A new bass was born today!
I built this one on assignment for a bass player in The Netherlands.
Body and neck are mahogany
Fretboard is rosewood
Transparent black finish with pearloid binding
Seymour Duncan SRB-1B (rickenbacker replacement humbucker)
MEC on-on-on toggle (series, single coil, parallel)
Volume pot CTS
Babicz bridge
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-rbl1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ebrbl-body-outdoors1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-rbl-back1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-rbl-body1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-rbl-head-2-1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-rbl-controls-outdoors1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-rbl-trussrod-cover1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-rbl-in-case_orig.jpg)
Very nice bass, minimal but not boring. Truss rod access is on the heel under those two screws I get? Any soundclips?
Quote from: exiledarchangel on May 13, 2017, 02:44:11 PM
Truss rod access is on the heel under those two screws I get?
Correct. I used a spokewheel truss rod (MusicMan style).
No soundclips yet. Tomorrow my customer is picking it up. I'm sure he'll record some soundclips.
That is smok'n hot!
Beautiful!
That's beautiful!
34" scale?
On the SRB-1B, it looks like you had to modify the base plate and create a new ring.
Is that correct?
Thanx guys.
Yes it's 34" scale.
And yes it's the SRB-1B . And yes I cut off the "ears" and made a pickup ring for it
Here's a pic of the pickup before I modified it
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/seymour-duncan-met-oren_orig.jpg)
I chose three ply pickguard material(b-w-b) for the pickup ring. The white line is a nice little detail that goes well with the pearloid binding on the all black bass. And I even changed the height adjustment screws to black ones 8)
Really nice.
I would be temped to swap out the truss screws for chrome or paint those back.
8)
A Gibson may be good enough but a Brooks is better. Feel free to take that. Nice bass. I bet Gene Simmons would dig it too.
Beautiful!
I'm usually not a fan of binding but that pearloid looks great with the black.
Looks great. How's the balance?
Thank you guys
Quote from: amptech on May 14, 2017, 01:00:53 AM
How's the balance?
Perfect. The body is slightly oversized and the tuners are Schaller lightweights. No neckdive at all!
looks great, Rob! very nice!
I was already drooling over the instagram pics. How great!! great job!!
Fantastic, Rob! Raising the bar.
My only quibble is the TRC screws. They look like common black oxide drywall screws. Paint 'em, black!
Quote from: Basvarken on May 14, 2017, 03:24:08 AM
Thank you guys
Perfect. The body is slightly oversized and the tuners are Schaller lightweights. No neckdive at all!
Impressive.. You've done a really good job oversizing it while keepeng the looks intact.
Quote from: dadagoboi on May 14, 2017, 05:15:51 PM
Fantastic, Rob! Raising the bar.
My only quibble is the TRC screws. They look like common black oxide drywall screws. Paint 'em, black!
Thank you.
I think the close up picture may be a bit misleading. They are very tiny all black pickup up ring screws.
Very cool bass. Very odd choice of pickup. Customer request I'm assuming?
Quote from: Basvarken on May 14, 2017, 11:48:47 PM
Thank you.
I think the close up picture may be a bit misleading. They are very tiny all black pickup up ring screws.
:thumbsup: I should have known that!
Quote from: gearHed289 on May 15, 2017, 08:54:45 AM
Very cool bass. Very odd choice of pickup. Customer request I'm assuming?
Thank you Tom.
The customer wanted a humbucker.
I tried a Strat dual rail humbucker in single coil format first. This way I could maintain the fifties single coil look. But the string spacing of the guitar pickup was just a bit too wide to take the risk.
To avoid string spacing vs pole piece problems we went on a search for a (black) bass humbucker with blade magnets. Several options came up, such as Nordstrand and JBE R-4000.
Eventually we chose the Seymour Duncan pickup. The sound clips that I heard were very convincing.
Cutting off those ears was never a real threshold. (they look pretty silly to me anyway).
Neither was the fact that I had to make the pickup ring myself.
I hope the new owner will make sound clips soon.
Very nice work. :toast:
I look forward to hearing some sound clips.
That's killer, Rob.
All black hardware, I see... Is your client a German lawyer? :popcorn:
Haha, no a Dutch website builder.
He plays in a Volbeat tribute band.
The ears are there to fit the Ric bridge pickup mount. No reason for you to keep them.
The bass was picked up yesterday by the guy who I built it for.
He immediately changed the black speed knob for an oversized volume knob from an Orange amp. This was all planned. I just put the speed knob on for the photographs, because I didn't have the Orange knob at hand.
Anyway, here is the bass with the new knob, like my customer intended it.
I think it suits the bass pretty well!
(https://scontent-amt2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18446659_10212787056456283_3072792048411554228_n.jpg?oh=1cea1ae27ce843bb6a3640d8804d7464&oe=597E6A0B)
(https://scontent-amt2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18485609_10212787056416282_7994642357410432549_n.jpg?oh=c2165308a2ab93202edf54903c59937b&oe=597597E7)
That is an awesome guitar.
Absolutely beautiful. Very sharp.
Ditto that- beautiful work! 8)
WOW! When do you start shipping to the US?! ;D
Quote from: 66Atlas on May 19, 2017, 05:39:27 AM
WOW! When do you start shipping to the US?! ;D
He's always shipped to the US. Get your wallet out! :)
I do!
And the Brooks EB-PL is up for sale, because the original buyer never showed up with the money.
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ebpl1500_orig.jpg)
That bass is abso-fuggin'-lutely pure beauty! Abso-and-so-on!
Rob, you been up to some great things, bud. Just don't start making any shorties; I don't need the temptation.
When I had just finished the Brooks EB-RBL my customer wanted to use it for a gig at a festival straight away. I had not done a proper fret levelling et cetera.
Last week it came back to get a proper set-up. And now it's finally really ready to rock.
I took the opportunity to record a little bit with it. Nothing fancy, just straight into my iMac with Photobooth using the built in camera.
So here it is:
https://youtu.be/xydvvT1U7t4
Real nice bass. I like single coil mode the best.
Hot bass. Do you plan to build many of these? Any takers on the red one yet? Maybe put it on the classifieds here if you still have it. I'm curious to know what you're asking for it.
Yes, the idea was to build a small series of this model. But with different configurations.
As we speak I am working on a new one that is going to feature the QuarterPound Single Coil again. But this time a little bit more towards the middle.
The bass will have a checkerboard binding. Matte black top and high gloss tranparent black sides and back. All black hardware.
I call it the EB-PL Noir (after the Rickenbacker Noir series)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/20245609-10213589988889092-9088779795770765115-n_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/19601133-10213349479436506-6160752201959167271-n_orig.jpg)
The Red one is still here. But I haven't put much effort in to get rid of it.
It is for sale for €1500 (case included)
So far I've been kid reluctant to put it up here because shipping won't be cheap (€ 180).
And the bass has a rosewood fretboard, which may cause trouble with customs because of the CITES crap.
That's pretty reasonable for a one man built Honduran mahogany set neck bass, even with the shipping.
A new bas is born!
The Brooks EB-PL Noir
- One piece mahogany body
- Three piece mahogany set neck. Glued in
- Black high gloss transparent acrylic finish
- Checkerboard binding
- Ebony fretboard with circle inlays
?- Jumbo frets
- 34" scale
- Handcut buffalo horn nut
- Single ply matte black pickguard
?- Black 3D bridge
- Spokewheel double action trussrod
- Single coil pickup Seymour Duncan SCPB-3
- Black Schaller lightweight tuners
- CTS pots
- Sprague capacitor
Price € 1700 (1990 USD)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-pl-noir1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ebpl-body-sunlight1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-pl-noir-body2-1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-pl-noir-back1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-pl-noir-head1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-pl-noir-pickup-close1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-pl-noir-lower-horn-close1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-pl-noir-close-bridge1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-pl-noir-circle-inlays1500_orig.jpg)
For more pics (of the build process) check:
http://www.enkoo.nl/brooks-eb-pl-noir.html
Super nice. Love the inlays. Is buffalo horn the new thing now? Just last night I saw a friend post about using that material on a Chris Squire 8 string re-creation he's building.
Thank you Tom.
Don't know about the buffalo horn. I was just looking for non-plastic black nut material. And my supplier happened to have bufallo horn.
Another beaut, bud!
Wow, that's beautiful bass!
That body style is crying out for a version in TV yellow or TV white/ Limed Mahogany. I hope you don't because I'd be in tormenting amount of temptation. Any classic Gibson custom color finish would be cool too.
Beautiful work, Rob.
I made a quick video this afternoon.
I used Photobooth on my iMac. In the first attempt the sound quality wasn't that good. Somehow I couldn't control the input level. So it kept distorting a bit in the lower frequencies. Here's the second attempt with the input level set much lower.
https://youtu.be/xgGDpxwN7Ww
Needs a mudbucker :vader:
:toast:
I like it. The mahogany must be why it sounds mellower than the same pickup in an ash body/maple neck Fender. Either that or it's the dark finish. :)
Looks and sounds GREAT, Rob!
Thank you guys.
@ Dave: yes, it does sound rather black doesn't it?
Sure is a beauty Rob!
+1 8)
Looks fantastic Rob!!! great work!!
I really like this. Great work.
Thanx again guys! :toast:
I really love what you are doing.
Keep up the good work!
I've been getting some really great reactions on this bass! Two ace players from The Netherlands tested the Brooks EB-PL Noir and wrote some cool quotes about it.
"Black is beautiful, but it sounds great too! 100% balanced sound in every position. With a nice growl to it, that makes it cut through. This bass is a love baby from Rickenbacker and Fender, trapped in a vintage Gibson body. A piece of art."
Ivo Severijns (ex- Herman Brood & his Wild Romance, ex -Kane, Waylon)
"I absolutely love it when old school meets new school! This bass has the looks and feel of a classic Gibson with the sound of a Telecaster bass on acid. It's simple yet very diverse. From a warm vintage sound to a killer modern rock growl... This monster has it all!"
Rob van der Loo (ex-Delain, Epica, MaYaN)
Nice... time to visit China and go for mass-prod... ;)
I'm working on it Kenny!
:popcorn:
The new natural one is to die for.
Thank you John.
I'll post it when it's really ready.
I hope to get it done by the end of the week.
Fantastic work Rob!
I've got a new bass ready!
Best one so far.
All the Brooks basses have been a take on the first EB-0 with Les Paul Junior double cut body shape. But they're all 34" scale and all of them combine shape of the EB-0 with the characteristics of another classic.
This time it's a love child of the EB-0 with the Thunderbird. Hence the EB-TB name.
I made the center piece nine ply mahogany and walnut. Glued flamed mahogany body wings to both sides.
I used nickel plated hardware. And a 9.2 K humbucker from EY Guitars.
The pickguard is three ply with the flame of the Brooks logo engraved. And the lines on either side or cut out. This was done by a friend of mine with a cnc machine.
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-tb-full3-1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-tb-body-angle-1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-tb-back-heel1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-tb-back1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-tb-headstock-back1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-tb-headstock-close1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-tb-bone-nut-close-1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-tb-volume-knob-close-1500_orig.jpg)
Even looks good without pick guard...
I didn't drill holes for the screws yet. For the pictures with the pick guard I cut the screws off behind the head. Leaving just enough to screw into the pick guard without touching the wood of the body. And I used double sided tape to keep the pick guard in place. So if anyone wants to buy it without pick guard, that is possible without leaving the holes 8)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-tb-full-without-pg1500_orig.jpg)
Sexy.
Just too bad re the raised middle without tru neck; sorry, but I've always thought that was wrong.
Isn't it a through neck made to look like a set neck? Either way it's aces in my book. Great platform for some Ripper pickups too perhaps.
I think it accentuates the fact that it is neck through.
I have no plans to put Ripper pickups in this bass... :o
Such a beautiful bass! Absolutely gorgeous! That is IT!
It's gorgeous, and that pickup appears to be in the perfect spot!!
Not this specific bass but a future build. If I have enough spare change after I sell my condo, maybe I can order one that way.
Wow what a cool idea!
That bass is also among the first I've seen that looks nicer without neck or bridge covers. Pure beauty! I'm impressed!
Beautiful. If I were in the market for it, I'd leave off the guard. Bet it sounds great with the pickup in that location.
Thank you guys.
The pickup is in the same location as the Thunderbird II. Thank you Scott for measuring it ;-)
I made a quick video, so you get an idea how it sounds:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BV_D_51y88
This is niiiice
Sounds great with a pick.
8)
Very Nice
Best looking one yet! :) :thumbsup: :toast:
I just noticed that the schaller lightweight tuners are the same type as the ones i put on my eb4l.Like them a lot.Helped heaps,the originals weighed a ton.
All it needs is a Kahler or a bigsby
I did not realize it was trans black. They are both such nice basses.
An 8 string Hammer like one would be cool.
QuoteAn 8 string Hammer like one would be cool.
With kahler whammy? (https://www.kahlerusa.com/public/images/catProductImages/2418RN8k_th.jpg)
Really like the design.
That's perfect! It even goes to eleven. I'd leave the guard off since I find it more beatiful without. Too bad really because I also like the 'tip of the hat'-logo.
Thank you guys.
There have been several guys who prefer it without pickguard.
I think the pickguard belongs on this bass; the EB-0 has one and the Thunderbird has one.
But I do agree the wood underneath the pickguard is almost too pretty to hide behind a slab of plastic ;)
How much is it? To buy?
€ 2100. Which is about $ 2575
Case included
Too bad it's long scale....
But it is probably the most beatutiful new bass I've seen in decades.
The pickguard looks great too, just a perfect instrument!
Oh it IS neck thru.
Yes, it's neck through. The faux neck joint heel may have fooled you.
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/fivepieces_1_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/centerpiece-neck-shaping_1_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/glueing-the-wings_1_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/body-complete_1_orig.jpg)
Great work man, looks amazing! I'd like to see it with a black pickguard. ;D
I did several tests for the pickguard. A friend of mine has access to a laser cutter and a cnc machine.
The pickguard on the left is the three ply pg. It was cut out with the cnc machine.
The pickguard in the middle is acrylic mirror, and it was cut with a laser. The flame was engraved on the backside of the mirror. Making it semi transparent.
The pickguard on the right is three ply birch wood, and it was cut out with a laser. The flame is literally burnt away form the top layer of the veneer.
The one on the left made it to the final pg. But I had to work on the flame a bit :P
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-tb-pickguards_orig.jpg)
I love how the lines are cut all the way through. We got a laser cutter at the case shop a few months ago. I might have to play around with it. ;D
A new bass is born!
The Brooks EB-RBL-Q
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-rbl-q-full3-1500_2_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-rbl-q-body-angle1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-rbl-q-back1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-rbl-q-bridge1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-rbl-q-head-angle1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-rbl-q-head-back1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-rbl-q-output1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-rbl-q-full4-1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-rbl-q-body-angle-3-1500_orig.jpg)
Specifications:
- One piece Honduras mahogany body
- Bookmatched Quilted Maple top
- One piece quarter sawn mahogany set neck. Glued in
- Transparent black stain on top
- Solid black on body and neck
?- High gloss transparent acrylic finish
- Pearloid binding
- Ebony fretboard
?- Aluminium circle position markers
- Jumbo frets
- 34" scale
- Zero fret plus buffalo horn nut ?
?- Babicz bridge
- Spokewheel double action trussrod
- Seymour Duncan SRB-1B bass humbucker
- Schaller lightweight tuners
- Switchcraft on-on-on slide (single coil, series, parallel)
I'll post pics of the build process later on.
You can also check here (http://www.enkoo.nl/brooks-eb-rbl-q.html) for more pics (also of the build process)
Very nice, Rob! You're really refining the Brooks look. Dig the strap button on the heel.
Beauty! :toast:
Outstanding, work, Rob!
I like the idea of the switch location. No volume and tone controls or am I missing something?
Quote from: Dave W on July 27, 2018, 10:48:27 AM
Outstanding, work, Rob!
I like the idea of the switch location. No volume and tone controls or am I missing something?
You're not missing anything Dave.
No volume, no tone. Just the slide switch to choose between single coil, humbucker series or humbucker parallel.
Quote from: Basvarken on July 27, 2018, 11:30:53 AM
You're not missing anything Dave.
No volume, no tone. Just the slide switch to choose between single coil, humbucker series or humbucker parallel.
Very interesting. Is this built for a customer or one you're going to sell?
Wow, your builds are top notch. Really good looking!
Quote from: Dave W on July 28, 2018, 01:42:18 AM
Very interesting. Is this built for a customer or one you're going to sell?
Yeah, I built this for a customer. It was his idea to have no pots on this bass.
He's the same guy who ordered a Brooks EB-RBL one year ago.
When he picked this one up yesterday he said he wants another one next year 😎
Amazing work Rob!
So 8)
Quote from: Basvarken on July 28, 2018, 07:29:44 AM
Yeah, I built this for a customer. It was his idea to have no pots on this bass.
He's the same guy who ordered a Brooks EB-RBL one year ago.
When he picked this one up yesterday he said he wants another one next year 😎
You need to sign him to a long term contract. :)
Seriously, with beautiful work and a satisfied customer, your reputation will spread.
Very nice!
Beatiful! I like the clean look without front controls.
Stunning!
That's really spectacular...nice work!
Thank you guys. :toast:
Pretty sweet looking Rob .I like the no controls look too.
gorgeous
Fantastic! Beautiful work Rob.
Thank you guys.
Got a new one on the works. Almost ready. Working on the finish as we speak
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/first-coat-of-clear_orig.jpg)
Way cool!
Beautiful! There seem to be room enough for a T-bird pup?
I'm guessing soapbar pickup (EMG 35 size).
I'm building this bass guitar on commission. The client wants exactly the same as the previous Brooks EB-RBL-Q.
So it will get a Seymour Duncan SRB-1B bass humbucker, with the ears cut off and a custom made pickup ring.
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-rbl-q-body-angle-2-1500_orig.jpg)
Except this bass will get a volume pot and a tone pot.
(cop out)
Okay, alright... maybe the volume... :mrgreen:
I guessed soapbar because your pic shows one screw on each side, like most soapbars, while your previous one with the Seymour Duncan Ric pickup has a three-screw mount.
I'v heard the Duncan pickup in a Ric but I'm curious to know how it compares to other pickups you have used in your builds.
Quote from: Dave W on November 10, 2018, 10:54:41 AM
I guessed soapbar because your pic shows one screw on each side, like most soapbars, while your previous one with the Seymour Duncan Ric pickup has a three-screw mount.
The two screws in the pic are only for support while spraying the finish. This way I prevent the vulnerable surface of the fresh layers of lacquer from touching the table.
Quote from: Dave W on November 10, 2018, 10:54:41 AM
I'v heard the Duncan pickup in a Ric but I'm curious to know how it compares to other pickups you have used in your builds.
The only other humbucker that I've used in this model is the EY Chinabucker. And I have to admit that I prefer the sound of that one.
But my customer wants this one. The Seymour Duncan sounds great too. Less focussed on the mid low frequencies than the EY, but still a nice pickup.
Plus it is versatile because of the option to split the coils. I am going to equip this bass with a slide switch too: series, parallel, single.
I haven't heard a comparison between the EY and the Duncan but it's not surprising that a Ric type pickup wouldn't be as focused on low mids. I think they sound great, no matter what some Ric fans think. Regardless, the customer wants it, that makes your decision easy.
Today I completed the build of a new Brooks bass.
It is very similar to the previous EB-RBL-Q bass. Except it does have a volume pot and tone pot.
And this one does not have a zero fret. But a buffalo horn top nut.
The guy who I built it for picked it up one hour after I turned in the last screw.
I think he got a few speeding tickets on the way to my place. And a few more on the way back home ;D
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-rbl-q-ii_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-rbl-q-ii-bodyangle1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-rbl-q-controls1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-rbl-q-headstock1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-rbl-q-pickup1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ebn-rbl-q-bodyangle2-1500_orig.jpg)
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(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-rbl-q-positioncircles1500_orig.jpg)
Sexy. As. Hell.
I can see why. That is one lovely bass!
:toast:
Boy would I like to get my hands on one.
Failing that I would LOVE to heard audio / see video of any of these!
Very nice!
Quote from: slinkp on November 26, 2018, 09:46:08 PM
Boy would I like to get my hands on one.
Failing that I would LOVE to heard audio / see video of any of these!
I didn't even have time to make a little video of this bass. My customer needed it for the next gig on wednesday, so he picked it up yesterday. Literally one hour after I had turned in the last screw.
