Global Bass Interview

Global Bass:

Well, Alan, can you give us a bit of history as to what brought you up to this point in time, as a musician and a luthier?

Alan:

As a young teenager, I wanted to play a musical instrument and settled for guitar. I played my first gig at the age of 14 in a dance band at the local village and I have played in various bands, both pro and semi pro ever since. I have always been a 'Maker' but my roots are in automotive engineering. I ran my own company in the 80's constructing specialists vehicles. I actually made my first bass (a traditional ? scale acoustic double bass) in 1976 and the bug has never really gone away. After 37 years in the motor trade, I decided it was time for the change and on the 1^st of November, 1998 I started Bassix. The first model (the semi acoustic 'Transition') had its debut at the Wembley Music Show at the end of November 98 and as they say, the rest is history.

GB:

Do you presently have the time (or the inclination) to perform in an ensemble, and if so, please tell us a bit about it...

Alan:

I currently don't have the time to exercise my musical inclinations as I have just moved house and I am looking forward to the 6 month rebuilding and alteration programme, but in the future who knows?

GB:

Have you ever been involved in any recording ventures, and if so, please tell us about this (these) recording.

Alan:

Yes, during the mid `70's I returned to playing in a band after a few years 'resting', and it was at this point I took up proper bass playing. (All previous experience was with Bass guitar). I jumped in at the deep end with a 3.4 scale German-built 40's instrument and played for some years with a folk rock band called 'Barbary Farm'. We produced our own album and had limited sales at gigs, etc.

GB:

From what I have gathered, one of the rather inventive ideas that you are offering electric bassplayers, is the chance to finally embrace stand-up bass playing without the daunting physical differences that are presently found between a conventional electric bass and a stand-up. What have you done with your creations to make that transition less intimidating?

Alan:

I was approached by a friend of mine in 1998 and asked if I would like to play again, but due to a medical problem (I found it too painful to stand all night with the mighty Fender hanging around my neck) I started looking for an alternative instrument. I found it impossible to find a EUB (electric upright bass) at anything like sensible money at that time and decided to my make my own. After a short survey of the market it seemed clear that I was not alone and that many other bass guitar players felt the same. This was the final push I needed to 'get making'. The idea of the 34 scale on my original model meant that many bass players could convert to upright more easily but still retain an instrument that had its roots in the style of a proper double bass.

GB:

Has this been well received and do you find that it takes some time and effort to allay the fears of conventional electric players.

Alan:

Generally, all my instruments have been well received and once someone has 'had a go' most fears disappear.

GB:

What would you say are their chief concerns?

Alan:

Most players are mainly concerned what they will hit 'bum' notes, so initially I mark the side of the fingerboard to help orientation.

GB:

Can you give us a few examples of the positive feedback you have received from bassists about your creations.

Alan:

I can only say that I have not yet encountered an unhappy customer.

GB:

In picking the various components, are you involved in any of the separate construction of those parts, for example the bride or the nut, the tuning pegs or the pickups?

Alan:

I buy the smallest number of parts possible and these are only strings, preamps/EQ's, end pins, tuning machines and some pickups.

GB:

Do you use various manufacturers of a particular pick up style or have you settled upon one or two. If so, who would they be and what about them set themselves apart from all the others.

Alan:

I use Schaller pickups on the semi acoustic range. Kent Armstrong Humbuckers on the Jazza and solid body range and I create in conjunction with Kent Armstrong, individual wound magnetic string sensors for the Bassmaster Multi Tech. My designs are such that I am not restricted to any particular manufacturers for brought-in items, allowing a wide choice for my customers.

GB:

Can you give us some information on the materials used in the construction of your basses?

Alan:

No wood is used in the structure of my instruments. My basses are made from modern composites. Polyester, carbon fibre, glass fibre, epoxy, etc. etc.

GB:

Are you able to confer with a client, and taking into account what the musician wishes to accomplish sound-wise, help them work towards that end?

Alan:

I am always happy to work with a customer to achieve his or her required sound and have even made mock up systems to help with the choice.

GB:

Is a prospective client able to come to your offices or perhaps even via the Internet, choose from various woods and finishes?

Alan:

I am always willing to see prospective customers here. (I work from home in a small workshop in my rear garden) and let them try a selection of instruments to help their final choice.

GB:

Can the client also make choices as to other parts of the instrument as well?

Alan:

The choice of finishes available, including wood grains are immense. Almost anything is possible. I am always happy to use any good quality components to customer's choice and will always quote accordingly.

GB:

Can, for example, a bassist over 6 feet tall or perhaps 5'2" have a bass built for him or her that takes their stature into account?

Alan:

I am very pleased that all my basses can be played by people of varying stature-they are all fitted with 18" or 21" extendable end pinds for easy adjustment.

GB:

Depending upon the complexity of the individual basses, for example the Multi-Tech, where a customer can have the choice of multiple upgrades to the bass, what generally is the 'lead time' between the original order and the shipping date?

Alan:

Currently I try to keep the various specs of instruments in stock for immediate deliver, but even starting from scratch the build lead time is weeks, not months.

GB:

Tell us a bit about the Multi-Tech. What were you hoping to achieve by offering an upgradable instrument, where the client could literally handpick from a series of upgrades for their bass.

Alan:

I always felt that playing a bass instrument relied heavily upon the personality of the player and as such, choices of specification should be available to match the individual requirements. When I designed the Multi Tech, I took into account possible requirements from the purchaser (complexity of the electronics, tune machines, surface finishes, etc.), so that the basic structure could be adapted to accommodate them. Some upgrades can be dealt with after purchase. For example, upgrading from a 3 band to a 5 band EQ, or I am always pleased to take an instrument as a trade in for another model.

Global Bass Competition Winner

"I must let you know how pleased and delighted I am to be the proud winner of your EUB. Upon playing the instrument, I was impressed by the deep sustain and rich tone the bass produces. Actually, I was also quite surprised by the high degree of resonance one gets without amplification, considering the body is created from synthetic materials. The light weight is also a nice feature, making the usual hassle of transporting a bass much easier. I also find the EQ feature extremely nice in a live situation, so that I need not have to get to the amplifier to making changes in volume and tone.

In general, I am really enjoying playing it and it has given me lots of joy. Thanks for making such a fine instrument! (of course thanks go out to Warren Murchie, who chose my 'out there' essay during the contest!)

Incidentally, the instrument has quite an impressive history already, making a successful voyage from England, to Canada, to Chicago -- all in one piece!"

ARON TOPIELSKI,
Winner, Global bass competition.