sblueplanet Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 I've been thinking about selling off the herd and investing in a more bespoke instrument. I noticed some articles recently on the No Treble website about 'travel basses', one by a French luthier, Paul Lairat and another by Alan at ACG in Scotland. I live a few hours away further up the west coast of Scotland from ACG HQ and thought this may be a more sensible start. I would like to know what owners really think of their models and how you would describe the tonal and handling qualities etc. I don't know if being a lefty may limit my build options or push the price higher. Cheers in advance :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBus Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 (edited) Lot of love for Alan's work from a few of us on here. His work is up there with the big names. Celebrating his tenth year as a builder this year and a special Moffat Bass Bash to mark that. http://www.moffatbassbash.co.uk Alan has his own build thread which goes back quite some years showing all the basses he builds at various stages. http://basschat.co.uk/topic/9623-acg-build-progress/ He uses an option of an asimetrcal neck if you want it. On first playing my Finn I thought "I'm not sure about this". After a few minutes I had forgoten all about the neck profile. It is very comfortable to play. The filter preamp is something different too. Great Range of tones. East preamps are offered as well. But then the filter preamp is East built too. The basses well worth a look at. Edited January 23, 2015 by BassBus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merello Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Go to the bass bash and meet the guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameronj279 Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 [quote name='merello' timestamp='1422093995' post='2668564'] Go to the bass bash and meet the guy. [/quote] This. I don't currently own one but I did briefly own one for a week or so and when I had to send it back I put down an order for a custom recurve. So good review in my book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblueplanet Posted January 25, 2015 Author Share Posted January 25, 2015 (edited) Yes, I have been in touch with Alan and know of the bass bash in March. Not sure I can make that weekend. I've started looking through the ACG build thread too. Might give me some ideas. Edited January 25, 2015 by sblueplanet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPJ Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 Hi, I owned [url="http://www.acguitars.co.uk/acg_admin/wordpress/portfolio/0055-recurve-4-string/"]ACG 055[/url] for a while and now own [url="http://www.acguitars.co.uk/acg_admin/wordpress/portfolio/g-032u-uber-graft-j-type-4/"]ACG 032U[/url] which is my main gigging bass. The 032 has a P pickup and single coil J which gives it a great choice of tone. I've changed out the SEQ preamp for an East BTB Active/Passive preamp with a passive tone and it works superbly with the pickups. I can make it sound modern or vintage with just a few preamp tweaks or by even running it in passive mode. The bass weighs very little and balances perfectly. Alan's neck profiles make the basses very comfortable and playable. Combined with the variety of pickups and their locations, and preamp configurations, you are pretty sure to get what you are after tonally. The important bit is finding the right model. I didn't quite gel with the Recurve but the Jazz "fits" me very well. You'd do well going to see him when you have a chance or hopefully get to the bash where there will be a great collection of different AGCs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 I have a few of Alan's basses: http://www.acguitars.co.uk/acg_admin/wordpress/portfolio/0120-custom-j-type-fretless-4-string/ ; http://www.acguitars.co.uk/acg_admin/wordpress/portfolio/0178-recurve-4/ ; http://www.acguitars.co.uk/acg_admin/wordpress/portfolio/g025-finn-4/ ; http://www.acguitars.co.uk/acg_admin/wordpress/portfolio/g019-j-type-fretless-4/ Starting with the easy bits, I really like the flat board and asymmetric neck although I will 'fess up and say my custom fretless has a radiussed board. All of mine are under 9lbs weight and balance really well on the lap or on the strap, however if you play sitting down a lot I would probably suggest that the Finn body shape might not be the best option due to the lower horn being quite small. Personally I prefer the double cut body styles and the custom headstock shape. I'm also a big fan of the filter preamps; I know they are not to everyones taste but are worth checking out before you make a decision. You can dial up all sorts of tones from double bass to a really agressive bark. The passive basses with the 4-way switch are also great if you prefer that arrangement, different options to VVT or VBT and I think the new ACG 2-band EQ will combine the 4-way switching option with active/passive switching with a 2-band EQ in active mode as well as still having a tone control in passive mode. If there is any way you can get to the MBB it is worth the effort as there will be a lot of ACGs to try if the past few years are anything to go by. There are also a few on here for sale and if you get a good deal on a preloved one you get to have an extendede trial and are unlikely to lose much f anything if you move it on. I have had a go on the Border Reiver 4-string travel bass and I think it's a great bass; so light and well balanced. I'm not aware that Alan charges more for lefties, but Dread Bass on this forum is similarly afflicted and could not doubt put you straight on this point (or just ask Alan who is really helpful). Not to mention really patient with me as I'm sure I must ask him loads of daft questions. For what Alan charges for hand made basses you will be getting an exceptional instrument for considerably less dosh than a lot of other luthiers charge. Naturally my opinion may be a tiny bit clouded as you might imagine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblueplanet Posted January 26, 2015 Author Share Posted January 26, 2015 Some more brilliant responses. Thanks guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dread Bass Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 I have two lefty ACG's with a third on the way. I don't believe there is an upcharge for left handed but best to check with Alan. I love ACG basses and have been using them exclusively for the past 4 years. Both my current basses sound different as they have very different options. I also had a graft for a while which was a great bass too. Both of mine plus my new one will be at the bash if you do manage to get over. I can recomend ACG basses without hesitation and they are on par with any other bass I have played. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skelf Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 Hi There is no up charge for a left handed bass pricing is exactly the same as a right hand. Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Also worth noting that is that I beleive Mr C is working on a bass to loan out (with a filter preamp in it). Not sure how far away this is from being ready though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Badderer Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 (edited) i've never played a bass like my ACG. the filter preamp is great, but the bass itself just sings. it's the only way i can describe it. mine has the asymmetric neck and it's great to play. when i pulled it out for the 1st time with my bass teacher (a touring pro person) he was well impressed. Buy one, you won't regret it, and if you want comparable quality from other more famous bigger name luthiers be prepared to spend at least £500-2000 more. This is my one http://www.acguitars.co.uk/acg_admin/wordpress/portfolio/0037-finn-sc-classic-4-string/ Edited January 28, 2015 by The Badderer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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