But I think there will be some live footage of his band.
I do have a video of a previous bass that I built with similar specs (except it has a rosewood fretboard instead of the ebony. And it doesn't have the maple top).
But I am not really happy with the sound quality of the recording (and my own playing...) as it was also a rush job :-[
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xydvvT1U7t4&t=14s
All three stting sound good. I like the series HB best.
These are really great tones. I wasn't familiar with that pickup, but it sure sounds good in this bass.
Rob that is stunning! As always beautiful work!
Quote from: Basvarken on November 27, 2018, 12:07:19 AM
But I am not really happy with the sound quality of the recording (and my own playing...) as it was also a rush job :-[
Less haste, more speed... ;)
I have just finished the build of a twelve string bass for Rob van der Loo, bass player of Epica (http://www.epica.nl).
Rob wanted an Explorer shape bass with quilted maple top and two humbuckers, each with its own dedicated output.
It took me quite a while to build this. But now it's finally finished. And I'm happy with the result.
Here's the specs:
- 34" scale
- Mahogany body
- Bookmatched Quilted Maple top
- Three piece Mahogany set neck. Glued in
- Transparent black stain on top
- Solid black on body and neck
?- High gloss transparent acrylic finish on top
- Matte transparent acrylic finish on sides, back and neck
- White binding
- Ebony fretboard
?- Mother of pearl position dots
- Jumbo frets
- Buffalo horn nut ?
- Dean twelve string brass bridge set
- Two spokewheel double action trussrods
- Carbon reinforcement strip in the neck
- Lace Alumitone Bass Bar in the neck position
- Lace Alumitone DeathBar in the bridge position
- Allparts stacked pots (volume/tone volume/tone)
- On on switch for coil splitting (humbucker-single coil)
- Gotoh GB 350 lightweight bass tuners
- Gotoh Stealth ST 31 guitar tuners
- d'Addario EXL 170 - 12 strings
A friend of mine helped me out with the electronics circuit. His name is Bas Becu (check www.bqmusic.nl)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-q-full1500_3_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-q-body1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-q-headstock1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-q-headback1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-q-controls1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-q-pickups-close1500.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-q-fullperpective1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-q-body-back2-1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-q-trussrodcover1500_orig.jpg)
Pics of the build process can be seen here:
http://www.enkoo.nl/brooks-exb-12-q.html
That is one incredible piece of work Rob! I'm pretty stunned.
Really impressive!
B E A utiful... :mrgreen:
You've outdonw yourself this time.
Love those stealth tuners. How do you find the Alumitones? Was considering them for a project.
Beautiful!
How did you come to decide on the DeathBar for the bridge pickup?
Thank you guys.
Rob van der Loo wanted two humbuckers that could be splitted into single coils.
Het wanted each pickup to have it's own dedicated output jack.
The neck pickup for a bass amp. The bridge pickup for a guitar amp.
Because of the four pairs of three strings I figured I needed a pickup with a bar magnet rather than polepieces. Just to make sure each string would pickup up consistently and evenly.
Plus the pickups needed to be wide enough to pickup the outer strings. Most of the humbuckers I found were too narrow.
In my quest I found Lace Alumitones and I liked what I heard in the video that I saw on YouTube. Very silent and very tight sounding.
Rob van der Loo was convinced these would be the right choice.
The DeathBar and the Bass Bar come in three widths. So I picked out the right width. 3.5.
Very sleek and mean looking machine. I bet sounds just as badass too. Awesome job.
Oops, I didn't notice the second output jack. Makes sense now.
I did like the BassBar demo clip on YT.
Fantastic build, Rob!
A stunner!!
SO cool! Great work, great aesthetics.
My next build is going to be a bit different from the rest. No mahogany, no set neck.
But still a hybrid of sorts.
Here's a couple of ideas:
Single coil in the classic sweet spot
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/telebird-dec-2018_orig.jpg)
Without pickguard
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/telebird-dec-2018-no-pg_orig.jpg)
Single coil a little bit further towards the bridge
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/telebird-dec-2018v2_orig.jpg)
And without pickguard
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/telebird-dec-2018v2no-pg_orig.jpg)
Oh, my! Are you trying to set a new standard for beauty beyond beauty, Rob? Really nice!
Which one would be your favourite Staffan?
I very like the idea, but in this design the body looks a bit gedrongen and less sierlijk than a real Tbird.
I see what you mean Chris ;)
I used the shape of a Fenderbird for the sketches. It has a slightly enlarged upper horn.
I do agree that a Thunderbird body shape looks more elegant.
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/telebird-dec-2018-improved-body-no-pg_orig.jpg)
I like the pickup more toward the bridge, and I wonder how the bass would look with a V-shaped PG with the point just short of the bridge.
Like this?
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/telebird-dec-2018-improved-body-tb-pg_orig.jpg)
More like a flying V with the pickup in the gap. Maybe not a good idea, but different!
Second pic gets my vote. No pickguard, pickup closer to neck.
Second from the top is the one for me. Pup closer to the neck is the way I want it.
Quote from: Basvarken on December 21, 2018, 12:15:50 PM
I see what you mean Chris ;)
I used the shape of a Fenderbird for the sketches. It has a slightly enlarged upper horn.
I do agree that a Thunderbird body shape looks more elegant.
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/telebird-dec-2018-improved-body-no-pg_orig.jpg)
This version gets my vote.
Possibly a stupid idea but what about both pickup positions? You could maybe get some RWRP humbucking action.
Made a quick video of the Brooks EXB-12-Q.
I don't have any fancy recording equipment, so this was done via an old minidisk recorder as an interface.
Each pickup has its own dedicated output jack. I panned the pickups hard left and hard right.
(and I had to get used to playing twelve strings! )
I'm sure Rob van der Loo will do a much better job.
But for now this'll have to do.
https://youtu.be/uiiT3n_tLQk
I have also made some more photographs. It was nice outside yesterday. So I took it outside. The top reflects the blue skies, so it appears a lot more blue in these pics
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-q-inputs2-1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-q-bridge1500_1_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-q-tailend1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-q-fulldiagonal1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-q-body3-1500_orig.jpg)
I love it! Both pics and video!
You did fine on the video. Great pics too.
In the words of Uwe - a great "Angry Piano" sound.
Wow. Just wow.
thats proper gorgeous
Yesterday an old friend of Floor and me celebrated the release of a book he wrote about being in bands for 40 years.
He had asked me if I would like to play a couple of songs together with him (he's a drummer), my wife Floor and Leif de Leeuw, who's a talented young guitarist.
I hadn't seen a stage in more than three years. Haven't really missed playing in a band to be honest. But yesterday I picked up the bass again to perform.
Of course I took the opportunity to use one of my own builds. For the first time since I've been building them under the name Brooks I performed with a Brooks myself.
Han played the drums in the best Bonham / Kirke tradition. Groovy and rock steady. Floor sang like an angel and Leif played beautifully (that guy is one gifted kid).
And I survived :mrgreen:.
I was over the moon to hear the compliments after the short gig. Some guys -who I hold in high esteem- told me the Brooks bass sounded great in the audience.
I'm a happy camper!
(https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/55455261_1142220702626537_3731698282343170048_o.jpg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_ht=scontent-ams3-1.xx&oh=61f5c47a967677d5519e7509395f87a3&oe=5D1A9D97)
That bass of yours is a true beauty!
Thank you Staffan!
Good for you Rob!
That's so cool!
You should guest star more often!
Good for you for playing with him and featuring your own build. :toast:
Good to see you back in the saddle Rob.
Right on! Any sound clips? Wish I could commission one of these brooks but priorities have changed with a baby in the home.
Glad you got to get out and play, and on your own creation!
Great! And Leif sure is a great and talented kid!
The Brooks Telebird is ready!
- Two piece Swamp Ash body
- Allparts Maple 51 P neck. Bolt on
- Vintage blonde finish
- Jess Loureiro 51 P split coil pickup
- 34" scale
- Tusq nut
- Wide travel Thunderbird bridge plus tailstop. Nickel
- Matte black single ply pickguard
- Gotoh GB528 lightweight tuners. Nickel
- Allparts push/pull Volume pot
- CTS Tone pot
- Silver reflector cap knobs
- Telecaster jack cup. Nickel
- GHS Brite Flats 49-108
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-telebird-full-1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-telebird-body-angle-1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-telebird-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-telebird-bridge-1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-telebird-body-1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-telebird-body-back-angle-1500_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-telebird-headstock-back-1500_orig.jpg)
I've changed my vote, it looks fine with the pickguard. :toast:
That's gorgeous!
Wow, you pulled it off! Not a big fenderbird fan, but this one is great. You have good taste, sir!
Looks like it was meant to be!
Lovely
Thank you guys! :toast:
I really love it Rob! Gorgeous! The first bass in ages of which I thought: What would it cost? Really cool. Better than I expected and my expectations are high with you!
And the Velp-decal is great! :mrgreen:
This not to you but in general - and I understand you need lightweight tuners with a Bird-shape, so this is more towards Ps and MMs:
One thing I dislike with a lot of modern basses are the small tuner backs. I like the big Fender plates which touch eachother at the edges.
Thank you Chris.
Quote from: Chris P. on April 14, 2019, 10:52:57 AM
This not to you but in general - and I understand you need lightweight tuners with a Bird-shape, so this is more towards Ps and MMs:
One thing I dislike with a lot of modern basses are the small tuner backs. I like the big Fender plates which touch eachother at the edges.
Yeah that is what I dislike about the Hipshot ultralite tuners.
I have even thought about using the Gotoh GB-640 tuners:
(https://www.thomann.de/pics/bdb/268117/11965567_800.jpg)
But I decided against it, because I didn't want to add the extra weight that the larger base plate of the GB-640 brings.
The GB-528 is a good compromise I think.
I like the bass and tuners which look wrong from the plater's side won't turn me off on any bass, haha, so also not on this one. And like I said I understand the choice.
It was more a general complaint towards Fender Mexico or Sterling by Music Man.
Just found out it's bass of the week at No Treble. :o
https://www.notreble.com/gear/bass-of-the-week/
Congratulations Rob! That was very well deserved. :toast:
Hey it looks like one of your older basses was up there too!
https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2017/09/18/bass-of-the-week-brooks-eb-rbl/
Good for you, Rob! I hope this brings you more custom business.
Very well deserved mention! I love them both!
And Rob is Bass Of The Week again!
https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2019/04/15/bass-of-the-week-brooks-telebird/
This is a quick video that I made to show you how the Brooks Telebird sounds. The bass is plugged into my MarkBass SA 450 with Eden D210XLT cabs. Mic is a DAP PL01. Via my Minidisc recorder into my iMac. Video recorded with Photobooth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-Wofzdqknc
I like that! Nice balance between bright and deep. Sounds very good.
This is a very cool bass. It sounds the business too.
The only thing I would change would be the pickguard. I would stick a 5-screw, un-beveled singly ply white pickguard on there. Like an old 'Whiteguard' Telecaster.
(https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--yQxkeYDn--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_620,q_90,w_620/v1475686424/xuyuqalmimudl8aq7vi8.jpg)
This is a killer look on a Tele.
That looks beautiful.
But I opted for this starting point:
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/51/50/9d/51509d8322c96e3430d3516535641c11.jpg)
I think I'd have gone with a Tele control plate too
I think there wouldn't have been enough Thunderbird left, if I'd done that.
Quote from: Basvarken on April 21, 2019, 12:27:04 AM
I think there wouldn't have been enough Thunderbird left, if I'd done that.
I agree.
I agree too. I think it's pickguard or control plate and not both on this body.
The latest Brooks bass build is almost finished. I still have to do some details, but here are some snapshots that I made this afternoon.
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/almost-ready-2_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/almost-ready_1_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/almost-ready-5_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/almost-ready-4_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/almost-ready5_orig.jpg)
(http://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/almost-ready7_orig.jpg)
If you want to see the entire build proces check this site:
http://www.enkoo.nl/brooks-eb-n.html
Wow, great design again. The Ric/ Epi Embassy inspired combo shape of the body is really nice. I think you hit well in your aim at something uniqye, also Lace pickups are'nt used that often for example. Good work once again Rob!
Beautiful work as always, Rob. I'd love to hear a sound clip.
THAT IS A BEAUT! How is the lace pup?
Thank you guys.
I am impressed with the Lace Alumitone humbuckers.
They're dead silent. And the highs are chrystal clear while the lows are tight and deep.
The wiring hasn't been soldered yet. I've only wired it directly to the jack output.
Will post a short video when it's fully functioning.
8)
The fretboard inlays expanding and contracting are a nice touch. Congrats on another fine build.
Really pretty. I like the contours
I'm generally not fond of figured tops, but the flame with that blue looks spectacular.
Great work!
Found some time to take pictures now that the bass is completely finished.
Not entirely happy with the pics (the camera lense is not 100%)
But I've put the ones that are acceptable online.
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-n-on-black-paper-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-n-body-angle-on-black-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-n-babicz-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-n-truss-rod-cover-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-n-upper-horn-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-n-jack-output-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-n-body-in-black-paper-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-n-neck-joint-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-n-head-on-black-1500_1_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-n-inlays-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-n-back-on-black-cloth-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-n-back-neck-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-n-body-on-white-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-n-on-white-1500_orig.jpg)
That is just lovely
Wow, that looks great!
Is that a reinforcing strip of some kind across the base of the fretboard?
Quote from: Pilgrim on August 28, 2019, 06:10:04 PM
Wow, that looks great!
Is that a reinforcing strip of some kind across the base of the fretboard?
It's a truss rod cover.
Yep.
(https://scontent-ams4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/s2048x2048/69019124_482668925905605_2033687956916535296_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_oc=AQnGsIjEng0QRVlzjESymagZLi3R6EbirrQYUy7H3bIqinS-YkEyr3WudLnf60QNG24&_nc_ht=scontent-ams4-1.xx&oh=03c8dc8981cd8f24da6b32bba4c8847a&oe=5DC7EE30)
Really beautiful! I'm impressed by your handcraft, Rob. Are you gonna let us listen to her sing, too?
Here's a quick video that I made of the Brooks EB-N.
(just me noodling on the new bass)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_FmC21EzfQ
Beautiful work...and great playing!
Thank you Carlo.
I was actually saying to myself that I really should pick up the bass more often. Because my playing has become incredibly sloppy and rusty over the last few years, since I'm not in a band anymore.
Making this little video took me quite a few takes to get it acceptable... :o
Sounds great, Rob.
Very nice... 8)
The bass sounds excellent, and the musician is darn good!
Nice!
The back looks like a little 4005.
(https://www.frettedamericana.com/sites/default/files/02089_back%20copy.jpg)(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-n-back-on-black-cloth-1500_orig.jpg)
I see what you mean Ilan. The way the upper horn and the lower horn follow the same curve.
I made a new video by the way. I wasn't very happy with the recording quality of the first one. It has too much distortion in the low end.
I didn't have any proper recording equipment to go into the iMac.
So I bought a Focusrite Scarlett Solo to get a decent signal into the computer.
At least the the sound quality has improved a bit. :mrgreen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__StOQc-EEQ
That does sound much better.
Do you always frown when you play? ;D
Haha, only when I don't know what I'm doing :mrgreen:
Maybe I should join a band again
(https://13376708-817396973670339687.preview.editmysite.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/3601849_orig.jpg)
(https://13376708-817396973670339687.preview.editmysite.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/5384168_orig.jpg)
(https://13376708-817396973670339687.preview.editmysite.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/_2975336_orig.jpg)
That does sound clearer.
Nothing wrong with your playing.
Well those pictures irrefutable. . . a band is good for you.
Haha, that isn't always a guarantee for success... :mrgreen:
(https://scontent-ams4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/1980368_683888205003631_480874658_o.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_oc=AQkt15aI5irbkbvrY5ZYtU0Y4Ee_IEC_OHjtfasqEY6Pg54ZiFXWXhBJLK6bX6pJC28&_nc_ht=scontent-ams4-1.xx&oh=a6123d36b05427bda7b9aa4e8e8c3075&oe=5DFD10A2)
(https://scontent-ams4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/394376_4559929161315_1392061133_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_oc=AQm9-SapeFFkyHnlXn4qtrpJ9Qswf2jzXQjtpnKhv8mQ7APtpObMDTJja6YP0vxh6FQ&_nc_ht=scontent-ams4-1.xx&oh=ba56cf7eea9f8907251cff0c2e334845&oe=5E096636)
I have just finished the build process of a new bass. I call it the Brooks Grabbird.
This bass combines the 1964 Gibson Thunderbird II with the 1973 Gibson Grabber. A nine ply neck through construction just like the Thunderbird. But with maple strips veneer in between the mahogany, instead of walnut. The nickel covered humbucker resembles the pickup of the sixties Thunderbird. But the sliding mechanism in the raised middle section refers to the Grabber of course. The shape of the headstock echoes the Grabber headstock, but the ebony veneer on top is a nod to the Thunderbird headstock.
The shorter headstock and the Ultra-lite tuners make sure the Grabbird doesn't suffer any neckdive!
I haven't found the time to do a proper photo shoot, but here's a couple that I shot from the hip without lighting.
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-grabbird-front-full-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-grabbird-body-angle-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-grabbird-body-angle-bridge-position-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-granrid-full-back-horiz-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-grabbird-head-close-1500_orig.jpg)
Sliding the pickup in the neck position brings out the low frequencies a bit more. And gives the sound an open character.
Sliding the pickup in the bridge position gives the sound a more agressive edge.
I'll make a video when I can find the time. Hopefully this weekend.
Very well thought out an executed Rob!
Spectacular!
:toast:
Absolutely beautiful Rob! You've really outdone yourself! The cherry finish is stunning, always looks great on a bird.
And the sliding pickup works well with the design too, looks great!
Beautiful!
V 8)
Thank you guys.
More pics of the Grabbird and pics of the build process can be found here:
https://www.enkoo.nl/brooks-grabbird.html
Personally I think that the headstock detail REALLY sets this apart.
that headstock looks beautiful on a bird!
Here's a video to give you an impression of the sounds of the Brooks Grabbird
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t98NAXLGCxM
Fantastic. Good job
A P bass killer in the neck position and a Stingray killer in the bridge position. Great job. I can see a five string version working well on this platform too. :thumbsup:
Absolutely beautiful, and it sounds as good as it looks!
Sounds great, especially in the neck position (I'm biased).
Quote from: 4stringer77 on March 01, 2020, 07:37:15 PM
A P bass killer in the neck position and a Stingray killer in the bridge position. Great job. I can see a five string version working well on this platform too. :thumbsup:
A Grabber killer in both positions ;D
I am pleasantly surprised by the difference in sound between the neck position and the bridge position.
An often heard criticism about the Grabber is that the sliding mechanism is just a gimmick with little or no effect for the sound. This clearly isn't the case with the Grabbird. :toast:
Quote from: 4stringer77 on March 01, 2020, 07:37:15 PM
a Stingray killer in the bridge position
I like it
a lot but I don't exactly hear a Stingray there. What I perceive as a MM/J(bridge) tone is there about 2.5-3" from the bridge, at >4" it's gone. Like a real Grabber, the pickup doesn't go back enough for that.
Quote from: ilan on March 02, 2020, 02:40:56 AM
I like it a lot but I don't exactly hear a Stingray there. What I perceive as a MM/J(bridge) tone is there about 2.5-3" from the bridge, at >4" it's gone. Like a real Grabber, the pickup doesn't go back enough for that.
That's probably why it's better. Bite without the honk.
As an aside, I'm proud nobody here has taken the opportunity to make jokes with the double entendre that the name Grabbird could entail. Stay classy outposters. ;)
Haha wait till Uwe chimes in :mrgreen:
Great work! I like it.
That's so cool...congratulations!
Quote from: Basvarken on March 02, 2020, 01:28:31 AM
I am pleasantly surprised by the difference in sound between the neck position and the bridge position.
An often heard criticism about the Grabber is that the sliding mechanism is just a gimmick with little or no effect for the sound. This clearly isn't the case with the Grabbird. :toast:
Little or no effect would be stretching it a bit far. It's not as dramatic as in your Grabbird vid, but it is very useful. I used to think the bridge position was too aggressive on it's own, especially with stainless strings, and always kept it in neck pos. But live, if the stage sound became too muddy, it was nice to slide it down and cut through. Later I found out that Thomastik Rounds made it sound more organic (as organic as a Grabber can sound) and eventually it got flats.
But no matter what I strung it up with, I could never match the sound you get out of that sliding bird of yours - pretty impressive!
