LeftyBassist.com

Any thoughts?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Left-handed-SP-G-ba ... 965wt_1139

I dont like the look of the neck

You do know the maker/seller is a member of this forum?

Yes, everyone knows they're a member, the OP asked for opinions.
As badly as I've wanted a lefty "early model" P-Bass, I'm totally turned off by the fingerboard and headstock "graphics".

In fact, there's a whole thread over in Blueprinting and Bondo called "Paint 'n Pickguards" where screambasses is asking for opinions on several basses including the one in question- (viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1636) so these comments probably belong over there- but based on that thread I'm assuming he really wants to know "What do we think of this ???" and is prepared to accept both favorable and unfavorable opinions. I'm totally buzzed to have another Lefty builder out there to potentially patronize and given all that screambasses is investing in time, money and effort, the least we can do is give honest feedback ...

I really respect what screambasses is doing in terms of construction and hardware. I would probably be thrilled to play one of these basses with my eyes closed... but I must confess I haven't really cared for the visual approach on most of what I've seen so far. I don't like the graphic treatment on the headstock, would probably only like the the striped fretboard on a wood finished or black body, and I haven't been very emamored with the body color/pickguard combinations chosen either. Again, I intend no disrespect, I'm sure others feel differently and that's great; I guess I'm just not conceptually aligned with the aesthetic screambasses seems to be going for.

(As for the yellow screambass in question: from my perspective, as long as there's not a lefty "early model" P-Bass in the $500-$800 range available anywhere, there's no need to do anything too polarzing in terms of appearance. I'd just like to able to get something relatively traditional. For example, I had this Tele Bass (see below)custom built based on Ricky Phillip's Fender Custom Shop model (http://www.vintageguitar.com/features/b ... p?AID=3507) and I love it- but it was well over $1000+)

I'm quite amazed on this last TB ! So pretty.

I personally feel the neck treatment of the striped fretboard is very cool, however, I also voiced my dislike of the headstock graphics. Certainly the striped fretboard could be considered a unique trademark look to Scream basses and I wouldn't abandon that, but I feel the various visuals on the headstock are overkill and a deal breaker for me as well. I can't speak for Pete, but like to think he'd produce a more traditional headstock if requested/ordered. (I personally think a black graphite headstock with a simple "Scream" logo on it would look pretty sharp). Hopefully he'll chime in at some point.

As for this particular bass, again, I don't think he's going for a carbon copy reproduction of an early SCPB, but a more modern approach. I think I would have preferred the original pickguard vs. the later Tele pickguard on this one, however.

All in all, I would consider purchasing a Scream bass at some point once I see a model that visually captures my eye and has the appointments/layout I'm looking for.

When you start a new business you need to set yourself apart from your competition
and that's what I attempted to do when I began designing our line of basses.

And I've learned a lot. The graphic on the headstock was a way of trademarking our
basses. Many people love the idea, many don't. It's a personal opinion thing. I'm
building a bass now for a customer that loved the idea so much that we're putting his own
designs on the headstock and the pickguard.

However, moving forward we'll be using this as our standard namesake:



The graphics will be offered only as a free option. I just didn't want to be doing what
everybody else was doing - it's as simple as that. Same goes for the graphite necks.
I happen to love graphite necks and these necks were painstakingly built for us.
So, what I believed to be stunningly beautiful fell by the wayside. Which is the reason
that you've noticed that I'm selling them.

Luckily I have a neck builder that can build anything - our five-piece and maple necks
seem to be much more popular. Moving forward we'll probably build more traditional basses
and not on spec - only custom basses.

And a word about using the tele pickguard instead of the chrome control cover found
on '51 p's - it's easier to find a needle in a haystack than finding lefty chrome '51
p-bass control covers so it was more of a design solution to a problem. Sure, I could go down
to a machine shop and have them made but I just can't see spending the money - especially
when I wanted to "be different" anyway. The point wasn't to make a replica '51 p bass.

So, thank you to EVERYBODY for your comments, good, bad, critical and positive. Without
them we'd be unable to adjust our business plan and move on.

Pete

I know I'm in the minority, but I dig the graphics. But I do think maybe they get lost on the headstock- maybe putting the graphics on the body would be a great way to differentiate while allowing the audience to see the graphic in full?

nicely done.
its always good not to take comments personal and read them for just what they are.
I suppose if you wanted everyone to like your basses , you would be making standard P or jazz basses.
I now understand what you are trying to do and wish you well with your business.

Scream basses- I've always dreamed of a bass with the "Creation of Adam" on the body. Maybe we should chat.