rk7

The bass!

Hi Luke, I particularly like the Perception bodyshape, as it is very compact, (rather like me!) Dunno if thats a compliment or not actually. Hmm, must ask later! ha ha. The only thing I occasionally struggled with on my other Perception was scale length, but that has been addressed with this one. It feels 'right'. thank you please RK

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1359846428' post='1961241'] That is a fantastic looking bass! I've always been a sucker for a nice wooden finish and this certainly ticks all my boxes. [/quote] Thank you Ian, I'm really pleased with the bass. As are the guys at Overwater, which is most pleasing of all. The bass is off into sanding next, and then finishing, which will really bring the wood to life! Can't wait! RK

I visited Overwater today, to have the back of the bass shaped to fit me. Martin obliged, and a few pics were taken! The master at work! The master at play! The pupil at play! Carving detail. Beautiful work. Body detail. Lovely. Impressions from today are that the bass is very compact, comfortable (34" scale) and reasonably lightwight considering the wood choice. The Ziricote is virtually edible! ha ha deep joy RK

[quote name='Mark Dixon' timestamp='1359670655' post='1958719'] Wow, this looks some bass, can't wait to see it in the sprayed and strung state.. [/quote] Thank you Mark, me too! ha ha RK

[quote name='captainhaddock' timestamp='1359669098' post='1958666'] Cool can't wait to see it when its done waiting for a custom build is a real pain ain't it!! [/quote] Yeah, I know what you mean. On the one hand I am very, very lucky to be in a position to commission a bass like this, but on the other hand yes, its tough waiting for the bass to be completed. I live close to Overwater so am able to call in regularly and visit it. Clearly the main focus at the moment is around the woodwork, which I am over the moon with, but the sound we are hoping to achieve should be equally good. 'Warm and very punchy' is Martins prediction. I think he will be spot on. RK

[quote name='captainhaddock' timestamp='1359661180' post='1958505'] Very nice bass,that Ziricote top is awesome!!!!! [/quote] Thank you Captain. This piece was part of Chris May's Special Reserve, I believe. The matching headstock veneer, and 'soon-to-be matching' ramp should all complement the topwood. Also, the wood is still in its untreated state. When the finishing is sprayed on it will 'pop' and look even more awesome hopefully. RK

Hello readers! Todays update: Neck carving! Yummy! Topwood carving. Getting closer day by day! RK

Thank you Myke, I'm also very taken with the grain on the headstock. I'm beyond impatience now, really excited about this build. In discussion yesterday it appears that another three weeks should see the bass ready to be collected. What a day that will be! RK

Todays progress, no wait, its a Perception! (I'll get my coat) Pickup cavities routed out. Please don't fret, or get bored, its a Fretboard! Sorry RK

[IMG]http://i45.tinypic.com/9i5ycw.jpg[/IMG] Final pic of the day, the full view! Oh my! RK

Hi all, more pics and an update from Martin today, Body perimeter routed! Rear cavity machining. Rear body rounded-over Top, rounded-over. Deep joy! RK

Comfort Strapp or Mono. Comfort Strapp is, er, comfy, but has a certain degree of 'bounce' built in. Mono is extremely well made. RK

Hi Rubis, yes I can. The two slots receive small metal bars, which add some strengthening to the thru-neck construction at the neck/body joining point. Once the fingerboard goes on, they are lost forever. But I have to point out that I am only able to answer this because I asked it myself on Thursday - I hadnt a clue, lmao. All credit goes to Mr Martin Lee, bass-builder to the stars, and RK! yo! RK

[quote name='JimBobTTD' timestamp='1359135166' post='1950569'] Beautiful! Good choice of woods and excellent work done by Overwater. I bet you spend half your waking hours thinking about the bass! And who could blame you? [/quote] Hi Jimbob. Way more than half my waking hours, and quite a lot of my sleeping hours too. I'm very pleased with the wood choice now that the bass is coming together. I'm expecting great things from the tone of the instrument. Happy days! RK

[IMG]http://i50.tinypic.com/2s8qy49.jpg[/IMG] More clamping! But no Hellraiser jokes. The therapy must be working! [IMG]http://i47.tinypic.com/2nlrehi.jpg[/IMG] Rosewood fingerboard fitted!

Well, the latest batch of photos did it. I jumped in the car yesterday and headed for OW headquarters in Carlisle to visit the bass! I am lucky in that I live close to the factory and can call in fairly easily. i am blown away by the detail of the wood(s), and the 'magic' that top Luthiers can perform. (Its up his sleeve! lmao). Headstock wenge grain detail. I will stare at this, a lot. A big lot! LMAO Front view Body pic. Incidentally, whilst I appreciate that there is a lot of hardware still to be fitted, I was amazed at the lightness of this bass. I know this is something Martin has been mindful of throughout the build so far, given the wood choice, but I expect that this will be a comfortable instrument to 'wear'. Result!

[quote name='andydye' timestamp='1359129178' post='1950369'] That looks lovely! (this is also my favourite build thread so far as all the stages to date have been nice and close together so there's no wading through pages of other folks being congratulatory in order to see the goods!) [/quote] Hi Andy, thanks for your comments. The build has been on the go for a week or two so I am able to upload the images held to date, but it will slow down as I catch up with martin. Sorry. RK

[quote name='eude' timestamp='1359127860' post='1950329'] This is awesome, it's almost like the bass is being built before our very eyes! Ziracote Top, good choice mate, I've got some on my ACG 6er Keep those pics coming! Eude [/quote] Hi Eude! Yes, Martin has been brilliant in sending me pics at every stage of the build, hence the rush of image uploads on this post. I should point out that the guys at OW have shown as much enthusiasm as me during this build, which is fantastic. I'm loving the wood combination just for its looks, but the OW guys are already enthusing about the tone this bass will deliver. I am a lucky chap indeed. RK

Rear view From the front! Endways on! The bass is nicely coming together now, and is looking better than I ever could have hoped. I'm now frantic to get my hands on it!

Maple veneer and topwood fitted! Clamped! For some reason this pic reminds me of Hellraiser, therapy needed, I know.

[quote name='Rumple' timestamp='1359125973' post='1950286'] Looking good, I didn't realise they did through neck Perceptions, is that special order or something new from Overwater. [/quote] Hi Rumple, I believe they have always been available, but are becoming more and more popular. I know of at least another one that was built last year, and there is a further one being built alongside mine. Perhaps the OW guys can further clarify. RK

Topwood, cut, bookmatched and glued. Aaaah, the top! Although this top attracted a price premium, and required Chris Mays express permission, it is a truly beautiful piece. I am lucky, yes i am!

Body wings cut out. And glued up! Brilliant work Martin! Yee-har!

Truss Rod fitted Neck and Head routed out. It's starting to look bass-like! Starting to experience new levels of joy and impatience now!