DCM

[rickfan60]

As we saw during the 75th celebration, The first DCM bass has a transparent finish. It is very dark but the wood grain and the walnut wings can be seen in the right light. All of the other DCMs I have seen are opaque. What is the difference between the opaque and transparent versions of the finish? Any idea why RIC opted for the opaque version?

[jingle_jangle]

The first item of any handmade series has a unique role. It can either be a prototype that is identical in every way to the units that follow (a literal) prototype) or it can be a sort of "test kitchen" first item, built in order to try out certain features, or in this case, a new finish.

Since it was one of the first units to be painted in this color and paint, chances are that it represents the use of the first "accidental" batch of this unique color. Either (a) the formula was changed and subsequent production went out with the more opaque formula, or (b) the transparency (which is difficult to see in most lighting conditions) only became obvious after the bass was buffed and assembled, and production units were given extra coats of paint, as the intention and preconception was that this be an opaque pearlescent finish.

I lean towards (b) personally, although the paint was also reformulated sometime during the production run of these instruments.

I think that the intention was that this instrument (which was used on RIC's website and in press releases) be the exact prototype, but circumstances made it different. This bass also has a single-color (special 75th gold) truss rod cover. Once I saw it in person, I proposed to JH that the lettering be made more contrasty, and he quickly agreed, so every other DCM instrument has a two-tone truss rod cover, with a gold background and platinum gray lettering.

[rickfan60]

Do you know if yours 1 of the 75 or was it made outside of the limited edition?

[jingle_jangle]

I suspect that, as prototype, it's outside the production run of 75. But I am not certain of this.