Lowe non-rev bolt-on bird

gearHed289 · August 07, 2014, 08:43:30 AM

I hesitate to call it a Fenderbird, but it's obviously in that vein. Not bad, though I'm not crazy about the headstock. Wood binding is a nice touch. Lollar pups...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lowe-Custom-Guitars-US-Thund-R-Luxe-BASS-022-PLEK-Not-Gibson-Lull-Thunderbird-/231293418574?ssPageName=ADME:SS:SS:US:3160

godofthunder · August 07, 2014, 09:23:08 AM

Meh................... That Tele like control plate just kills it, looks like something Hondo would do. If you are going to spend that kind of dough get a Cataldo.......................it's not like I'm bias or anything.

Aussie Mark · August 07, 2014, 04:42:56 PM

If they're going to shape a headstock like that, at least they could have made the indent pointy enough to open a bottle of beer.

dadagoboi · August 07, 2014, 05:12:11 PM

Quote from: Aussie Mark on August 07, 2014, 04:42:56 PM
If they're going to shape a headstock like that, at least they could have made the indent pointy enough to open a bottle of beer.

It's not 'they'. It's one guy, Brad Lowe. He's received a lot of flak for the headstock, I don't much care for it either.

He assembles the basses from parts he's designed/sourced, doesn't do any woodworking or finishing.

Dave W · August 07, 2014, 08:53:47 PM

It's probably a very nice bass. Definite thumbs down on the headstock, though, and as much as I like Tele control plates, it looks out of place on that body shape.

Lightyear · August 08, 2014, 05:57:50 PM

Meh, is right. Might be very nice but the design of it is too much of a clash - too many pointy ends for for my liking and the headstock

Like a hockey stick/can opener thing?

drummer5359 · September 08, 2014, 03:22:12 PM

I like it a lot, it's a bass that I'd like to own. He has a black one that I'm saving my money for as we speak.

As for the shape of the headstock, I think it's fine and at least somewhat original. The control plate is a "Tele-ish", but it, the pickup bezels and bridge all his design and made to his specs.

Although we are not related, Brad and I share the same last name, Lowe.

It would be cool to have my last name on the headstock.

BTL · December 09, 2014, 05:09:00 AM

Hey guys, first post here!

I was looking for info on another topic and stumbled on this thread.

Although I have milled and finished a number of bodies myself, I quickly realized that if I wanted to compete directly with "the big boys", I needed to step up my game.

Lightweight swamp ash is not available consistently and affordably to small builders like myself, especially here in Florida, and custom-shop quality paint from companies like House of Kolor is very expensive, even just as a raw material.

With that in mind, all Lowe Custom Guitars current production bodies and necks are CNC-milled in the US by Best Guitar Parts - the OEM shop well known for its work with Fano, Gigliotti, Lull, Nash, Soloway, Tedesco and others.

All hardware is stainless steel and is fabricated by Hipshot, and pickups are by Lollar, Fralin and TV Jones.

All of my current finishes are done by Jim Jaeger at Roxy finishes, and his work is second-to-none.

Here are a few photos of recent builds:

Nocturnal · December 09, 2014, 09:30:06 PM

Welcome to the Outpost Brad!! I really like the look of the gold Bird!

BTL · December 09, 2014, 09:42:02 PM

Thanks!

The gold bird is truly something special.

ilan · December 10, 2014, 02:10:14 PM

Very cool. Love the black one with the Gretsch vibe.

BTL · December 12, 2014, 06:46:32 PM

Thanks Ilan!

I've been bitten by the mashup bug, for sure.

I think you may be the first person to comment on the Gretsch influence in the Chromasonic IV.

The color scheme is definitely inspired by the Duo Jet, and the TV Jones Thunder'Blades have a Filter'Tron vibe.

ilan · December 13, 2014, 08:20:17 AM

And of course the horns are reminiscent of the Gretsch Billy-Bo Jupiter Thunderbird's rear end.

BTL · December 13, 2014, 08:31:47 AM

Quote from: ilan on December 13, 2014, 08:20:17 AM
And of course the horns are reminiscent of the Gretsch Billy-Bo Jupiter Thunderbird's rear end.

Truly, you are the first person ever to point that out...THANK YOU!

The Chromasonic body design and bottle-opener headstock shape seem to inspire love/hate reactions from any one who looks at them.

I think that's a positive, really.

It and the Ridler body shapes are my signature designs, but I'm now beginning to introduce more traditional shapes with my own design twists.

I believe my original work will help make my traditional shapes more viable and credible in the market.

ilan · December 13, 2014, 11:45:23 AM

And the rear reminded me a little of a Dano Pro: