pantherairsoft Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 (edited) Hi people. This has been in discussion for some time but as I have only just finalised a few more finite details with Bernie I thought now would be a good time to start a build diary, which I will update each time I receive any news from Mr Goodfellow. I have had the intention to go all 6 for a while, and having recently obtained my Roscoe 6 Fretless I knew it was to be the right move. I had fallen into having two 5 strings, one strung B-G and another E-C. It not only meant I was taking 2 instruments out, but also kept confusing my poor brain swapping between layouts... The Roscoe is very comfy and the transition to 6 was surprisingly easy. As such I immediately knew I wanted my GB's sound on the 6 string layout. Not being a huge fan of the Rumour shape, but loving the sound, feel and balance of my Spitfire 5 there was only one option... This is the first 6 string Spitfire Bernie has been asked to make (Although since we started this up he was commissioned to build a 6 string neck thru version as well), after numerous 6 string Rumour's it was only a matter of time before someone asked! I spent a little time at GB Guitars a month or so back trying to find a top that would not only look great but was proportioned right against 6 string pickups and a bridge on it and I feel we have come up with something special… The job sheet looks something like this… 6 String GB Spitfire Custom Spalted Top Lightweight Ash Body 35" scale Birdseye maple neck with matching Birdseye maple fingerboard GB Bass Processor, G-Spot and GB Kick-Drum electronics Black Hardware, O-ring knobs, Schaller Strap Locks etc. We have a little work to do on the neck profile as I aim for a slimmer profile that usual, not too dissimilar to that of my Roscoe Fretless, but that will come in time. As this is the first 6 a few minor changes need to be made to things like the regular head-stock, as such I don't expect this to be a quick project. That said, when Bernie gets stuck into something he tends to work at some pace, so who knows! To get the ball rolling here is the nice bit of Spalted that we picked for the top. The 'Rot' running through the middle is an almost perfect width for 6 string pickups and bridge and they look lovely sat atop it… I think it will work a treat! Enjoy, Shep Edited January 27, 2011 by pantherairsoft Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 Nice one mate This is a really exciting project, will be watching this one closely!... Eude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantherairsoft Posted May 13, 2010 Author Share Posted May 13, 2010 Cheers Eude, Yes it should be awesome. I'm pretty damn excited about it all. Bernie has produced some stunningly good Birdseye maple boards over recent times as well. Having had one in my hands when I was down in Brighton there was no doubt about what was going on this bass! Shep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essexbasscat Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 Congrats on the impending new addition to the household Shep !! T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgraham Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 Loving that top! I remember how excited you were when you were telling me about it a few weeks ago. You must be pleased that it's underway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urb Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 That looks lovely - funny how Bernie is now using a lot more spalted and buckeye top woods after having been a might disparaging about the pieces used on my Seis... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantherairsoft Posted May 14, 2010 Author Share Posted May 14, 2010 [quote name='urb' post='837009' date='May 14 2010, 11:24 AM']That looks lovely - funny how Bernie is now using a lot more spalted and buckeye top woods after having been a might disparaging about the pieces used on my Seis...[/quote] Ha. I know what you mean. In fairness though he did mention when I was there that he used to hate Spalted, but has to accept that the general trend now is that they are popular and as such he has to hold his hand up and be more open about using them… people want them so he needs to use them. Told me a story about fighting over a nice Spalted top with another Luthier when they were at a suppliers at the same time. I think thats when he realised he likes them more than he realised :-) I think he is warming to Spalted and Burl secretly, and he seems to accept that times have changed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 I still think he is personally not a fan of Buckeye or Spalts... but to quote the man himself, "The customer pays, the customer says". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urb Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 [quote name='EBS_freak' post='837059' date='May 14 2010, 12:20 PM']I still think he is personally not a fan of Buckeye or Spalts... but to quote the man himself, "The customer pays, the customer says".[/quote] Yeah I agree - I guess it's down to personal taste - as it happens in truth I'm not a big fan of all the quilted maple he uses but I was just over on the GB porn thread earlier and some of the recent work he's done has been really impressive and I can see he's branching out and trying new things - which I can only applaud. He's been making some very fine looking instruments of late so I have no doubt this one will be just as stunning.. Cheers Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 Could be interesting as I don't know anything about GB basses... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 [quote name='urb' post='837139' date='May 14 2010, 01:44 PM']Yeah I agree - I guess it's down to personal taste - as it happens in truth I'm not a big fan of all the quilted maple he uses but I was just over on the GB porn thread earlier and some of the recent work he's done has been really impressive and I can see he's branching out and trying new things - which I can only applaud. He's been making some very fine looking instruments of late so I have no doubt this one will be just as stunning.. Cheers Mike[/quote] True, there are always going to be different tastes for different folks. He has some absolutely amazing quilt that I think he is saving for a rainy day. I think the reason why there are so many quilted GBs is that is what people generally ask for. It all goes through phases though... There are always going to be those guys who want solid colours, the guys that want the PRS double stain sort of thing and then the coffee table folks. There will be the people who go in there who have no idea what they are want and shown pieces of wood... and then there will be guys who know what they want down to the colour of the screws. As people know, I am more in the burl walnut camp... although my latest will be painted... and completely unoriginal. As for buckeye, I'm generally not a fan - but there like all woods, there are so many different pieces out there, there are instances of buckeye that have me made go "wow". Similarly, I'm not the greatest fan of spalt... but funnily enough, I do have a spalted stratocaster. To think... ten years ago, buckeye was used for wooden packing cases. I'm sure the see through acrylic basses will make a reappearance at one point too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantherairsoft Posted June 16, 2010 Author Share Posted June 16, 2010 [quote name='EBS_freak' post='837200' date='May 14 2010, 02:31 PM']I'm sure the see through acrylic basses will make a reappearance at one point too![/quote] God I hope not! Had a good chat with Bernie. Much of the design work is sorted with changes needed to produce the Spitfire as a 6'er and pics should be with my shortly so watch this space! :-) And despite best efforts to change my mind… I'm sticking with the Spalted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 2 build diaries at the same time! You lucky pup Can't wait to see these basses develop matey... Eude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantherairsoft Posted June 16, 2010 Author Share Posted June 16, 2010 [quote name='eude' post='868758' date='Jun 16 2010, 09:24 AM']2 build diaries at the same time! You lucky pup Can't wait to see these basses develop matey... Eude[/quote] Yeah me too! :-) 2010 was the year to treat myself. 2 custom builds and a wedding… :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgraham Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 [homer simpson-esque voice] SwwwweEEEeeeEEEEeeetuh [/homer simpson-esque voice] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 [quote name='pantherairsoft' post='868760' date='Jun 16 2010, 09:26 AM']Yeah me too! :-) 2010 was the year to treat myself. 2 custom builds and a wedding… :-)[/quote] Geez dude! You must've struck oil in your back garden! 2010 is a big year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantherairsoft Posted June 16, 2010 Author Share Posted June 16, 2010 [quote name='eude' post='868762' date='Jun 16 2010, 09:27 AM']Geez dude! You must've struck oil in your back garden! 2010 is a big year! [/quote] Nah. I just have a good credit rating ;-) … and an understanding wife-to-be! Ha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted June 16, 2010 Share Posted June 16, 2010 [quote name='pantherairsoft' post='868753' date='Jun 16 2010, 09:18 AM']Had a good chat with Bernie. Much of the design work is sorted with changes needed to produce the Spitfire as a 6'er and pics should be with my shortly so watch this space! :-) And despite best efforts to change my mind… I'm sticking with the Spalted![/quote] Let me guess, he was pushing his new white colour?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantherairsoft Posted June 16, 2010 Author Share Posted June 16, 2010 [quote name='EBS_freak' post='869460' date='Jun 16 2010, 09:24 PM']Let me guess, he was pushing his new white colour?![/quote] Ha. No, although I have heard about it! :-) Just a few too many comments like " I have some other lovely tops, I'll make sure I send you photo's before you commit to the Spalted" :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted June 17, 2010 Share Posted June 17, 2010 [quote name='pantherairsoft' post='869517' date='Jun 16 2010, 10:20 PM']Just a few too many comments like " I have some other lovely tops, I'll make sure I send you photo's before you commit to the Spalted" :-)[/quote] [quote name='pantherairsoft']I think he is warming to Spalted and Burl secretly, and he seems to accept that times have changed.[/quote] Hmm... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgraham Posted June 17, 2010 Share Posted June 17, 2010 Well, I think the spalted looks great! It'll still be a great bass regardless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted June 17, 2010 Share Posted June 17, 2010 [quote name='mcgraham' post='869889' date='Jun 17 2010, 01:56 PM']Well, I think the spalted looks great! It'll still be a great bass regardless[/quote] I'm guessing it will. I had reservations with my custom strat but I think it turned out OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgraham Posted June 17, 2010 Share Posted June 17, 2010 Sweet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantherairsoft Posted June 17, 2010 Author Share Posted June 17, 2010 The strat doesn't actually look all that spalted... Looks like the 'enhanced grain' of the ash on my Roscoe.. Nice either way! I'm set on that spalted. I love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted June 17, 2010 Share Posted June 17, 2010 [quote name='pantherairsoft' post='870017' date='Jun 17 2010, 04:43 PM']The strat doesn't actually look all that spalted... Looks like the 'enhanced grain' of the ash on my Roscoe.. Nice either way! I'm set on that spalted. I love it.[/quote] Not overly spalted true... but check behind the bridge. When I saw that as a piece of wood before carving, I wasn't overly convinced... but it seemed to turn out OK. Good for you being set on spalted. Have what you like!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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