joe_geezer

On 17/03/2023 at 23:59, GeeCee said:

Here is a pic of S4 Roadie next to a S1 MK.  Look at the tail to see how much shorter it is.

 

What are the chances John would make me a recreation one of the Jazz basses that were being shipped out to Jaco? I wonder if it would be too far away from their current line up for it to be even possible?

See you there Mike, I'll be a bit late.

1 hour ago, Gwilym said:

Exactly.

They should be giving you a questionnaire  with all the standard things they would need to know before proceeding. Sounds like you'd be spending the best part of 10k on 2 custom builds, and they are the experts on this after all.

That said, i think do do need to have strong ideas of what you like/dislike in a bass so they can give you good advice where things are less clear cut.

I haven't had the initial 1 on 1 meeting yet with Martin. I was just dropping into the Bass Gallery to get my Status S2 repaired... there was no meeting to discuss ordering a bass.

1 hour ago, Cosmo Valdemar said:

You went to the Gallery to discuss ordering a custom bass and they sent you away to some research? Surely they're the best people to be discussing it with?

No, John asked me to organise a 1 on 1 meeting with Martin that fits into my work schedule and in between that time think about if i want a 5 string or a fretless .etc

17 hours ago, MJJS said:

Can’t recall If I’ve put this on this chat before.

 

From this diagram the Series 1 & GA24 seem to have the same body mass?

1 hour ago, Russ said:

It's been a while since I ordered a Sei, but I've done it twice before and will be doing it again soon.

 

I guess the trick is to take advantage of Martin and John's experience - particularly Martin's, as he's been doing this for a long, long time. 

 

You do want to go in there with some idea about how you want the bass to look (which body shape - original, Flamboyant, single cut, Jazz/P, etc), what woods you like the look of, some idea of what sort of neck dimensions you find most comfortable, and so on. If you have a bass with a neck you really like, bring it with you so they can measure it, or just find something at The Gallery you like the feel of (as you know, they've got, like, 150 basses hanging on the walls there). 

 

If you have strong opinions on the sort of sound, pickups, etc you want, tell them, and they'll make it happen. Otherwise, just describe the sort of sound you're after, or play them a track with a bass tone you like, and they'll advise you the best way to go. 

 

Word for the wise though - don't go in there with too many ideas set in stone. Let them do their thing and take their advice. Let them have fun with it, and you'll end up with a better instrument. It'll be a long 12-18 months while you wait for it to come to life (don't expect anything at all for the first six months!) but the anticipation is one of the best parts! And there's nothing like that day you go in and collect it, when Martin opens the case in front of you and hands you your bass. 

 

It's a journey - enjoy it.

 

 

This is such great advice! thank you. And as you

Quote

say It's a journey - enjoy it.

I will! haha

I was in the bass gallery today speaking to John about ordering both a 4-string fretted and 4 string fretless Sei bass.

John recommended i do some research before having an official meeting with Martin to finalise the 2 bass guitar's spec.

So, i would love to hear back from anyone that has experience ordering a sei and has opinions on what is the best Sei model.

Still for sale?

So the centre stripes on Roadies are just painted on? Well, i'll be damned, looks so authentic!

6 minutes ago, GeeCee said:

The series designation refers to the body size, it has nothing to do with the body laminates.  The largest size body is the S1.  The S2 has the same body length (along neck axis) as the S1 but is narrower across the body.  The S3 is a proportionally scaled down version of the S1 (both length and width).  There is also a rarely seen S4 which is smaller still (and usually short or medium scale).  The number of laminates is immaterial, but both MK and GA24 models have a laminated body.  Generally speaking, older models have neck and body laminates made of mahogany, walnut and maple.  Newer instruments have walnut and maple.  I am not talking about body wings or exotic wood facings, just the laminates that give the illusion of a neck through bass (they're all set neck).  There can be 5+ laminates.  If you see a funk groove, it's almost certainly a S2, but owners have requested funk grooves on S3 and GA24 models, and some have requested no funk groove.  The imaginary line that the controls take (marked from PU selector thru EQ controls) is more or less parallel to the neck in S3 instruments and angled more towards the XLR in S1 and S2 (really need pictures but I am too lazy to pull some up).  There is also more wood after the string anchors in a S1 and S2 vs. a S3 because of the longer body.  So, a Roadie can be S1, S2, S3, or S4.  What is different is that the body is essentially all mahogany, with no laminates (actually a central maple stripe) and less thrills generally (no head and neck binding, painted headstock, no XLR, usually no laminated PU covers, etc.) but JD is a custom shop so there are always exceptions.  I have a GA24 shaped Roadie 2A with a bound neck and laminated PU covers.  The Roadie shown above has the illusion of laminates created by painting or staining the wood.

