StephenYork Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 (edited) Hi everybody, I am finally getting round to making a thread about my first custom bass build, only 3 months late. First things first, go check out Alpher Instruments over on facebook and see some of the great work they are doing. I got to know these guys over talks and eventually me up with them in Nov/Dec 2012 to discuss and try out what they had produced already and as you can tell I liked it. So down to it, the specs are as follows: Swamp Ash Body/Wenge Veneer/Walnut top Rosewood neck/Pau Ferro(Morado) Fretboard Wizard Custom wound pickups John East Pre-amp Hipshot tuners and hardware As we are 3 months in I will try to get these pictures in the right order! Wood! [attachment=131194:IMG_1432.JPG] Putting the blanks together [attachment=131195:IMG_1449.jpg] Initial routing [attachment=131196:IMG_1454 - Copy.JPG] Showing the Rosewood veneer between the Walnut and Ash [attachment=131197:IMG_1455 - Copy.JPG] Shaping [attachment=131198:IMG_1472 - Copy.JPG] Teasing me, truss rod and graphite reinforcement in. Basic headstock shape [attachment=131199:IMG_1510 - Copy.JPG] [attachment=131200:IMG_1511 - Copy.JPG] The one and only inlay - made out of Ebony! [attachment=131201:IMG_1542 - Copy.JPG] Gluing up the neck [attachment=131202:IMG_1545 - Copy.JPG] Wizard pickups arrive [attachment=131203:IMG_1546 - Copy.JPG] I have some more pictures I will post this week. Edited March 27, 2013 by StephenYork Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenYork Posted March 27, 2013 Author Share Posted March 27, 2013 As I promised, more pictures! Shiny stuff arriving [attachment=131262:IMG_1554 (600x800).jpg] Mmmmm some tasty neck woods after gluing and radius sanding [attachment=131263:IMG_1617 (800x600).jpg] [attachment=131264:IMG_1619 (800x600).jpg] Some shielding paint ready for the East pre [attachment=131265:IMG_1624 (600x800).jpg] [attachment=131266:IMG_1634 (800x600).jpg] Some more wood porn during the finishing progress [attachment=131267:IMG_1636 (800x600).jpg] Don't fret!! [attachment=131268:IMG_1643 (800x600).jpg] Branding from the Alpher guys [attachment=131270:IMG_1657 (600x800).jpg] Neck shaping and sanding, some seriously nice looking Rosewood there [attachment=131271:IMG_1659 (600x800).jpg] Let me know what you think, I'm looking forward to playing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantherairsoft Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 (edited) These look great. I've been following the stuff on Facebook for a while... I'd really like to try one of the singlecut designs. Edited March 28, 2013 by pantherairsoft Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRISDABASS Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 [quote name='pantherairsoft' timestamp='1364421602' post='2026401'] These look great. I've been following the stuff on Facebook for a while... I'd really like to try one of your singlecut designs. [/quote] Where abouts are you based? You're welcome to try one anytime We're based in west yorkshire but often travel around the country with our instruments We're heading down south on friday for a week and will be visiting london, beaconsfield, stadhampton and winchester. So please let me know if any of those places are near you and i'll bring a bass with me Cheers Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantherairsoft Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 I'm based in Nottingham, so not a million miles away. If you find yourself nearby, let me know! Shep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRISDABASS Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 Cool! Well we'll be passing at least twice so we could call in if you like? First time will be tomorrow afternoon and then either thursday evening / friday afternoon of next week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scojack Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 Very nice ....... lovely lines and attention to detail on these basses Love the rosewood neck too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 I saw this at one stage in the build - the body weighs nothing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenYork Posted March 30, 2013 Author Share Posted March 30, 2013 [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1364551732' post='2027985'] I saw this at one stage in the build - the body weighs nothing! [/quote] That was a massive thing for me. I currently gig with an Ibanez SR505 which is a real featherweight bass. Most of my gigs are 2-3hours so anything heavy really kills me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Looks like a great instrument! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenYork Posted April 8, 2013 Author Share Posted April 8, 2013 So after a long 3 months I received this picture!! [attachment=132049:IMG_1750.JPG] Only problem is I am not able to pick it up until the end of the month so its another 3 week wait until I can finally play her. In the mean time I'm going to put up with Chris saying how nice it is and sending me pictures and it shall sit on the wall of Alpher along with the Mk2 and new prototype. I'm sure Chris will be along shortly to inform us all of what we are drooling over. [attachment=132050:IMG_1752.JPG] Cheers for having a look, I will upload some more pictures and maybe a sound clip/video in the near future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbassist Posted April 16, 2013 Share Posted April 16, 2013 (edited) Hi Stephen, I had a chance to view your bass yesterday whilst I was paying Chris and Alex a visit to set up my bass. The workmanship looks superb and Im sure you will love the quality of finish. I played a couple of the Alpher 4 strings and they are fantastic basses. I loved the sound, setup, finish and careful thought put into the design. They sit really well and are perfectly balanced. Im sure you will love your new bass. Edited April 16, 2013 by geoffbassist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumple Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 Love the inlay and the whole recessed area on the headstock where the name is carved, some nice touches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbassist Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 [quote name='Rumple' timestamp='1366194414' post='2049382'] Love the inlay and the whole recessed area on the headstock where the name is carved, some nice touches. [/quote] Yes it's all about the details like the recessed strap locks. I also loved the wooden battery cover held in with magnets which works really well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumple Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 [quote name='geoffbassist' timestamp='1366198191' post='2049434'] I also loved the wooden battery cover held in with magnets which works really well. [/quote] Now that I do like the sound of, I might have to [i]borrow[/i] that concept for my bass build much better then a horrible plastic battery box or using screws that will eventually be a loose fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRISDABASS Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 I'd just like to thank Stephen for coming to us for his latest bass here's a pic from yesterday! [URL=http://s169.photobucket.com/user/chrisdabass/media/DSC04889_zps04feeb99.jpg.html][IMG]http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u227/chrisdabass/DSC04889_zps04feeb99.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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