Gallant Bass
There are several versions of the Gallant Bass. I've changed the design based on my own interests as I've explored different bass styles.
Gallant Bass - Original
The original Gallant Bass is a 32-inch scale length, four string bass guitar with built-in effects. The guitar is solid, composed of two slices of walnut glued together with the seam running straight down the center of the guitar. Both sides are from the same piece of wood, with one side is rotated 180 degrees to counteract any natural left/right warping. The battery and electronics are accessible via two walnut covers on the back.
The shape of the guitar is a classic two-horned body but with a raised center. The raised center allows a thumb resting place when playing with fingers. It also thins the body making it lighter, recesses the knobs so they don't interfere with playing, and reduces curling the wrist when playing.
The shape of the guitar is a classic two-horned body but with a raised center. The raised center allows a thumb resting place when playing with fingers. It also thins the body making it lighter, recesses the knobs so they don't interfere with playing, and reduces curling the wrist when playing.
Electronics
The pickups are SD Rickenbacker Bass pickups, modified to fit. This gives the Gallant Bass a classic progressive rock sound. These feed into a built-in microcontroller providing effects including overdrive, tone, various modulations and delay. These are very similar to the Victoria effects, but adjusted to suit a bass guitar. A single mono jack runs out the strap endpin -- though this will probably change in future versions as strap buttons are frequently replaced by owners.
Gallant Bass VI
This is a six string version of the Gallant bass. It has three pickups for additional sonic choices. Currently the electronics are passive but I'm planning to convert it to active with a built-in microcontroller.
Gallant Bass - Shorty
This version of the bass has a 30 inch scale length. The electronics are reworked to use only four knobs with no presets. The paint job is spray painted metallic turquoise.
To save time and money the body is made using the clamshell technique and only the cheapest hardware was used. This yielded a bass that is easy to play with a nice sound due to the electronics. |
Gallant Bass - Full Size
Still in construction, this is a 34 inch scale length bass with a maple neck-through and walnut wings. The neck with be jazz-bass width. There will be one p-bass style pickup. The bridge will be a tremelo style hipshot (if it ever arrives). Electronics should be similar to the shorty -- assuming the future owner approves.