Thanks to all those who have provided input so far about the Timber Bass redesign. We have compiled these notes to guide our design process. So far these are our objectives:
- Maintain overall size & scale length of the instrument.
- Incorporate a more ergonomic knee rest into the body shape.
- Increase the size of the thumb pockets, or "cashew trays" as they have been affectionately dubbed.
- Do away with the integrated strap loop, in favor of a strap button for easier strap removal.
- Round out the neck profile so it feels less boxy.
- Offer a fretless option without engraved fret marks on the surface.
- Incorporate action & intonation adjustment, either at the neck-body interface, or the bridge.
- Consider alternative electronic systems.
Regarding the electronics, we are open to suggestions. The undersaddle piezo pickup with active pre-amp by Shadow Electronics has worked well. But is the onboard tuner + tone & volume control necessary? Do you like having that onboard the instrument or do you prefer to have these functions downstream on your amp or pedals? Should we consider a magnetic p/u (which would require steel core strings)?
We're still in the early stages so send us your thoughts on any of the above and you could really participate in the development of this product.
Josh
8 Comments
Elaine Richert
I have had a Timber Bass since 4/1/22. I like the piezo pickup & use the onboard tuner, tone and volume. I love the flatwound strings the bass came with and wouldn't want that to change. As far as the other changes, I'm sure others would like those but I am very happy with the shape, incorporated strap, and design. I don't use the thumb pockets, AKA "cashew trays," because I play with my thumb!
Todd Torgersen
Re: The electronics: I find the built-in tuner very helpful. I hope you can keep it in the re-design. I play informally with my friends, using an old amp, so there's no built-in tuner (nor modern effects) in the amp. A friend of ours plays a full-sized-scale Fender, but on one occasion I loaned her my Timber bass. She very much liked the ``ashew trays''. As I travel to our meetings, I find myself wishing for a much larger pocket on the gig bag. It would be great if the gig bag pocket was large enough to comfortably hold a 20 ft cable. If you look at some other gig bags, (e.g. Risa, electric ukulele) the gig-bag pocket extends over most of the instrument body. [tongue-in-cheek] Each new purchase could include a small bag of cashews to fill the``cashew trays'' [/tongue] Overall, thanks for a great instrument. It draws interest (and a little bit of ``what is that?'') everywhere it goes. A younger (20-ish) member of our collaborative group is very eager to get a Timber bass. Only his available funds (i.e., shortage thereof) is slowing him down.
Robin
Can we address the elephant in the room here? My Timber bass came with La Bella strings and now I find that I can't get replacements anywhere. On the site it says that I need to get the bass modified in order to take the wider Gallen strings but this 'may affect the intonation'. That's not what you want to hear having spent £600 on a bass. I love the Timber bass but I find this very disappointing. What am I meant to do mid tour when I snap my last A string? Is there a way to allow the new model to use standard short scale so there is a wider choice of strings and we don't have to hand the bass over for mods and risk messing up the intonation? The onboard tuner and mute is a must for festival gigs! IWider thumb pocket on the lower side of the bass would make it easier to pop when playing slap. If you are going to get rid of the strap then please add a button.
Eileen Lander
I have had a timber bass for over a year now. I love it - but yes, an ergonomic knee rest would be a huge improvement. I cut the integral strap off and had a strap button added. I like the tuner but always use a clip on tuner (unitune) to be sure if accuracy, so a bit wasted on me. I do experiment with the tone control and use the volume control a lot. Love the strings, though they make my fingers black (?) Very reliable instrument. I have tried the Flight, and have a Kala acoustic for home practice but the Fluke is my number one ‘go to’
Jack
After really giving the Timber Bass a workout this Winter playing with several groups and many small gigs, I have come across a couple of things that can be bothersome. The first being that my arm or wrist manages to change the tone control while playing, now that I am aware, I must keep this in mind. The second is that the Bass does not easily fit into any stand with any suability my suggestion would be to make a custom stand for it. As mentioned a forward strap button would be nice. A great instrument that has made me very happy!
Donna
I LOVE my Timber…As a newbie I like the way the fretless has the indentions .. .I think the pickup is great & I like the controls on the instrument…I get loads of compliments about the deep rich tone…the strings that come with are easy on the fingers & sound great.. I agree with changing out the strap, but other than that I wouldn’t change a thing about mine!
Rici
Hello Magicians, I am all new to playing bass and found the video from Ukulele Wales. Since then I am looking for a Timber Bass. Now I found this. Great! As for the shape of the body I believe that a good knee rest will be helpful. Perhaps I would like to go with a fretless version but for me the engraved fret wires would be important. Other than that I like flat necks and a low action. Can't wait to see what and when your new version will be available.
Steve McConnell
Hi folks! I absolutely love my Timber and the update to the flats has been outstanding! Here are a list of suggestions for the redesign for your consideration: - instead of CR batteries, can it be USB rechargeable with at least a 12 hour run time? - the flat wound strings are a HUGE improvement, please keep those - and the bridge pickup is perfect too - wouldn’t change a thing there - the sound is absolutely massive! - I never tried the new string tuners because I really LOVE the peg tuners. They’re completely functional and they make it feel more attached to an upright bass, I wouldn’t want to lose that aesthetic - you could take that to another level if the headstock not only used those pegs but also if it gave a modern nod to more of a “scroll” look - wouldn’t have to be exactly like an upright - Ampeg did something like this in the 60s/70s with their electric bass - carved F-holes with a darker inlay could be a nice touch too (as decoration AND as functional “cashew trays”) - or just go whole hog and change the shape to a viola! - consider forming it in such a way that you can “snap out” a device from the back that allows the Timber to rest on its own built in stand - whether or not you do the stand piece, consider moving the output jack to a different location (such as the back bottom). The jack gets in the way of the stand being effective - this would require a strap peg in place of where the jack is now - I would definitely prefer a more traditional strap/button option though your current solution is just fine - a fretless neck WITH markers would still be valuable, though I get the point about no markers at all… I have recorded and played out with the Timber and it can absolutely shake a room. It’s outstanding - and everyone wants to know what the heck it is and how such a tiny thing cranks out such low end. It’s a terrific instrument. Thanks for what you all do!! Or just remake it as is - it’s a winner already!