ash Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 (edited) Well here it is fresh out of the Hiscox case - certainly worth the wait. This is a custom build based on my old Shergold Marathon 6 built by Jon Letts. The bass differs from the Shergold as it has slightly wider string spacing than the original. The pickup was hand made by Jon and sounds very near the original. The control plate, pots, strap buttons and 'shield' logo were taken from a long defunct Shergold of mine which had been trashed and then used for various parts. The bass is made from swamp ash using my Marathon as a template. The binding is ebony rather than the usual Shergold plastic! My next project is to use one of my original Shergold 6 string necks and get Jon to build an exact replica of the Marathon.....I need to save up some more cash though.... The bass sounds great and plays really well. The balance is great despite the scale and large headstock and it's very light.Currently it's strung with La Bella Bass VI strings an octave down from a guitar but can be strung B-C. I forgot to add that the pots are from my old Shergold too! Some basic iPad pics to give you a flavour..... Edited August 4, 2014 by ash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 Nice job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 (edited) Wow, stunning bass!! Interesting mix of hand-made vintage vibe and custom work, too! We're going to need proper, extensive pics asap, please! Very nice indeed - excellent work. Edited June 12, 2014 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash Posted June 12, 2014 Author Share Posted June 12, 2014 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1402597482' post='2475210'] Wow, stunning bass!! Interesting mix of hand-made vintage vibe and custom work, too! We're going to need proper, extensive pics asap, please! Very nice indeed - excellent work. [/quote] I'll do my best, if I can find my camera. I'm recovering from an operation on my Achilles' tendon so I'm not very mobile at the moment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 [quote name='ash' timestamp='1402600214' post='2475261'] I'll do my best, if I can find my camera. I'm recovering from an operation on my Achilles' tendon so I'm not very mobile at the moment! [/quote] Ouch! I'm sorry to hear it mate! Get well soon. If you lived a bit closer I'd offer to look after your new baby for you so you can concentrate on your recovery... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash Posted June 12, 2014 Author Share Posted June 12, 2014 Ha! Ha! Nice try mate, I have a bit of time on my hands so I will be able to look at all those YouTube tutorials I've been avoiding! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookys6stringbass Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Superb job , absolutely love it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Nice... my sixer is due next month, looking forward to finally getting hold of it! Out of interest what are the four little holes in the back? looks like they are behind the pickup? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash Posted June 13, 2014 Author Share Posted June 13, 2014 [quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1402660559' post='2475715'] Nice... my sixer is due next month, looking forward to finally getting hold of it! Out of interest what are the four little holes in the back? looks like they are behind the pickup? [/quote] They are screws to adjust the height of the pickup, work well and keep the clean look of the pickup. I'm considering put in La Bella Bass VI flats on if I can find a cheap enough set! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash Posted June 13, 2014 Author Share Posted June 13, 2014 [quote name='hookys6stringbass' timestamp='1402659366' post='2475705'] Superb job , absolutely love it!! [/quote] That's a great compliment from someone who I know knows their Marathons! Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookys6stringbass Posted June 14, 2014 Share Posted June 14, 2014 [quote name='ash' timestamp='1402663112' post='2475746'] That's a great compliment from someone who I know knows their Marathons! Cheers [/quote] Ha yes I do ;-) Been meaning to do build like this myself!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash Posted June 30, 2014 Author Share Posted June 30, 2014 Clearer pics of the body - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 Wow. It's a beast! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash Posted June 30, 2014 Author Share Posted June 30, 2014 Got it playing great now - I've just bought a vintage Marathon pickup so I may wire it to this to see what it sounds like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 [quote name='ash' timestamp='1404134346' post='2489552'] Got it playing great now - I've just bought a vintage Marathon pickup so I may wire it to this to see what it sounds like. [/quote] Sound clips if you do, please! In fact, sound clips anyway! I got Waldemar's Hayman 4040 string trees in the post this morning, they look amazing! [size=4]As soon as I can find some suitable screws I'll fit 'em and post some pics. [/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash Posted June 30, 2014 Author Share Posted June 30, 2014 Great please do - what size screws do you need for them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 [quote name='ash' timestamp='1404135500' post='2489571'] Great please do - what size screws do you need for them? [/quote] That I don't know! The countersink is 6mm and the hole is 3mm - I should have specced a wider hole, I think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash Posted June 30, 2014 Author Share Posted June 30, 2014 I have some Shergold screws knocking about but think they won't fit that. I'm sure you'll find something suitable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 [quote name='ash' timestamp='1404135912' post='2489578'] I have some Shergold screws knocking about but think they won't fit that. I'm sure you'll find something suitable. [/quote] Trawling the net! I'll let you know when it's done. Good work with the sixer, it's great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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