Very nice. I like the truss rod nut at the heel end, makes the neck stronger. Is this bass for your personal use, or to sell?
I built it with the idea to sell it.
I do think I'm going to have a hard time letting it go... 8)
Quote from: Basvarken on March 03, 2020, 08:07:24 AM
I built it with the idea to sell it.
I do think I'm going to have a hard time letting it go... 8)
8)
Quote from: Basvarken on March 02, 2020, 01:28:31 AM
I am pleasantly surprised by the difference in sound between the neck position and the bridge position.
An often heard criticism about the Grabber is that the sliding mechanism is just a gimmick with little or no effect for the sound. This clearly isn't the case with the Grabbird. :toast:
that sounds great,
The sliding pickup really appeals to the mad inventor in me, can I ask how the mechanism works? Ive never been near a grabber, do you use the same principles or did you engineer from scratch ?
It's basically the same concept as the Grabber mechanism. The pickup is mounted on a plate that slides in a routed cavity and it is covered by a frame.
Here are some pics of the build process
I cut the parts for the sliding mechanism from the same nine ply centerpiece. I just used the part that was under the neck. I had to remove a lot of wood there anyway.
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/centerpiece-with-one-insert-in-place_orig.jpg)
And I routed some slots for the pickup screws and the pickup wiring
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/centerpiece-with-two-inserts-2_orig.jpg)
I sawed a hole for the pickup in the part that was going to be the frame. Plus I routed the back side, so the plate with the pickup would fit in nicely.
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/frame-for-the-sliding-mechanism_orig.jpg)
The pickup is mounted into the sliding plate.
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/sled-with-pickup_orig.jpg)
The pickup wire goes through the hole on the side of the centerpiece
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/fitting-the-holes-and-slots-for-the-wiring.jpg)
This is how the underside of the mechanism looked like in this stage of the build
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/underside-of-the-sliding-mechanism_orig.jpg)
Had to work a bit on getting a perfect fit for the frame in between the routed gap in the centerpiece
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/fine-tuning-the-sliding-mechanism_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/fine-tuning-the-sliding-mechanism2_orig.jpg)
Hope this helps?
Very nicely done.
Your laminates would stand on their own without paint. Very clever.
Wow!The Brooks Grabbird is Bass of the Week at NoTreble!
https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2020/03/09/bass-of-the-week-brooks-grabbird/
Congratulations! And nice work on that Grabbird. Nice that your name is getting an even wider spread.
Wow, cool!
Congrats Rob
Wow, excellent. Congrats Rob!
Birth of a new bass! Brooks EB-N RED.
- One piece mahogany body
- Smoked oak contrasting veneer in between layer
- Bookmatched flamed maple top
- Five ply quartersawn mahogany/American walnut neck
- Ebony fretboard
?- Mother of Pearl position marker dots. 12th circle inlay
?- Jumbo frets
?- 34" scale
- Zero fret and buffalo horn nut ?
?- Babicz FCH4 bridge
- Spokewheel double action trussrod
- Lace Alumitone Bass Bar
- Gotoh GB350 bass tuners
- 500K Push-pull volume pot for humbucking / single coil
?- Bourns no-load tone pot 250k
- Mallory 150 series 47nF
?- Weight: 4 kilograms
Electronics circuit by Bas Becu. www.bqmusic.nl
Serial number: 2020002
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-n-red-horiz-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-n-red-body-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-n-red-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-n-red-head-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-n-red-head-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-n-red-knobs-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-n-red-lace-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-n-red-lower-horn-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-n-red-upper-armcut-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-n-red-upper-horn-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-n-red-vertical-full-1500_orig.jpg)
That will be a slightly acquired taste, but the more I look at it, the better I like it.
Those contours are awesome!
:toast:
It'd be nice if Gibson built basses like this. I wouldn't hold my breath for it. Good going again Rob.
The Custom Shop Flying V bass that we discussed over at the Gibson corner got me thinking.
How would I do it, if I would build one?
I don't do carbon copies. So I wanted to think of some hybrid.
Let's make a Flying V mixed with a Thunderbird.
So I came up with this idea:
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thunder-v_orig.jpg)
Short scale (30")
Neck through. Nine ply neck
Korina / Limba wings
Sixties Repro Thunderbird humbuckers (EY)
I posted it on Facebook. Asked Jay or Nay.
And one guy commented: "if you make it a long scale, I'd like to order one".
Making it long scale (34") turns out to be a bit of a challenge.
The bridge can't move much further to the back of the body. The bass would be 130cm long and neck dive would be quite certain. Even with Hipshot Ultralite tuners.
John Gallagher singer/bass player of Raven chimed in. He showed me pics of his bass. That one has a body with the V much shallower, allowing the bridge to sit further back.
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/raven-flying-v_orig.jpg)
I'm not really convinced by the looks of that body. But it did put me on a new track:
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thunder-v-longscale-v3_orig.jpg)
I'd make that extra part of the body black to match with the ebony faceplate of the headstock.
It sort of echoes the brass tailpiece of the 50s flying V guitar.
And I'd make that part of the body about 4 mm lower, so the original outline of the body is still most eye-catching.
The guy who commented has now asked me to build it for him.
Let's go!
Looks great, congrats!
We need pictures when you build it!
Looks great! I kinda dig the idea of the shorty over the full scale......
That's the best solution I've seen for a long scale V.
Fantastic! Very clever using a recessed black extension.
That looks really lovely.
Would moving the strap button closer to the bridge help with neck dive any?
If necessary you could experiment with putting weights in the lower part of the V???
I wonder about using flats on a string through body .
Quote from: slinkp on October 02, 2020, 08:29:02 AM
That looks really lovely.
Would moving the strap button closer to the bridge help with neck dive any?
If necessary you could experiment with putting weights in the lower part of the V???
I'd have to experiment with the location of the strap button once the bass is ready.
Yeah I did think about putting some extra weight in one of the wings.
I'm still working on the final design. I may want to make the body slightly larger in order to be able to move the front strap button a bit further towards the middle of the bass.
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thunder-v-longscale-large-body-v4_orig.jpg)
Quote from: Basvarken on October 01, 2020, 02:43:47 PMJohn Gallagher singer/bass player of Raven chimed in. He showed me pics of his bass. That one has a body with the V much shallower, allowing the bridge to sit further back.
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/raven-flying-v_orig.jpg)
Not a band I'd ever heard of, but I've been listening to Raven all evening so thanks for mentioning them!
I read an interview with John and apparently his bass was assembled from a kit. By the looks of it, something like this:
(https://pg1.b5z.net/get/ob5z/s1080-*/i/u/10219030/i//ec/BK-003__1___1280x1280_.jpg)
Yes, he built it from a kit. So I guess it's one of those that you found.
Raven have been around for quite a while. I think they first started in 1974. But they had their heyday in the early 1980s. In 1983 they did a tour as headliner with Metallica as their support act.
My favorite album of theirs is All For One.
I like the fact that they don't take themselves too seriously (unlike many other bands in the genre)
John is quite an accomplished bass player
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZE72uM5_y8
Good grief... completely forgot about them... saw them as support... maybe as a headliner in a small club... think I even delved into vinyl, though nothing more than a 45...
They released a new album recently.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtKKmm6ibOM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6tuJfLowJQ
Cool idea. Finally a TBird pup right up at the neck ;P
Haha, it's in the exact same position as a Thunderbird. But there's some extra frets which makes it look closer :mrgreen:
Oh well, still a cool idea, if slightly less cool ;P
:toast:
Got a new bass build completed.
The Brooks EXB-12-3P.
It's been a hell of a job to build this one, but the result is this brutal red monster bass.
- Mahogany body
- Nine ply laminated Mahogany set neck. Glued in
- Soul Red Metallic finish
- Ebony fretboard
- Red position dots
- Jumbo frets
- 34" scale
- Buffalo horn nut ?
- ETS twelve string brass bridge set
- Two spokewheel double action trussrods
- Carbon reinforcement strip in the neck
- Lace Alumitone Bass Bar in the neck position
- Double Lace Alumitone Bass Bar in the bridge position
- Two separate outputs.
- Series parallel switch on the back
- Gotoh GB 350 lightweight bass tuners
- Gotoh Stealth ST 31 guitar tuners
- d'Addario EXL 170 - 12 strings
- Weight: 5.2 kg
Electronics circuit by Bas Becu.
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-3p-full-outdoors-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-3p-headstock-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-3p-body-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-3p-bridge-close-up-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-3p-headstock-back-outdoors-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-3p-switch-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-3p-back-indoors-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-3p-back-outdoors-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-3p-full-indoors-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-3p-strapbutton-back-1500_orig.jpg)
Pics of the build process here:
https://www.enkoo.nl/brooks-exb-12-3p.html
:toast:
8)
Wow, that turned out amazing!
Remarkable!
🤩
Looks Great!!!
Yup , a beauty . Putting the series/parallel switch on the back plate is a different move .
Very nice!
Been curious about those Alumitones.
Sick dude! Just when I think you can't outdo yourself, you post another jaw dropper. :thumbsup:
I'm scared :D
I managed to find the time to make a quick video ;)
So here we go:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht7xuq6aMf4
Outstanding!
Ladies, Gentlemen and everyone in between:
I proudly present the Brooks Thundervee.
A hybrid between a Thunderbird and a Flying V.
- Neck through with Korina body wings
- Nine ply Korina/mahogany neck
- Ebony faceplate on headstock
- Red Mahogany stain. Gloss transparent acrylic finish
- Rosewood fretboard
- 23 Jumbo frets
- 34" scale
- Handcut Buffalo horn nut
- Three ply black-white-black pickguard
- Wide travel Thunderbird bridge
- String through body ferrules
- Hipshot ultralite nickel plated tuners
- Spokewheel double action trussrod
- 2 x Sixties repro Thunderbird pickups nickel. 9.2 K Ohm
- Di Marzio EP111 toggle switch 4PDT for serial mode
- 2 x Volume pot Bourns 500 kOhms logarithmic
- 1 x Tone pot Bourns 500 kOhms logarithmic
- Kemet capacitor 47 nF paper insulation
- DR FatBeams 45-105
Electronisch circuit by BQ Music
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thundervee-full-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thundervee-body-diagonal-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thundervee-headstock-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thundervee-tail-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thundervee-body-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thundervee-controls-close-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thundervee-full-diagonal-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thundervee-trussrod-cover-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thundervee-headstock-back-1500_orig.jpg)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8_fZFAjihE
That is so well conceived and crafted! Congrats!!!
Beautiful!
8)
That's pretty damned special...bravo!
That sound is a pure Cry Of Love!
That's a real beast you've created. Nice job once again.
Rob, which pickups are those? It's amazing that believe it or not, it sounds incredibly similar to my 2013 Gibson Thunderbird with the stock TB+ pickups, SIT Power Steel strings, though GK amps and my Damnation Audio MBD-1 on low gain.
I've never had much interest in Flying V's, guitar or bass models. Don't get me wrong, I like them as a fun novelty but I have never considered owning one, but man, this thing is perfect, Kudos!
That came out great, Rob! :toast:
Thank you guys.
Quote from: BklynKen on January 09, 2021, 05:28:28 PM
Rob, which pickups are those? It's amazing that believe it or not, it sounds incredibly similar to my 2013 Gibson Thunderbird with the stock TB+ pickups, SIT Power Steel strings, though GK amps and my Damnation Audio MBD-1 on low gain.
Those are EY Parts pickups.
That bass is awesome!!
Your builds and vision are just beautiful! I enjoy watching your builds progress and develop. You have a innate ability to combine the exsisting elements of older designs with new features and your own unique ideas and craft them into fine instuments and works of art. Bravo Rob.
Thank you very much Scott (and fellow Outposters).
It means a lot to me to get such compliments from Gibson connaisseurs such as you!
Gorgeous !
I think everybody should have a V .
Nice to see another great build that captures the spirit of what we love about Gibson. The only sad thing is that whatever they come up with for that Gene V can't possibly exceed the excellent design you've just shared. Better luck next time Mr. Curleigh.
You got my initial reaction on insta, but seeing the bigger photos here I must remark at the attention to detail. Everything is right about this bass and I'm not even a V guy.
That is truly beautiful. And it sounds great in the video too.
This is what I wish Gibson would do more of - a new design inspired by the past that captures so much classic/vintage essence while looking utterly unique.
How is it possible that it doesn't neck dive? In the video it looks like several times it's just hanging there without you touching it. Well done!
What does it weigh?
Thank you guys.
Indeed, it doesn't dive at all. It just hangs there and it stays there. Doesn't even wanna go horizontal.
The tuners are Hipshot Ultralites. That helps a lot to start with
The location of the lower strapbutton helps too. If it had been at the end of a wing tip it would have wanted to dive. And it would also have forced the entire bass to the left, which would have made the lower positions very far to the left.
I don't have a scale in the house that works at the moment. We had a glass one, and it broke into thousand pieces last week...
But I'm guessing this bass weighs ± 4 kilograms. Very comfortable weight without feeling like a toy.
Two Brooks sister, side by side
Thundervee and Grabbird
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thundervee-grabbird-2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-headstocks-thundervee-grabbird-1500_orig.jpg)
V 8)
Fantastic looking pair! What's next - Moderne? ;)
I have thought about building a Moderne of sorts. But I'm definitely not going to build one for myself. I'd only do it on commission.
At the moment I'm working on another 12 string Explorer bass. For a guy in the USA.
Yeah! I remembered that one, but forgot who owned it.
It's great!
It was a fun build. I need to re wire it I think. I love the stuff you are doing . The way it should be . Maybe I can send this to you.M
That would be a costly affair... I live in The Netherlands. To send it back and forth could amount up to 600 USD...
The angriest of pianos!
Wow!!!
:mrgreen:
Birth of a new Brooks bass!
The EXB-12-2PR (EXplorerBass - 12 string - 2 Pickups - Reverse strings triplets)
- Mahogany body
- Laminated Mahogany set neck. Glued in
- Black gloss finish
- Checkerboard binding
- Ebony fretboard
- Brassl position markers
- Nickel silver frets
- 34" scale
- Buffalo horn nut ?
- ETS twelve string brass bridge set. Gold plated
- Two spokewheel double action trussrods
- Carbon reinforcement strip in the neck
- Lace Alumitone Bass Bar in the neck position
- Lace Alumitone Bass Bar in the bridge position
- Switchcraft output. Gold plated
- 2 x Stacked volume/tone knob. Gold plated
- Pickup selector switch. Gold plated
- Gotoh GB 350 lightweight bass tuners. Gold plated
- Gotoh Stealth ST 31 guitar tuners. Gold plated
- d'Addario EXL 170 - 12 strings
- Weight: 4.5 kg
Electronics circuit by Bas Becu.
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-2pr-full-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-2pr-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-2pr-back-full1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-2pt-headstock-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-2pr-bridge1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-2pr-diagonal-body1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-2pr-headback1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-2pr-close-upper-horn1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-2pr-tailshot-1500_orig.jpg)
Well done , that's a beauty !
Oh...wow. Nice work!
Stunning. I love it!
Beautiful :)
Fantastic job! That's a work of art.
What he said... :mrgreen:
Thank you guys :toast:
That really is beautiful!
But it has so many strings it scares me! :sad:
That is superb! A very clean, concise design. Beautiful all round!
the attention to detail is inspiring
Video 8)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-4WgPMf664
Wow! Better than I had hoped. What an incredible piano sounding dynamic.
Congrats once again on another remarkable build. Hope you're charging enough :)
With the poick there - the angriest of pianos!
:mrgreen:
Your bass looks great! Today for the very first time I took my Dean 12 to rehearsals with my band. They all said to not bring my Precision anymore!
Piece of art!
A few years ago I had two prototype bass guitar built by a Chinese manufacturer.
The idea was to offer a medium priced series next to the basses that I build myself (by hand). I was gonna complete the Chinese built bass guitars myself with high quality hardware and electronics here in The Netherlands.
But I abandonded the whole project, because I was not happy with the level of fit and finish by the Chinese manufacturer. There were too many mistakes in the lacquer and other details. I would have cost me too much of my time to get them up to the level that I had in mind.
Eventually I sold both prototypes to a Dutch bass player, who is very happy with both bass guitars.
He completely relic-ed one of them.
And the other was left in its original state. Until two months ago. Then he sent me a request to give the bass a complete make-over...
The original:
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/27629125-10215380031879048-6642115136799613476-o_orig.jpg)
The final result after the metamorphosis:
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-spl-full-blackknob-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-spl-blackknob-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-spl-square-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-spl-bass-extender-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/broks-eb-spl-headstock-1500_orig.jpg)
I tried it with a red speed knob as an eye catcher:
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-spl-redknob-1500_orig.jpg)
Pics of the process can be seen here:
https://www.enkoo.nl/modification-eb-spl-noir.html
Great job!
Looks great!
Beauty !
Wow, simply wow!
I saw a photo on Facebook the other day that had two black, double cut Brooks basses and I wondered about those... That is beautiful!
That must have been this one
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-pl-noir-sisters-1500_orig.jpg)
Thank you guys, for all the nice comments
8)
I've been playing around with the idea of building a multi scale bass. So with fanned frets. Just for fun. Something completely different.
Last few days I made some drawings.
Based on the model of the Brooks EB-N.
But with Thunderbird-ish headstock. Tuners: 2 above, 3 below
Natural Mahogany with yellow stained spalted maple top
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-n-f-v2_orig.jpg)
Also based on the model of the Brooks EB-N.
But with Flying-V-ish headstock. Tuners 3 above, 2 below
Natural Mahogany with yellow stained spalted maple top
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ff_orig.jpg)
New body model with a hint of Thunderbird/RD
Natural Mahogany with spalted maple top
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ms_orig.jpg)
Explorer model with Flying-V ish headstock. Tuners 3 above, 2 below
Finish Gun Metal grey.
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-f-v2_orig.jpg)
Explorer model with Thunderbird-ish headstock. Tuners: 2 above, 3 below
Finish White Pearl
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-extb-f_orig.jpg)
Wow (as usual)! I've had a little fascination with fanned frets over the past few years. I just feel like I'd have to start playing a bunch of tapped arpeggios on something like that. :mrgreen: What scale lengths are you thinking? Another thing I've been thinking about is a 32'' scale 5 string tuned EADGC. For a multi-scale, I think maybe 35'' to 33'' might be good.
These drawings are based on 34-37 inch scale
How about a hockey stick option for explorer shape head stock? G string tuner might be a reach but at least it would look cool. :vader:
I like to keep the strings running as straight as possible from the top nut to the tuners.
With a hockeystick that is not going to work.
The Explorer/V mashup looks the best to my eye, but I'm wondering if your target audience might prefer better upper fret access.
Yeah, I may want to make the cutaway deeper, or at least make a profile so you can reach the higher registers.
:popcorn:
Made a new drawing.
Changed the vertical fret from the 12th to the 8th.
And made it a 10-string instead of 5-string :rimshot:
With the vertical fret now at the 8th fret the bridge makes a sharper angle. And so I decided to change the Explorer body shape too.
The scale is still 34-37". But I may want to change that to 32-35" in order to make this bass a bit less unwieldy...
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-ms-10-8middle-body-mod_orig.jpg)
Only question is, can my friends at ETS Hardware tool me a bridge for this beast? :o
And tweaked this one too
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ms-v3_orig.jpg)
Reminds me of the Dano Wild Thing .
(https://i.postimg.cc/nr59tJ05/B2-B7-CFBD-7-A40-487-D-B742-C49-A0-F9-F7-AFB.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
32"-35" fanned-fret 15-string Explorer would be absolutely ridiculous in all the best ways.
Haha, yeah. Completely over the top. :mrgreen:
But the guy whom I built the twelve string Explorer bass for, is dead serious. He wants me to build it...
Yeah, I assumed this was a commissioned build, and I'm just standing by to bask in the glorious ridiculousness...:mrgreen:
that is just gorgeous
I love them both!
Got a new bass build ready.
TB-12-Q
Twelve string Thunderbird Bass with Quilted Maple top.
- Mahogany body
- Bookmatched Quilted Maple top
- Nine ply Mahogany/Walnut set neck. Glued in
- Transparent black stain
- High gloss transparent acrylic finish
- White binding
- Ebony fretboard
- Mother of pearl position dots
- Jumbo frets
- 34" scale
- Buffalo horn nut ?
