ezbass

[quote name='TrevorR' timestamp='1469981850' post='3102448']
Before I start I'm going to set out some caveats because the moment I hit post what I say will be decried as snake oil. There is an element of truth to that but not to the black and white way in which many talk about it.

It's a matter of nuance. Certainly the main sound of a Wal will be from the unique pickups and active circuitry. That and the bolt on construction. A Wal sounds like a Wal irrespective of the woods it is made of. And, in a mix context, the nuance will be much less obvious than solo'd in a perfect listening environment. As many others have said in the inevitable/interminable tonewood debates it is very unlikely that your band or your audience would/could ever tell the difference. However, unlike some who say there would be no difference whatsoever I would say that there will be real, appreciable differences - albeit subtle ones. In any complex system all the elements will contribute to the results albeit to a greater or lesser extent. But other elements like how and where you pluck the strings eetc etc will have a much larger effect on any particular sound.

So, whatever wood you plump for you will still have a Wal that sounds like a Wal. However, there is an accepted understanding of how the various Wal woods tend to vary in sound... This goes from Wenge and Maple which tend to be considered the hardest/brightest sound through to English Walnut which is considered to be the most mellow (Ian and Pete always considered this the best wood for fretless).

So, here goes. Maple tends to be thought of as the brightest sound. Wenge is close behind and is thought of having more of a punchy sound. Shedua (a relative of ovangkol) comes more in the middle with a pretty balanced, punchy sound. It also comes with some very unique figuring patterns. Paduak is a bit more mellow and then softest is English Walnut.

However, I would underline that this is really subtle nuance territory. I would echo the other comments above... Focus more on the aesthetics of the wood that most float your boat and whether to go for a matt or gloss finish.

[/quote]Great post. As said, the things that transfer mechanical energy into electrical energy will have the greatest bearing on tone. The construction and woods used all add something, but in a band mix you might be hard to put to hear the difference between two basses that are ostensibly the same, but built with different woods. Definitely go with the advice that Wal will give you after taking into account your own aesthetic choices. Exciting times ahead

A great build and a nice set of photos too. Well done.

Ooh, another build; goodo!

[quote name='bassjamm' timestamp='1469923779' post='3102093']

ezbass - dangerous suggestion that! Ha!
[/quote]

Of course, if you don't mind the MM p/up, off the shelf is always available https://www.public-peace.de/index.php/bass-guitars/maruszczyk/jake/5-string

Get a custom build Maruszczyk.

[quote name='thebrig' timestamp='1469727727' post='3100717']
Here it is, 32" scale, matching headstock, and I've called it "Old Thumper" rather than "Jake", which Adrian was happy to do after I sent him the artwork for the logo.
[/quote]More class.

[quote name='Sambrook' timestamp='1469720693' post='3100646']
Here's the sofa shot for mine. Just waiting for payment to clear...
[/quote]As mcnach said, classy. Man alive I have GAS for another one!

[quote name='M@23' timestamp='1469385073' post='3097901']
Sounds great. That bass has such a nice grain I'd be inclined to leave the pickguard off!
[/quote]+1 to that, it's very pretty, don't hide it. Perhaps a clear p/g?

[quote name='Killstarz' timestamp='1469465902' post='3098546']

First impressions; might buy a 2nd one.
[/quote]Yep, I feel that vibe very much. I'd like another 33" scale, passive Elwood L, but fretted and with Delano J p/ups.

[quote name='danbowskill' timestamp='1469449266' post='3098338']
That transparent white is beautiful
[/quote]Completely agree and with the tort p/g, that is a peach.

[quote name='Westenra' timestamp='1469460887' post='3098482']
What did you replace them with?
[/quote]I replaced the standard Fender ones with the DiMarzio Ultra Js and sold the bass on with those fitted.

I used to use DiMarzio Ultra Js in a US Jazz bass, they were great and noiseless, a real upgrade over the generic US level p/ups.

One of my go to riffs when noodling is Sons of Pioneers.

Ooh, very nice. Shiny, shiny.

[quote name='Fionn' timestamp='1469176911' post='3096293']
So, a couple of months later ... how do the Cobalts sound and feel?
[/quote]For me, pretty much the same. The next time I need to change the strings on my Ric, I think I might put them on that too.

[quote name='Killstarz' timestamp='1469175413' post='3096276']
Just checked Fedex tracking and it's due no later than 4pm on monday!!
[/quote][URL=http://s308.photobucket.com/user/ezbass/media/7A0DA3C9-DFFA-4AD9-ADEE-594A1C9F5485_zpsrztvwc3d.jpg.html][IMG]http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/kk344/ezbass/7A0DA3C9-DFFA-4AD9-ADEE-594A1C9F5485_zpsrztvwc3d.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[quote name='spectoremg' timestamp='1469120627' post='3095970']
Ha ha! Does this go any way to explaining why Geddy's Jazz sounds like a Ric?
[/quote]I don't know if it explains it, but it certainly adds weight to the 'tone is in the fingers' argument. However, I think choice of amplification also has a lot to do with it when it come those gentlemen.

[quote name='Killstarz' timestamp='1469024915' post='3095185']
luckily he had the exact spec and model in stock that I wanted so be here next week hopefully
[/quote]Cool! Care to share, or should we wait for the NBD thread?

[quote name='Killstarz' timestamp='1469013713' post='3095056']
Soooo, after being messed around by a seller on a facebook bass group and then subsequently not being able to find anything that took my fancy, I decided to take the plunge and order the Maruszcyzk that i'd wanted in the first place anyway.

Looking forward to it turning up now. Exciting times!
[/quote]You won't be disappointed. Maybe all the grief led you to the right place. Roll on November for you methinks.

[quote name='spectoremg' timestamp='1468955529' post='3094675']
He also used (I believe) a Lakland P on later tours.
[/quote]There used to be a video on the Lakland site with Chris using one - sounded just like his Ric.

Wow that was fast!

Tony Levin's take on it, first paragraph http://papabear.com/product/bassbook.html He does have a great sense of humour.

I've had them on all my 4 string basses, bar 1. I really like them.

As has been said above, muting is the first order of business followed by potential repositioning.

Good score. And to think you hemming and hawing about purchasing one. I hope there rehearsal goes well.