RichValentine

[quote name='lojo' timestamp='1383028843' post='2259192'] If I buy one, is that an indulgence ? [/quote] If you have the money it isn't an indulgence. I've been lucky recently that I've been in a position where I could order a Shuker, I'm certainly not an amazing player but certainly not an investor either. Having just bought a nice PRS guitar as well, I see a lot of people saying it's for blues doctors/lawyers etc which always seems to come across as jealousy rather than anything else... There does appear to be a thought, maybe among the guitar community that having a "coffee table" bass/guitar makes you less of a musician and that real "musicians" play beaten up old/cheap instruments. I just tend to judge those people as idiots then ignore them... ps I will certainly be playing my Shuker everywhere, at the end of the day its just a prettier tool.

Any news?

Body is looking stunning. Really nice buckeye top.

Received some more pictures of the fretboard. Work is going well and I love the grain of the cocobolo. Just ordered a custom guitar from Jon now as well!

Looking amazing. Going to be a beautiful bass. How long do you think it will take you to finish?

Faded Indigo. Been busy, also bought myself a Mesa Lonestar Special 2x12 and an original TS808 as well. Going to be a good NGD.

Paid my final installment today and asked for some more photos. Will post when I receive them. Hopefully in next few days...

Currently out the country with work and been working my ass off so decided to treat myself to a new guitar. Ended up pulling the trigger on this, after GASing after it for the last month: [url="http://worldguitars.co.uk/faded-indigo-wood-library-willcutt-guitars-limited-156641/"]http://worldguitars....limited-156641/[/url] As soon as I am back, I will post an update.

x please delete x

Sometimes I wish I could justify blowing my savings on something like this... [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321164750183?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649"]http://www.ebay.co.u...984.m1438.l2649[/url]

Big fan of Warren Haynes and Govt Mule so both solos in this: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElrDolRpbIs"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElrDolRpbIs[/url] Starts at 4:58

Not from the UK but I swear by Moody straps. Had mine almost 9 years and it still looks as good as new and incredibly comfortable.

Big update from Jon today. Top is on and headstock laminated. It is looking amazing, although I might be slightly biased... [attachment=139295:rval1.jpg] [attachment=139296:rval2.jpg] [attachment=139297:rval3.jpg] [attachment=139298:rval4.jpg] [attachment=139299:rval5.jpg] [attachment=139300:rval6.jpg] [attachment=139301:rval7.jpg]

Bass is looking lovely. Really nice light top, I imagine you cant wait for it to be finished!

Update from Jon. He has been really good at getting back to me so far, been a very easy process. Its starting to look like a bass! Next job is the headstock veneers with black veneers between.

2008 Gibson Les Paul Standard in Cherry Burst. This was taken the first day I got it a few years ago. Had always wanted one and well worth the wait! If only I was good enough to justify it!

Received a few pictures from Jon today. Expectng a few more, including a preliminary picture of the body with the neck. Until then... The Neck. [attachment=132833:image001.jpg] [attachment=132832:image002.jpg] Its slowly coming to life!

Deposit paid today. Now it all begins. Dood, I remember your first bass being stunning... will have a look for it on the forums to remind me!

Stunning top. What is the wood?

Top has been matched and sanded. Looking better than I could have hoped for.

Have selected the top for the bass. Will look good with a gloss finish! Ignore the markings on it at the moment...

As mentioned in my introduction post, my return to bass playing is coinciding with the purchase of one of my dream instruments. Have been in discussion with Jon and have pretty much finalised the specs for the instrument and excited to get the project started. The project will start in earnest at the end of January but created this diary to show the progress of construction and my return to the low end. Specs: [size=3][font=Arial][font=Arial]5 string singlecut - set neck[/font][/font] [font=Arial][font=Arial]34" scale[/font][/font] [font=Arial][font=Arial]26 frets[/font][/font] [font=Arial][font=Arial]45mm nut width[/font][/font] [font=Arial][font=Arial]17mm string spacing at the bridge[/font][/font] [font=Arial][font=Arial]20.5mm neck depth at first fret[/font][/font] [font=Arial][font=Arial]22.5mm at 12th fret[/font][/font] [font=Arial][font=Arial]gentle C profile[/font][/font] [font=Arial][font=Arial]5 piece laminated neck [/font][/font] [font=Arial][font=Arial]headstock scarf matching body wood[/font][/font] [font=Arial][font=Arial]headstock faced front and rear (matching facing wood)[/font][/font] [font=Arial][font=Arial]cocobolo f/board[/font][/font] [font=Arial][font=Arial]two way truss rod[/font][/font] [font=Arial][font=Arial]carbon fibre reinforcement[/font][/font] [font=Arial][font=Arial]medium fretwire (stainless steel)[/font][/font] [font=Arial][font=Arial]2mm side dots[/font][/font] [font=Arial][font=Arial]6mm face dots abalone[/font][/font] [font=Arial][font=Arial]graphite nut[/font][/font] [font=Arial][font=Arial]alder body wood[/font][/font] [font=Arial][font=Arial]buckeye facing[/font][/font] [font=Arial][font=Arial]black veneer between facing and body[/font][/font] [font=Arial][font=Arial]ramp between pickups (adjustable) - matched to pickup (ebony)[/font][/font] [font=Arial][font=Arial]polyester basecoat[/font][/font] [font=Arial][font=Arial]wet look gloss topcoat[/font][/font] [font=Arial][font=Arial]Schaller 2000 bridge[/font][/font] [font=Arial][font=Arial]schaller tuners[/font][/font] [font=Arial][font=Arial]black hardware[/font][/font] [font=Arial][font=Arial]Nordstrand Fatstack pickups[/font][/font] [font=Arial][font=Arial]Tending towards the Nordstrand 3B-4A preamp[/font][/font][/size]

I haven't asked when it will be completed. Here for another 4 months so doubt it will be finished by the time Im home. The Falklands are beautiful, enjoying it down here. There is one live band, but occasionally just go an jam in the music room. Looking forward to getting back into playing properly on my return. Need to decide on an amp next as well... Miss my old Mesa Walkabout Scout.