Matt's Custom 4-string Bass

[mica]

1. Wood topped pickups (like Rami's) are $300 each. Full cases (like the doubleneck) are $600 each. There is no affect on the sound.
 
2. The turned dome knobs are $150 each (like Rami's). Multilam knobs are $250 each. Our knobs are turned by my uncle Bob and are always out of choice woods.  
 
There are off-the-shelf wooden knobs available, I've seen them in some guitar parts catalogs, and they are much less expensive than ours (of course, they aren't specifically made for you either).  
 
3. CVQ is available only for Series I/II instruments. To change to a 3-position Q switch will be $55.

[Matt Bulmer (prime)]

Ok, I'm going to get the 3 position Q switches instead of the 2s.
 
And I'm going to do brass hardware with the gold stamped pickups. (That's the way it was going to come anyways right?)
 
When I send the bass back for the inlay, I'll have the hardware plated.
 
This is SO AWESOME!!! I ought to have basses built more often!

[Matt Bulmer (prime)]

I think I'm going want to do a custom headstock as well if the Crown or Fan don't mesh with the theme of the body design. I think I read somewhere that it's 150 for custom headstock templates.
 

[mica]

Yes, gold stamped pickups and brass hardware are standard.  
 
Typically the peghead templates are $150, it all depends on the design and the complexity of manufacture (for instance, a scrolled peghead would be more than $150).
 
I'm still working on your body design.

[Matt Bulmer (prime)]

Mica I talked to Chris and he was willing to send a Lakland out to you to get the neck measurements. (At my cost of course.) I think you had said something about taking initial measurements at the 1st and highest possible frets to help reduce the time you would have the bass for. When would be a good time to actually ship you the bass, in order to minimize the time that Chris is without the instrument?  
   
Also when you're doing the body drawings, can you do one the same way as stated above but with a scrolled upper horn similar to this picture?  
   
P.S. For anyone that's interested, this bass was made by a great private luthier by the name of Darrin Huff. You can find his site at  
 
http://www.dhuffguitars.com
 
Sorry about that Darrin  
 
The top of this bass is made from Burl Thuya. Could you get me a piece of this Mica?  
   


 
 
(Message edited by prime on January 31, 2003)
 
(Message edited by prime on January 31, 2003)

[mica]

Hey Matt,
 
I'm having a dandy of a time getting your body design based on a Rogue.
 

 
It's hard to pick where the symmetry will work - it'll either  be really skimpy or really huge at the bottom. With the addition of a scrolled horn and the side omegas, I'm getting the feeling we should scrap the idea of basing it on a Rogue at all, as it will not resemble a Rogue even slightly.
 
Let me know your thoughts and comments.

[Matt Bulmer (prime)]

Here it is Mica this is kinda what I'm looking for. I'm not all that good with the drawing though. I think I made the omegas a little to small. Hopeully you can take it from here though.  
 

[mica]

OK cool, I'm not crazy - it won't look a thing like a Rouge by the time we're done with it. Thanks for the sketch - I wouldn't have known about the lower horn idea without it.  I've got good stuff to work with now and I'll post some ideas for you either this evening or tomorrow morning.

[Matt Bulmer (prime)]

Here's another pic of what I envision the entire bass to look like. The ball on the upper horn is the scroll that I couldn't draw right, so I left it blank.
 

[Matt Bulmer (prime)]

Awesome, Thanks Mica!
 

[Matt Bulmer (prime)]

Can you get the Thuya Burl like the picture above? Also what are your experiences with Macassar as a fingerboard? I believe it should behave the same as Gaboon ebony and I love the way it looks.

[mica]

I've got a couple of suppliers that have Thuya Burl available, we've never used it on an instrument top, so I'm not sure about its affect on the sound.  
 
Macassar makes a great fingerboard, especially if you like the looks of the figuring. I've never noticed any difference in service between the Gabon and the Macassar as fingerboards. The Series II on the product page has a Macassar Ebony fingerboard, it looks quite stunning.

[Matt Bulmer (prime)]

How much is the Thuya. If you can get a 1 piece top thats as burly as the pic I posted, that is what I want. Is there a price difference for the Macassar fingerboard?

[mica]

I'll find out about the Thuya Burl, it may take a few days to get back with pricing and availabilty.  
 
There's no price difference for the Mac Eb fingerboard, just need to know you want it.

[mica]

I'll need to know if you're still looking for a bookmatch to center so I can locate the right piece of wood for your bass.