- ETS twelve string brass bridge set
- Two spokewheel double action trussrods
- Carbon reinforcement strip in the neck
- Lace Alumitone Bass Bar in the neck position
- Lace Alumitone DeathBar in the bridge position
- Allparts stacked pots (volume/tone volume/tone)
- Mullard capacitors
- MEC on-on switch for coil split (humbucker-single coil)
- Gotoh GB 350 lightweight bass tuners
- Gotoh Stealth ST 31 guitar tuners
- 2 xPure Tone Multi Contact jack output
- d'Addario EXL 170 - 12 strings
- Weight: 4.25 kg
Electronics circuit by Bas Becu.
Serialnumber: 2021003
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/tb-12-2p-full-front-2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/tb-12-2p-body-angle-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/tb-12-2p-headstock-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/tb-12-2p-flame-logo-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/tb-12-2p-knobs-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/tb-12-2p-jack-outputs-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/tb-12-2p-headstock-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/tb-12-2p-full-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/tb-12-2p-full-front-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/tb-12-2p-in-chair-1500_orig.jpg)
Pics of the build process can be found here:
https://www.enkoo.nl/brooks-tb-12-q.html
I have been waiting for this...spectacular!
Another stunning bass! Congrats, Rob.
There's nothing about this I don't like. I'm not even a figured top guy, but its working for me here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ex28ljNbEyg
I think it's really awesome that you had Jeff Ament demo your bass...:mrgreen:
Haha, he even played a little Jeremy :mrgreen:
Rob strikes again! :toast:
Just amazing Rob!
Wow that looks awesome Rob!
There's two output jacks , is one for each pickup , Rob ?
Yes, that's right. Each pickup has its own pickup.
I've had a 4001 one for ages , but I've never run it in stereo . I'd simply need a stereo cable and a splitter , I've got various amps and cabs .
Can you run a full mono signal with a standard jack on the Brooks 12 , or it it designed to just use double cables ? Could you hook up a stereo wireless system ? I'm not sure I've even heard of one ... but I just plug into my rig .
That's something a little different .
It's made for the use of two separate amps.
The neck pickup is a bass humbucker. (For the bass amp)
The bridge pickup is a guitar pickup. (For the guitar amp with overdrive an other effects).
Of course I could have opted for a stereo jack output like a Rickenbacker.
But it was done like this per special request of the customer.
Will you get to hear that setup live? That's something I'd love to experience.
Stereo bass !
I'm a pretty traditional old school thumper , but it would be fascinating to plug that into a couple of amps and start spinning the knobs .
Quote from: BeeTL on August 08, 2021, 07:58:12 AM
Will you get to hear that setup live? That's something I'd love to experience.
I don't think I will ever hear it live, since my customer lives in the USA. ;-)
In the video that I posted the left channel is the bridge pickup channel and the right channel is the neck pickup.
At 1.48 you hear what happens when I switch on the Tech 21 VT bass. (drive = left, clean = right).
I'm pretty sure most of you guys have already seen the pics on either Talkbass or Facebook.
But I'll post here anyway, since Bassoutpost is still the forum I check on first whenever I log in ;-)
I've been building three twelve string basses at the same time last few months. And this is the first one that is completely finished.
The Brooks TB-12
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/tb-12-wh-full-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/tb-12-wh-body-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/tb-12-wh-body-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/tb-12-wh-bridge-set-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/tb-12-wh-outputs-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/tb-12-wh-full-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/tb-12-wh-body-angle-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/tb-12-wh-head2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/tb-12-wh-head-back2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/tb-12-wh-body-back-angle-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/tb-12-wh-body3-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/tb-12-wh-full-back2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/tb-12-wh-full-vertical-1500_orig.jpg)
Specifications
- Mahogany body wings
- Nine ply Mahogany/Walnut set neck. Neck through
- Opaque white (blonde) high gloss finish
- Abalonoid binding
- Ebony fretboard
?- Circle position dots
- Jumbo frets
- 34" scale
- Buffalo horn nut
- Three ply black/white/black pickguard?
- ETS twelve string brass bridge set
- Two spokewheel double action trussrods
- Carbon reinforcement strip in the neck
- Lace Alumitone Bass Bar in the neck position
- Lace Alumitone DeathBar in the bridge position
- Allparts stacked pots (volume/tone volume/tone)
?- Mullard capacitors
- MEC on-on switch for coil split (humbucker-single coil)
- Gotoh GB 350 lightweight bass tuners
- Gotoh Stealth ST 31 guitar tuners
- 2 x Pure Tone Multi Contact jack output
- d'Addario EXL 170 - 12 strings
- Weight: 4.25 kg
Wiring and soldering were done by my good friend Bas Becu (BQ Music)
Stunning!
Any sound clips?
I love everything about it.
So beautiful... You do Thunderbirds like they were meant to be done!
A stunner Rob. Nice visual harmony between the bridge and pickups and the white finish too.
That came out great!
Yup .
Beauty !
Woah, nice stuff as usual. Wonder how the other two will turn out. Hey maybe play some Byrds for the demo. Bet some Roger McGuinn lines would sound epic on that thing.
Your Thunderbird designs are fantastic. Think you'll ever attempt any kind of semi hollow bass build along the lines of an EB-2?
Thank you guys
Quote from: 4stringer77 on January 28, 2022, 07:49:43 AM
Think you'll ever attempt any kind of semi hollow bass build along the lines of an EB-2?
Oh yes, I want to do that some time.
At the moment I'm preparing to build a Thinline Telebird.
Which will be semi-hollow.
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/telebird-thinline-v3_orig.jpg)
Rob: If my reality still had me working, instead of enjoying my retirement, I would spend my dough in your direction! But, as the retire payment is nowhere near that legion, I'll have to stop at admiring your works. Beautiful, Rob! Really beautiful!
Are you building all of the dual-output builds for the same client? That's a very uncommon and old-school spec.
Quote from: BeeTL on January 28, 2022, 04:14:52 PM
Are you building all of the dual-output builds for the same client? That's a very uncommon and old-school spec.
This white twelve-string Thunderbird is for the same client as the previous twelve-string Thunderbird. He wants it wired this way.
But I have used the concept of two dedicated output on several other twelve-string basses too.
The first one That I built had it too per special request of the client (Rob van de Loo).
He wanted to use two separate amps. A bass amp for the front pickup. And a guitar amp (with a few effects in between) for the bridge pickup.
Which does make sense to me, since the twelve string bass is a bass and a (strumming) guitar in one.
Why not a stereo cable? Because mono jack cables are the global standard. You'd need a splitter to send each signal to the desired amp.
On the red twelve string Explorer I also used the rick-o-sound wiring. which means that if you only use one output , all signal goes to that output.
Personally I wouldn't even play a twelve-string bass myself. I prefer 4-string bass guitars :mrgreen:
Quote from: Basvarken on January 29, 2022, 02:15:48 AM
Why not a stereo cable? Because mono jack cables are the global standard. You'd need a splitter to send each signal to the desired amp.
True, but a splitter cable or even better, being more reliable and less damage prone, a mini size pedal box, if one has a pedalboard in the rig already is much more tidy and ergonomic. TRS to TRS cables are also pretty standard.... I mean so are TRS to dual TS, just not everyone has one - see mixer insert cables which you can buy at any music store - that's the standard for that. 2 cables strain-relief looped through the strap would be annoying ... though at least on a TBird, with all that real estate behind the bridge at the ass end, it might be far enough out of the way, but you're still trailing 2 leads on stage and that can't be without issues - even just the weight, especially if they are somehow channeled together into a single larger cable so as to decrease tangle/trip risk (and the best way to do that - a custom cable, stereo, but dual TS vs single TRS ends, would be no more standard than a splitter, this would also be lighter/thiner). Using zip ties or an outer channel would be annoying and bulky, and so would having 2 separate cables.
A splitter cable or box would also be dirt cheap - less than the cost of restringing one of those beasts easily. I've made some for a few folks (though it was to run between pedals, where one had a TRS stereo out, vs a stereo output instrument, but same thing pretty much).
It is a trade off, and nothing is perfect.
Spectacular!
Finally found the time to make a short video demo of this bass
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjfIw6Iifm4
That has amazing sound(s) & is a beautiful bass , well done & thank you
Nice
Here's another twelve string bass I built simultaneously with the TB-12
(test for Instagram video)
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CZopJAdARfy/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uedq07QRYi0
Rob, your Instagram is set to private, that's probably why it won't embed.
Hmm I changed that. But it still doesn't work. Or maybe I'm doing it wrong?
"This page isn't working now"
Are you referring to the Instagram page, Rob?
Rob, I'll see if I can resolve the issue. At least YouTube is working.
Don't spend too much time on it Dave.
I'm really happy the YouTube videos are working again. I was just curious about the other social media platforms. But I don't really need them ;-)
Quote from: Basvarken on February 09, 2022, 05:49:10 AM
Don't spend too much time on it Dave.
I'm really happy the YouTube videos are working again. I was just curious about the other social media platforms. But I don't really need them ;-)
Agreed. The answer I received: "not all link formats work for all sites." But YT works and that's good enough.
A new bass is born!
I proudly present the Brooks Thinline Telebird.
- Two piece Swamp Ash body. Half hollow
- Two piece Swamp Ash top. With f-hole
- 7ender P-bass neck with Pau Ferro fingerboard
- Sea Foam Green top.
- Artec Mudbuckers
- 34" scale
- Wide travel Thunderbird bridge plus tailstop. Chrome
- Pearloid pickguard
- Tortoise binding
- Hipshot Ultralite tuners. Chrome
- CTS Volume pot
- CTS Tone pot
- 5 way super switch
- Chrome flat top barrel knobs
- Telecaster jack cup. Chrome
- Rotosound 66 Swing bass strings 45-105
Wiring by BQ Music:
• Neck humbucker in series
• Outer coils as humbucker in series
• Both humbuckers in series
• Inner coils as humbucker in series
• Bridge humbucker in series
Serialnumber: 2022001
PRICE € 1750
#brooksbass #thinline #TeleBird
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thinline-telebird-full2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thinline-telebird-body-diagonal-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thinline-telebird-back-full-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thinline-telebird-body-diagonal2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thinline-telebird-bridge-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thinline-telebird-f-hole-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thinline-telebird-head-side-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thinline-telebird-neckplate-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thinline-telebird-output-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thinline-telebird-head-back-1500_orig.jpg)
Amazing, that looks great!
Another cool one, meticulously executed. Seems like a very reasonable price.
So beautiful that I start looking at my Bach Entwhistle T-bird, wondering how it would look with a Tele head, instead of the P-bass head...
Beautiful work , Rob .
Thank you guys.
It was a joy to build.
LOVE that color and pickguard!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLwzZR_rxYQ
Dayum!
Nice sound, too.
Another winner! :toast:
Great work Rob!
Impressive!!
Wait a sec, it doesn't sound muddy. Aren't those pickups wound to around 30k? How'd you get them to be so clear? Love the bass too btw.
Quote from: 4stringer77 on May 05, 2022, 07:32:03 AM
Wait a sec, it doesn't sound muddy. Aren't those pickups wound to around 30k? How'd you get them to be so clear? Love the bass too btw.
Yes, supposedly they're 30k.
Artec makes some fine pickups.
Maybe the choice of wood and the bolt-on maple neck help a little too.
Ever since I used the Artec Mudbucker as a bridge pickup in the first bass I ever built, I know they work great.
What a beauty!
You continue to grow as a builder, lots of cool elements in this one! Beautiful!
Thank you Scott. :toast:
Nice work, is that PRS wiring on the pickups?
Thank you.
I have no idea what PRS wiring is. But the wiring was done by my good friend BQ Music.
I asked him for these switching combinations and he came up with the wiring diagram and soldered it for me.
I liked this. I used to own Gibson and Epi T-Birds. This body style and its colour appeals to me. I'm a lifelong fan of that headstock style. I was surprised to see it was a 5 way switching scheme. The sound samples presented them well. I expected major treble-ish twang from the bridge but didn't get that (good) and as someone said, no mud. Finally, thank you for not demonstrating this bass by doing slap & pop throughout.
On my birthday I completed the build of a new bass:
The Brooks EXB-MS-5
- Mahogany Khaya body
- Quilted Maple top and headstock face
- Three piece Mahogany Khaya set neck. Glued in
- Blue burst gloss finish on top and headstock
- Pearloid binding
- Ebony fretboard
- Luminlay Blue position markers
- Jumbo nickel silver frets
- 37-34" scale
- Buffalo horn nut
- Babicz Solo Rail bridge. Black
- Double action trussrod
- Two carbon reinforcement strips in the neck
- Lace Alumitone Bass Bar pickup combination
- Pure Tone output. Black
- Volume and tone knob. Black
- Rotary pickup selector switch. Black chickenhead
- Gotoh GB 350 lightweight bass tuners. Black
- Dunlop flush mount strapnuts. Black
- Dingwall strings
- Weight: 4.25 kg
Rotary switch options:
1. Both pickups in series
2. Neck side pickup
3. Bridge side pickup
4. both pickups in parallel
5. Both pickups. Out of phase with a capacitor to maintain the low frequencies.
Circuit and wiring by BQ Music.
Pics of the build process can be viewed here
https://www.enkoo.nl/brooks-exb-ms-5.html
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/https://www.enkoo.nl/brooks-exb-ms-5-full2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-ms-5-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-ms-5-headstock-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-ms-5-headstock-back-1500_orig)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-ms-5-heel-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-ms-5-luminlays-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-ms-5-back2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-ms-5-pickups-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-ms-5-vertical-view-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-ms-5-op-de-bank2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-ms-5-back3-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.enkoo.nl/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-ms-5-luminlays2-1500_orig.jpg)
And I made a quick video as well.
Being a life long 4-string player I have no idea what to do with that fifth string!
But you get an idea of how she sounds.
(I'm quite sure the guy I built it for will put it to good use!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmhouUniFf4
Beautiful, no matter how many strings it has. Explorers are always cool, and I must say that your builds inspire. Great work!
:toast:
Beauty !
Very nice!!
I want to take a dive into that paint job. It looks like the Caribbean Sea. Love it.
Beautiful!
Beautiful. Love the aesthetics all around.
Wow.
No other bass wears a fanned fret board as naturally as an Explorer.
Just amazing workmanship Rob! Your builds are getting very ambitious!
Thank you guys.
It's actually the customers who are ambitious.
They ask me to build something I have never done before.
And I live by the motto of Pippi Longstocking: "I have never done it yet, so I think I can do it" 😂
That's yet another spectacular build...congratulations!
I moved my site to a new domain www.brooksbassguitars.com
And decided to add a family pic part 2 on the opening page
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-on-a-row2-2400_orig.jpg)
And while I was busy making all those clipping paths for all those shapes, I just kept going and made some more:
Brooks 12-string bass guitars
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-12-string-bass-guitars-on-a-row-2400-insta_orig.jpg)
Brooks EB bass guitars
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-pl-on-a-row-2400-insta_orig.jpg)
Brooks EXB bass guitars
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exp-on-a-row-2400-insta_orig.jpg)
Brooks EBN bass guitars
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ebn-on-a-row-2400-insta_orig.jpg)
Brooks Bass guitars with T-bird characteristics
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-tb-theme-on-a-row-2400-insta_orig.jpg)
Lovely body of work. Are any of the DCs shortscales?
No, they are all 34" scale
:toast:
:toast: +1
Very, very nice!
I just love those EB's🤩
The same goes for me! The EB's are all really pure beauties!
That's quite a portfolio Rob! I have really enjoyed watching your progress to a world class luthier.
Really nice congrats!
Quote from: godofthunder on October 25, 2022, 06:16:13 AM
That's quite a portfolio Rob! I have really enjoyed watching your progress to a world class luthier.
Thank you Scott.
But I still make too many mistakes to know I'm not ;-)
I love seeing all of your work side-by-side like that...NICE!
Sweet portfolio BTW but I'm wondering why Telemundo calls your country paises bajos?
Haha, didn't you know the Netherlands is the bass country?
Pays Bas.
The Lowlands.
😂
:rimshot:
Well, in that case, congrats to bass Nation on the win against Senegal today. ;
Last summer I built a custom bass for a customer who immediately became so enthusiastic that he asked me to build another special bass; a remake of the legendary Hamer Quad Bass!
The original Quad Bass is a short scale twelve-string bass that was built by Jol Danzig of Hamer, especially for Tom Petersson. With a "quad bucker" (four single coil elements across) going to a built-in mixing console. And each with its own output. Quadrophonic!
(https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c226ff5b27e39c27119ad93/1594346792934-FLMHHB51HPYTIRX3YTY0/HamerQuad14.gif?format=750w)
I actually never build exact copies of basses. So I suggested doing it the Brooks way.
I would like to make it 34" scale anyway.
And instead of a built-in mixer I was going to put built-in effects in it: a SansAmp-like overdrive and a compressor. I was actually already brainstorming with BQ Music about the how and what of this.
Plus I would build the Quad Bucker with Nordstrand NM4 single coils because they have pole pieces that have exactly the right spacing for the bass string and the two accompanying octave strings.
The second pickup would be a Lace Alumitone.
The Quad Bucker and the Alumitone would each get their own output
Furthermore, I'd use an ETS bridge and tailpiece.
Plus Gotoh lightweight tuners (as on all 12-string Brooks basses).
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-qb-v4_orig.jpg)
Unfortunately, the customer announced today that his band (a Cheap trick tribute) is on hiatus for an indefinite period of time. So for now the custom Brooks QB has been held off.
But the design/idea is too nice not to share with you.
Who knows, maybe one day it will actually be built. I would love to do it.
That would be a cool build. Personally, I'd go 32'' scale. I've thought about the idea of a Tech 21 VT Bass built-in to a bass, so I like your SansAmp idea.
As always Rob your ideas are always impressive! I second the suggestion of a 32" scale.
Thank you guys.
I'm curious to learn why 32" would be better than a 34" scale?
With a 34" scale, 12ers can get really tight with string tension. I have a 34" 12, and it was Tom's evaluation model from Waterstone before his signature line came out. The change he requested: 32" scale.
I choose 34" because I want to be sure the bass strings deliver a profound tight tone.
Twelve strings is a lot. And hitting three strings in one stroke can get messy or muddy pretty easily.
I really want them to sound like a grand piano. 8)
Yes, string tension. 34'' is fine, but given a choice, I'd go 32''. I have a couple in the collection now, and the low E is fine.
My Yamaha SB-50 is 32" and the E is good. The G sounds a bit meatier than on 34" basses.
(https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--ETZoBwTg--/f_auto,t_large/v1558589334/ox5usri0ufxyjqbdetpm.jpg)
But that's a four string. My question is why 32" would be better for a twelve string bass.
Other than "Tom asked for it" and "tight string tension", still haven't heard a convincing answer...
Better balance on a strap with a 12 tuner headstock?
Quote from: ilan on December 22, 2022, 01:22:27 PM
Better balance on a strap with a 12 tuner headstock?
Haha, that's a good one! :rimshot:
But the twelvers that I've built never suffer neck dive. Grace the Gotoh lightweight tuners.
Good news! The customer gave me the green light to go bulld the Quad Bass.
Looking forward to building this monster.
And I'll be looking forward to seeing your progress.
Holy Quadaroly Batman!
Do you have any contenders for the vt bass like circuit? I sold mine because I found the bass control frequency too high .I like around 40hz , like on an svt.
It will be fun to see this take shape.
About the scale length.
I found this online.
A bass player called Kevin Macza sums it up pretty well
Compared with my original 30½" scale B12S, the 34" Chaparral has a tighter, more throaty sound to it. Overall, the longer scale length adds greater definition to the notes and makes harmonics stand out more. The tone in general seems more aggressive and piano-like than the B12S.
Overall, the mahogany body is quite acoustically resonant and adds a woody warmth to the tone when compared to the hard rock maple used in the B12S which sounded very bright. Surprisingly, I found that the B12S had more low lows and high highs while the B12L has more throaty mids, probably due somewhat to the difference in body woods. The B12S sounded more like a harpsichord while the B12L sounds more like a piano if that analogy helps.
Nothing against the short scale, but there's no doubt that a 34" scale will have more note definition and higher harmonics. You can't escape the physics of scale length.
I find there's nothing quite like a cheap short scale run through a good amp.
Overall string response seems more even across the neck.
Quote from: Basvarken on January 10, 2023, 07:58:03 AM
Good news! The customer gave me the green light to go bulld the Quad Bass.
Looking forward to building this monster.
:popcorn:
Quote from: morrow on January 13, 2023, 06:02:51 AM
I find there's nothing quite like a cheap short scale run through a good amp.
Overall string response seems more even across the neck.
I hope you are right. All I can play for now are my short scales. On Dec 30 I had a scooter accident and fractured my LH wrist badly, had an operation and now a titanium plate and eight screws are holding my distal radius bone together, resulting in limited ability to bend the wrist inwards and stretch the fingers enough to play long scales.
Quote from: ilan on January 19, 2023, 12:39:21 PM
I hope you are right. All I can play for now are my short scales. On Dec 30 I had a scooter accident and fractured my LH wrist badly, had an operation and now a titanium plate and eight screws are holding my distal radius bone together, resulting in limited ability to bend the wrist inwards and stretch the fingers enough to play long scales.
I'm sorry to hear that! I hope it improves over time.
I can say that I've been happy with my short scale basses. I think they offer a nice alternative.
Ouch! Hopefully it'll heal well.
Speedy recovery!
I'm sorry to hear of this ilan , and hope your recovery will be complete.
My switch to short scales had nothing to do with any difficulties dealing with a 34 in scale.
I just found short scales more comfy to play.
I was once a diehard Pbass aficionado.
Very sorry to hear this Ilan. I hope you can get back to playing whatever scale you want to.
Thanks guys. I'm practicing cautious optimism.
This weekend I finally completed the build of the Brooks EBN-MS-5.
It had been waiting on the electronics to be wired since december last year.
The five position rotary switch appeared to be made of unobtanium. But this week it finally showed up.
Here are the specifications:
- Mahogany Khaya body
- Quilted Maple top and headstock face
- Three piece Mahogany Khaya set neck. Glued in
- Blue burst gloss finish on top and headstock
- Matte finish on back and neck
- Ebony fretboard
?- Mother of pearl position markers
- Jumbo nickel silver frets
- 37-34" scale
- Buffalo horn nut ?
- Babicz Solo Rail bridge. Black
- Double action trussrod
- Two carbon reinforcement strips in the neck
?- Lace Alumitone Bass Bar pickup combination
- Pure Tone output. Black
- Volume and tone knob. Black
- Rotary pickup selector switch. Black
• 1. humbucker in series
• 2. neck side humbucker
• 3. bridge side humbucker
• 4. humbuckers in parallel
• 5. humbuckers out of phase. With cap to keep low end
- Gotoh GB 350 lightweight bass tuners. Black
?- Gotoh Extra large strapnuts. Black
- Dingwall strings
- Weight: 3.88 kg
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ebn-ms-5-full-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ebn-ms-5-body-unsharp-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ebn-ms-5-headstock-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ebn-ms-5-body-2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ebn-ms-5-body-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ebn-ms-5-headstock-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ebn-ms-5-full-back-1500_orig.jpg)
This bass was not built on commission. But I just wanted to build it as a sort of prototype. To try out a few new things.
There are a few mistakes/flaws that annoy me
- I think the bridge is a bit too close to the edge. This because I set into the body a little deeper than I had originally planned. I was afraid there wouldn't be enough grip for the neck.
- There's a glued in piece of (the same) khaya on the side of the body. The router had slipped and I needed to repair that piece. But somehow I flipped the piece over and new it reflects differently under a certain angle. Making the glued-in piece pop out quite obviously.
- I am not that happy with the way the blue came out. Some kind of chemical reaction between the stain, the wood and the lacquer makes the color lose some of its intensity. Plus the are strange spots where it almost looks as if there are salt stains under the lacquer.
- The string-T was not something I had planned. But I guess a didn't make the top nut high enough to keep the string in the slots. So the String T was an after thought.
Still a pretty nice bass. But I keep seeing all the imperfections... I did learn a thing or two during the build though ;-)
Here are pics of the build process.
https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/brooks-ebn-ms-5.html
It looks great and has some really interesting and unique features. Congratulations!
I think the blue is gorgeous. Can't see the repair you are talking about either.
I am curious what it sounds like in the different settings!
It is beautiful. Nice craftmanship there.
Beautiful work as always, Rob.
Beautiful. :toast:
Looks awesome! Really unique!
Thank you guys. Here are the flaws I'm talking about
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ebn-ms-5-weird-stain-headstock-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ebn-ms-5-weird-stain-near-controls-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ebn-ms-5-weird-stain-side-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ebn-ms-5-weird-stains-upper-horn-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ebn-ms-5-wood-patch-1500_orig.jpg)
I have baptized the bass The Blue Spotted Pig now ;-)
I think it looks cool and multiple scale instruments fascinate me.
I find it surprisingly easy to adept to.
I did not expect that at all.
Drrrrumroll....
Please welcome the Brooks EXB-MS-10.
A custom made multi-scale 10-string bass.
This is easily the most ambitious build I've done to this date.
Simply because there is no reference. As far as I know there is no other in the world.
I had to invent the wheel myself in some parts ;-)
But now it's ready. Thanx to my talented sister Pauline who made the bass plates for the bridges. Thanx to Lord Of The Strings who helped assemble a string set. And thanx to Sjoerd Smeenk who took care of the electronics part.
And a big thank you to Mark Schiele for his patience! he had to wait more than a year for this bass to be completed.
- Mahogany Khaya body
- Laminated Mahogany Khaya set neck. Glued in
- Candy Apple Red finish
- Checkerboard binding
- Ebony fretboard
?- Pearloid position markers
- Jumbo nickel silver frets
- 35-32" scale
- Buffalo horn nut ?
- Custom Brooks bass bridge set. Gold plated
Bridge base plates by www.paulinevandenbroek.nl (http://www.paulinevandenbroek.nl)
- Two double action trussrods
- One carbon reinforcement strip in the neck
?- Lace Alumitone Bass Bar pickup combination
- Pure Tone output. Gold plated
- Volume and tone knob. Gold plated
- Rotary pickup selector switch. Gold plated chickenhead
- Gotoh GB 350 lightweight bass tuners. Gold plated
- Gotoh CXB-01 carbon guitar tuners. Black
- Custom set d'Addario strings
- Weight: 4.25 kg
Check https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/brooks-exb-ms-10.html (https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/brooks-exb-ms-10.html) for pics of the entire build process.
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-ms-10-full-frontal-horizontal-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-ms-10-body-side-view2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-ms-10-headstock-diagonal-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-ms-10-full-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-ms-10-output-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-ms-10-headstock-back-1500_orig.jpg)
#brooksbassguitars #multiscalebass #tenstringbass #fannedfrets
That is spectacular, congratulations!
Fantastic work, Rob!
Beauty, Rob!
Made a video today.
Not an easy task for my somewhat rusty short-scale four-string accustomed fingers ;-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtOuWAW91R0
:toast:
FANtastic!
Lovely work!
Beautiful.
What was the reason for having the bass strings on top of the octave strings, Ric-style?
The Brooks QB is finally ready!
The build was actually already done two months ago. But I had to wait for the effects to be built into the bass.
But now she's here.
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-qb-full-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-qb-body-angle-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-qb-head-front2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-qb-bridge-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-qb-effects-panel-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-qb-outputs-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-qb-full-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-qb-head-back2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-qb-leds-on-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-qb-quadbucker-and-lace-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-qb-volume-to-11-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-qb-effects-panel2-1500_orig.jpg)
- Mahogany body. Les Paul Junior Double Cut shape
- Flamed Maple top. Sun burst high gloss
- Body back, sides and neck: Mahogany gloss
- Pearloid Binding
- Glued neck, mahogany/maple five piece laminate.
- Two spoke wheel type double action truss rods. Plus one carbon stiffening rod.
- Ebony Fretboard. White side dot inlays
- Sintoms Jumbo frets. Nickel-silver
- 34" Scale
- Buffalo horn nut/ string guide
- Custom made 12 string bridge and tailpiece. Black
- 4 x Gotoh GB 350 bass tuners. Lightweight. Black
- 8 x Gotoh ST-31 Octave string tuners. Lightweight. Black
- D'Addario EXL 170-12 strings
- Gotoh large black strapnuts
- Pickup 1: Lace Alumitone. Black
- Pickup 2: 2x Nordstrand NM4
- 2 x Switchcraft output.
- 2 x Volume. On/off switch with led light for each effect
?- Weight: 4,5 kg
Electronics custom made by BQ Music:
?- Built-in effect 1: SansAmp type overdrive.
- Built-in effect 2: Aguilar TLC Compressor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LBfd2ztqb0
Congratulations! Nice work as usual. :toast:
Very cool Rob! And I mean this: I don't know many builders who would challenge this and you did! What a great job.
Coming back on the scale length: I find short scales easier to play. I don't like long scales with a wide neck, but if the shorty has a wide neck, it doesn't bother me that much. Recently I bought one of those vintage style (they have a non vintage style too) Hagstrom 8-strings. It's short scale, it sounds very good, but I still have to adjust to the extra strings. I think it being short scale makes it easier to adjust. It doesn't feel like an easy short scale but like hard work, haha! So 4 inches more would be an even bigger struggle.
If a customer asks me to build a short scale, I'll make it short scale.
Not my call.
Looks fascinating as hell ! Nice one , Rob.
Beautiful tribute to the Quad Rob. I love the idea of a built-in SansAmp. And I like what you did with those Nordstrand coils. Superb!
Quote from: Basvarken on July 06, 2023, 02:49:34 AM
If a customer asks me to build a short scale, I'll make it short scale.
Not my call.
I'm not talking about your choices our your call, but just talking about the pros and cons of short and long/
That turned out great, congratulations!
Good job on another impressive and challenging build. That burst is killer too. Keep em coming man!
It is featured as Bass of the Week at NoTreble.com.
Quite an honor!
https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2023/07/10/bass-of-the-week-brooks-qb/
Drumroll...
... a new Brooks bass was born today!
The Brooks UV (aka Thundervee).
Built for our very own Uwe.
- Neck through with Korina body wings
- Nine ply Korina/mahogany neck
- Ebony faceplate on headstock
- Red Mahogany stain. Gloss transparent acrylic finish
- Rosewood fretboard
- 24 Jumbo frets
- 34" scale
- Handcut Buffalo horn nut
- Three ply black-white-black pickguard
- Wide travel Thunderbird bridge- String through body ferrules
- Hipshot Ultralite nickel plated tuners
- Hipshot Bass Extender for the E-string
- Spokewheel double action trussrod
- 2 x Sixties repro Thunderbird pickups nickel. 9.2 K Ohm
- Di Marzio EP111 toggle switch
- 2 x Volume pot CTS 500 kOhms lineair
- 1 x Tone pot CTS 500 kOhms logarithmic
- 47 nF capacitor
- Rotosound RB45. Nickel on steel roundwound 45-105
#brooksbassguitars #thundervee #flyingvbass #brooksuv
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-full-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-body2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-headstock-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-bridge-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-body-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-headstock-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-pickup-ring-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-volume-knob-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-tailview-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-full-vertical-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-head-to-toe-1500_orig.jpg)
That's gorgeous! :toast:
You hit that right out of the park , Rob. That's a beauty.
Congratulations Uwe!
Absolutely beautiful work.
Good grief, that is gorgeous!
Uwe is a very lucky guy! That's a beauty!
Love the grain and color! You've done justice to the concept of a V bass.
That's simply fantastic Rob!
Are you sending Uwe some Spandex trousers or perhaps some Assless Chaps as a complimentary gift with purchase? ;)
I'm quite sure he already has those... :popcorn:
It looks amazing.
I like what you've done with the ferrules and the Tbird influence (risen central block). Very nice.
That is insanely cool, congrats to both of you!
Beyond Awesome!!
Wowee!
breathtakingly beautiful
Love it!
Absolutely beautiful! That should take pride of place in his collection. We need sound clips!
Of course I made the traditional quick (grumpy faced) video demo. ;-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBkSUpuCuVA
What a GREAT sounding bass (we already knew how great it looks)! You're a true artist, my friend.
Look what this extremely talented Netherluthier made for me ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBkSUpuCuVA
So far I've only played it "dry", i.e. unplugged, but:The fret job, the neck, the high register accessibility and the set-up are of a quality I have not encountered on any other bass yet - and I have a few. And it looks and feels gorgeous.
Hey Holländer, post some pics how it came about!
pssst Uwe, we've already been discussing your bass here:
https://bassoutpost.com/index.php?topic=12410.0
turn it up
Oh, I didn't know it was here ... :-X :mrgreen:
What is that song again you're playing? Led Zeppelin? Sounds familiar ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSngzjqMF38
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noTV6s8JzTM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyuiAvSCD4c
Per request of Uwe I'll post pics of the entire build process here.
It's copy/paste from a thread in Talkbass where I've already shared this.
Had my wood supplier make me a nice ply neck blank of White Limba (akaKorina) and mahogany veneer strips in between
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-neck-blank_orig.jpeg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-neck-blank-close_orig.jpeg)
Plus two slabs White Limba for the body wings
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-wing-blanks_orig.jpeg)
A nice start for this project
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-blanks_orig.jpeg)
Routed the trussrod slot. And cut out the part for the spokewheel
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-routing-trussrod-slot.jpeg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-trussrod-slot_orig.jpeg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-spokewheel_orig.jpeg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-trussrod_orig.jpeg)
Sawed the headstock angle
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-headstock-angle_orig.jpeg)
Drilled holes for the position markers
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-drilling-for-inlays_orig.jpeg)
Glued the postion markers in and sanded them flush to the radius of the fretboard
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-inlays_orig.jpeg)
Hammered the frets in
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-installing-frets_orig.jpeg)
Cut out the opening for the trussrod access
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-trussrod-cover-slot_orig.jpeg)
Made the trussrod cover to fit the access slot
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-trussrod-cover-in-place_orig.jpeg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-trussrod-cover_orig.jpeg)
Fretboard ready to be glued onto the neck
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-fretboard-ready_orig.jpeg)
Checked the neck/body angle before I glued the fretboard on
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-body-angle_orig.jpeg)
Sawed the rough shape of the neck
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-sawing-headstock-angle-back_orig.jpeg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-headstock-paddle_orig.jpeg)
Glued the fretboard onto the neck
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-glueing-the-fretboard_orig.jpeg)
Fretboard in place
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-fretboard-onto-neck_orig.jpeg)
Filled the little gaps under the frets with a mix of rosewood sawdust and wood glue
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-filling-the-gaps-under-the-frets_orig.jpeg)
Glued the first body wing on
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-glueing-body-wing_orig.jpeg)
And then the other wing
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-glueing-other-body-wing2_orig.jpeg)
Sawed the outline roughly (sorry no pic)
Then routed along the MDF template for the first outline
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-routing-body-outline_orig.jpeg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-body-outline_orig.jpeg)
Second step was to route the outline for the recessed "armpit" of the V
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-recessed-armpit_orig.jpeg)
Used the same template for the pickup cavities and the controls cavity
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-routing-cavities_orig.jpeg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-routing-done_orig.jpeg)
Then shaped the neck and heel
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-shaping-the-heel_orig.jpeg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-shaping-the-neckprofile_orig.jpeg)
Drilled the bridge stud holes
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-drilling-bridge-stud-holes_orig.jpeg)
And the holes for the string through body ferrules
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-drilling-ferrule-holes_orig.jpeg)
Shaped the headstock and the volute
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-headstock-shaped-front_orig.jpeg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-headstock-shaped-side_orig.jpeg)
Starting to look like a bass
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-body-on-the-couch_orig.jpeg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-on-the-couch_orig.jpeg)
Put the ground wire in and hammered in the inserts for the bridge studs
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-bridge-stud-inserts_orig.jpeg)
Forgot to do the side position markers before I glued the body wings on. Luckily the wings are not very wide at the end of the fretboard, so I could drill holes there without a problem...
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-drilling-side-marker-holes_orig.jpeg)
Made the side dots
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-glueing-side-markers_orig.jpeg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-side-markers_orig.jpeg)
Scored a nice water buffalo horn for the top nut
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-buffalo-horn_orig.jpeg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-buffalo-horn-2_orig.jpeg)
Cut the topnut
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-buffalo-horn-2_orig.jpeg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-buffalo-horn-topnut_orig.jpeg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-buffalo-horn-topnut-filing-slots_orig.jpeg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-buffalo-horn-topnut-slotted-and-polished_orig.jpeg)
Made the control plate / pickguard
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-cutting-pickguard_orig.jpeg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-pickguard-ready_orig.jpeg)
Made the faceplate for the headstock and glued it on
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-clamping-faceplate_orig.jpeg)
Drilled the tuner holes
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-drilling-tuners-holes_orig.jpeg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-tuners-holes_orig.jpeg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-headstock-ready_orig.jpeg)
After that the bass was ready for staining.
First did a layer of yellow (still think this would have been a great colour for the end result too)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-yellow-stain_orig.jpeg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-yellow-stain2_orig.jpeg)
Then did the reddish mahogany stain
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-first-layer-red-mahogany_orig.jpeg)
And a darker layer
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-darker-layer-red-mahogany_orig.jpeg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-darker-layer-red-mahogany-back_orig.jpeg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-darker-layer-red-mahogany-back-full_orig.jpeg)
Stained the recessed bit in the "armpit" dark.
And sprayed a few coats of clear
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-body-back-few-layers-of-clear_orig.jpeg)
More layers of clear
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-body-few-layers-of-clear_orig.jpeg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-full-back-few-layers-of-clear_orig.jpeg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-head-few-layers-of-clear_orig.jpeg)
Put the decals in place
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-decals-back2_orig.jpeg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-decals-front_orig.jpeg)
After lots of layers and lots of sanding in between she was ready for final sanding and polishing
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-polished-bass_orig.jpeg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-polished-body_orig.jpeg)
Made the black spacers that go under the nickel pickup rings
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-making-black-spacer-ring_orig.jpeg)
And then mounted all the hardware
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-almost-ready_orig.jpeg)
This bass is quite large. A standard case won't fit.
The Warwick Rockcase for BC Rich The Beast fits.
I made a special insert for the V body shape to keep it in place.
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-uv-in-case-1500_orig.jpg)
I'm citing Edith's - daughter of a locksmith - comment on your work, Holländer, "Der kann was!"
And she says hi too!
I love its length, short scale Flying Vs are really a crime. It looks extremely elegant and sleek, not so much just "large". And the winged body extends the center of gravity so far back, it balances perfectly! It's the way a proper Flying V should be done.
It's also much lighter than I expected, yet not too light to seem insubstantial.
"The armpit bass" :D
You mean I should play it like Dave Davies?
https://youtu.be/UUALoD2E70s
Or like "I need to take a leak real quick"-Michael Schenker and his legendary Flying Pee?
(https://i.pinimg.com/550x/a6/1e/9d/a61e9d281b30d9b529bbba1be55b4d5b.jpg) (https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSe6o7NdgFOZseruq-gQ6UrH33K2jb4vSfQ2oM1lSmZ1f-kK0w-3UZly0QtpWyqFDMHh_Y&usqp=CAU)
I hope you got free deodorant with that! :P
Now that you mention it, I did wonder about the talented netherluthier's case candy ...
https://www.songmile.com/de/product/sr-rob-14-roll-on-bottle/
Haha, I did put in a little bit of case candy. But not a deo-roller :mrgreen:
That is the nicest V i have ever seen! Great post!
It's the kind of low-key instrument, not clamoring for attention, that a 62-year-old should reasonably play. Nothing says "Hey, I'm immature!" like turning up with a Flying V at an audition. It's the Corvette of guitar shapes. :mrgreen:
"You don't have any other basses, do you?!"
Have you plugged it in yet, Uwe?
A new bass was born today.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you:
The Brooks Nachtkrapp Airborne (Chris Laut Signature)
Chris Laut is the lead singer/ bass player in German rockband Ohrenfeindt. Chris commissioned me to build this hybrid of a Non Reverse and a Reverse Thunderbird. With a personal touch to accentuate his former career as an airborne commando for the German forces. The burgundy colour symbolises the baret and the gold plated badge is the emblem you get if you have done more than 50 parachute jumps.
The camo pickguard symbolises the uniform of course.
Specifications:
- Neck through with mahogany body wings
- Nine ply mahogany/walnut neck
- Ebony faceplate on headstock
- Burgundy finish
- Rosewood fretboard
- Jumbo frets
- 34" scale
- Handcut bone nut
- Three ply white-black-white pickguard With Camo print
- Wide travel Thunderbird bridge plus tailstop
- Spokewheel trussrod
- Gibson reissue Thunderbird pickup.
- Hipshot Ultralite tuners
- CTS pots
- Sprague capacitor
- Rotosound RB 50 strings
- German Paratrooper badge on upper horn
- Weight 3.8 kg
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-nachtkrapp-full-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-nachtkrapp-body-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-nachtkrapp-headstock-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-nachtkrapp-badge-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-nachtkrapp-body-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-nachtkrapp-controls-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-nachtkrapp-headstock-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-nachtkrapp-pickup-close-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-nachtkrapp-full-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-nachtkrapp-heel-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-nachtkrapp-vertical-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-nachtkrapp-vertical4-1500_orig.jpg)
---------------
A few months ago I made a sketch of an idea I had for a new bass build. A hybrid of a Non Reverse Thunderbird and a Reverse Thunderbird. The shape of the Non Reverse and the nine-ply neck-through plus raised faceplate of the Reverse.
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-nachtkrapp-night-raven_orig.jpg)
Since I'm from Europe, I was looking for a European counterpart of the American Thunderbird, for the name.
I came up with Nachtkrapp, which translates as Night Raven.
This mythological creature lives in the night and steals little children from their beds. It carries them in his bone chest to its lair where the children are devoured...
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/nachtkrapp-illustration_orig.jpeg)
Chris Laut saw my sketch and contacted me with the idea to build this bass for him, with a more personal twist.
We shared some ideas. Initially Chris wanted me to finish the bass in camo-print. But I suggested to make the pickguard in camo-print and have the bass finished in the more classy looking burgundy.
Chris asked me to replace the Brooks flame emblem on the upper horn with the gold plated Airborne badge which by coincidence had roughly the same outline and the Thunderbird logo (and the Brooks flame embem).
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-nachtkrapp-chris-laut-silver-v3_orig.jpg)
Chris always wields a Thunderbird on stage (named Bride or Babe).
He is also an airborne paratrooper for the German army.
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/ohrenfeindt-chris-laut-d0d562a5-4ec3-46d8-8109-32e212218def.jpeg)
Awesome! Another great build!
Rob, you make some truly cool instruments. Too bad I don't need any more basses. ;D
PS - Thanks for talking him out of the camo finish. 8)
Spectacular!
Just stunning Rob! Beautiful bass. Your custom has great taste ;)
Very nice!
Wow, simply wow!
That bass is many things, but it is nacht krapp!
simply gorgeous
Nice looking bass, with an extremely nice colour! Wowie. And Wowie-Zowie!!!
Here the Airborne units wear burgundy berets.
Fitting colour.
Another new Brooks bass was born today!
As most of the Brooks bass guitars this a hybrid design.
The Brooks PB-2 combines the characteristics of a Gibson EB-2 and of a Fender Precision.
Specifications:
- Hollow Maple body with maple centre piece
- Flamed Maple with mahogany veneer neck. Glued in
- Colour: Cherryburst
- Ebony fretboard. Mother Of Pearl inlays
- Jumbo frets
- 34" scale
- Handcut buffalo nut
- Guyker two point bridge and tailstop
- Spokewheel double action trussrod
- Seymour Duncan SPB-3 Quarter Pound pickup
- Hipshot Ultralite tuners
- Controls: Volume - Tone
- Rotosound Swing Bass RS66LDN strings
- Weight 3.7 kg
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-pb-2-full2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-pb-2-body-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-pb-2-headstock-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-pb-2-full-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-pb-2-body2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-pb-2-trussrod-cover-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-pb-2-headstock-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-pb-2-made-in-velp-1500_orig.jpg)
Very nice bass!!
Another winner.
Dangit, I don't want to see this! More lust in my heart for that gorgeous bass!!!!!
Hey nice semi hollow. Is there anything you can't do?
Quote from: 4stringer77 on October 19, 2023, 11:00:30 AM
Hey nice semi hollow. Is there anything you can't do?
I cheated this time. ;-)
Bought the body off AliExpress.
Actually bought the Guyker bridge there first. And those bastards keep sending you emails with suggestions like: "this would go well with the bridge you bought a while ago".
I normally just dismiss those emails as unwanted spam. But the body tickled my curiosity. Because it had no routings or holes drilled into it.
So I bought it. I had no real plan for it. But eventually came up with the PB-2 idea.
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-pb-2-body_orig.jpeg)
That is a gorgeous bass! Not a million miles away from the things Peter Hook plays, but the pickup looks to be in a better place on this.
Does it sound mostly like a P Bass or does the semi hollow element soften up the attack and add other aspects to the tone?
Yeah the semi-acoustic body certainly does something with the sound.
It sounds less like an amplified log (like a P-bass does to my ears ;-) )
Made a quick demo-video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH-hiETrDVo
Looks and sounds beautiful as always from Brooks!
Do my eyes deceive me or is the pickup slightly closer to the bridge than on a P bass?
The distance from inside nut to center of the split pickup is 75.5 cm.
So yes, on a P-bass it would be 72.4 cm
Great!
I have an idea for years, but I first have to win the lottery. One of my dream basses is a one pickup Tbird, like you made for mr. Laut. Well, a reversed one then. I'm also a big fan of semisolids, of the JCS, and the Tbird.
A while ago I visited a guitar shop which had some Trini Lopez sigs and a Dave Grohl sig. This sunday I saw Noel Gallagher and Gem Archer playing Trini Lopez sigs and I love that Firebird headstock on a 335-ish guitar. Not sure about the diamond sound holes though.
But the lottery bass is a Brooks semisolid, with an EB2 style body, two piece bridge, Tbird headstock and I guess one Tbird pickup at the middle position. Maybe an idea for a mock up to see what it looks like.
Cool idea Chris.
Doesn't even have to be that expensive.
About the same as the PB-2, I'd say.
Like this, Chris?
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-e-bird-2_orig.jpg)
The EB-650 had the diamond sound holes like the Trini.
Correct!
(https://www.thegibsonbassbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/TheGibsonBassBook-tabletop1500.jpg)
I love it, Rob! I will think about it and the most important thing is: the colour. I guess you know me, seeing that mock up, but I don't think that will be it. Let's think!
An EB-2 with a single T-bird pickup in the 'sweet spot' would rip. It just needs a parchment pickguard!
@ Chris:
you can buy Dusty Hill's Crazy Cowboy bass
(https://www.julienslive.com/images/lot/5888/588858_l.jpg?ts=1695170405)
He and I have the same hat size, but I already have a good black and a nice gray that I inherited from my father.
The Brooks EB-TB-IV build is done!
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-tb-iv-full-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-tb-iv-body-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-tb-iv-headstock-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-tb-iv-full-diagonal-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-tb-iv-headstock-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-tb-iv-body-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-tb-iv-output-jack-1500_orig.jpg)
- Neck through with mahogany body wings
- Nine ply mahogany/walnut neck
- Ebony faceplate on headstock
- Tobacco burst gloss transparent acrylic finish
- Rosewood fretboard
?- Jumbo frets
- 34" scale
- Handcut bone nut
- Three ply white-black-white pickguard
- Wide travel Thunderbird bridge plus tailstop
- Spokewheel trussrod
- Thunderbird style pickups nickel.
- Hipshot Ultralite tuners
- Output Pure Tone
- d'Addario EXL170BT Balanced Tension strings
- Strapnuts: Dunlop Straplok Nickel Dual Design
- Weight: 3.5 kg
You nailed it. That's absolutely gorgeous.
That's pretty amazing, Rob.
Love it! Of course you know that I'm partial to that body shape.
WOW! Awesome!!
Beautiful. The knobs in a straight line like a 'bird is a nice touch.
O M G
Thank you guys!
Love that bass!
The inevitable video demo ;D
https://youtu.be/kQMkpXIH4mo
Looks good and sounds even better. Happy Saint Nicholas day!
Wow! The Brooks EB-TB-IV that I built is Bass Of The Week over @ No Treble!
https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2024/01/08/bass-of-the-week-brooks-eb-tb-iv/
What an honor!
Congratulations, Rob. You've earned it.
:toast:
That's awesome, congratulations!
Congratulations Rob! Love seeing your success!
Thank you guys!
I'm still learning. And making mistakes (and fixing them) with each build ;-)
But it sure is nice to get some appreciation for what I do. :toast:
You deserve every bit of appreciation you get, Rob! That bass is a real beauty!
A new chapter will soon be added to the Brooks story.
An old college friend of my brother has a passion for woodworking. He has an impressive collection of chisels, planes and other tools. including an Austrian-made Hammer CNC mill.
He approached me for a unique collaboration. I would contribute my knowledge of (bass) guitar building and he would contribute his skills in creating the 3D files for the CNC machine.
And so it was that we started the Brooks Jufferschans Edition in mid-2023. A very accurate remake of the Fenderbird that Peter Cook built for John Entwistle.
A lot of drawing, measuring, calculations, test pieces and consultations in recent months. We selected wood together in the huge storage of the my local wood supplier.
But now the first real results of the milling work are there. And they look fantastic.
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-jufferschans-fenderbird-routed-parts_orig.jpg)
Next week I will pick up the parts and start putting together a bass guitar from these "kits".
Hopefully the starting signal for a beautiful (limited) edition of Brooks Bass Guitars!
Very cool Rob! Great idea, and it looks very well executed.
I wish you the best getting this up and running!
Wow! That is different! Very cool.
Those look great! I wish you the best of luck with this project. :)
sounds like a good partnership. I hope it works out well for both of you.
Looks awesome! Good luck on your latest endeavor.......
I never thought I could like a camo pickguard. This changes everything!!
I'm really looking forward to seeing the end result! Amazing!
Another Brooks Thinline Telebird is ready to rock!
Made some pics this morning.
Now she's ready to be packed in and shipped to the US of A.
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thinline-telebird-full-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thinline-telebird-body-angle-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thinline-telebird-head-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thinline-telebird-body-back-angle-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thinline-telebird-bridge-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thinline-telebird-output-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thinline-telebird-head-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-thinline-telebird-strapbutton-1500_orig.jpg)
Really nice!
Wonderful to see you keep doing that.
Beauty!
Does parallel wiring not sound good with those pickups? Congrats on another successful build.
That is one incredibly clean, attractive bass!!
Quote from: 4stringer77 on March 09, 2024, 12:04:53 PM
Does parallel wiring not sound good with those pickups? Congrats on another successful build.
The differences in output are too big with parallel wiring. So we (BQ Music and myself) decided to use serial wiring.
Really nice work, congrats!
:toast:
Hooray, another Brooks bass is born!
The Brooks FV-12
- Korina body wings
- Bookmatched Quilted Maple top
- Nine ply Korina/Mahogany Neck through
- Cherry Burst high gloss finish
- Pearloid binding
- Ebony fretboard
- Mother of Pearl position. Aluminium Circle dot for 12th
- Jumbo frets
- 30 1/2" scale
- Buffalo horn nut
- ETS Custom made twelve string brass bridge and tailpiece. Black
- Two spokewheel double action trussrods
- Carbon reinforcement strip in the neck
- Pickups: Lace Alumitone DB7, Black
- Controls : volume, volume, tone
- 0.047 mfd capacitor
- Gotoh GB 350 lightweight bass tuners, Black
- Gotoh ST-31 octave string tuners, Black
- Output: Pure Tone Multi Contact jack
- d'Addario custom strings
- Weight: 4.3 kg
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-fv-12-full-front2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-fv-12-body-side-view-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-fv-12-headstock-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-fv-12-headstock-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-fv-12-bridge-tailpiece-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-fv-12-full-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-fv-12-output-cup-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-fv-12-bottom-to-top-1500_orig.jpg)
Pics of the build process can be viewed here:
https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/brooks-fv-12.html
Beautiful work, as always. :thumbsup:
Beauty!
That's spectacular, really stunning. Congratulations!
As usual, a stunning piece for the bass lovers!
I have been busy this weekend. Today two more Brooks bass guitars were born.
About a year ago I was approached by a former fellow student of my brother. His passion is woodworking and in particular collecting tools, such as very exclusive planes, chisels, rasps, etc.
Now he had bought a very nice CNC mill a while ago. And he was looking for a nice project to play around with.
Anyway, we decided to make a complete bass guitar together with that CNC-machine. I would give him all the dimensions and specifications and he would make the 3D files.
Together we went to my local wood supplier to select rough planks of mahogany and maple.
I bought the hardware and electronic components.
And two months ago - after countless samples of scrap wood- two bodies and two necks were ready to be processed into a bass guitar.
I glued the fingerboard to the neck, tapped in frets, lacquered, sanded and polished it.
Filled the pores of the body. Lacquered, sanded and polished that one.
Then mounted everything.
Today they were finally finished.
The funny thing is that it is absolutely no less work than making it yourself by hand. Only if there is a series production, then all the efforts will be able to bear fruit.
The Brooks Fenderbird (Jufferschans Edition)
- Mahogany body
- Brooks all maple P-bass neck
- Fiesta Red finish
- EY Guitar Thunderbird humbuckers
?- 34" scale
- Bone nut
?- Wide travel Thunderbird bridge plus tailstop. Nickel
- Black three ply pickguard
- Gotoh Res-o-lite GB528 tuners
- Gotoh extra large strapbuttons. Nickel
?- CTS potentiometers
- Silver reflector cap knobs
- Switchcraft output jack
- Rotosound RS66LDN strings
- Weight: 4.3 kg
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-fenderbird-full2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-fenderbird-body-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-fenderbird-headstock-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-fenderbird-headstock-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-fenderbird-full-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-fenderbird-controls-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-fenderbird-neck-plate-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-fenderbird-full-diagonal2-1500_orig.jpg)
Twins!
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-fenderbird-twins-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-fenderbird-twins-diagonal-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-fenderbird-back-to-back-1500_orig.jpg)
Those are awesome...great work!
They're a Tour de'Fenderbird!
lovely
Very cool. Looks great.
Turned out great. :toast:
Beauties!
Rob, they look fantastic!
The German magazine Gitarre&Bass wrote a nice review about the Brooks EB-PL Noir that I built almost seven years ago.
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/gb-2024-05-pag-56_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/gb-2024-05-pag-57_orig.jpg)
The PDF of the two pages can be downloaded here:
https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/gb_2024_05-pag-56-57.pdf
Nice! Better Late than Never.
Here's the inevitable video demo ;-)
I injured my left hand a few weeks ago, so my playing is a bit sloppy. I just don't have enough strength in my fingers yet.
But the video does give a good enough idea how the FV-12 sounds. ;-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTn4b3LpHDs
Here's a short video demo of the Brooks Fenderbird
https://youtu.be/8Kt81FUex_s
Looks & sounds awesome! Congrats!!
That is so cool, Rob. Love that bridge and tailpiece, too. I think Tom Petersson needs something like that.
Beautiful work as always Rob!
About last night:
The other day I was approached by Jimi Crutchley (Quireboys) regarding the Brooks Fenderbird I had built.
He is on a world tour as tour manager with Glenn Hughes. And yesterday the caravan visited De Boerderij in Zoetermeer for Glenn's Deep Purple show. Which is only an hours drive from where I live.
Jimi invited me to the soundcheck to put the Brooks Fenderbird through its paces, over Glenn's bass system.
Jimi turns out to be a huge John Entwistle fanatic. And for years he had been looking for a good Fenderbird like the one Peter Cook built for John Entwistle. He had previously bought one from another builder, but that one was very disappointing.
Jimi is very happy that he has finally found a good Fenderbird!
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/jimi-crutchley-with-fenderbird_orig.jpeg)
That's great. Matches the amps! ;D
What a great story, congratulations!
tried to post a new topic a few times. But it failed...
Wonder what's wrong?
While the Outpost was down I completed the build of yet another crazy bass:
The Brooks DDB (DoubleDuaneBird).
A double-neck Thunderbird with a traditional Thunderbird 4-string neck. And a 30 1/2" scale 12-string bass neck.
I can finally share another completed build with you guys.
The idea had been brewing for a while but the actual build started out early july 2024.
Specifications:
- Korina body
- Korina 12-string neck 30 1/2" scale
- Korina 4-string neck 34" scale
- Candy Apple Red Nitrocellulose finish
- Ebony fretboards
- Circle position dots
- Jumbo frets
- Buffalo horn nuts
- Three ply (vintage) white/black/white pickguard
- Custom made ETS twelve string brass bridge set. Chrome
- Wide travel Thunderbrid style bridge. Chrome
- Spokewheel double action trussrods
- Carbon reinforcement strip in 12-string neck
- Gemini Dominator pickup for 4-string
- Gemini Devastator pickup for 12-string
- Bourns pots (volume/tone volume/tone)
- Mullard capacitors
- Toggle switch to choose 12- or 4-string
- Gotoh GB 350 lightweight bass tuners
- Gotoh ST-31 Stealth tuners
- 1 x Pure Tone Multi Contact jack output
- d'Addario custom set strings (12 string)
- Rotosound RB 50 (4 string)
- Weight: 7.9 kg
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ddb-body-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ddb-headstocks-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ddb-front-full2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ddb-back-full-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ddb-headstocks-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ddb-controls-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ddb-bridges-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ddb-jack-plate-1500_orig.jpg)
Yes, it's heavy.
And no it doesn't dive. 8)
Thanks for posting Rob and welcome back! As always your work is amazing! A very well laid out a designed double neck, someone is going to be very happy.
That's gorgeous and sounds great.
Quote from: Basvarken on November 07, 2024, 06:24:09 AMtried to post a new topic a few times. But it failed...
Wonder what's wrong?
Well, it required pretty major surgery to get the site back up and running, so there may be a few bugs that pop up. I ran all the maintenance that I could figure out once I completed the pretty significant forum upgrade, and didn't get any fails/errors, but I will keep an eye on the error logs when I have spare time (which is not much).
Thank you Keith.
It must have had something to do with text formatting that (unintentionally) came along with the specifications that I copy/pasted from a post on a different forum.
That's a wild one! Sounds great, looks great, well balanced. :toast:
Wow Rob!! That looks awesome as always!!
That looks amazing, congratulations! 8)
Thank you guys.
Here's a few more pics:
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ddb-front-full-diagonal-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ddb-ftom-top-to-toe-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ddb-square-1500_orig.jpg)
One month ago the bass was Bass of the week @ NoTreble.
https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2024/10/07/bass-of-the-week-brooks-duane-double-bird/
That is one of the most beautiful builds I have ever seen
The birth of a new Brooks bass:
Ladies and Gentlemen I give you the Brooks 1.2.
It's a remake of the very first bass I built (now 14 years ago).
But with a few modifications.
- 30 1/2" scale
- Two piece mahogany body. Chambered
- Flamed maple top. Bookmatched
- Colour of the top: Wine red.
- Colour of the back and neck: Walnut
- Three piece mahogany neck
- Dual action Spokewheel truss rod
- Rosewood fretboard
- Cream colored binding
- Guyker two point bridge.
- String through body ferrules
- Hipshot tuners
- Bone nut
- Artec sidewinder humbuckers AlNiCo
- 6 way rotary switch
1. Neck humbucker
2. Outer coils as humbucker
3. Both humbuckers
4. Neck humbucker + inner Bridge coil out of phase
5. Inner coils as humbucker
6. Bridge humbucker
- Volume pot CTS 500k
- Hidden Tone pot CTS 500k
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-1-2-front-full3-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-1-2-body-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-1-2-headstock3-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-1-2-head-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-1-2-back2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-1-2-front-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-1-2-ferrules-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-1-2-volume-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-1-2-mudbuckers-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-1-2-tone-pot-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-1-2-back-detail-1500_orig.jpg)
Beautiful!! I like all of the pickup switching combinations. Is the body size the same as your 69'/70' Les Paul Bass?
Yes, it is exactly the same.
Do you need a screw driver to turn that hidden knob?
Gorgeous build , Rob.
Yeah, or a pick. Which what I use.
Here's the inevitable video demo.
Noice!
Personal favorite settings: fingerstyle – both humbuckers (3), and outer coils (2), pick – inner coils (5).
Well done!
That looks amazing, lovely work! :)
Really nice!
Nice. Lots of cool and unique details.
Super cool, Rob. Must've been rewarding remaking this bass with all the experience you've gained since the first.
Quote from: Ken on January 06, 2025, 12:59:54 PMSuper cool, Rob. Must've been rewarding remaking this bass with all the experience you've gained since the first.
Thank you. It certainly was much easier. And it came together much faster. The first bass took me about a year. The new one was done within 3 months.
2024 ended exceptionally well with no less than two Brooks bass guitars in the Top10 of No Treble.
And 2025 continues that with yet another Brooks bass featured as Bass of the Week!
https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2025/01/20/bass-of-the-week-the-upgraded-brooks-1-2-short-scale-inspired-by-a-classic/
Congratulations!
