It's been hard to keep this quiet over the past month or so...
I've been fortunate enough to be slightly involved in this "new" model bass from Mike Lull. It is of course a Fenderbird done his way. Accuracy and an incredilble attention to the orginal early 60's Gibson were the most important things, an original 1964 2 pick up 'Bird was graciously lent for the project. It was completely disassembled and copied for shape and components, this one will different from the original by having a four bolt mahogany neck/with maple as an option, and a shaped heel. The bodies will also be solid maho and have a Belly cut on the back of the upper 'bout and a very slight Arm carve too.
As you can see it'll have a two point bridge made by Hipshot as are the tuners, it balances perfectly!
Perhaps the most exciting part is Mike's attention the pick ups, first the new ones will have chrome plated stamped brass covers, made by the same supplier Gibson used for the original 1960's production!
The internal parts of the pickup will be just like the originals too, Mike paid great attention to the metals and plastics used and there will be both a bridge and neck version produced that will have 7k and 8k output, again just like the '64 prototype. The metal pickup rings are also being made.
As an outgrowth of the project the pick ups and the rings will be available as separate parts very soon, likely before the end of the year. So we can all upgrade our BaCH NR's with a nice new pickup, and not have to try and outbid each other for the piddly few that come up on E bay occasionally.
For now, be patient I'll let you guys that are interested know more details ASAP, it shouldn't be too long.
I'd like to suggest that when they are available those of us that are interested could chip in and get one for Rob as a small token of appreciation for his great effeorts on the BaCH NR.
I toast your work Rob
Anyway this is THE ONLY TIME you guys get to see what I look like when I'm not dressed up like a woman, here I am holding the first prototype two pick up version on 11/21/2008, there's also a shot from a week ago of the body/neck before the bridge had been added. These basses will premier at the Winter NAMM show mid January, there will be one more prototype made after this one, it'll be a single pick up version that will be Mike's.
The very first production line bass will be mine
It will be a single pick up version, I'm still waffling on the color, either Metallic Orange or Mango Pink.
As a matter of fact, I am a Dork!
Cheers Guys!
