- Custom Work -
Custom work is just that - if you don't see it here, ask! This page shows just a few examples of unusual things I've done for customers. I've created a separate page for the custom work I did on a false nut job (shortening the scale length), but some other examples are shown below:
Bumpers can be added to you bass in a variety of wood types. Bumpers protect the edges of your bass when you lay the bass down. If the edges on a laminent bass are left exposed and moisture permeates the layers, they may separate and the bass will be ruined. I also offer an egde treatment that will reseal edges that are worn down to the wood.
Custom wood endpins are another idea I got from reading Chuck Treager's books. He used things like drumsticks! These custom endpins were made of spruce, mohagany, and cherry. I made a last endpin from poplar (not shown here). As Treager said, you really do hear you bass change tonal and presence qualities with the different wood endpins. Softer woods seem "darker".
"Mode Matching" is another Treager concept where two "modes" of the bass are matched, which improves volume, definition, and response in better basses. A bass may or may not have modes that can be "matched", but I have the equipment now to find out.
Since good ebony fingerboards are getting scarce, some fingerboards are being made of other woods. Rosewood is not uncommon. I often like the woodgrain of a board after it's been dressed, and sometimes ask the customer if they want it finished natural or dyed black to look traditional. I had one customer who wanted the two to morph, and I'll do most anything -
This is a bass that was made to Carleen Hutchins specifications. If you look at the neck pocket (or lack of), the short ribs, and the instrument overall, you'll see it's really designed like a big violin. I did the entire setup per Gary's specifications (basically copied from Matt Hare's cornerless bass). We experimented with several soundpost locations, and used a 1" diameter soundpost rounded down to 5/8" at the ends. This and custom endpins made of different types of wood were amongst ideas advocated by Chuck Treager that we experimented with. Two different Roland Schuster custom bridges were fitted so Gary could choose the "darker" sounding one. The Marvin Tailpiece improves response and lessens the feeling of "string tension". It's really a cool bass, congratulations Gary!
I'm probably the first person ever to modify a Honeytone amplifier so it would have a switchable external speaker jack. Yes, I watch Monty Python also!
Jon Paget has been working on his own instruments and modifying gear for more than 30 years. More recently he has worked on Upright Basses for customers ranging from pros like Bunny Brunel, Stanley Clarke, and Brian Bromberg, to local schools and their students.
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Contact Jon at (714) 335-7091 or send email to stringmaster63@gmail.com
A noteworthy list of references available!
Quality work at cheap rates!
Thank You!!!
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