Congrats! Well deserved!
Fantastic!
Can't say I'm surprised. :)
nice, and well deserved
So good you built it twice! Beautiful as always Rob, from not so humble beginnings, a pretty ambitious first bass. Thanks for posting your work 👍🏻
Thank you guys!
A new Brooks bass was born today!
The EXB-12-SA.
A semi-hollow twelve string bass.
- Mahogany body. Chambered
- Quilted Maple top, bookmatched
- Three piece Mahogany set neck. Glued in
- Cherry Burst finish. Naturel Mahogany back and sides
- Pearloid binding
- Ebony fretboard
- Abalone position dots. Aluminium ring in 12th position
- Jumbo frets
- 34" scale
- Buffalo horn nut
- Custom made twelve string brass bridge set, gold plated
- Two spokewheel double action truss rods
- Carbon reinforcement strip in the neck
- Lace Alumitone Bass Bar in the neck position
- Lace Alumitone Bass Bar in the bridge position
- Pure Tone output. Gold plated
- Toggle switch (single coil/humbucker). Gold plated
- Gotoh GB 350 lightweight bass tuners, Gold plated
- Gotoh Stealth CXB-01 guitar tuners. Gold plated
- d'Addario EXL 170 - 12 strings
- Weight: 4.1 kg
Serial number: 2025001
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-sa-full-front-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-sa-body-diagonal-2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-sa-headstock2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-sa-back-full2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-sa-headstock-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-sa-output-jack-2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-sa-pickups-2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-sa-label-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-sa-bridge-set-2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-sa-inlays-1500_orig.jpg)
That's so awesome! Is ETS still making your bridges, or did you find another machine shop?
It's still ETS yes. There is no other option really...
Beautiful work as always, Rob.
Beautiful!
Oh my. My pants just got tighter in certain places.
Amazing! So cool. I'm more of an 8-string guy myself, but can definitely appreciate a beauty like this.
Nice range of tones. I like both pickups in humbucker mode.
Thank you guys :thumbsup:
Thats beautiful, when I win the lottery Im definitely coming to you for my 12 string !
Quote from: Basvarken on March 01, 2025, 09:48:58 AMIt's still ETS yes. There is no other option really...
That's what I imagined, but you never know. I had to find another OEM for my 8 & 10-string bridges, so I always have my ear to the ground.
;)
I've had some trouble with finding lightweight tuners too. Gotoh stopped making the ST-31 a while ago.
So I opted for the CXB-01 tuners, which are open gear tuners with a carbon base plate. I had them make a custom set with gold plated buttons and string posts. But that was a bit expensive since I ordered so few.
And they had to come all the way from Japan (shipping cost, import taxes etc)
For new build I'm going to try Schaller Grand Tune. Those are almost as light as the Gotoh CXB-01. and easier to buy, since they are in Germany. But unfortunately not available with gold plated or nickel plated small knobs.
So the new build will look like this:
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-pearloid_orig.jpg)
Just finished the build of a new bass.
It is a hybrid of a Gibson EB-0 (Les Paul Junior Double Cut) and a MusicMan Stingray.
The shape of the body and headstock are the Gibson ingredient. The scale (34"), the pickup and the bridge are the MusicMan ingredient.
Hence the name
Brooks EB-MM-Q
(The Q is for Quilt)
- Mahogany body
- Bookmatched quilted maple top
- Mahogany set neck. Glued in
- Transparent black stain on top
- High gloss finish on top and headstock face
- Solid matte black on back of body and neck
- Pearloid binding
- Ebony fretboard with m.o.p. dots
- Aluminium circle 12th position marker
- Jumbo frets
- 34" scale
- Buffalo horn nut
- Guyker MM style bridge
- Spokewheel double action trussrod
- Lace MM style man o war humbucker
- Hipshot Ultralite tuners plus Bass-extender
- CTS pot Volume Push Pull
- CTS pot Tone
- PureTone jack output
- Dunlop StrapLocks
- D'Addario Chrome Flatwound strings 50-105
- 3.75 kg
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-mm-q-full-front-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-mm-q-body-front-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-mm-q-headstock-side-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-mm-q-headstock-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-mm-q-full-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-mm-q-body-side-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-mm-q-controls-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-mm-q-upper-horn-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-mm-q-bridge-1500_orig.jpg)
Pics of the build process can be seen here:
https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/brooks-eb-mm-q.html
I'm not generally a LP bass kind of guy, but that's sweet.
Great build as always!!
I would think that would sound really good!
Love it!
All it needs are banjo tuners! :mrgreen:
Gorgeous , Rob. I've always loved that shape.
nice, as always
Awesome. Waiting for the demo
You are just crushing it, well done!
Finally found the time to make a short video demo of the Brooks EB-MM-Q
Sounds and looks beautiful, Rob.
Sounds as good as it looks.
You don't mention a preamp, is this just the tone of the passive Lace? I hadn't heard their MM version. I approve.
Thank you.
Yep, it's a passive bass.
Those knobs should go to eleven.
Quote from: morrow on April 13, 2025, 07:46:05 AMThose knobs should go to eleven.
Haha, yeah! :mrgreen:
I actually tried to find them for silver reflector cap knobs. But couldn't seem to find any.
I have them for amber bell knobs
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-tb-volume-knob1500_orig.jpg)
And black speed knobs
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-qb-volume-to-11-1500_orig.jpg)
Killing it as always Rob! That's such a understated beauty 😍
Absolutely amazing! I can picture Entwistle playing that!🔥😎
Look what happened last night in Toronto.
Tom Petersson (Cheap Trick) playing a brand new Brooks bass!
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/published/tom-petersson-onstage-with-brooks.jpg?1753300749)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/cheaptrick-toronto22-07-2025_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/tom-petersson-onstage-with-brooks3_orig.jpg)
That's the pinnacle, right there!
Perfect.
Nice! Too cool and what a compliment.
Here are some pics that I took before I shipped it off to Tom's address
Plus specificationss.
- Korina body
- Nine ply laminated Korina set neck. Glued in
- Black finish. Gloss
- Checkerboard binding
- White 3-ply pickguard
- Ebony fretboard
- Abalone position dots. Aluminium ring in 12th position
- Jumbo frets
- 30 1/2" scale
- Buffalo horn nut
- ETS Custom made twelve string bridge set. Nickel
- Two spokewheel double action trussrods
- Carbon reinforcement strip in the neck
- Gemini Dominator in the neck position. Nickel
- Gemini Devastator in the middle position. Nickel
- Pure Tone output. Nickel
- Toggle switch. Nickel, black tip
- Hipshot Ultralite Mini clover bass tuners, Nickel
- Schaller Grand Tune guitar tuners. Nickel, Ebony button
- d'Addario custom strings
- Weight: 4.9 kg
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-black-full2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-black-body-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-black-headstock2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-back-full-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-back-body-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-black-body-side-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-black-bridge-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-black-knobs-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-black-close-nickel-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-black-pickups-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-built-for-tom-petersson-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-black-full-diagonal-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-black-headstock-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-black-toggle-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-jack-output-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-black-head-to-toe-1500_orig.jpg)
Plus the video demo as always:
***UPDATE***
The bass was found. And delivered at Tom Petersson's address today! It appears to be undamaged.
That black twelve-string bass (https://bassoutpost.com/index.php?topic=12809) that I built for Tom Petersson is only half the story.
I built another twelve-string bass for Tom. And they were finished simultaneously.
Both basses were sent off to Tom's address on June 29th.
The black one was delivered four days later.
But the other one (with quilted maple top) still has not been delivered. UPS has lost the package...
I filed a claim for investigation on July 16. But still no sign of the bass to this day!
I am gutted.
I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that it will show up in the UPS warehouse after all.
But if you should ever see this bass for sale, please do contact me.
Here are the pics that I took before I sent it off to the USA
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-full-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-body-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-headstock-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-bridge-set-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-output-jack-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-knobs-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-neckjoint-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-pickup-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-custom-built-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-headstock-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-full-diagonal-1500_orig.jpg)
Specifications:
- Mahogany body
- Quilted Maple top, bookmatched
- Nine ply laminated Mahogany set neck. Glued in
- Lemon Burst finish. Naturel Mahogany back and sides
- Checkerboard binding
- Ebony fretboard
- Abalone position dots. Aluminium ring in 12th position
- Jumbo frets
- 30 1/2" scale
- Buffalo horn nut
- ETS Custom made twelve string bridge set. Nickel
- Two spokewheel double action trussrods
- Carbon reinforcement strip in the neck
- Gemini Dominator in the neck position. Nickel
- Gemini Devastator in the middle position. Nickel
- Pure Tone output. Nickel
- 3-way pickup selector toggle switch
- Hipshot Ultralite Mini clover bass tuners. Nickel
- Schaller GrandTune guitar tuners. Nickel, Pearloid button
- d'Addario custom strings
- Weight: 4.7 kg
serial number: 2025004
Man, I love Explorer basses! (I'm currently on my 4th)
Great work AGAIN!
Oh man, good luck with this!
Damn, Rob. I'm so sorry to hear that. I can't imagine the amount of work you put into that.
Do you mind talking about how this came about with Tom? What an opportunity.
On November 29 2024 I got a very short email for Tom Petersson, saying he was interested in a twelve string bass. The email came completely out of the blue. And I thought someone was playing a joke on me. So I replied "is this the Tom Petersson from Cheap Trick?"
Which he replied "yes that's me" with a photo of a Gretsch bass and an Orange amp. But I still was not convinced. I thought anyone can take that photo off the Internet.
And when I didn't hear from him for a month, it was clear to me that it indeed had been a joke.
But then he sent another mail on december 27. And said he was serious about ordering a custom built bass.
So I asked him what kind of specs he was thinking.
So we emailed back and forth and a couple of days later. I sent him a sketch plus a quote.
And the very same day the deal was done. Plus he ordered a second one straight away.
I was fully booked with building two other bass guitars until beginning of april. Plus I had to order the custom bridge sets at ETS. Which take them 6 months to manufacture. So I told him his bass guitars would be ready at the end of june. And they were.
During the build process I kept him informed. And I asked him how he found me. He told me he had seen the double neck Thunderbird that I had built (for a huge Cheap Trick fan).
Just wow!
Hope it turns up soon. Otherwise it's such a rare beast it would be hard for someone to sell it above radar.
Quote from: Basvarken on July 24, 2025, 03:25:55 PMOn November 29 2024 I got a very short email for Tom Petersson, saying he was interested in a twelve string bass. The email came completely out of the blue. And I thought someone was playing a joke on me. So I replied "is this the Tom Petersson from Cheap Trick?"
Which he replied "yes that's me" with a photo of a Gretsch bass and an Orange amp. But I still was not convinced. I thought anyone can take that photo off the Internet.
And when I didn't hear from him for a month, it was clear to me that it indeed had been a joke.
But then he sent another mail on december 27. And said he was serious about ordering a custom built bass.
So I asked him what kind of specs he was thinking.
So we emailed back and forth and a couple of days later. I sent him a sketch plus a quote.
And the very same day the deal was done. Plus he ordered a second one straight away.
I was fully booked with building two other bass guitars until beginning of april. Plus I had to order the custom bridge sets at ETS. Which take them 6 months to manufacture. So I told him his bass guitars would be ready at the end of june. And they were.
During the build process I kept him informed. And I asked him how he found me. He told me he had seen the double neck Thunderbird that I had built (for a huge Cheap Trick fan).
Amazing!
That's a shame , of all the things to disappear. Sometimes things do turn up , and hope that will be the case.
It was just a few months back when a guitar shipped on UPS was found for sale online after UPS claimed the guitar was destroyed. Hope you can still get this bass recovered.
Quote from: 4stringer77 on July 25, 2025, 09:29:17 AMIt was just a few months back when a guitar shipped on UPS was found for sale online after UPS claimed the guitar was destroyed. Hope you can still get this bass recovered.
A possible scenario is that that guitar was reported missing. And UPS closed the investigation after 8 work days. Reimbursed the shipper.
And then when the guitar surfaced it was UPS property (because they reimbursed the insured value). UPS auctioned it off, which they do ever so often to clear their warehouse.
Sad, but it happens all the time.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed the Brooks bass will not meet the same fate...
It's a gorgeous build and I'm hopeful it gets recovered. Your work is really special. :)
***UPDATE***
The bass was found. And delivered at Tom Petersson's address today! It appears to be undamaged.
Amazing! The best possible outcome! Hopefully Tom is already running it in.
So happy to hear this for all involved. Wonder what sort of purgatory the bass was in until it was discovered. Congratulations either way. :toast:
Yeah I was asked the same question. Where the **** has it been?
It was not in Louisville Kentucky where all in the incoming packages from Europe go.
Yesterday it was first shipped from somewhere else in the USA to Louisville. And today bit went from Louisville to La Vergne TN. And them to Tom's address near Nashville.
It showed up in a completely different box than I had shipped it in...
Holy shit, Rob. I'd love to know the path it took, but so glad the end result was that it made it to Tom's unharmed.
In the evidence room at the Dream Police station.
That's very odd.
Saw on Facebook. Great news! I've done a number of flight cases and repairs for CT. With any luck, I might be able to see these basses up close some day.
I'm so happy and relieved for you!
The "lost" bass that finally showed up two days ago is out on tour with Tom Petersson now.
It got its maiden flight in Atlanta yesterday. And I see Tom decided to mount the pearloid pickguard that I put in the case with the bass.
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-12-tp-full-pg-1500_orig.jpg)
So glad to see it, Rob. What a great ending.
Did Tom request the checkerboard binding? Great Cheap Trick aesthetic.
Quote from: Ken on August 02, 2025, 11:33:18 AMSo glad to see it, Rob. What a great ending.
Did Tom request the checkerboard binding? Great Cheap Trick aesthetic.
Yes, he did.
Although the checkerboard thing is more Rick Nielsen's shtick isn't it?
I did the checkerboard binding before on a few basses. For me it always was more a Rickenbacker feature than a Cheap Trick thing.
I first used it on the EB-PL Noir, which was a hybrid with characteristics of a Gibson
EB-0, a Fender
P and the Rickenbacker
Noir series
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-pl-noir-body2-1500_orig.jpg)
So glad that beautiful build showed up!
Yes that was a nerve wrecker.
Here's a cool pic of Tom Petersson on stage with the bass
(https://scontent-ams4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/529304730_1352562010249198_3487625942711981716_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=f727a1&_nc_ohc=VK2MA-MjQzEQ7kNvwF1UqkZ&_nc_oc=Adl8nLyJFw5aOPbboA4F6CXUv5z29tjuFRvnACrrlCMlZNbQeTp-JS2hNBpn4v8d-7JgkURJ1Y_s-gE80pMh8dqm&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-ams4-1.xx&_nc_gid=59jUjZT9n7OcvROmy9sClA&oh=00_AfUaysN1L-W3Z17X1RCcg9I-Eyuk0GucLqmtTyxngZ3iOQ&oe=689AB9CB)
Pic by Alive Coverage
That is iconic!
You need a framed poster of that on your wall, Rob. Serious accomplishment.
A new bass was born:
The Brooks EXB-4-SA.
A semi-acoustic Explorer shaped bass with 4 strings.
- Mahogany body. Two large tone chambers
- Quilted Maple top, bookmatched
- Three piece Mahogany set neck. Glued in
- Cherry Burst finish. Dark Mahogany back and sides
- Pearloid binding
- Ebony fretboard
- Pearl position dots. Aluminium ring in 12th position
- Jumbo frets
- 34" scale
- Buffalo horn nut
- Babicz FCH-4 bridge. Gold plated
- Spokewheel double action trussrod. Titanium
- Lace Alumitone Bass Bars 3.5
- Pure Tone output
- On-on Toggle switch
- Gotoh GB 350 lightweight bass tuners, Gold plated
- La Bella Flatwound Low Tension strings
- Weight: 3.2 kg (!)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-4-sa-full-front-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-4-sa-body-side-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-4-sa-headstock-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-4-sa-headstock-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-4-sa-full-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-4-sa-pickup-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-4-sa-bridge-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-4-sa-knobs-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-4-sa-strapbutton-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-4-sa-controls-1500_orig.jpg)
A beauty!
Very, very nice!!
Gorgeous, I really love your work! :)
I'm a fan of the Explorer shape, this is just stunning!
I love it that you're using a zero fret.
Congrats on completing another stunner.
Wow! The black EXB-12-TP that I built for Tom Petersson is Bass Of The Week @ NoTreble!
Check it out:
https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2025/09/08/bass-of-the-week-tom-peterssons-custom-12-string-bass-from-brooks-bass-guitars/
Cool! How many of your builds have they covered now?
I think this is the 7th
Drrrrrrum rolll!
Here's the
Brooks SparkleBird- Body: Korina. Chambered. Thunderbird shape
- Neck: Korina three piece. Glued in.
- Two spokewheel truss rods. One carbon stiffening rod
- Fretboard: Rosewood. Checkerboard inlay on 12th
- Luminlay side markers (blue)
- Frets: Jumbo size. Sintoms. Nickel-silver
- Scale: 34"
- Top Nut: Buffalo horn
- Bridge: ETS twelve string bridge set. Gold
- Pickup: Gemini Dominator TB Pickup. Gold
- Output: PureTone 1/4 inch Jack. Gold plated
- Controls: Volume . Kill switch
- Pickguard: Pearloid with blue led light
- Binding: Pearloid
- Bass string tuners: Gotoh Res-o-lite GB350. Gold
- Octave tuners: Schaller Grand tune Gold. Pearloid buttons
- Strings: d'Addario. 170-12
- Strapnuts: Large, Gold
- Finish top: Cobalt Blue Candy
- Finish back and sides: Stained. Finish clear transparent.
- Weight: 4.6 KG
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-sparklebird-full-3-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-sparklebird-body-sideview-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-sparklebird-headstock-sideview.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-sparklebird-bridge-set-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-sparklebird-full-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-sparklebird-lower-horn-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-sparklebird-serial-number-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-sparklebird-checkerboard-inlay-2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-sparklebird-in-sunlight-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-sparklebird-label-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-sparklebird-pickup-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-sparklebird-luminlays-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-sparklebird-strap-button-1500_orig.jpg)
Led light ON
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-sparklebird-light-2-1500_orig.jpg)
Led Light OFF
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-sparklebird-light-out-1500_orig.jpg)
Nice color, awesome job as usual. I guess your customer really likes that bridge pickup sound...
The colour is impossible to catch on camera. I tried different angles, different locations, different cameras.
Not one comes close to the real thing.
In real life it is much more vibrant. More teal/turqouise.
And yes, Apparently Duane likes the sound of a bridge pickup. ;-)
But I think he just wanted something different. He owns so many 12-string bass guitars. It's good to have the option to choose a different sound when you need it.
Nice! The color matched Led light is a very cool idea
Awesome & well thought out as always!
I need your helps guys!
The EXB-4-SA was delivered two days ago.
But somehow the truss rod got damaged. My customer asked his guitar tech to adjust the truss rod. And the tech said it doesn't do anything. The spokewheel turns freely in the slot. It must have snapped at the screw thread.
Here are two pics of the building process to show you how the spokewheel sits in the slot:
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-4-sa-trussrod-cover_orig.jpeg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-exb-4-sa-rough-neck-outline2_orig.jpeg)
Is there any of you guys who knows a good luthier in/near Houston Texas who could fix this?
- The fretboard has to be removed (using a hot iron)
- A new truss rod has to be installed. Possibly the slot has to be modified to accommodate the new truss rod.
- Maybe a new fretboard has to be made. If the original fretboard doesn't come off without damage.
- The neck has to be refinished with clear lacquer to make the seam between neck and fretboard smooth again.
On TalkBass, Bruce Johnson is who I'd go to - I've been reading his threads for years.
Yeah, Bruce has responded on my post @ TalkBass.
He no longer does repairs
Dang. Sorry to hear that!!
Those who have known me for a while know that I'm a huge fan of the low-impedance humbucker Gibson used in their Les Paul basses from 1968 to 1979.
Their dynamic range, the super deep bass, the clean highs, the versatility, and the fact that they're completely silent make them, in my opinion, the best bass guitar pickups ever built.
I've managed to find a few on eBay and Reverb over the past 25 years, occasionally paying an exorbitant amount of money for them. I've installed them in various basses over the years. But they're getting harder and harder to find. And when you finally do find them, they're very expensive. I recently saw one for $1100 ...
