Winter Build off 2018 Walter Ardie

[Scoops]

Greetings

Say hello to Walter Ardie

Body: Solid Figured Black Walnut
Neck: Roasted Black Walnut
Neck Type: Bolt on
Scale lenght: 34"
Strings: 5
Fingerboard: Malaysian Ebony
Electronics: Lace X-bar
Controls: V-V-T
Bridge: Hipshot type b
Tuners: Hipshot Ultra Light

 

[dukeorock]

Getting all Gibson up in here!

 

[Scoops]

Getting all Gibson up in here!

Oddly enough, it seems like Gibbys don't get much luv here in the LC. Just doin what I can to share the luv

 

[dukeorock]

Oddly enough, it seems like Gibbys don't get much luv here in the LC. Just doin what I can to share the luv

My first two basses were Gibson’s (G3 and Ripper), so they’ll always have a special place in my heart! I currently only own two Gibson’s (reverse body T Birds) that I adore. Also put a deposit down for a single pickup non reverse Cataldo. Oddly, there are countless builders doing variations on the Fender P and J, but not so much with Gibson designs. I guess that big stoic thing ain’t for everyone and I get it. Makes me happy to see your reinterpretations on these classic designs!

 

[Big B.]

Love that body blank. Speaking of Gibson the first thing I thought when I saw it was "Flying V!!!", but then you'd lose some of the coolest part of the grain.

 

[Reedt2000]

I don't know a lot about the RD bass so I was checking them out online. The bound-body looks sweet!

 

[Leiria]

The old RD in ebony is easily one of the best looking basses Ive ever seen. The bound body burst ones too for that matter. And I actually liked the features and sound clips of the Moog preamp. Never actually played one though. Old Gibson basses looked like proper Rock machines.

Anyway love the build idea and the blank looks sweet. Love what youre doing with the Wallybird as well

 

[Five String]

That walnut is gorgeous

 

[ctmullins]

Loooooove Gibby builds.

 

[Scoops]

Update

Roughed out the neck.
This body blank is really nice. The red streaking in the end grain is actually a bit more vibrant in person. I was going to profile the body but I'd loose some of that red, so this may just be a slab

 

[Jon Clegg]

Wow that's some serious wood porn.

I'm a huge fan of the RD. My first build has a clone of the RD preamp in it. Not the compressor/expander, just the eq section.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Nice. The first two bodies I built were based off of a tracing of a friends RD bass.

 

[jaymelewis]

I like where this is going

 

[Jon Clegg]

This is the kind of build I love. Take something not often seen, like the RD, and then expand on it by making it a 5 string.

 

[Jason Harris]

OMG YES! Love me some walnut, the best wood.

 

[Scoops]

I'm trying to figure out what electronics to go with.

I'm thinking Alumitones, but not quite sure

Thoughts

 

[Jon Clegg]

Alumitones or EMG's I think -- something hi-fi sounding. Active tone control; the Moog circuit isn't that tough to build.

 

[ctmullins]

Loooooove Alumitones. Q-Tuners would be cool as well. And an East/ACG filter preamp.

 

[Fat Freddy]

On that bass...TV Jones Thunderblades....

 

[Reedt2000]

I'm trying to figure out what electronics to go with.

I'm thinking Alumitones, but not quite sure

Thoughts

Badass bridge and a set of P/Js?

Then it can be a PJRD