Alpher Custom Build, Did I get my Spec Right?

[Hazza2004]

Hi there everyone!

 

Its been a while since I posted on here but here we go.  I am about to kick off a custom bass build with Alpher (Mako 5 Elite) and I wanted to get a grasp of people's experiences with their own custom builds.  If you have gone through the process I'd love to know how you felt the process went? If you started the build again are there any changes that you would make to your bass? How happy are you with the final product?  I am fairly set on the specs for my build (33" scale, English walnut top, ash body, roasted maple neck, wenge or pau ferro fretboard, Maybe thinline (still undecided) and Aguilar Super Double and P pickups), but I would also love to get some feedback on whether you think there are any changes that would get me closer to my goal!  This build is mainly for my own work as an artist (as well as a couple of Jazz artists I work with), so will be stung E-C and very inspired by Janek Gwizdala (soloing + Chordal Comping) as well as Rocco Palladino (actual Bass playing) in terms of tone.  Really want a bass that feels super responsive and powerful whilst still being a passive instrument, Have I got the Spec right? any changes that you might want to suggest?

 

All the best, 

Harry

[NancyJohnson]

I had Mike Lull build me an NRT5 (see below) with Bass Direct having to handle the logistics.  I'd gave preferred to have gone direct, but Bass Direct were the business handling UK distribution, so I pushed to go through them.

 

By way of advice, check your build specs several times and contact the builder directly for confirmation of these.  From memory, I specced out everything in finite detail; woods, pickups, hardware, colour etc. but what was confirmed back was littered with errors.  I was forking over more than £5k for this and I wanted it to be right, so I was a bit frantic.  Eventually, I just went to Lull direct to firm things up.

 

[Hazza2004]

Thank you @NancyJohnson,  Ill be sure to do this

 

[Kev]

43 minutes ago, Hazza2004 said:

Hi there everyone!

 

Its been a while since I posted on here but here we go.  I am about to kick off a custom bass build with Alpher (Mako 5 Elite) and I wanted to get a grasp of people's experiences with their own custom builds.  If you have gone through the process I'd love to know how you felt the process went? If you started the build again are there any changes that you would make to your bass? How happy are you with the final product?  I am fairly set on the specs for my build (33" scale, English walnut top, ash body, roasted maple neck, wenge or pau ferro fretboard, Maybe thinline (still undecided) and Aguilar Super Double and P pickups), but I would also love to get some feedback on whether you think there are any changes that would get me closer to my goal!  This build is mainly for my own work as an artist (as well as a couple of Jazz artists I work with), so will be stung E-C and very inspired by Janek Gwizdala (soloing + Chordal Comping) as well as Rocco Palladino (actual Bass playing) in terms of tone.  Really want a bass that feels super responsive and powerful whilst still being a passive instrument, Have I got the Spec right? any changes that you might want to suggest?

 

All the best, 

Harry

 

Hi Harry, you've chose one of the best luthiers in the country!

 

Chris will generally run everything past you stage by stage, you'll choose all the wood blanks (he let me choose directly from the supplier, not just stock he had), the exact hardware you want etc.  You'll get photos every time he works on it and isn't precious about changing spec during the build (provided he hasn't already done the work!)  I can't give any recommendations on what spec your bass will be, but whatever you ask for Chris and Alex will deliver, and their communication is terrific.