2012 Non Reverse Cataldo Basses

dadagoboi · March 12, 2012, 03:50:49 PM

Done and Donner fly away tomorrow. They have been fun builds, the Fiver is tuned to Bb and has DR Sunbeams per customer request. The NR4 has a ThunderBucker Max and Smith Rock Masters.

Rob · March 12, 2012, 06:16:21 PM

More excellent work Carlo.
Now. . . every time you post pics I look for the "airbrushed" trees.

Nocturnal · March 12, 2012, 09:08:20 PM

Beautiful!!!

godofthunder · March 13, 2012, 10:26:48 AM

I feel a bought of G.A.S. coming on................................sigh.

Pilgrim · March 13, 2012, 10:48:24 AM

I'm not a Tbird guy, but I think those are fantastic!

Denis · March 13, 2012, 12:54:04 PM

Damn, that seafoam green five is a knockout!

sniper · March 22, 2012, 08:40:30 AM

i'm liking that red offering to the gods

Bionic-Joe · April 02, 2012, 08:12:09 PM

Lookin' sharp!!!! nice bridge!!

dadagoboi · April 03, 2012, 06:22:39 AM

Thanks, guys! Both customers are very happy with their basses. I hope to get some sound clips and pix from them.

The one on the right is my ultra light, has a 2 bolt neck, no pick guard and floating bridge. Weighs 7.4 lbs, balances and sounds great. I plan on keeping it just the way it is.

Highlander · April 06, 2012, 01:57:03 PM

Beautiful in her simplicity... au naturale...

dadagoboi · November 10, 2012, 03:05:28 PM

Painted Scott's NR41 this week. 2 coats sealer, filler, 2 coats primer, 1 coat pelham, 2 coats clear. A few more clear coats and finishing will be done.

Primer

Pelham

Clear

Quite a bit of color shift depending on the light!

godofthunder · November 10, 2012, 03:11:53 PM

OMG I'm peeing my pants! VERY excited about this bass

Highlander · November 10, 2012, 03:40:51 PM

[envy]Carlo, you are a cruelly talented man...[/envy]

jumbodbassman · November 13, 2012, 09:31:06 AM

Scott the fiver showed up safe and sound. thanks.

First impression only as i got it late last night and could n't really let loose.

Carlo - the bass is the most comfortable thunderbird (reverse or NR) that i have ever played. No neck dive and plays much shorter than a "real" NR for us nerdy "hold the bass high up finger playing types"... Seems low slingers and pick players don't hate Birds as much as i seem to do. My third Cataldo bass clearly has the best paint job by far. Excellent color and shine. Nice and light weight, reminds me of my alder weight fenders from the late 60's - 72 era. i wasn't sure about the 17.5MM spacing but i really like it a lot now that i have it in my hands. reminds me of my first 5 string MM bass which i regret having ever sold. Not sure i will ever look at a full scale (19MM) five string the same.
Sound - Played it rather low thru my B15S but a very grindy 66 tbird sound . Not sure i like the one pickup setup. again this finger players thing as the bridge pickup always seems to add some clarity more than treble to my sound especially depending on where my hand is placed. much less of an issue with a pick but i very seldom use one and doubt i ever will with the tight spacing on the fiver. Carlo i may have to send her down to you for a mod......

dadagoboi · November 13, 2012, 10:24:52 AM

Glad you like it, Jim! I have around 45 basses worth of paint experience now, the finish work has definitely improved and my current prices reflect that. The compact headstock definitely helps with balance.

Since a '66 neck pickup and '63 bridge pup are the same (both for vintage Gibsons and ThunderBuckers), it would be easy to move your neck pickup to the bridge position and have Steve wind a '63 EX5 neck. That should give you the sound you're looking for. I'd be happy to do it.