings and scratches, but nothing I'd consider serious. For the rest, there are no other issues with the bass; the Sabre is simply not quite the right model for me.

Shortly after purchasing the fretless, I had it checked over by my luthier, who levelled the fretboard. Since then, I've had it strung with GHS Pressurewounds, which haven't left any marks. I should also add that the fretboard has plenty of life left in it and must have been levelled no more than a couple of times.

I'm now willing to accept [b]GBP 1350 (EUR 1650)[/b] [b](ex case and shipping).[/b]

I'll consider the following trades:[list]
[*][b]Pre-EB StingRay[/b] (fretted or fretless)
[*][b]Fender early '70s rosewood Jazz Bass [/b]([b]four-bolt neck)[/b]
[*][b]Black [/b][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Music Man StingRay 5 (fretted rosewood or fretless pau ferro)[/font][/color]
[/list]
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

[quote name='BassBus' timestamp='1376151734' post='2170305']
Can I ask what made you decide on that particular pickup placement?
[/quote]

Of course. I've had various basses over the years, and I tend to prefer the neck pickup to be further back for several reasons. When the pickup is closer to the neck, I find it can cause string pull, leading to intonation and clarity issues with the B-string. It often also gives me more low end than I want or can successfully get rid of. In the past, I always dealt with it by screwing the neck pickup as far as I could into the body, which wasn't ideal. With this spacing, I'll still get all the 'honk' I want and be able to dial in some extra lows/warmth from the neck pickup where I need them, without things getting too 'woolly'.

Pickup spacing decided (15mm from bridge and 15mm between pickups) ready for routing, and bottom horn chamfered for improved upper-fret access.

A few more pics:[list]
[*]Neck shaped
[*]White pearl side dots fitted
[*]Holes for electronics drilled
[/list]

[quote name='eude' timestamp='1375617817' post='2163457']
Wow, this is going quickly!
Really excited for you mate, I love the Original Series Shape

Eude
[/quote]

Sorry, I only just realised it was you, Ewan ;-)

Fingerboard glueing and carving of the back of the body.

[quote name='eude' timestamp='1375630288' post='2163630']
Geeky question here mate, but whats the "tonal goals" using this wood combo?

Eude
[/quote]

No problem. I love all that stuff myself, too, as you can probably tell.

With this kind of bass, I tend to favour a punchy, middly tone with plenty of 'honk' and some 'growl'. The wenge should enhance the latter characteristic in particular. Also, some luthiers believe wenge to offer greater stability and consistency than maple, which means that even with a 34" scale it should still have a killer B-string.
For the rest, I wanted the top to look spectacular, but wanted to limit the higher frequences I might have got with, say, maple, hence the flamed ash.

If I should need to add to or deviate from the tonal characteristics of the wood, the Scott Devine circuit should give me everything I need. The main thing I like about it is the mid sweep. Very few amps and onboard preamps offer the tonal possibilities I'm looking for in the high mid range, so I'd actually been looking for something of this nature for a while. The dual concentric knob makes it easy to find the 'sweet spot' and set it to the desired level. What's more, the circuit can be used passively by means of a push-pull switch, which, when in passive mode, also acts as a tone knob.

[quote name='hubrad' timestamp='1375655603' post='2164036']
Here we go; similar woods - walnut wings with flamed ash top.
Smooth as you like.. with black nylons this bass sounds kinda EUB!
[/quote]

I had a six-string Progress built from similar woods a couple of years ago, and they do work a treat on a fretless.
Does yours have a maple or wenge neck?

[quote name='hubrad' timestamp='1375656388' post='2164043']
Found it in the More Options bit!

[attachment=140765:blacksailJan2010.jpg]
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It also took me a couple of goes to get the hang of it. The bass looks the business. I take it it sounds it, too?

[quote name='eude' timestamp='1375617817' post='2163457']
Wow, this is going quickly!
Really excited for you mate, I love the Original Series Shape

Eude
[/quote]

Cheers! For me, it's timeless, classic, cool... so many things, all of them good. It also balances surprisingly well, with the neck just slightly up. I've literally wanted one for all of these years, but bottled out with my last custom order. Since then, I've had a couple more of them in my hands, and they're just ME!

Pickup blanks ready for machining, and Martin routing out the control cavity.

[quote name='rk7' timestamp='1375385862' post='2160688']
Looking good Kees!

Martin is cracking on with the build.

When are you coming over to collect it? We need to arrange a meet up.

R
[/quote]

Definitely! I'll PM you some details later so we can organise something.

Kees

[quote name='Myke' timestamp='1375383342' post='2160650']
This is coming together quickly
[/quote]

Indeed. I never expected the build to be this quick. Chuffed, to say the least!

Body radiused.

[quote name='pablo100' timestamp='1299426551' post='1151552']
Sorry for the quality of the pic, but this is the best photo I've got of me playing my Overwater...
[attachment=74068:earlefest07.jpg]
[/quote]

Beautiful-looking Original Series. Do you still have it?