Lowe Shop Notes

[BTL]

So, this just popped up on my newsfeed...The Wilson Van featuring Bill Malik and his 5 string Lowe Custom Guitars Chromasonic V:

[BTL]

Before I built my first guitar, I knew I wanted to build an instrument that could "hang with the best" in terms of style, quality, features, and value.

The Seafoam Green bass on the left is one of mine.

Mission accomplished?

[Highlander]

 

[BTL]

I'm excited to announce we are donating a bass to be auctioned of to benefit The Wilson Family Foundation, Inc. at the next The Wilson Van show.

http://www.thewilsonvan.com/

The clear acrylic pickguard is ready and the graphic is laid out for the back-mounted vinyl sticker.

[BTL]

So, this just happened...

[BTL]

The Wilson Van Primaluxe bass is ready to be auctioned off for charity:



Another shot of the Tobacco Sunburst Ridler:

[BTL]

The one and only Mick Donner of Electra Guitars showed the Primaluxe a little love at Guitars on Central before The Wilson Van show and auction.

The rose between two thorns is my lovely girl, Susan.

The bass was quite a hit, drew heavy bidding, and netted a tidy sum for a worthy cause.

[BTL]

Some more shots from the weekend..."Dr. Chuck" Stevens also gave the Primaluxe a test drive before the show and auction:



Bill Malik of The Wilson Van with his Lowe Custom Guitars Chromasonic V at the historic State Theater, St. Petersburg, FL.:

[Highlander]

Hopefully the auction made it all worthwhile...! 

[BTL]

Yes, the bass sold for $900...$50 over the asking price on Reverb.

Not bad at all.

[BTL]

I'm happy The Wilson Van bass was so well received.

It was fun to watch the bidding war!



Photo by Les Bartholf Photography.

[BTL]

This is the best illustration so far of how the 34" to 32" scale conversion necks work...the same bass, before and after:



...once the truss rod cover is replaced, it's ready to go out the door:

[Dave W]

The difference sure looks greater than 2" in your photos. Must be the perspective.

[BTL]

Yes, I moved the tripod between shots, so getting things lined up again was a challenge.

That said, the nut of the 32" lines up with the first fret of the 34", and the saddles of the G stings line up on both. 

[BTL]

Before the Ridler went out, it needed to have Thunderbird pickup inserts installed.

The buyer wanted to try and possibly keep both the Lollar Tunderbirds and Fralin HCP90Bs.

Understanding that, holes for the inserts need to be drilled...those are the inserts by the volume knob:



Here the inserts are installed in place, and you can see the difference between the two pickups and how they mount:



The Thunderbirds are mounted with 4-40 stainless screws and surgical tubing instead of springs.

There is a washer at both ends of the tubing, so the compression force is applied to the back of the pickup and the threads in the metal insert.

There is no pressure pushing against the body itself:



Last, the pickup ring is installed in place...a rock-solid and durable connection to the body: