NGD 1961 Bass VI

Discussion of vintage Jazzmasters, Jaguars, Bass VIs, Electric XIIs and any other offset-waist instruments.
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Pacafeliz
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Re: NGD 1961 Bass VI

Post by Pacafeliz » Wed Jan 29, 2014 5:47 am

CurtisNovak wrote:Thanks for the support and the kind words!
I just wish people would remember this when people complain on how expensive my pickups are, compared to others.

Please remind people I spend a LOT of my money acquiring and recreating the odd and rare stuff and dont just the stuff that already floods the market.
For example I will likely never recoup my costs on the XII pickup, and I spent over $18k last year just to get the Bisonic/Darkstar pickup tooled up. This does not even begin to touch the non production hours I spend in R&D coming up with all the crazy pickup ideas that others just copy. Oh and dont forget the WRHB hat one was expensive too.

I could charge much less and make a lot more money if I just reproduces the easy stuff.
Once again thanks for your support
curtis
YES. i mean, even some of the "big brands" are using them for them limited and/or signature/custom models. RESPECT.

aaand, you just got yourself another customer here. promised!
i love delay SO much ...that i procrastinate all the time.

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StevenO
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Re: NGD 1961 Bass VI

Post by StevenO » Wed Jan 29, 2014 5:56 am

I don't think Curtis's pickups are overpriced at all. :)

What does make things expensive is shipping, duty, and border fees (this stuff can double the price of a pickup very easily, as I've learned :fp: ) but that's no fault of Curtis. He makes great pickups and his time, money, and ideas deserve a fair shake.

For me, the problem with all these boutique pickup makers is that I don't have enough guitars to house all the different pickups that entice me... :unsure:

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Re: NGD 1961 Bass VI

Post by Despot » Wed Jan 29, 2014 6:02 am

Congratulations on the Bass VI Curtis - that's a stunning looking instrument, and I'm glad it survived the trip (and customs!!).

As for your pickups, I must admit (to my shame) that I haven't yet had a chance to try your designs - I've used Lollars and Antiquity Is in two guitars last year. But based on the feedback and comments of others I think my next parts build will have to feature Novaks. On the basis of the pricing of other pickup makers I don't think that your pickups are overpriced or too expensive at all. And it's a delight to see how much you strive to make these pickups as authentic as possible - keep up the good work!

Kevin

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Re: NGD 1961 Bass VI

Post by RIORIO » Wed Jan 29, 2014 3:27 pm

Keep it coming, Curtis! Your PAF for Jazzmaster pickups really defined my sound and playing style. I have them in both of my Jazzmasters and I absolutely love them. I dont mind paying a little extra for amazing pickups. Thanks Curtis!! ;D

Beautiful Bass VI by the way. I would love to see an Olympic White refin...

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Re: NGD 1961 Bass VI

Post by 0xeneye » Wed Jan 29, 2014 9:47 pm

Wow, floored by this.

Congrats!

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Re: NGD 1961 Bass VI

Post by mcjt » Thu Jan 30, 2014 6:36 am

Curtis- were you just worried it would arrive in one piece, or that customs might take issue with the brazilian rosewood?

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CurtisNovak
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Re: NGD 1961 Bass VI

Post by CurtisNovak » Thu Jan 30, 2014 8:42 am

Thanks to everyone for your support! You have no idea that fiasco this has been. I have been working on this for over 5 years, and have a lot of time and money tied up in this. I have had the pickup done for a few years, and thought I had the ring done over a year ago but the fab shop got the radius wrong, and I no longer had the original part to get it corrected. So I searched for another, and a very kind customer offered to send me his. Long story short he had 2 rings and covers packed up and ready to ship, had a family emergency, left it with his wife to drop in the mail. I never got it, and she does not remember if she actually shipped it. Tried my contacts at Fender, they have one but it is locked in a glass case at the custom shop... So I was left with searching for one to buy, which I will likely sell when this is all over with to recoup some of my costs. So I already have the ring off to get the new part right, and Scott Buehl at the custom shop was kind enough to map and draw up the cover so I can get them made. Keep your fingers crossed, I so want to get these out. I think they will make an awesome Jag pickup option, as well as an upgrade to the new Fender VI.

The worry in getting this through customs is it had a 50/50 chance of getting seized b/c it had BR fingerboard. I found out they do not just take the offending item they take the entire instrument, it could be as simple as a tech that put a real tusk nut. No recourse just gone. Now that it is in the country I can register it as a grandfathered piece in that it was made before 1991 ban. It was a huge risk but I saw no other option.

When I read this http://www.fretboardjournal.com/feature ... ion-treaty it scared the crap out of me
curtis
Last edited by CurtisNovak on Thu Jan 30, 2014 10:50 am, edited 3 times in total.

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Re: NGD 1961 Bass VI

Post by ryland » Thu Jan 30, 2014 10:28 am

Man, I can't wait to get a set of those pickups and re-work my USACG VI! I've never liked the Strat pickups I have in it...

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Re: NGD 1961 Bass VI

Post by mcjt » Thu Jan 30, 2014 11:03 am

my dad worked for fish and wildlife in canada, though more so in the law enforcement-wildlife management side.
he told me horror stories about little companies who would pay for all the import-export permits but then one little inter-state law in the US would allow authorities to grab EVERYTHING and throw it into a warehouse.

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Re: NGD 1961 Bass VI

Post by jetset » Thu Jan 30, 2014 2:45 pm

Now that is a rare offset. Congrats. I have a '63 that was also refinished clear at some point before I got it. It has two pickups that you repaired for me and sound great. Enjoy.

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Re: NGD 1961 Bass VI

Post by mcjt » Wed Dec 20, 2017 8:24 am

Hey Curtis, how did this VI turn out? Did you refinish it?

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Re: NGD 1961 Bass VI

Post by WillPhistre » Wed Dec 27, 2017 5:32 pm

mcjt wrote:
Wed Dec 20, 2017 8:24 am
Hey Curtis, how did this VI turn out? Did you refinish it?
I'd also like to know, this is news to me!

Are you friends with him on Facebook? He built a new VI that looks a lot like the 61:
https://www.facebook.com/CurtisNovakCla ... =3&theater

Can't wait to hear it

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