Winters Custom- Scarab

AlmightyPancake · 07-01-2005, 11:34 AM

Price Paid: Traded (Through trade.) used
List Price: 820 US$

Features: 5
Wow... where to begin... The basic body specs are as follows: Standard DiMarzio pickups, 6 piece laminate body, Walnut top and back, Alder core, Cherry and Mahogany body laminates, Cherry neck/body separator stringers, Winters 5 band EQ, Schaller roller bridge The wood choices are incredible. The sound is big and beefy, yet still maintains upper and mid level definition, all without any EQ adjustments. The looks are georgeous, and it's smooth to play. The pickups are just what they say- standard- not much tone coloring, and the five band EQ is completely amazing; The knobs are (from right to left) treble, mid, bass, frequency, and bandwidth. The bandwidth knob has a switch that gives two different sounds- the "on" position, when coupled with turning the frequency knob, gives a really really cool WAH effect during a sustaining note or if you don't mind left-hand-tapping a few notes. In the "off" position, the frequency knob will take you from big and beefy to piano-like tapping to trebly twang to... need I go on? I have yet to find a sound I can't really capture... except for that of a truly active pickup. I do still have my peavey though, which is plenty modern and aggressive-sounding for me. Each of the pickups has a Series/off/parrallel switch, and that just increases tonal options even MORE. When I order another bass, it will doubtlessly contain a Winters EQ. The bridge is another standard- it's not what he usually uses, but it's what he had lying around when he was building this test bass (keep in mind he never intended to sell it)- his standard is a Hipshot bridge. The brass nut gives it a great sharp attack, too.

Sound: 4.5
The sound of this bass, is, for lack of a better word, round, full, meaty, and well defined. I've found about 20 slap tones I like, from trebly twang of the J Pickup to the boomy sound of the P... and all those just by turning the frequency knob. It's great for any sort of music-metal and funk, which I find myself playing, are not difficult to find good sounds for with this bass. It sounds great direct into the computer, and sounds even better through all the amps i've played it through.

Action, Fit, & Finish: 4.5
The action and intonation was simply brilliant when he gave this bass to me. What shocked me the most was how easy to adjust it was- a few tweaks and it was at the perfect level for me (i prefer mine to be a bit off the 'board as not to get too buzzy when i'm playing quick lines or slap bass). In less than 20 mins, I had adjusted all of the strings and intonated them perfectly. The strings on it are obviously from at least two different sets- the E and A are dead as can be, while the D and the G are still a bit twangy- the unplugged sound of this is a bit odd, but the EQ evens that out (the unplugged sound is still brilliant; I'm just not a fan of old strings). The bass is light, but not so much that you feel like you're going to break it. The neck is fatter than my peavey, but somehow just as comfortable. I find myself moving up and down the frets with ease; the bass is just as comfortable standing up as sitting down. As for the finish... there are some flaws, and in some places the woodwork could be a little better, but JP acknowledges this and I remind you yet again- THIS WAS A TEST BASS- THE REAL PRODUCT WOULD NOT HAVE ANY DEFECTS IN THE WOODWORK OR FINISH. Even with the "flaws," the bass still makes everyone ooh and aah at first sight. The snowflake insignia at the top is just plain classy, and the brass inlays on the BEAUTIFUL rosewood fretboard (where the hell did you get that rosewood John?) give it a bit of an aged look.

Reliability/Durability: 4.5
This bass has been played for quite some time and has gone through several different tunings without a single action change or neck bend- a BIG difference from my peavey. Nothing in the bass seems to be unreliable!

Customer Support: 5
JP has already told me that he'll be happy to fix anything that may go wrong, and he's already developing a power source that'll protect me from having to use 9vs.

Overall Rating: 4.5
The only reason it's not 5 is because it was a test bass and as such, there are a few chips in the woodwork and finish. The sound itself merits a 5, as does everything but the actual looks. The looks are still killer, though, and the prices he charges are unbelievably low for a full custom.

Radiobass81 · 07-01-2005, 01:02 PM

Great review

.

Great descriptions on everything bassically.

Also, thought: Instead of selling the Scarab, why don't you buy it some active EMG's for that sound you like and can't find on the Scarab?

07-01-2005, 01:21 PM

^You are selling the Scarab??

Nice review

Bass_swede · 07-01-2005, 01:47 PM

You gotta love the scarab!

Killer Fridge · 07-01-2005, 06:10 PM

does it say hes selling the bass? i couldnt see it anywhere

anyway, nice review, good and in depth

BEN!!! · 07-01-2005, 08:59 PM

its a happy scarab
(look at the pots and switches and stuff)

AlmightyPancake · 07-01-2005, 11:31 PM

My reason for considering the sale isn't the sound quality at all. I get the "EMG" sound with my Peavey, so the Scarab fills my passive needs. It's got such an incredible sound to it. However, I really really want... no, need an extended range bass for the project I'm working on now-- preferably a conklin gt7-- and I'll be buying a fretless winters reguardless.

07-01-2005, 11:34 AM	#1
AlmightyPancake Cake or Death? Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 8,607	Winters Custom- Scarab Price Paid: Traded (Through trade.) used List Price: 820 US$ Features: 5 Wow... where to begin... The basic body specs are as follows: Standard DiMarzio pickups, 6 piece laminate body, Walnut top and back, Alder core, Cherry and Mahogany body laminates, Cherry neck/body separator stringers, Winters 5 band EQ, Schaller roller bridge The wood choices are incredible. The sound is big and beefy, yet still maintains upper and mid level definition, all without any EQ adjustments. The looks are georgeous, and it's smooth to play. The pickups are just what they say- standard- not much tone coloring, and the five band EQ is completely amazing; The knobs are (from right to left) treble, mid, bass, frequency, and bandwidth. The bandwidth knob has a switch that gives two different sounds- the "on" position, when coupled with turning the frequency knob, gives a really really cool WAH effect during a sustaining note or if you don't mind left-hand-tapping a few notes. In the "off" position, the frequency knob will take you from big and beefy to piano-like tapping to trebly twang to... need I go on? I have yet to find a sound I can't really capture... except for that of a truly active pickup. I do still have my peavey though, which is plenty modern and aggressive-sounding for me. Each of the pickups has a Series/off/parrallel switch, and that just increases tonal options even MORE. When I order another bass, it will doubtlessly contain a Winters EQ. The bridge is another standard- it's not what he usually uses, but it's what he had lying around when he was building this test bass (keep in mind he never intended to sell it)- his standard is a Hipshot bridge. The brass nut gives it a great sharp attack, too. Sound: 4.5 The sound of this bass, is, for lack of a better word, round, full, meaty, and well defined. I've found about 20 slap tones I like, from trebly twang of the J Pickup to the boomy sound of the P... and all those just by turning the frequency knob. It's great for any sort of music-metal and funk, which I find myself playing, are not difficult to find good sounds for with this bass. It sounds great direct into the computer, and sounds even better through all the amps i've played it through. Action, Fit, & Finish: 4.5 The action and intonation was simply brilliant when he gave this bass to me. What shocked me the most was how easy to adjust it was- a few tweaks and it was at the perfect level for me (i prefer mine to be a bit off the 'board as not to get too buzzy when i'm playing quick lines or slap bass). In less than 20 mins, I had adjusted all of the strings and intonated them perfectly. The strings on it are obviously from at least two different sets- the E and A are dead as can be, while the D and the G are still a bit twangy- the unplugged sound of this is a bit odd, but the EQ evens that out (the unplugged sound is still brilliant; I'm just not a fan of old strings). The bass is light, but not so much that you feel like you're going to break it. The neck is fatter than my peavey, but somehow just as comfortable. I find myself moving up and down the frets with ease; the bass is just as comfortable standing up as sitting down. As for the finish... there are some flaws, and in some places the woodwork could be a little better, but JP acknowledges this and I remind you yet again- THIS WAS A TEST BASS- THE REAL PRODUCT WOULD NOT HAVE ANY DEFECTS IN THE WOODWORK OR FINISH. Even with the "flaws," the bass still makes everyone ooh and aah at first sight. The snowflake insignia at the top is just plain classy, and the brass inlays on the BEAUTIFUL rosewood fretboard (where the hell did you get that rosewood John?) give it a bit of an aged look. Reliability/Durability: 4.5 This bass has been played for quite some time and has gone through several different tunings without a single action change or neck bend- a BIG difference from my peavey. Nothing in the bass seems to be unreliable! Customer Support: 5 JP has already told me that he'll be happy to fix anything that may go wrong, and he's already developing a power source that'll protect me from having to use 9vs. Overall Rating: 4.5 The only reason it's not 5 is because it was a test bass and as such, there are a few chips in the woodwork and finish. The sound itself merits a 5, as does everything but the actual looks. The looks are still killer, though, and the prices he charges are unbelievably low for a full custom.

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07-01-2005, 01:02 PM	#2
Radiobass81 El Cartero de Neruda Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 19,425	Great review . Great descriptions on everything bassically. Also, thought: Instead of selling the Scarab, why don't you buy it some active EMG's for that sound you like and can't find on the Scarab?

07-01-2005, 01:21 PM	#3
Accentopus Guest Posts: n/a	^You are selling the Scarab?? Nice review

07-01-2005, 01:47 PM	#4
Bass_swede Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 2,666	You gotta love the scarab!

07-01-2005, 06:10 PM	#5
Killer Fridge Mx Pirate Cook Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Surrey Posts: 3,249	does it say hes selling the bass? i couldnt see it anywhere anyway, nice review, good and in depth

07-01-2005, 08:59 PM	#6
BEN!!! The Official MX Nudist Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Maine Posts: 792	its a happy scarab (look at the pots and switches and stuff)

07-01-2005, 11:31 PM	#7
AlmightyPancake Cake or Death? Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 8,607	My reason for considering the sale isn't the sound quality at all. I get the "EMG" sound with my Peavey, so the Scarab fills my passive needs. It's got such an incredible sound to it. However, I really really want... no, need an extended range bass for the project I'm working on now-- preferably a conklin gt7-- and I'll be buying a fretless winters reguardless.