Things around the Combat office have been so crazy, but I really wanted to make a point to get on here before the weekend to show off the two very unusual instruments we recently got asked to build for one particular customer.
It was quite exciting when I heard that we were going to build a, never before attempted, 10-String, 31-Fret guitar. But when I heard that the same customer also placed an order at the same time for 10-String, 31-Fret bass I was blown away!
More than thinking about how these things were gonna sound, I kept thinking about how that bass would look, and how one would actually be able to play it!!
Well, we turned our designs into a reality and the proof is below. Check out the pics of these crazy looking monsters! I have also included some of the main specs for each one.
First off, the GUITAR.
With both the guitar, and bass, the main set-up is definetly that HUGE neck-through.
The guitar's neck is seven piece Maple and Bubinga, 28" inch scale with 31 frets, held sturdy by two individual truss rods. Ebony fingerboard, with a maple accent, and Pearl inlays. The wings on both sides which make up the rest of the body are Ash, as well as an Ash laminated head top.
The top four strings are set-up on a mounted thin line bridge, while the bottom six strings run through a standard synchronized tremolo. You can find standard tuning on the guitar on the 7th string down to the 2nd, E/A/D/G/B/E. The top three strings are at C#, F#, and B, while the 1st string is at G. The unusual single pickup was provided by the customer as his own unique creation of a customized steel guitar pickup! One Vol control, and direct input jack.
Now, The BASS!
Again, neck-through construction- this time NINE piece Maple and Walnut, 34" inch scale with 31 frets, and two individual truss rods. Ebony fingerboard, with Maple accents with Abalone & Pearl inlays. The body is Ash, with a very nice BuckEye Maple laminated top, back and head.
The ten strings are set-up on two individual Gotoh 5-string bass bridges. You can find standard tuning on the bass from the 8th string down at E/A/D/G. The top two strings are at a F# and B, the bottom four strings are at a C, F, A, and D. Powered by 4 Villex pickups with an Aguilar pre-amp. The hand-made ebony controls are; 1Vol, 1Balancer, Treble, Mid and Bass.
Alright, it has been a long time in the making, but finally we finished making them, (I made sure to get pics this time!) and we got them up here on the Blog for a little show'n'tell.
Look forward to hearing the feedback and comments! So let me know what you think!
Cheers,
- Combat Colin.