phsycoandy Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 (edited) I've had this about 2 months now and played it in most scenarios, my Gospel Bands, a Wedding do and several Covers band rehearsals. With +- 20 odd db on the three band eq most sounds are easily available through a set flat eqd LM11 and UL310. I would say that the mid control is overly fierce in comparison to the bass and treble, I understand these are adjustable and will get it seen to next time I visit Bernie. The overall output is hugely powerful and you do need to be carefull with your pre settings initially, and you need quality kit to bring out all the tonal nuances and harmonics she can produce. I call it the slap switch but it actually changes the pickup setup from parrallel to series I believe. The difference is subtle but unmistakably "GB" and adds that instant slight zing and almost a sort of echo to your slap notes, hard to explain! Playablity is superb, I understand the shape has changed over the years, and this being the latest incarnation is hugely playable, the neck is a work of art satin smooth and between Jazz and PB at the nut, just right. One comment I would make is that the bottom strap button being offset to one side makes it difficult to balance against a wall or your cab so the use of a stand is essential with such an investment, I would have preferred perhaps the twin button setup ala Status basses, small thing but trying to be objective. Bernies use of some fancy woods in my opinion makes for one mighty pretty bass, almost too much so if I were to frequent any "Pub" gigs, so I must invest in a less valuable instrument for those occasions. The finish and workmanship is impeccable and I would urge folk to try one if they get a chance, its a large investment but at my time of life its about time I spent some on myself. There are several Custom manufacturers in this price region and for the investment you have a choice to make if you want to stray away from the usual Fender fare and be "different", folk tend not to ask what sort of bass is that for some reason, which is cool with me. Edited February 28, 2008 by phsycoandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niceguyhomer Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 'Tis a beaut for sure Andy - congrats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frusty Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 To be honest I'm often not a fan of the more exotic bodies on bassed, but THAT one is really, really beautiful. You have very good taste! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thylacine23 Posted June 4, 2008 Share Posted June 4, 2008 That is a lovurly one, looks like you could almost put your fingers through the gloss into the wood below,!!!!!!! more pics please, and some of the pointy end too,!!! For me personally, what realy does it, is the fact shes a four string custom, I just dont get the five string, plus trip, to me thats then not a bass. oh now ive done it....... But thats just me, very very nice, enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderthumbs Posted June 4, 2008 Share Posted June 4, 2008 As I've mentioned before, I was in Bernie's basement the day before Andy collected this wonderful bass. It looks even more stunning in the flesh than in the photo, and it sounds absolutely incredible. Plus, I got to hear it through the EBS rig that I took home with me the same day, so I had the best of both worlds. Congrats Andy, you have a piece of beauty there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phsycoandy Posted June 5, 2008 Author Share Posted June 5, 2008 [quote name='thylacine23' post='212862' date='Jun 4 2008, 11:49 PM']That is a lovurly one, looks like you could almost put your fingers through the gloss into the wood below,!!!!!!! more pics please, and some of the pointy end too,!!! For me personally, what realy does it, is the fact shes a four string custom, I just dont get the five string, plus trip, to me thats then not a bass. oh now ive done it....... But thats just me, very very nice, enjoy.[/quote]My pleasure, tho I think they're in the porn section aswell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 Hi there... aye, she is still looking good. Hope you are looking after the second nicest Spitfire ever made (OK, maybe I am being biased - mines not a proper one anyway, what with it having 5 strings!!). You getting plenty of turned heads from being out and about with then? You should see this Rumour I have got in the pipeline... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phsycoandy Posted June 5, 2008 Author Share Posted June 5, 2008 [quote name='EBS_freak' post='213182' date='Jun 5 2008, 01:16 PM']Hi there... aye, she is still looking good. Hope you are looking after the second nicest Spitfire ever made (OK, maybe I am being biased - mines not a proper one anyway, what with it having 5 strings!!). You getting plenty of turned heads from being out and about with then? You should see this Rumour I have got in the pipeline...[/quote] Tell us more lets have some specs and a GB entry in the build section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 [quote name='phsycoandy' post='213195' date='Jun 5 2008, 01:32 PM']Tell us more lets have some specs and a GB entry in the build section.[/quote] All in good time... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee4 Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 Frame it and hang it on the wall.Thats pure art! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunsfreddy2003 Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 I sent Bernie my deposit and ordered my Spitfire 4 a month ago and really hope that it turns out as good as yours! How long did you have to wait for yours? I have been faithful to my Warwick for 15 years or so and then went down the Musicman route but I have to say that once I played one of these at Bernie's shop I was completely hooked and have now sold 3 of my 4 basses to fund this new bass. I really didn't think that there would be such a difference between the factory built stuff and the a custom bass like this but BOY there is! Interested to know how much you got to specify on this bass to your own requirements? Any pics of the back of the body and neck? Thanks Mark [quote name='phsycoandy' post='148307' date='Feb 28 2008, 12:12 PM']I've had this about 2 months now and played it in most scenarios, my Gospel Bands, a Wedding do and several Covers band rehearsals. With +- 20 odd db on the three band eq most sounds are easily available through a set flat eqd LM11 and UL310. I would say that the mid control is overly fierce in comparison to the bass and treble, I understand these are adjustable and will get it seen to next time I visit Bernie. The overall output is hugely powerful and you do need to be carefull with your pre settings initially, and you need quality kit to bring out all the tonal nuances and harmonics she can produce. I call it the slap switch but it actually changes the pickup setup from parrallel to series I believe. The difference is subtle but unmistakably "GB" and adds that instant slight zing and almost a sort of echo to your slap notes, hard to explain! Playablity is superb, I understand the shape has changed over the years, and this being the latest incarnation is hugely playable, the neck is a work of art satin smooth and between Jazz and PB at the nut, just right. One comment I would make is that the bottom strap button being offset to one side makes it difficult to balance against a wall or your cab so the use of a stand is essential with such an investment, I would have preferred perhaps the twin button setup ala Status basses, small thing but trying to be objective. Bernies use of some fancy woods in my opinion makes for one mighty pretty bass, almost too much so if I were to frequent any "Pub" gigs, so I must invest in a less valuable instrument for those occasions. The finish and workmanship is impeccable and I would urge folk to try one if they get a chance, its a large investment but at my time of life its about time I spent some on myself. There are several Custom manufacturers in this price region and for the investment you have a choice to make if you want to stray away from the usual Fender fare and be "different", folk tend not to ask what sort of bass is that for some reason, which is cool with me. [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phsycoandy Posted June 5, 2008 Author Share Posted June 5, 2008 This wasn't built for me, it was part of a triplet of basses made from the same piece of american walnut facings, my particular bass was made for a trade show, and I happened upon it by a freak phone call to Bernie, (as id been wanting one for years) saying " I want a Spitfire, what have u got?" reply was " well I just build to order but' and the rest is history, it was just what I was after a beautifull 4 stringer with a maple neck, all the electronics etc and a joy to play. Pics as requested, spot the tronics under the see thru cover, nice touch! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass_ferret Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 I recon your neck was made from the same bit of wood as mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phsycoandy Posted June 7, 2008 Author Share Posted June 7, 2008 [quote name='bass_ferret' post='213515' date='Jun 5 2008, 10:13 PM']I recon your neck was made from the same bit of wood as mine. [/quote] You are probably right! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba The Hutt Posted February 19, 2012 Share Posted February 19, 2012 what a beauty!! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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