That's a really, really good question that had not occurred to me. I guess I was dazzled by those truly sucky tops.
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The only answer is to make a beeline for the nearest 25th when it reaches the dealer and try it. Fortunately, I live only an hour or so from DuBaldo Music... (Pete, you ARE ordering one, right?)
OK so this seems like a tease....its not. I really want to explain this thing and the thoughts as we go along.
Our philosophy with an anniversary instrument is to not just issue a relic or reissue something already done. Rather it is a moment in time to incorporate things from where we started and different milestones along the way while offering a glimpse of the future. This is a ground up instrument that will be available as a different name and cosmetics after the 25th.....so here is the first tidbit
One of my latest mantras is that we are hamstrung by an industry and consumer base that has separation anxiety with 1953. I also strive for making the stuff as ergonomically pleasing.....Which generally means weight and balance....
That brings us to the bass tuning key. I giant hunk of metal......Been using the same one for 50 years. Our guys went about making a tuning key that had the same gearing and feel but with most of the mass taken out. This design does not require the backing plate or the screws. it also has 4 "wings" instead of two for tuning ease To give you an example on a five string bass this bass will weight one half of a pound lighter than the old ones....and thats just the keys. Keep in mind that when you put a half of a pound about a foot and a half on the end of a neck it is heavy. Now without those giant plates we can make the headstock smaller.....also by stealing from our guitar design we can make a neck that doesnt need a string retainer and actually functions better due to the downward pressure of the compensated nut.......Now we shrink the headstock and end up with a headstock that is only 10% bigger than an Axis guitars with a boatload of weight gone....we can do alot of things with that weight gone or redistributed in terms of body ergonomics and balance points....
The red outline is the sterling headstock shape