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/triumph-les-paul-bass-among-siblings_orig.jpeg)
Several times I tried to have pickup builders recreate them. Initially, they all said, "Sure, I can do it." But one by one, they had to give up the job. It was too weird, too complicated, and they couldn't find the material.
But now it looks like I'll succeed. I've found one who seems to be able to pull it off. Based on 3D models I made and research that I did. And -above all- his inventiveness and craftsmanship.
I hope to tell you more about that soon.
It has certainly made my head explode with inspiration. ;-)
The possibilities are endless.
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-lp-lz-30-5-22_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-eb-lz-4_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-lz-tb-12_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-sa-lz-4_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ebn-5-lz_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-ms-5-lz-v2_orig.jpg)
Stay tuned...
Wow, this is dedication on a high level. I remember taking apart a few of these many years ago.
Still have a workshop with winding equipment, but rarely dabble with pickups anymore.
I do have some inventory with magnet wire inherited from a speaker factory, and from memory one of the wires were correct for the LoZ Gibson pickups. Feel free to reach out if needed Rob, and in any case good luck with this great project! Cheers
I'll second that "WOW"!! I have always thought that these low impedance pickups had the best combination of clean, low bass tones. Adding a modern design twist could have endless possibilities! Lester would be proud! My nephew's son asked me last summer if I ever considered putting a modern pickup in any of my old guitars or basses. I told him no, but I have put old pickups in new guitars.
Very cool Rob! I saw some of these on Facebook and was wondering where the heck the pickups were going to come from. Best of luck with the development!
I so admire your tenacity on this! Congratulations Rob, I know what it takes even to get the simplest thing manufactured. I can't wait to see and hear the results.
Looks interesting! I'll look forward to the updates on these.
I have merged all Brooks posts into one big thread. I hope all the old posts will disappear in one day.
So Bill's Shop won't look so cluttered with all that Brooks spam ;-)
Quote from: Basvarken on November 10, 2025, 10:53:51 AMI have merged all Brooks posts into one big thread. I hope all the old posts will disappear in one day.
So Bill's Shop won't look so cluttered with all that Brooks spam ;-)
Thanks for the note. I clicked on Unread Posts and went EEK!! :P
New Brooks offspring was born last weekend!
It's a twelve string bass and we call it:
TB-12-SF
Specifications:
- Khaya Mahogany body wings
- Nine ply Khaya Mahogany/Walnut neck. Neck through
- Seafoam Green high gloss finish
- Ebony fretboard
- Luminlay side dot inlays
- Jumbo frets
- 34" scale
- Buffalo horn nut
- Three ply black/white/black pickguard
- Custom made twelve string bridge set
- Two spokewheel double action trussrods
- Carbon reinforcement strip in the neck
- Lace Alumitone Bass Bars
- Controls: Volume Volume Tone
- Gotoh GB 350 lightweight bass tuners
- Schaller GrandTune octave tuners
- Pure Tone Multi Contact jack output
- Schaller S-lock strap buttons
- d'Addario EXL 170 - 12 strings
- Weight: 4.5 kg
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-tb-12-sf-full-front-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-tb-12-sf-body-angle-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-tb-12-sf-headstock-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-tb-12-sf-body-front-angle2-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-tb-12-sf-full-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-tb-12-sf-body-back-angle-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-tb-12-sf-bridge-set-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-tb-12-sf-pickups-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-tb-12-sf-controls-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-tb-12-sf-headstock-back-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-tb-12-sf-luminlays-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-tb-12-sf-pickguard-detail-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-tb-12-sf-serial-number-1500_orig.jpg)
(https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks-tb-12-sf-string-triplets-1500_orig.jpg)
Pics of the build process can be viewed here:
https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/brooks-tb-12-sf.html
And I made a quick video demo today.
Just to show you what it sounds like. Nothing fancy. ;-)
That....is drool-worthy. I have a DP pedal as well and takes a bit of fiddling, but that sounds (and looks) great.
Thank you.
To be honest, I have yet to make friends with that DP pedal.
Can't seem to find the right sound for me. It all sounds too artificial for me. If that makes sense.
Plus I hate the fact that it is so petite. Those tiny knobs and their indicators are barely visible when you have it lying on the floor on the pedal board.
And it is substantially less tall than regular pedals. This makes it hard to hit with your foot when it's between other (taller) pedals.
It is a suprisingly touchy pedal. And can get pretty noisy. I think I settled somewhere around the Roundabout preset in the manual with it with some twiddling. I am also a big King's X fan so I was morally obliged to try it. I am also not a fan of the teeny tiny knobs, and just a minor touch of the volume knob can get crazy.
I use it at home and occasionally when I jam with a drummer friend who also likes King's X, but I don't normally have it on my pedalboard for gigs.
Quote from: Basvarken on November 12, 2025, 11:11:36 AMAnd I made a quick video demo today.
Just to show you what it sounds like. Nothing fancy. ;-)
Super cool, Rob. What's it like playing a 12-string with fingers?
Quote from: Ken on November 13, 2025, 10:46:24 PMSuper cool, Rob. What's it like playing a 12-string with fingers?
Strangely enough I seem to prefer playing fingerstyle.
I feel I have more control over how I hit the strings.
Even if the consensus among 12-string players is that the string arrangement should be reversed for finger style (bass string above the octave strings). Guess I'm a-typical.
But I just don't play them that often. I don't own a 12-string myself. And each time I have completed a build ,I only play it to check if everything is in order. And to make a short video demo. But after that is done they all leave the house, to be sent to the customer.
Heck, I don't even play my own 4-string basses anymore. Guess I'm too busy building bass guitars ;-)
And I'm just not motivated to play solo.
But in March 2026 we do a reunion gig with my old band (Bittermoon). I guess I'll pick up my 4-string bass to prepare for that gig, in the weeks prior.
007, nice! 8) Another perfect bass Rob, lovely!
Today I installed the prototype of the Brooks Gemini pickup into my modified golden oldie Epiphone JCS.
I can't tell you how excited I am!
The pickup is a dead-on replica the best sounding bass pickup of all time: the Gibson low impedance stacked humbucker that was used in the Les Paul Bass between 1968 and 1979.
At least in my opinion. 😉
I really think they're amazing.
Extremely silent. Magnificent dynamic response. Tight low end. Chrystal clear top end. And very versatile.
For years I roamed Ebay and Reverb to score them to put in various bass guitars. But last few years they've become as rare as hen's teeth. And when you finally do find one the prices are astronomically high.
Many times I tried to find a pickup maker who can replicate it. And many of them said they could. But in the end they all had to admit they couldn't.
Until now!
Gemini Pickups from the UK joined forces with Brooks.
I sacrificed an original and carefully dissected it.
The pickup revealed its very unusual architecture. And step by step we reverse engineered it.
And now the first prototype is alive!
Stay tuned...
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Very nice! Is the cover 3D printed?
Yes it is. I hope to find a material that gives a smoother and shinier result. But for now this is fine.
Looks good.
That is awesome Rob! It took about fifty years to replicate this pickup! Congratulations!!
In your research, have you ever figured out if there is any difference between the neck & bridge pickup? The guitar list one part number for both, but the bass has separate part numbers. I have never been able to tell the difference just by looking at them. You wouldn't think it would only be wire length.
(https://i.imgur.com/7iJZNIV.jpg)
Is far as I know there is no difference. But with Gibson you can never be sure ;-)
You know probably as much as I do about those pickups. Have you ever noticed a difference?
I've never noticed any difference..
Quote from: Basvarken on November 17, 2025, 12:11:31 AMYes it is. I hope to find a material that gives a smoother and shinier result. But for now this is fine.
Have you looked at vapour polishing? I've seen some good results on 3D printed work, where the satin, stair-step surface is rendered glossy by leaving the piece in a confined space with acetone fumes for a while.
I think that would damage the embossed logo...
The textured finish is unique. The glossy finish on the originals wasn't necessarily for looks but so the plastic molded parts released easily from the force & cavity in the mold set.
Personally , I like the texture.
Random...saw this posted on Tech21's Instagram...ignore the red highlight, the important stuff is on the top line 8)
IMG_2081.jpg
Yeah I saw that.
It is a screenshot of the article in Premier Guitar about Rick Nielsen and Tom Petersson.
https://www.premierguitar.com/features/artist-features/cheap-tricks-amazing-journey
Pretty cool for an amateur from Velp :mrgreen:
Quote from: Basvarken on November 17, 2025, 12:11:31 AMYes it is. I hope to find a material that gives a smoother and shinier result. But for now this is fine.
Nice! If it's HP MultiJet Fusion, it's pretty tough to beat until you're ready to spend the money on an injection mold. Protolabs has the best pricing I could find the last time I had parts fabricated. Will you be selling these as aftermarket parts?
Yes, I hope to be able to sell them.
The prototype is a drop-in replacement.
I hope to use them in some new Brooks bass guitars.
As well as selling them for anyone who wants to put them into their bass or build.
At the moment I'm looking for chrome 6-32 UNC screws that are 3cm long (1 1/4 inch).
So if any of you guys know a source, preferably in Europe, that would be super.
Are you planning on having the chrome surrounds made also?
Yes. I have a vector drawing ready to send to a laser cutting service to make a small batch out of 0.8 mm copper sheet. And then have them chrome plated.
Quote from: Basvarken on November 18, 2025, 09:34:27 AMI think that would damage the embossed logo...
I've seen good results with fine detail preserved on small figurines. I think they had used acetone fumes on ABS plastic.
In saying that, many of your designs span retro and modern aesthetics so matt-finish pickups wouldn't look out of place.
Quote from: Basvarken on November 19, 2025, 12:49:23 PMAt the moment I'm looking for chrome 6-32 UNC screws that are 3cm long (1 1/4 inch).
So if any of you guys know a source, preferably in Europe, that would be super.
I have used a guy in the UK that calls his company 'the screw guy' when looking for hard to find slot screws.
He was the only one I found with correct pickguard screws for old Höfners, for example.
I believe he specializes on wood screws, but he has a lot of knowledge and probably a lot of contacts. I kept his business card somewhere, with the slogan 'need a good screw?'.... Not sure if the company name should be googeled, unless you want spam :) Let me check..
Unfortunately UK is no longer part of European Union. So buying something as simple as a bunch of screws has become a bit of a headache. :o
But if all other options fail, this may be the way to go.
Are you opposed to stainless steel machine screws? That's all I use and they look just fine with chrome.
That's basically the only option I have. And I have decided to accept it.
Still pretty hard to find within the EU. I have found a source in the UK and maybe it makes sense to have Gemini buy them and just include them with the pickup, since they are in Wales (UK)
Maybe have Gemini throw in a bag of 100 machine screws for your parts bin with your next pickup order. Win/win. :)
Does this pickup require a custom wiring harness with a transformer, or can it use standard wiring?
I'd love to offer it as an option.
The pickup has eight leads that have to be connected. So no, you can just use it as a drop-in replacement of say a P-bass.
I am contemplating on including an impedance transformer. But not a complete pre soldered wiring harness.
But I will offer a wiring diagram with each pickup.
I'm very interested to see what's involved. If there is a "simplified" way to wire these up, it might work for me. However, my control routs are Tele/Hotdog-style, so space is limited.
Would it be practical to make a "Balanced" version of this pickup. Add an extra connection like on the Les Paul Signature pickup that can either be used or not?
Quote from: BTL on November 23, 2025, 06:17:58 AMI'm very interested to see what's involved. If there is a "simplified" way to wire these up, it might work for me. However, my control routs are Tele/Hotdog-style, so space is limited.
You can always choose to only use just one coil tap. Then it's just the same as any humbucker . Except for the impedance.
I did that on this bass. I just used the last coil tap with full windings on both pickups.
(https://13376708-689899567947305371.preview.editmysite.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/3161345_orig.jpg)
Quote from: Grog on November 23, 2025, 08:21:39 AMWould it be practical to make a "Balanced" version of this pickup. Add an extra connection like on the Les Paul Signature pickup that can either be used or not?
I'm going to leave that up to the customer. So many options with this pickup.
But keep in mind that this is nothing like the pickup on the Jack Casady Signature bass. That pickup has only three leads. The built-in step impedance transformer in the JCS allows for the three choices on the rotary switch.
Whereas my pickup is based on the big black oval pickup for the Les Paul Bass / Triumph. With 8 leads coming out and three actual coil taps on the pickup itself. It is already balanced and can be used straight into a recording desk.
Quote from: Basvarken on November 23, 2025, 08:36:00 AMYou can always choose to only use just one coil tap. Then it's just the same as any humbucker . Except for the impedance.
I did that on this bass. I just used the last coil tap with full windings on both pickups.
(https://13376708-689899567947305371.preview.editmysite.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/3161345_orig.jpg)
Cosmetically, that's how I wire all my basses, so it works for me.
Does this result in your favorite tone from the pickups? Also, does that configuration still require a transformer?
I'm curious to understand what's "under the hood", so to speak.
:)
My understanding is that the middle lead on the Les Paul Signature is just a ground. When using the Low Impedance Stereo (3 wire) jack on the side of the guitar, you can go into an XLR jack to a mixing board etc............
(https://i.imgur.com/PAoeOOE.jpg)
Rob, is there a video that you think shows a good example of how these pickups sound?
Quote from: Ken on November 24, 2025, 10:30:13 AMRob, is there a video that you think shows a good example of how these pickups sound?
Here's a video that demonstrates a Les Paul Bass aka Triumph.
Skip to 9.38. Because that's when he actually starts playing.
Quote from: BTL on November 24, 2025, 06:12:00 AMCosmetically, that's how I wire all my basses, so it works for me.
Does this result in your favorite tone from the pickups? Also, does that configuration still require a transformer?
I'm curious to understand what's "under the hood", so to speak.
:)
Yes that is my personal favorite. But you can choose any of the three of course.
And yes, the pickup is low-impedance. So if you want a high output level (like for instance a P-bass or J bass) you would need an impedance transformer.
But I have done many gigs without and just cranked up my amp to reach the desired volume.
That makes sense, thanks!
I made a few sound samples with my Epiphone Jack Casady Signature bass with an original Gibson pickup. And after that I replaced the Gibdon pickup with the new Brooks pickup.
GIBSON
Gibson lo-z humbucker, first coil tap
https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/gibson__lo-z_50.mp3
Gibson lo-z humbucker, second coil tap
https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/gibson__lo-z_250.mp3
Gibson lo-z humbucker, third coil tap
https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/gibson__lo-z_500.mp3
BROOKS
Brooks Gemini lo-z humbucker, first coil tap
https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks_gemini_lo-z_50_new.mp3
Brooks Gemini lo-z humbucker, second coil tap
https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks_gemini_lo-z_250_new.mp3
Brooks Gemini lo-z humbucker, third coil tap
https://www.brooksbassguitars.com/uploads/1/3/3/7/13376708/brooks_gemini_lo-z_500_new.mp3
I'm not certain my ears or listening setup are the best, but they sound as identical as I can imagine them sounding. Very nice!
Rob - I saw these pickups posted on your IG feed and it reminded me to log back on here! Any timeline on having these ready to sell? I'm about to start a hollow body project and I think these would be amazing.
Quote from: bassvirtuoso on December 29, 2025, 10:14:06 PMRob - I saw these pickups posted on your IG feed and it reminded me to log back on here! Any timeline on having these ready to sell? I'm about to start a hollow body project and I think these would be amazing.
I don't have the page on the website up and running as a shop. And I have yet to made a proper demo video.
But you can order them directly via me. Just send me an email or PM.
Get out your spandex. Tease your hair. 😉
Here's the Brooks EXB-MS-10.
A multi-scale ten-string bass.
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Mahogany Khaya body
- Laminated Mahogany Khaya set neck. Glued in
- Black with Lake Placid Blue graphic finish
- Pearloid binding
- Ebony fretboard
- Pearloid position markers
- Jumbo nickel silver frets
- 35-32" scale
- Buffalo horn nut
- Custom Brooks bass bridge set. Black
Bridge base plates by www.paulinevandenbroek.nl (http://"http://www.paulinevandenbroek.nl")
- Two double action trussrods
- Carbon reinforcement strip in the neck
- Lace Alumitone Bass Bar pickup combination
- Pure Tone output. Black
- Stacked Volume / tone knobs. Black
- Three way pickup selector switch. Black
- Gotoh GB 350 lightweight bass tuners. Black
- Schaller GrandTune octave tuners. Black
- Custom set d'Addario strings
#brooksbassguitars #multiscalebass #tenstringbass
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Wow! Is this your first multi scale?
Thank you. No, it is not. 8)
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Sweet! I still haven't played a multi-scale bass. Most people say they are surprisingly easy to adjust to.
Spectacular! I love that the single-saddle system you engineered has worked out so well. :)
Hamer vibes on the finish. 8)
Just ordered some Brooks low impedance pickups from Rob, super excited!
The miracle has happened!
The Brooks EXB-12-QB - the construction of which was already completed in August 2024(!) - is finally completed and ready to ship.
The installation of the electronics took about a year and a half for all kinds of reasons that I will not bore you with.
I solemnly promise that I will never build a thing like this again. 😉
Anyway: Here it is!
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Wow, what a monster!
That insane, Rob! I'd love to know the use case. Totally antithetical to my "simpler the better" approach.
I made a video demo of the Brooks Gemini low impedance stacked bass humbucker.
The Epiphone JCS with the Brooks Gemini was played by Dutch rock royalty Ivo Severijns.
The EXB-12-QB and the Gemini are both just ridiculously cool!
Sounds awsome!! What is the cost of this pickup?
Thank you.
€300 per pickup.
€15 for a pickup ring.
Send me a PM or email if you need more info. Or if you would like to place an order.
Here's a playlist of six separate videos:
A Shoot Out: Brooks Gemini vs Gibson Lo-z.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNvr1HaLX_Z2pvXrIFii4pdKThqTX3Tnq
The Brooks Gemini brings back the legendary low impedance stacked humbucker that was featured in the Les Paul basses between 1968 and 1979.
The three coil taps of each pickup are demonstrated in three different playing techniques: fingerstyle, pick style and palm mute.
Dutch rock royalty Ivo Severijns played the bass and recorded the audio.
Straight into the desk. No compressor, No amp, No speaker, No speaker simulator. Just an honest registration of the sound of the pickup. What you see is what you get!
Enjoy!
Those sound wonderful.
Finally found some time this afternoon to make a (short) video of the ten-string multi-scale bass:
Ladies and Gentlemen!
I proudly present the Brooks EXB-12-TP White Falcon.
Built for none other than Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick.
Specifications:
- Korina body
- Nine-ply Korina/mahogany neck. Glued in
- Vintage White finish
- Checkerboard binding
- Ebony fretboard
- Mother of pearl position dots. Two brass rings in 12th position
- Jumbo frets
- 30 1/2" scale
- Buffalo horn nut
- Acrylic pickguard Gold
- ETS Custom made twelve string bridge set. Gold
- Two spokewheel double action trussrods
- Carbon reinforcement strip in the neck
- Gemini Dominator in the neck position. Gold
- Gemini Devastator in the middle position. Gold
- Pure Tone output. Gold
- 3-way pickup selector toggle switch. Gold
- Gotoh GB350 bass tuners. Gold
- Schaller GrandTune tuners. Gold, Pearloid button
- d'Addario custom strings
- Weight 4.9kg
#brooksbassguitars #twelvestringbass #tompetersson #cheaptricktom
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Beautiful!
Yup , she's a beauty! Congratulations , Rob.
As always Rob just amazingly beautiful work!
Lovely! I wish my buddy Mark still worked for them so I could get my hands on one of these builds. ;D
Made a video today.
To demonstrate the Brooks EXB-12-TP (White Falcon style)
But of course I hope to see it on stage soon with Tom Petersson himself, who can do the bass far better justice than I can ;-)
So cool, Rob.
The first batch of Brooks Gemini pickups arrived last week.
I installed the stainless steel pickup rings I had laser-cut, using the correct type of screws and springs for height adjustment.
I took a few pictures, and the first orders have already been delivered.
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My employer HAN University Of Applied Sciences has its own journalistic channel: SAM.
And currently they are making a series of reels about colleagues who "do something with music"
So last week I got a visit from videographer Thomas Lazeroms, who filmed a (sort) reel about me and the Brooks Bass Guitars that I build.
You can see the tiniest workshop on the planet. And me wearing genuine Dutch clogs!
It has Dutch subtitles. But I believe you can let YouTube add subtitles in English too.
Wish I could understand Dutch, but it was super cool to see you working.
Way cool!
That was fun, thanks for sharing!