My Carl Thompson Thread.

[myxomatosis]

Just got off the phone with Carl to confirm the final details. He has a bunch of necks in the shop, and he needed to know what I wanted so he could pick one of them out for my bass. He has a 32" neck shaped and ready to go that we're going to use. We confirmed a hook scroll, dark woods, a single active pickup, and a kahler tremolo if we can find one. Pete Hilton was in the shop with him, and Carl said they were gonna get started right away. We're going to visit Carl on the 4th for his birthday party in Brooklyn. I'm so excited.

has it already been a year? didn't you make the order then go to meet him and go to his birthday?

I first called him in October, and the first time I met him was his birthday in February.

so it's already been a little more then a year since your order. hasn't seemed that long.

This is definitely sooner than I expected him to start building. I assume the build process will take awhile, but he said he had a 32" neck shaped and ready to go. I think it may even have frets already.

would your guess be like 1-1 1/2 maybe? or probably 2?

from wikipedia:

Thompson basses are so sought after that he maintains a two year waiting list. The cost for a basic four string bass made by Thompson is about $4,000. Basses such as the "Rainbow Bass" can cost well over $10,000.

[bassman462]

Just got off the phone with Carl to confirm the final details. He has a bunch of necks in the shop, and he needed to know what I wanted so he could pick one of them out for my bass. He has a 32" neck shaped and ready to go that we're going to use. We confirmed a hook scroll, dark woods, a single active pickup, and a kahler tremolo if we can find one. Pete Hilton was in the shop with him, and Carl said they were gonna get started right away. We're going to visit Carl on the 4th for his birthday party in Brooklyn. I'm so excited.

has it already been a year? didn't you make the order then go to meet him and go to his birthday?

I first called him in October, and the first time I met him was his birthday in February.

so it's already been a little more then a year since your order. hasn't seemed that long.

This is definitely sooner than I expected him to start building. I assume the build process will take awhile, but he said he had a 32" neck shaped and ready to go. I think it may even have frets already.

would your guess be like 1-1 1/2 maybe? or probably 2?

from wikipedia:

Thompson basses are so sought after that he maintains a two year waiting list. The cost for a basic four string bass made by Thompson is about $4,000. Basses such as the "Rainbow Bass" can cost well over $10,000.

so...?

I was asking because he said it might be done sooner, considering he already had a ready neck. it's already been a year, so that could count as one of them, and there's always chances for delays, basically asking for gsr's oppinion since he's been going through the process what his thoughts were. I know it's average for it to be 2 maybe 3 years from the start.

[GSR]

You can't go by Wikipedia.

I would say the minimum wait is probably a year and half now. Depending on the complexity of the project, availability of woods/parts, illness, special projects, time carl spends on the phone, it'll extend the wait.

This guy waited 38 months for his bass, and it was completed on April 18th, 2005.


Why'd it take so long? I don't know. It's not a 6 or a 7 or 8 string, it's a basic 4. Maybe that was around the time Carl was focusing on one of the basses for the Make-a-Wish foundation.

I've spent time with Carl on a few different occasions, and, compared to someone who calls and says make me a bass and doesn't talk to Carl til it's done, maybe that helped me get ahead of the game.

The wait is longer today than it was a year ago.

This will be my first order with Carl. I've some friendly acquaintances who have a CT already, so they tell Carl there's no rush for their second one.

There are too many factors to be sure.

[GSR]

Looks like we're not going to be able to make it to Carl's party.... I have work sunday night, and since it's the superbowl, no one is around to cover my shift. Plus my dad wasn't up to making the trip this weekend anyway. Oh well....

When the weather gets warmer, we're gonna head into the city to visit Carl, and I'll be sure to bring my camera.

[GSR]

Just got off the phone with carl to let him know we couldn't make it.

He was practicing when I called. Carl makes sure he practices two hours a day. He told me he found a couple more 32" necks in the shop, and he's gonna take a look at them and pick out the best one for me. Some of them haven't been shaped yet, but he said the shaping only takes an hour or two. They don't have frets either. Carl said he does the frets at the very very end, after he's leveled/setup the fingerboard and figured out the intonation and everything.

[i like tictacs]

Neat, should be nice when it's done.

[GSR]

Neat, should be nice when it's done.

Stop posting.

[Kahn]

Any news or pictures yet?

[GSR]

Nah. I'm going to head down there soon though. Maybe over spring break, first week of march.

[GSR]

[Coldchillin]

For the millionth time, when do you get this thing?

[GSR]

For the millionth time, when do you get this thing?

Maybe around new years?

[whatshername]

the damn thing better play itself by then..haha

[GSR]

Left Carl a voicemail today to ask him if he'd be around to hang out when I head down to the city for the Les show on saturday.

Also, update on his main page:

[GSR]

Glorious night at the Les show in boston tonight. Got a setlist signed and got a picture with the man after the show. Great pics of the set, as well.

All to come later this weekend. Going to the NY show tomorrow!