Author Topic: December Special (Read 393 times)

adriaan · « **on:** December 10, 2003, 03:50:05 AM »

The offer is tempting: free customizations at 20% of the retail price. So if I ordered an Essence 4, at 3800 USD, that would be 760 USD to spend.

I wonder how much it would cost to build one like a Brown Bass, so mahogany as the main neck component. For clarity, perhaps one or two maple laminates, or a maple top. To tighten up the bottom end, a vermillion body. Myrtle or walnut top, unlined fretless, with Epic electronics.

It's got to have a woody tone with a firm low end. Not too much mwaah, must respond well to both soft and hard playing.

mica · « **Reply #1 on:** December 10, 2003, 12:09:13 PM »

Something like that would run:

3800 + 200 (vermilion body) + 0 (Mahogany and Maple neck). + 100 (Epic electronics) + 0 (unlined fretless)

That still leaves $460 for options. Maybe a Superb Walnut top? Unless you go with a Burl Myrtle top, our stock is fairly plain for Brown Bass bodies. You're still thinking 34 scale and a standard Essence body shape?

adriaan · « **Reply #2 on:** December 11, 2003, 02:49:56 AM »

Hi Mica,

Thank you for reponding so quickly. I will have to check with the local distributor about the price he would charge for a special-order Essence: at this point I'm still only dreaming, though the deadline for the special is of course getting near.

The main concern would be to have a big fundamental to the sound, so I think the 34 scale would be vital. I've tried medium (Spoiler) and short scale (Small Standard shaped Spoiler) in the past, and the low end wasn't too convincing.

I would love to have a Standard Point body shape and a crown headstock, but that's another 700 USD. By the way, is there any particular reason why the SP shape is 500 on an Essence, while a Small Standard shape is just 100?

The 'official' Brown Bass has a 5-piece mahogany and maple neck [or Mahogany/Maple/Purpleheart/Maple/Mahogany?] - would that be a no-charge option on the Essence, or are you referring to a 3-piece mahogany neck with maple pinstripes?

The last item would be the top wood. In an ideal world I wouldn't have to think twice about ordering it with a koa top. Unless you have some relatively plain looking koa, the kind you sometimes see on Spoilers ... Then again I really like the look of bird's eye maple on some of those 70s Alembics, without the contrast laminate.

Again thank you for the input!

(Message edited by adriaan on December 11, 2003)

mica · « **Reply #3 on:** December 11, 2003, 05:59:45 AM »

The 3-piece neck on the Essence can be made of any combination of Mahogany or Maple without charge. A 5-piece neck runs $200.

The Small Standard body uses a smaller piece of wood and doesn't have the carving and finishing labor associated with the SP.

We have a supply of koa we call watermark that doesn't have any flame figure at all. It sort of looks like water evaporated off the surface and is similar to the original solid koa Spoilers. This wood is not an additional charge, but may not be big enough for the SP body. Koa produces a notably thumpy tone, with less highs than most other woods we use. You could counter that some by using a bird's-eye top with the watermark koa as an accent laminate.

adriaan · « **Reply #4 on:** December 11, 2003, 07:17:26 AM »

If the koa 'thump' you describe is related to the double bass 'thump', then that must be why I love my koa topped fretless Epic! besides the good looks ...

I appreciate your comments about the Standard Point shape, though it begs the question why the SC Signature Standard doesn't cost less than the MK Signature Standard ;-)

But okay, what do we have up to this point?
* vermillion body 200
* koa accent laminate 0
* bird's eye maple top 0
* 5-piece neck (mahogany-maple-purpleheart-maple-mahogany) 200 ***
* Epic electronics 100

*** I guess 200 is probably only for a 5-piece maple and mahogany neck?

How much for a single ebony neck laminate?

And by the way, how much would a myrtle body cost?

mica · « **Reply #5 on:** December 11, 2003, 07:48:24 AM »

Or perhaps the question is why are we so nice to not charge extra for the SP on the Mark King? Slightly longer answer: the MK and SC basses are exepected to be made in SS and SP shapes, we even make them up in advance when we have time. The Essence is expected with an Essence shape, so changes do cost more. The Signature Standard and Deluxe models enjoy many features that would actually wind up costing more if you started with an Essence and built up - it's like a package deal.

Ooops! You're right - $400 is the correct price for a 5-piece neck, and any combo of maple, purpleheart and mahogany is fine. Since I goofed, we stick by the quoted price of $200 for 30 days, so you've got a month to get your own special. We'll have to point this out to the importer when you get a quote (you can refer them to this thread).

Cut the Ebony laminate upgrade in half for half the laminates.

Myrtle is the same price as vermilion.

adriaan · « **Reply #6 on:** December 11, 2003, 10:30:54 AM »

You are way too nice! I thought there would be a perfectly good reason for the price differences --- just a bit too nosy for my own good.

The single ebony laminate comes down to 725 - that would be on top of the 200 for the 5-piece neck?

mica · « **Reply #7 on:** December 11, 2003, 12:11:23 PM »

Indeed. You've got to have 5-pieces if you want to get a central ebony lam.

adriaan · « **Reply #8 on:** December 12, 2003, 07:21:58 AM »

Still dreaming ... but ebony is out of the question. Maybe one day ...

For a mahogany/maple/purpleheart neck - any ideas about the differences in sound when adding myrtle or vermillion as the body wood?

Staying within the budget, the Europa shape would be favourite, at 100. Does that price include the contours for tummy and elbow? How much would an Epic body be - if available on a neck-through?

In all, that would be 600 with the Epic electronics. And another 160 bucks to go ...

David Houck · « **Reply #9 on:** December 12, 2003, 08:50:34 AM »

Mica or Val or anyone else; if I'm following this correctly, a Mahogany and Maple neck is a no cost option? I'm thinking from past threads that the main reason to choose a Purpleheart and Maple neck over an all maple neck is for the additional sustain. What is the difference between a Mahogany and Maple neck versus an all Maple neck? I'm guessing it would add some sustain and some low-mid warmth.

adriaan · « **Reply #10 on:** December 15, 2003, 09:27:56 AM »

Hi Dave,

I was really thinking about mahogany for added warmth, and I wouldn't be surprised if it actually reduces the sustain a bit. The 'thump' of koa seems like an appropriate addition on a fretless.

It's a great surprise when Mica can come up with more options than you think you have. I just wonder what other brilliant options they're not publicizing ...