CamdenRob Posted March 26, 2016 Share Posted March 26, 2016 (edited) Having finally negotiated paying the customs charges and managed to retrieve the package from my local Parcelforce depot over a bank holiday weekend, I have an NBD! The bass took one day to get from Mollon's workshop in South Korea to Heathrow, then a further two weeks to get to me with the usual HMRC / Parcelforce fannying around... This is a Moollon Classic P. For those who are unaware these are only available to order direct from the factory and are made to order. They are not full custom builds, but rather Moollon have a small number of models from which you can choose and then they build each instrument from scratch and you can specify finishes, pickguards etc (ala Wal). The classic range (Ps and Js available) are copies of pre-CBS fenders, this one is a copy of a 57 P. Everything has been painstakingly researched to use as closer materials as possible to match Leo's original creations. Specs from Moollon Body wood : Alder Neck wood : Hard Maple Fingerboard Wood : Macassar Ebony With 7.25\" Radius Frets : Medium Size Nickel Silver Bridge : Moollon Vintage Style with Spiral Steel Saddles Tuners : Moollon Vintage Style Nut : Bone Pots : CTS Jack : Switchcraft Pickups : Moollon Inlays : Clay dot Finish : Nitrocellulose Lacquer Controls : Volume/Tone You will notice the Ebony board which is obviously not period correct, apparently this was chosen due to a decreasing availability of dark Rosewood in their part of the world. It looks really good IMO in contrast against the sonic blue body. All the Fender copy stuff aside, this bass is an exceptional P bass... It is simple, light, balanced, beautiful to look at and beautiful to play. The tone control goes from vintage thump to a clear growl at the top end, remaining usable right through the spectrum. Yes it's a P bass... there are many like it but these are a bit special Full price including import duty, VAT etc came in at a little over £1700 which is not bad for a hand built instrument. I wanted too try something a bit different and am very pleased I took the risk. Edited March 26, 2016 by CamdenRob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted March 26, 2016 Share Posted March 26, 2016 Lovely stuff Rob. Congrats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted March 26, 2016 Share Posted March 26, 2016 (edited) You've got to love faded sonic blue with a parchment or mint guard. How about some more pics when you've got over the excitement? Ashtrays would look spiffy on that, but I see there are no holes drilled for them, so... maybe not! Edited March 26, 2016 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted March 26, 2016 Author Share Posted March 26, 2016 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1458989015' post='3012611'] Ashtrays would look spiffy on that, but I see there are no holes drilled for them, so... maybe not! [/quote] Yes I wasn't sure if I was going to get ashtrays or not... probably shouldn't go drilling holes in it to add some, i'd definitely do that wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted March 26, 2016 Share Posted March 26, 2016 [quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1458989790' post='3012620'] ...probably shouldn't go drilling holes in it to add some, i'd definitely do that wrong [/quote] Just send me the bass and I'll do it for you. It'll take about six months or so... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefbaker Posted March 26, 2016 Share Posted March 26, 2016 That is gorgeous mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted March 26, 2016 Share Posted March 26, 2016 That's a lovely looker Rob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnozzalee Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 That's a beauty - Looks white on my laptop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkHeart Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 my eyes must be going but that looks white to me as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 Nah, it's blue. But it is very pale, I'll admit. I don't much like 'new' sonic blue, but faded, washed-out sonic blue with aged ashtrays and a mint 3-ply is something to behold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 Definitely a pale blue on my screen. Never owned a pale blue bass so I better avoid this thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted March 27, 2016 Author Share Posted March 27, 2016 Thanks chaps yes it does look very light in those photos... I'll try and get some done outside in natural light today, weather permitting. I haven't put this down since opening it up yesterday. The shear simplicity and ease to play of a good p bass is a joy to behold... It's just so damn playable... I have a set of la bellas I took off my fretless Jazz in favour of rounds kicking around somewhere, so I'm going to put those on today for even more thump Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazBeen Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 Nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edpirie Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 Rats, that looks absolutely beautiful, not helping my GAS for one of these! Congrats on a fine new bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 [quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1459063652' post='3013163'] I have a set of la bellas I took off my fretless Jazz in favour of rounds kicking around somewhere, so I'm going to put those on today for even more thump [/quote] La Bellas on a decent P is one of life's greatest pleasures. Ooh, yeah. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emanew Posted March 30, 2016 Share Posted March 30, 2016 Splendid ! These headstocks are gorgeous. It is not easy to succeed in creating a different headstock without copying the original (but in the same spirit). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted March 30, 2016 Author Share Posted March 30, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Emanew' timestamp='1459309407' post='3015326'] Splendid ! These headstocks are gorgeous. It is not easy to succeed in creating a different headstock without copying the original (but in the same spirit). [/quote] I must admit that the headstock shape is the only thing about the bass I am unsure about... I don't dislike it by any means, but I think I'm just conditioned to wanting to see Fender shape headstocks on Fender shaped instruments! Edited March 30, 2016 by CamdenRob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted March 30, 2016 Share Posted March 30, 2016 (edited) Been doing a bit of reading about these, [i]very[/i] interesting... though to be honest I too am not 100% convinced about the headstock. Though I'm sure that would improve with use... Edited March 30, 2016 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skol303 Posted March 30, 2016 Share Posted March 30, 2016 [i]Sooo[/i] many Christmases in your house Rob! I'm jealous Lovely looking bass. I really dig the colour. I actually like the headstock too (and your scatter cushions, for that matter). Is this the one you used for this month's Noodle Bar? [i](just checked - it is! Obviously you knew that).[/i] Sounds very nice too. Good score. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted March 31, 2016 Author Share Posted March 31, 2016 (edited) [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1459356947' post='3015785'] Been doing a bit of reading about these, [i]very[/i] interesting... though to be honest I too am not 100% convinced about the headstock. Though I'm sure that would improve with use... [/quote] Yes it does look a little odd next to my Peterbuilt (which has an Allparts neck, so Fender shaped headstock). I think it's just a matter of getting used to it , The headstock looks massive in that photo but its much more inkeeping with the rest of the bass in reality. Trying to sort out a date (possibly Sunday) with another BCer for him to come over and have a noodle on the Moollon as he's interested in ordering one, you'd be more than welcome to pop over the river for an hour and check it out for yourself if you're around We can all discuss the aesthetics of headstock design over a cup of tea and wonder how it is our lives have come to this... [quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1459360184' post='3015829'] Lovely looking bass. I really dig the colour. I actually like the headstock too (and your [b]scatter cushions[/b], for that matter). [/quote] Interior design and soft furnishings are Mrs Cs department... left to my own devices my house would look like KB's with basses all over the walls [quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1459360184' post='3015829'] Is this the one you used for this month's Noodle Bar? [i](just checked - it is! Obviously you knew that).[/i] Sounds very nice too. [/quote] The very same... I've mostly been playing it with a pick as I've been trying to develop my technique a bit after watching a Bobby Vega video... I've loving the tone when palm muting with the tone rolled off to about a quarter turn from the bass side. Edited March 31, 2016 by CamdenRob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 [quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1459405432' post='3016138'] ...you'd be more than welcome to pop over the river for an hour and check it out for yourself if you're around... [/quote] Thanks very much for the offer, but Sunday is the one day I work on my income streams... this allows me to spend every other hour of the week on BassChat, so you can see my problem... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted March 31, 2016 Author Share Posted March 31, 2016 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1459425948' post='3016399'] Thanks very much for the offer, but Sunday is the one day I work on my income streams... this allows me to spend every other hour of the week on BassChat, so you can see my problem... [/quote] no worries... it's happening at 1pm if you've made your millions by lunchtime and find yourself with the afternoon off... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 [quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1459426191' post='3016404'] no worries... it's happening at 1pm if you've made your millions by lunchtime and find yourself with the afternoon off... [/quote] Ooh well, that's a possibility... I'll make sure there's a limo available just in case... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted March 31, 2016 Author Share Posted March 31, 2016 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1459426366' post='3016410'] Ooh well, that's a possibility... I'll make sure there's a limo available just in case... [/quote] Don't worry about that, let me know if you're free and I'll send the helicopter... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 [quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1459426414' post='3016412'] Don't worry about that, let me know if you're free and I'll send the helicopter... [/quote] Ooh no, way too showy in these times of austerity... I only use mine at night. Don't forget, 'we're all in this together'... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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