The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Bill's Shop: Projects, Mods & Repairs => Topic started by: Basvarken on March 01, 2025, 08:21:30 AM

Title: Semi-hollow twelve-string Brooks bass
Post by: Basvarken on March 01, 2025, 08:21:30 AM
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)
Title: Re: Semi-hollow twelve-string Brooks bass
Post by: BTL on March 01, 2025, 09:45:46 AM
That's so awesome! Is ETS still making your bridges, or did you find another machine shop?
Title: Re: Semi-hollow twelve-string Brooks bass
Post by: Basvarken on March 01, 2025, 09:48:58 AM
It's still ETS yes. There is no other option really...
Title: Re: Semi-hollow twelve-string Brooks bass
Post by: Dave W on March 01, 2025, 10:44:37 AM
Beautiful work as always, Rob.
Title: Re: Semi-hollow twelve-string Brooks bass
Post by: doombass on March 01, 2025, 03:31:00 PM
Beautiful!
Title: Re: Semi-hollow twelve-string Brooks bass
Post by: Son of Dave W on March 01, 2025, 06:01:05 PM
Oh my.  My pants just got tighter in certain places.
Title: Re: Semi-hollow twelve-string Brooks bass
Post by: hieronymous on March 01, 2025, 06:23:09 PM
Amazing! So cool. I'm more of an 8-string guy myself, but can definitely appreciate a beauty like this.
Title: Re: Semi-hollow twelve-string Brooks bass
Post by: Basvarken on March 05, 2025, 07:17:31 AM
Title: Re: Semi-hollow twelve-string Brooks bass
Post by: gearHed289 on March 05, 2025, 07:28:54 AM
Nice range of tones. I like both pickups in humbucker mode.
Title: Re: Semi-hollow twelve-string Brooks bass
Post by: Basvarken on March 05, 2025, 10:39:27 AM
Thank you guys :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Semi-hollow twelve-string Brooks bass
Post by: wellREDman on March 07, 2025, 09:35:50 AM
Thats beautiful, when I win the lottery Im definitely coming to you for my 12 string !
Title: Re: Semi-hollow twelve-string Brooks bass
Post by: BTL on March 07, 2025, 12:13:44 PM
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.

;)
Title: Re: Semi-hollow twelve-string Brooks bass
Post by: Basvarken on March 07, 2025, 05:10:49 PM
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)