Mike's Flame Maple Custom

[jpj678]

That neck is amazing.  I would have gone with a different top, but still awesome.

[pace]

thanks Tim,
 
I played it safe this time around. In contrast to the Ebony/PH stringers, I wanted lighter woods for the wings. I also knew the maple/mahogany combo wouldnt add a funky timbre to the mix. The top came from the JE Spyder stock~ it was somewhere in the middle of the pile, and as soon as Mica laid it out there wasnt a choice....

[valvil]

Hello Mike,
 
my idea was to have a 5 string tuned DGCFA. In other words like a guitar tuned down a whole step but without the high E string.  I don't like the sound of notes below D, not even on a Steinway grand piano, so this would let me go as low I care to go, and still give me the ability to use extended chords.
 
Valentino

[bsee]

I want to try a very similar setup, and probably will on my medium scale Persuader 5 if I ever get around to it.  I also found it to difficult to get good notes below the low D, and also found almost no need for them.  I was going to go Bb on the top string though, just to maintain simplicity in fingering bass patterns.  I guess that since I chord very infrequently, that benefit of the A on top is less important to me.
 
I figured that, worst case, I could use a capo if I ever needed to cover a tune that relies on the traditional open strings.
 
-Bob

[son_of_magni]

That is one unbelievably beautiful bass, it gives me shivers just looking at the pictures!  I'm curious what it weighs, that's a lot of purpleheart and ebony.

[son_of_magni]

And a question for Mica.  Do you know what variety of purpleheart that is, and did you do anything special to bring out the color like shine light or heat on it or something?

[valvil]

That's just our usual purpleheart; we didn't do anything to it. Pictures are a bit overexposed so it looks darker, plus your monitor calibration also affects the way you see it.
 
Valentino