Pernax Posted January 19, 2004 Share Posted January 19, 2004 I finally had some time to take some pictures of my new baby, a custom 5-string bass made by Finlandia Instruments (a local one man operation, an old friend of mine). Here are some pictures to get you guys started: http://www.helionprog.com/pics/temp/bass1.jpg http://www.helionprog.com/pics/temp/bass2.jpg Here are the specs: -The body is alder, with a flamed maple top (also used in the headstock and truss rod cover). -Neck and fretboard are both maple (34" scale, 15" radius), the neck has thin oak laminates between the 3 pieces. -The neck pickup is a Seymour Duncan SJB-5n. -The bridge pickup is a Seymour Duncan SMB-5A. -The bass is equipped with the Aguilar OBP-3 preamp running at 18V (cheers Alex!). -The bridge is made by Schaller. -The tuners are made by Gotoh. -The bass is also equipped with Schaller strap locks and a quick-access double battery box on the back. The controls are as follows: Pots: Main volume, blend, bass cut/boost, mid c/b, treble c/b Switches: Bridge pickup parallel/series/single coil, Mid frequency 800Hz/400Hz, Active preamp on/bypassed The bass is well constructed, the neck pocket is tight, and the bass feels like an all round solid instrument, the only minor flaw being the rough finish just around the neck bolts on the back, but it's just a small cosmetic glitch, overall I'm really impressed by the feel and looks of the bass. Here are some first impressions after a quick jam session: The bass is easy to play, the action is nice and low, and the B-string isn't sloppy at all, which is a must in the style of music I play. The neck feels comfortable, and is all in all quite fast to get around. We used the neck of the Ibanez BTB as a guideline when going through the options, so I felt quite at home when I first picked up the new bass (even when the BTB has a 35" scale neck). The balance of the bass is good as well, there is not even a hint of neckdive with it, and even with the big body, it's comfortable to play. The tone unplugged is quite punchy, and one could call it even a bit snappy, but in a good way. Plugged in, the tonal possibilities are quite varied due to the different pickups and the options presented by the electronics. When balanced more towards the bridge pickup, the sound is to a huge surprise quite Stingrayish , punchy with a slight growly edge, just what I was looking for, it cuts through the guitars quite nicely, which is a must when playing loud metal. The neck pickup can be used to add some roundness to the tone, but sounds good on its own as well, but I didn't spend that much time looking for the ultimate tone yet. I could dial in a really good slap-tone too by favoring the bridge pickup and cutting the mids a bit, just as one might expect. The sound is good in passive mode too, a bit more mellow one could say, but it really is brought to life with the Aguilar unit switched on. It's hard to find the right words to describe it, maybe "rich" could be close, also I've heard the fitting term "musical" used in conjunction with the Aggie. So, the bass is just what I was looking for when I first began going through all the different options. The finish is really nice, it doesn't really show it's true potential in the pictures, so yall just have to take my word for it. I could probably use the term "Stingray on steroids" quite safely with this baby, and the nicest thing is that it was considerably cheaper than a basic Stingray, so you can imagine that I'm all smiles . -Pernax (up to 200 characters) You may use UBBCode in your signature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
... Posted January 19, 2004 Share Posted January 19, 2004 That's a beautiful bass, Pernax! I love the shade of red, most, most excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc taz Posted January 19, 2004 Share Posted January 19, 2004 Sweet. Want to trade that for my Yamaha? Just kidding... sevenstring.org profile my flickr page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Sweet Willie_ Posted January 20, 2004 Share Posted January 20, 2004 Wow! Gorgeous! spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getz out Posted January 20, 2004 Share Posted January 20, 2004 Oh yeah, that's nice. Mmm... great color on the finish. Best of luck with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Phil Posted January 20, 2004 Share Posted January 20, 2004 freaking beauty. http://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/blue.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/black.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/fuscia.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/grey.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/orange.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/purple.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/red.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/yellow.JPG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PickPunk Posted January 20, 2004 Share Posted January 20, 2004 ***drooooool*** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted January 20, 2004 Share Posted January 20, 2004 Oh my, that is a very pretty bass - definitely worthy of the Aguilar If it sounds as good as it looks your Ibanezes (is that the right plural?) will be taking early retirement! Alex Barefaced Ltd - ultra lightweight, high ouput, toneful bass cabs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Sweet Willie_ Posted January 20, 2004 Share Posted January 20, 2004 Really a stunning instrument. That red is truly lovely. I've certainly wondered what the Seymour Duncan MM humbucker would be like with the Aguilar OBP-3. Your report rates it as a good match. When you've played it some more, I'd like to hear more details about your impressions of the OBP-3. Peace. --Willie spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saxofunk Posted January 20, 2004 Share Posted January 20, 2004 That is a gorgeous bass! Yes, indeedlidoo! - Matt W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted January 20, 2004 Share Posted January 20, 2004 Beautiful bass, Pernax! Looks like a keeper to me! Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Capasso Posted January 21, 2004 Share Posted January 21, 2004 Given your bridge PUP, I'm not surprised at all about the Stingray similarity. So the roughness is on the body, not the neck? is it the finish bubbling a bit? You're right - that's a very small thing. I'll be curious about the passive tone, and to see if you use the switches. The knobs being in line like that look close together - is it hard to turn them? I love red, and love the way it goes with the maple fretboard. The use of oak is unusual here, but it's a good choice for "stringers" (that's what they call the thin laminates sometimes). I had heard that oak can be heavy, but weight isn't an issue as a stringer. I bet it looks very cool. How did he make the head - are there pieces added to widen the neck, or was it all cut that way? Is the red part of the headstock a maple cap? I prefer when the headstock matches the body like yours does... How is the weight? Beautiful instrument - play it in good health for many years !!!! Tom www.stoneflyrocks.com Acoustic Color Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground. - Theodore Roosevelt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basshappi Posted January 21, 2004 Share Posted January 21, 2004 Congratulations Pernax! That is a fantastic looking instrument! Beautiful color and I compliment you on the choice of maple for the fretboard. That p'up combo looks like it will offer you quite a bit of flexability and with that Aguilar Pre...Monsterous! Again, congrats! Nothing is as it seems but everything is exactly what it is - B. Banzai Life is what happens while you are busy playing in bands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pernax Posted January 21, 2004 Author Share Posted January 21, 2004 Thanks guys for the compliments, I think that I'll be enjoying this particular bass for a long long time. To Sweet's and Tom's questions about tone, it will take some time to get used to the sound, both active and passive, so I'll get back to you on that on a later date. Maybe even with some sound clips. As for Tom's other questions, the headstock has indeed small pieces on the sides for the extra width. The red part is a flamed maple cap, from the same wood which is used on the top of the body (and the truss rod cover). The small cosmetic glitch of the finish I mentioned is on the body just around the "pits" for the neck bolts, the neck is perfect, and this doesn't affect the playability in any way. The knobs are quite close to each others, but still easily usable, at least with my fingers. We did spend a bit of time to find the optimum spacing between the knobs during construction, but some people might have difficulties with such a crowded layout. As for the switches, I think that I'll find a certain setting which I will favor, but it's good to have the possibility to change the sound when needed. As for the weight, I have to say that don't really know. It feels a bit lighter than the Ibanez BTB405, which isn't the lightest of basses. With a wide enough strap, all I can say is that the weight isn't a problem . Here are a few closeups of the headstock: http://www.helionprog.com/pics/temp/head1.jpg http://www.helionprog.com/pics/temp/head2.jpg -Pernax (up to 200 characters) You may use UBBCode in your signature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All Tubes Posted January 21, 2004 Share Posted January 21, 2004 niiiiiiice! I had some ideas of designing a bass and having it custom built by mike lull.You and I must think a lot alike,that bass is pretty much identical to what I want. i grew up watching TV and i turned out TV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc taz Posted January 21, 2004 Share Posted January 21, 2004 Umm okay, now that I think of it, I don't want to trade. I love having two humbuckers anyway. Keeps the noise out. I wouldn't have too much of a problem with the knob layout. Of course, the other reason why I like yours is that it's a 34 inch scale. My hands aren't too big, and as long as it's built well, a 34 can work just as well as a 35 or even a 36. The string spacing seems comfortable, too. I bet that bass sounds great with a pick. (Sorry, had to ask, 'cause I play pickstyle, too, though I am primarily a digit guy. ) sevenstring.org profile my flickr page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Capasso Posted January 21, 2004 Share Posted January 21, 2004 Thanks for the answers - your headstock construction is very similar to mine. My cap isn't as thick as yours - mine almost looks like it's just paint/stain. The headstock looks great - thanks for the pictures! The knobs are quite close to each others, but still easily usable, at least with my fingers. My advise is to stay with fingers. It's amazing how inaccurately I was setting the controls with my elbow If the weight is similar to that Ibanez, it's at least a "medium" weight for a bass that size. I've felt some that are heavier, and it's not what I'd want. Sounds like yours will be very comfortable. Tom www.stoneflyrocks.com Acoustic Color Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground. - Theodore Roosevelt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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