ACG Sound Samples/Demos?

[eude]

Only echoing what @binky_bass has said, you certainly won't be disappointed with any of Alan's pickups, MC or B Series.

I would also agree that if the 17mm spacing is what set you on the custom path in the first place, don't deviate, as you could end up with the perfect bass with one annoying niggle that would be a deal breaker.

Alan's pickups are hand wound by Aaron Armstrong, to order, so you could engage a discussion about what's possible with him, or via Alan?

I fell that the RFB pickups would be closer in sound to the MC pickups, purely just because of how the coils are arranged, side by side like a Musicman Stingray pickup, and you could have them under wound to focus on clarity rather than punch?

The FB pickups are a stacked humbucker, sidewinder arrangement, and to my ear, they are like a more focussed, thicker Jazz Bass tone, and hum cancelling too.

Depends what you are used to and what you really want to hear?

[Krikcet]

6 hours ago, eude said:

don't deviate

This is a good point, and I think you're right. I'll stick with the B series and EQ01. 

 

Not a bad idea to reach out to Aaron regarding pickup options. The possibilities are a little mind boggling. I'll give that a shot.

If only I could try playing every possible configuration 🫠

[Huge Hands]

All I can add to this is that I met up with @eude and @Merton a good few years ago and they both kindly let me have a try of their ACGs.   I felt like a bit of a poor relation handing my trusty old Squier over to them in exchange!

 

I am a bit of a traditionalist and (perhaps stupidly) prefer the look of a painted P or J bass to these works of art so not sure they would be for me, but the one thing I did take away from the trial was the low B strings on them and how good they felt/sounded.

 

PS - I know Alan's newer Retro series is closer to the traditional look, but there is also  the fact that I'd never get a custom purchase past the Bank of Mrs HH.....

[Krikcet]

27 minutes ago, Huge Hands said:

I am a bit of a traditionalist

No shame in that! If it ain't broke...

 

I've read pretty much every ACG related forum post out there, and I'm hoping this thread can help out other people that are thinking about an ACG build in the future. Even saying that they're not for you is helpful!

[Merton]

43 minutes ago, Huge Hands said:

All I can add to this is that I met up with @eude and @Merton a good few years ago and they both kindly let me have a try of their ACGs.   I felt like a bit of a poor relation handing my trusty old Squier over to them in exchange!

 

I am a bit of a traditionalist and (perhaps stupidly) prefer the look of a painted P or J bass to these works of art so not sure they would be for me, but the one thing I did take away from the trial was the low B strings on them and how good they felt/sounded.

 

PS - I know Alan's newer Retro series is closer to the traditional look, but there is also  the fact that I'd never get a custom purchase past the Bank of Mrs HH.....

My new RetroB is quite the trad looking baby with all the perks of being a bloody lovely ACG:

 

[Huge Hands]

5 minutes ago, Merton said:

My new RetroB is quite the trad looking baby with all the perks of being a bloody lovely ACG:

Methinks another meet up is long overdue!

 

EDIT - although I think I have exactly the same gear as last time lol!

Edited 2 hours ago by Huge Hands

[Krikcet]

6 minutes ago, Merton said:

My new RetroB is quite the trad looking baby with all the perks of being a bloody lovely ACG

This is the bass that pushed me to finally pull the trigger on my first build!

[Merton]

2 minutes ago, Huge Hands said:

Methinks another meet up is long overdue!

 

EDIT - although I think I have exactly the same gear as last time lol!

Connversely @eude and I have changed everything 3 or 4 times each 🤣

[Merton]

1 hour ago, Krikcet said:

This is the bass that pushed me to finally pull the trigger on my first build!

It’s ace. The plan was essentially a bass which can look relatively “standard” whilst being anything but. In terms of wood specs it may look plain but Holly is an expensive luxury, and the ebony and bloodwood blocks board is up there with the higher options you can go with.

Electronics-wise it’s basic but has the potential to be added to (not likely that I will, I like passive basses!), but with the pickups and coil select there is immense variety. As an overall package it’s an absolute delight and perfection for me

 

Edit: should add my 2 cents on string spacing. I’ve had 5 strings from Alan with 19mm, 17mm and 16.5mm spacing, and other 5ers with 18mm. My fave is definitely 17mm, and I have to say I

delighted that I chose this for the RetroB as it falls under the right hand beautifully for me. If string spacing is a prime requirement, stick with that. The MC/Uber spec is great but you won’t be left wanting for tonal variety with the B series pickups and a standard preamp at all. 

Edited 50 minutes ago by Merton

[Krikcet]

9 minutes ago, Merton said:

you won’t be left wanting

I'm so glad I made this post! You guys have made me feel so much better about this 😆

 

Regarding your bass, your original NBD post mentioned an "ultra slim profile". Is this a specification you requested, or more of a remark on Alan's usual necks?

[Merton]

Just now, Krikcet said:

I'm so glad I made this post! You guys have made me feel so much better about this 😆

 

Regarding your bass, your original NBD post mentioned an "ultra slim profile". Is this a specification you requested, or more of a remark on Alan's usual necks?

Alan tends to go for fatter necks than I’d like as standard on a 5, so I specced a slimmer profile. @eude does the same so if you were to spec a “Ewan style carve” Alan will know exactly what you mean. Whereabouts are you based? Wondering if we can find a way for you to fondle my RetroB…

[Krikcet]

3 minutes ago, Merton said:

Alan tends to go for fatter necks than I’d like as standard on a 5, so I specced a slimmer profile. @eude does the same so if you were to spec a “Ewan style carve” Alan will know exactly what you mean. Whereabouts are you based? Wondering if we can find a way for you to fondle my RetroB…

As much as I'd love a good fondle, I'm based in Central New York, so that might be difficult.

 

Does your neck still have the assymetric profile?

[Merton]

14 minutes ago, Krikcet said:

As much as I'd love a good fondle, I'm based in Central New York, so that might be difficult.

 

Does your neck still have the assymetric profile?

Ah dammit 😆

Yes it does, the asymmetric profile  is bloody lush

[Krikcet]

6 minutes ago, Merton said:

Ah dammit 😆

Yes it does, the asymmetric profile  is bloody lush

The wife and I have been tentatively planning a trip to Scotland next year (independent of my new ACG build), but I should have an ACG of my own by then.

 

 

Hmm maybe I'll ask Alan about that slimmer profile. I already feel like I've bothered him so much, I'm scared to ask anymore questions!