A first look at the custom Baker 7 string

Jim Soloway · #1 05-03-2003, 12:59 PM

This arrived yesterday after a 10 month wait. With only a neck pickup, it's obviously intended to be a jazz guitar, but I suspect a second pickup would have also made it a monster blues machine. Here are the basic specs.

Baker Junior Hollow 7 string with 26 3/16 inch scale.
Mahogany body.
Wenge neck.
Redwood top thanks to Tommy at USACG.
Single Rio Grande Muy Grande pickup
Lightweight open back Sperzel non-locking tuners to keep the head weight down.

After shipping detuned, it buzzes like crazy, so I'll let you know how it sounds after it gets a basic set up this morning.

straymond · #2 05-03-2003, 01:04 PM

Cool guitar, man!

pricey?

what kinda pup is in there?

Jim Soloway · #3 05-03-2003, 01:30 PM

Very pricey. The pickup is a Muy Grande by Rio Grande. It may not last long. It seems a lot noisier than the ones that I had before.

pawel · #4 05-03-2003, 01:32 PM

Nice guitar, a bridge pickup would be a good addition but it looks sweet nevertheless....

Wound · #5 05-03-2003, 07:51 PM

Nice...I like it!

Kim

HamerHeaven · #6 05-04-2003, 10:20 AM

I love how the woodgrain opens up as it gets to the hardware/pickup.

Jim Soloway · #7 05-04-2003, 03:50 PM

I played my first gig with the Baker last night. This may sound a bit wierd given the different in their prices, but about 10 minutes into the gig, I almost called my wife and asked her to bring me my 7421XL and if I had it with me. I definitely would have made the switch. The Baker is a beautiful guitar and I really like playing a 22 fret neck again, but I much prefer the sound of my Ibanez. I'm going to put a Dimarzio PAF in the Baker and see if that makes a difference, but when I go out to play tomorrow, it will be with the 7421XL. Now if only my Ibanez looked a little more like a jazz box...

brianboros · #8 05-10-2003, 07:49 PM

That is a beautiful guitar.

pawel · #9 05-10-2003, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Soloway

I played my first gig with the Baker last night. This may sound a bit wierd given the different in their prices, but about 10 minutes into the gig, I almost called my wife and asked her to bring me my 7421XL and if I had it with me. I definitely would have made the switch. The Baker is a beautiful guitar and I really like playing a 22 fret neck again, but I much prefer the sound of my Ibanez. I'm going to put a Dimarzio PAF in the Baker and see if that makes a difference, but when I go out to play tomorrow, it will be with the 7421XL. Now if only my Ibanez looked a little more like a jazz box...

Hmm...that's a shame, if you don't like the Baker you can give it to me

Jim Soloway · #10 05-14-2003, 12:36 AM

I ripped out the Rio Grande and put in a Dimarzio PAF. It's made a world of difference. The highs ring a lot stronger and the balance is much better. I still don't know if I consider it a keeper given how much money is tied up in it, but it's definitely a lot closer now.