About 8-10 years ago I got it into my head that I wanted to build my own bass. Drew out the plans for a body, looked at necks and various pickup configurations, and studied the specs of a few preamps. Then, I discovered that things were a little pricier than I had first expected, and the vision of a bass that I could say I built got left on the wayside as Dad procured various instruments that he let me play.
About a month and a half ago, I decided to start looking at it again, now that I am (theoretically) gainfully employed, and once again, I looked toward Warmoth for a neck and body. I had liked the look of their Gecko instruments way back when, so I looked at those this time around. I was kinda disappointed that they no longer offer Kahler bridges, but there are others out there. Because of the years of playing Dad's L-Series G&Ls, I didn't really have to look far for which pickups to choose, and he was very helpful when I was choosing the other electronics. I started looking at their custom body/neck selections, and 5 weeks ago, I took the plunge. Earlier today, a majority of the parts arrived. (Don't worry, there will be pictures at the end.) Things have gotten very real in the past few days.
Parts list:
- Warmoth Medium Gecko Body, quilt maple on ash with a laminate accent, unfinished
- Warmoth Medium Gecko Neck
- Macassar ebony on maple
- Stainless Jumbo frets
- GraphTech Black TUSQ XL nut
- 1 7/8" nut width, 14" radius
- Satin nitro finish by Warmoth
- 2x G&L K-model 5-string humbuckers
- Hipshot A-Style bridge, preloaded with GraphTech GHOST piezos
- Nordstrand 3-band preamp, running at 18v
- Gotoh GB7-series tuners
- Cafe Walter piezo buffer
- The support of one Ken Baker (This one was quite expensive. Have you seen his rates? Yeesh.)
Now, for the thing I'm sure more than a few of you have put up with the rest of this post for (click for hi-res):
And, in case some of you wanted a better view of that neck inlay:
I have been asked to document this project of mine, and I will be posting updates here as they happen. Currently waiting on the pickups and that piezo buffer, then it'll be off to a local luthier to rout for the pickups and get the thing Plek'd.
This is going to be a very interesting next few weeks.
--
Kevin.