Spoombung

Very nice. [i]And [/i]featuring a merciful four strings only;)

[quote name='MacDaddy' post='497631' date='May 25 2009, 10:37 PM']how does it balance on a strap?[/quote] Very upright... Bill Wyman -ish angle. I'll post a photo soon.

Here's my dear old friend, Sean, (from the High Llamas) having a go. Of course, he couldn't help take the piss and played Tears For Fears [i]'Everyone Wants to Rule the World'[/i] over and over again just to annoy me.

[quote name='steve-soar' post='497273' date='May 25 2009, 01:49 PM']You forgot to mention "Custom lazer cut Red Coral inlay at the twelth fret of your initials, matching pickup covers with LEDs, state of the art build quality in another factory, at no expense spared to the customer, by a sub-contractor, neck and body to be assembled in a totally custom style build manner, with a nod to the timeless designs of Fender. [/quote] Yeah I forgot to ask for hippy fish (that's dolphins) 24 iron crosses, Christmas tree lights, the air freshener option, something to indicate by belief in an imaginary friend... and a tuna wrap!

[quote name='Spartacus' post='497094' date='May 25 2009, 09:51 AM']It reminds me of this. [/quote] My monitor seems to be encountering some distortion problems.

[quote name='BigBeefChief' post='496853' date='May 24 2009, 09:34 PM']It's not my personal taste, but its an incredible piece of design. Interesting to see how little the bass changed from cardboard cut-out to finished bass. Also, well done to Zoot/Iceni - the build quality looks superb but was build in a fraction of the time that it seems to take other luthiers. I definitely think there's a market for this if it was marketed properly. Those slightly eccentric Europeans would love it.[/quote] Thanks. Yeah, I'm also struck by the similarity between the hardboard bass and the drawings to the finished thing - the result of years of experience and knowing what you want, I suppose. Weird to think most builds start as big dull lists of ingredients, ie - 10 string thru neck Mahogany Body Buck-eye Burl top and back with matching golden balls 27 fret neck 45mm fossilized ivory nut with whipped cream veneer -without even considering the shape and how the ergonomics and proportions work. I will think about marketing it but I've been slightly put off by the state of the economy and the general pervading pessimism of the moment and some grim warnings from a fellow BC-ers.

[quote name='Spartacus' post='496849' date='May 24 2009, 09:24 PM']That's horrible![/quote] Thank you!

[quote name='urb' post='496796' date='May 24 2009, 08:15 PM']It looks great - congrats, wacky but wonderful - nice to see something a bit different round these parts... M[/quote] Oh, we'll be back to the Posh Fender Copies on the build thread before you know it!

[quote name='BigBeefChief' post='495384' date='May 22 2009, 05:07 PM']I was told that by a "Theatre type" in a porno cinema once.[/quote] Pee Wee Herman, presumably.

[quote name='Finbar' post='495375' date='May 22 2009, 05:01 PM']I do quite like this in an odd 'I shouldn't like this' kind of way. And I agree with you about the string spacing. 16mm at the bridge is what I go for However, is it intentional that you have black hardware except for the tuning pegs?[/quote] Yes, that was intentional. Adds to the feeling of weightlessness and invisibility. Black is just too evil up there. As for your guilty pleasures, learn to love the forbidden fruit, my friend!

I present a super-luxurious shot: I'll start writing about it some time in the next couple of days. Just getting used to it for the time being...

[quote name='MacDaddy' post='495363' date='May 22 2009, 04:52 PM']This is definitely the bass that should be in this: [[/quote] They're both masterpieces!

[quote name='josh3184' post='495235' date='May 22 2009, 02:59 PM']that's wonderful! I really like the neck (although the spacing is a bit extreme for me!)[/quote] I'm sure you'd sell all your basses for mine in the end!

this was Mike setting up the bass and filing a few frets down..and Phwoar...rocking out, m[i]aaan[/i]. His normal procedure with customers is to have them back in for a more thorough setup after couple of months when the wood has settled down.

More:

[quote name='Mikey R' post='495129' date='May 22 2009, 01:13 PM']Kev, whats the spacing at the bridge? I would guess thats the limiting factor for a lot of styles. My new 5 string is 17mm and thats kinda tight![/quote] erm, it's a hipshot .656 which I think is the narrowist spacing they do. I assume you mean slappin when you say [i]'a lot of styles'[/i]? I just can't get on with that clanking sound, I'm afraid.

[quote name='Merton' post='495083' date='May 22 2009, 12:42 PM']I love it! You should licence the design to Iceni so they can sell one to me [/quote] I'd like to do that. I might even make my money back. The other day I suggested to Mike I should redesign all his basses. You should have seen his face.

Let's have a look at the remarkable neck. It's only 34mm at the nut - that's TINY compared to most basses. In fact it's smaller than any other bass I know of. I've included a comparison shot with my Danelectro so you can get some sort of idea exactly how small it is. I have found this is the element of the bass the most people have been most critical about. I've had comments like; "Why do you want the neck so narrow?" "Have you got really small hands?" "Your hand will cramp up" ...and even "You won't be able to slap!" Well, I can tell you folks this is a REAL SUCCESS and feels beautiful to grip and to play. I maintain there is absolutely no need for the kind of wide string spacing most bass guitars feature. It serves no purpose other than to perpetrate an unpleasant tactile experience on the player. Even the sceptical Mike had to admit it felt superb.

Let's have a look at the back then: Nice ash grain ( the finish is wax and oil and only a light sealer - so you can still feel the grain slightly) String thru bridge design means I don't have to buy short scale strings all the time (the bass is a 31" scale)

[quote name='skelf' post='495027' date='May 22 2009, 11:56 AM']Very nice. What is the pre-amp in it Kev. Alan[/quote] Thanks, Alan. The EQ is the John East thingy: mid sweep cut n' boost, treble & bass stack with pull bright and volume and pick up mix stack. More than enough!

Some nice shots of the quilted maple and ash contrasts and the very successful combination of hard and soft contours.

First shot today: more to follow...

[quote name='pobolycwm' post='494855' date='May 22 2009, 07:56 AM']it is actually a nice looking bass all joking aside is the jack plug mounted differently to most (i noticed in the guitar shop you had to pull the plug down to remove it ) i suppose it stops unwarranted noise cessation when you tread on the cable[/quote] It's just an ordinary Strat input. I don't tread on cables because I don't prance around like a Rock God.

Thanks for the compliments guys...although, in common with many middle-aged men, I am probably getting too old to tell who's complimenting and who's taking the piss (early signs of dementia, you see). I'll give some first impressions and more photos tomorrow. One more tonight:

Okay, due to popular demand: More tomorrow...