This is amazing information for Jaydee nerds... thank you!

Now i want a Series 4 short scale for a tenor bass!

8 minutes ago, Sparky Mark said:

When I spoke to Andrew initially I asked what would potentially be the lightest weight twin pickup active version. He recommended a Series 3 Roadie Active as has been mentioned earlier, the exotic woods can add weight. I've gone for a faux laminate finish similar to below, so it's all mahogany with gold hardware which I think will look beautiful with the cherry. 

Well they have done an amazing job! it looks 100% authenticate. As for the weight, yea i totally agree with you and I specified for my Series 3s / GA24 to be as light as possible & my blue Series 3 is a lovely weight for me, about 4.5kg which is the same weight as my mij 70s jazz after putting on all the mods. The series 1 is not really my thing as i'm not trying to chase just the Mark King thang... even though he IS the worlds best bass player... i like to do my own thing haha

4 hours ago, Sparky Mark said:

Andrew has just sent me a photo of my Roadie Active :-

 

wow , looking great! Is that  a Series 3 as it has the thru body wood stringers?

8 hours ago, kevin_lindsay said:

I ordered my Series 1 in August '21.

When I spoke to Jaydee in January,  they reckoned it would ba another three months or so until completion. 

I'm looking forward to getting it whenever it's finally available. 

Any build pics?

19 minutes ago, Sparky Mark said:

My Roadie Active has been imminent for a few weeks now. It was ordered in May 2021 I hoped in time for my 60th in November 2022. Oh well, patience is a virtue apparently. 😊

Well, at least when you get it, you will be older and wiser! haha

I ordered mine in Nov 2021, so it will probably be a minimum of 8 months... i have an amazing Series 3 to keep me company until then so I don't mine waiting! 

21 minutes ago, greentext said:

I believe they are in his Pachyderm basses but unable to find a photo of one with the goldies but they look like this, already loaded with an EMG P

Very CT looking / inspired

Just now, MichaelDean said:

Geezer does have the PJ set in his signature Lakland though. 

He could put 2 sets in his BC Rich

What is Les Claypool sticking these into.. his Carl Thompsons?

7 hours ago, GeeCee said:

No, well, yes you can, but not stably unless you put in a corner.  Same problem with the Alembic series bodies.  There is a screw in the tail of the Jaydee which goes in the hole that is used to hang the bass when spraying, but depending on angle of lean, it could be wood on wood.  Honestly, just buy a stand.  It will fit in some stands that support the bottom of the bass, see picture.   

Stunning bass, love the wood, is that Cocobolo? How is the 23/24 fret access?

8 hours ago, Sparky Mark said:

Yoiks!! If you don't post proof of purchase soonish I'm calling Social Services. 

haha I have a long weight still for the basses, it's only been about 16 months! I just wanted to know about this as it was at the back of my mind.

On 22/02/2023 at 18:44, ReeV0 said:

What's the weight?

Weight is just over 4kg 

On 23/02/2023 at 10:43, Mike said:

Thanks for letting me know. I'm in North Essex, wouldn't mind a play really as I love TRBS but I remember the string spacing on my 6er was very wide and I need slightly tighter 5 strings due to my small hands (don't ask why I had a six string!!). 

 

Normally I'm all over doing gigs and could swing by but don't have much your way in the near future and I don't really have any days off!

If you don't like wide neck 5 strings then this bass is not for you. If you like Fender string spacing then this is the bass!  

33 minutes ago, ukbassboy said:

Hard to see from the pics, what is the fretboard made of? Ive got a 5pii with an ebony board which I love. 

the fingerboard is Brazilian rosewood, the neck is quarter sawn maple.

The Yamaha TRB 4 string has now gone... this is the last TRB i have for sale.

A quick question for anyone that has owned a Jaydee GA24 - Can you stand the bass up safely against a wall as the bottom of the  body wood is pointed? Is there a strap lock or something to install so as not to rest the bass body wood directly on the floor?

6 minutes ago, Mike Brooks said:

Enjoy, sir! Some nice stuff in there at the moment!

Just seen that blue Sei jazz bass on their website, look very cool!