This article is designed to give you some insight into the process of ordering a custom instrument. This is a Fretless Bass ordered from Makoto Sugimoto (SUGI Guitars & Basses in Japan).
It starts with a discussion followed by choices:
playability - the customer requested a low action, low tension and an even balance on the knee
weight - he likes them light so the body will be chambered
electrics - these were left to Makoto to choose to get the cleanest most versatile sound with the smoothest travel and curve for the volume and tone pots. SUGI wind their own pickups so this description is useful. Some people have a specific tone in mind and will reference that to guide the pickup choice. Silver wire interconnects were specified by the customer to improve the quality of the transfer of electrons. The pickups have wooden covers to match the top.
side dots - Luminlays were chosen because they glow in the dark
fret lines - Basswood was chosen to provide visible contrast to the Ebony
fretboard inlays - moon and bats at the 12th in Mother Of Pearl
finish type - satin
fixtures and fittings - custom Gotoh parts in gold except the pots which are in Walnut.
woods - Makoto recommended Claro Walnut (top), Pale Moon Ebony (fretboard), Swamp Ash (body) and Sinker Maple (neck). The customer agreed. It’s important to let the Luthier at least inform this choice because he has the experience with how woods gel together and also which bits in his inventory will work for both sound, weight and balance.
body art - The Hokusai Dragon was selected to be the centrepiece. Makoto actually visited the original art to study the Dragon in the smoke up close. To learn more about the Hokusai, visit this page: https://shoga.info/?p=2907
Here are the woods chosen:
Next we discussed layout of the Dragon Inlay and this was agreed on this
Here is a photo mid-build
Btw, there is a bat somewhere on all Sugi instruments (they are considered lucky in Japan).
One of these gems was chosen for the Dragon’s eye
Here is another workshop pic as it neared completion (a bit blurred unfortunately).
Here it is in the shop after successfully flying here from Japan using Fedex, with his PRS Dragon watching on.
The customers reaction…he beamed and said, ‘blimey!’
Scroll down to the 12th or so instrument in this Gallery https://lsaguitars.com/gallery/desk_GALLERY.html to see another example of a SUGI fretless in Bocote, Maple & Alder for different customer.
