Author Topic: Eli Gilam's Custom Scorpion Signature (Read 370 times)

eligilam · « **on:** May 05, 2010, 01:04:49 PM »

Custom thoughts are beginning to solidify. Here's what I'm thinking so far:

1. Body shape: Scorpion (!) with point
2. Top: Purpleheart, Vermilion, or Walnut...which would look most badass?
3. Body: Maple
4. Neck: Standard maple and purpleheart
5. Electronics: Signature
6. Fretboard: Standard ebony with oval inlays
7. Finish: Standard shiny (vs. oil if walnut top?)
8. Hardware: chrome if purpleheart or vermilion, gold-plated if walnut...opinions on this from anyone?
9. LED's: yes, please. Side and front red.
10. Strings: 4
11. Scale: 32

Thanks for your ears and input.

sonicus · « **Reply #1 on:** May 05, 2010, 03:28:20 PM »

I like all of your build specs. I played a 1976 32 scale Series I Scorpion @ The Guitar Center in Holywood , Ca. about one year ago. It felt good. I think it is still there in fact last I checked. It seemed in decent shape even though I believe it had some finish checking if I remember correctly. I like the Scorpion with point body style.
http://vintageguitars.net/products/dispProd.cfm?id=186648

David Houck · « **Reply #2 on:** May 24, 2010, 07:29:06 PM »

Scorpion bodies are cool!

I'm thinking we've discussed the bass in the listing that Wolf cited because of the very unique laminate design on the body section of the neck. But now that I look at it some more this may be a different bass than the one we previously discussed. It's a very cool bass.

Sounds like a great project Eli. Did you decide on a top wood?

eligilam · « **Reply #3 on:** May 25, 2010, 09:00:05 AM »

Walnut's always a winner in my book, especially if the grain is cool. This typical wood may better compliment the otherwise atypical Scorpion body shape.

I'm also leaning towards the oil (matte?) finish over the shiny lacquer. I find that with flat-finish guitars, I feel a little less anxious about scratching, dinging, buckle rashing, fingerprinting, etc. on the surface.

I was a little concerned that purpleheart or vermilion may just look too purple or red...I don't want the bass to necessarily look like something that Prince would play. I still think, though, that either of those tops would look better with chrome hardware, which I'm partial to.

Thanks for the input!

gregduboc · « **Reply #4 on:** May 25, 2010, 09:28:20 AM »

Eli, I don't know if you want to keep the cost down a bit, but I've always dreamed of a Scorpion with a Burl Walnut top, with shiny lacquer. For me, that would be the ultimate badass...
It does tend to hold fingerprints with that finish, but the looks under stage lights are killer!

Greg

eligilam · « **Reply #5 on:** June 06, 2010, 08:19:54 AM »

Yeah...I think you're right. I've decided that burl walnut top with lacquer finish and gold-plated hardware would probably be the most badass of my possible combinations listed above.

I have a burl walnut Bee 7-string with oil finish...I can imagine that lacquer would bring out the wood grain much more than my initially-proposed oil finish on the Dream Scorpion.

One other addition I would like to make: the oft-highly-recommended central ebony laminate. Sound-wise, the reason is obvious. Appearance-wise, though, this would make a nice color compliment to the walnut face...

Does the Scorpion body shape have the upper strap peg on the horn or behind the neck, anybody know?

gregduboc · « **Reply #6 on:** June 06, 2010, 04:20:04 PM »

This will be an awesome bass... I love the Scorpion shape...!!
How about this neck recipe: Mahogany-Maple-Ebony-Maple-Mahogany?? The looks will be wild... And the sound would be pretty much wild too... And yes, golden hardware!

Greg Lake's had horn mounted strap button:

Greg