How different is the tone between 1st run Lemmy and 2nd run?

[incubus2432]

John, you are "reversed". Steve's has the more elegant looking leaves. Mine is pictured first, on the left and Steve's is last.

[bassduke49]

Brian's (left) and Steve's together at RIO. Also note the difference in the carving areas:

[Ric N. Backer]

Brian's (left) and Steve's together at RIO. Also note the difference in the carving areas:

2lemmyforum.jpg

That's a substantial difference in carving. Mega Cool.

Was each Lemmy unique in this respect?

[Ric N. Backer]

When mine was next to Steve's (I love the carving on Steve's BTW) it was painfully obvious to me how "used" mine looks. The gold hardware is heavily worn and some of the edges of the carvings/body are slightly rounded from wear. I take great care of it by keeping it well oiled and the hardware is wiped down/waxed after any heavy use but my ham handed playing is certainly taking it's toll. On one hand it makes me giggle like a schoolgirl that it has some battle wear but on the other hand I wish it was as new looking as Steve's. This is in no way saying that Steve's LK doesn't get used or anything like that (I am only using his for a comparison since it's the only other one I have had my mitts on)......I am just a bit jealous of it's more pristine condition. Maybe he plays his like an adult?!?!?

They were made to be played.

Signs of wear indicate an instrument that's been enjoyed and loved!

[johnallg]

John, you are "reversed". Steve's has the more elegant looking leaves. Mine is pictured first, on the left and Steve's is last.

Too late to edit the text....... Thanks for clarifying.

[bassduke49]

Was each Lemmy unique in this respect?

Each was hand carved, so no two were identical. Many followed a pattern, though, and were similar, but some varied radically (as seen in photo above). So you could say that each was unique, yes.

[gareth]

Interesting fact: no Lemmy (except Crisman's) has ever been out of it's hermetically-sealed vault long enough to be plugged in.

Steve Wood plays his....

Excuse me....

Mine has been on tour with me twice as my main bass.....

I'd post Youtube links, but I don't want to make you all jealous....

[gareth]

When mine was next to Steve's (I love the carving on Steve's BTW) it was painfully obvious to me how "used" mine looks. The gold hardware is heavily worn and some of the edges of the carvings/body are slightly rounded from wear. I take great care of it by keeping it well oiled and the hardware is wiped down/waxed after any heavy use but my ham handed playing is certainly taking it's toll. On one hand it makes me giggle like a schoolgirl that it has some battle wear but on the other hand I wish it was as new looking as Steve's. This is in no way saying that Steve's LK doesn't get used or anything like that (I am only using his for a comparison since it's the only other one I have had my mitts on)......I am just a bit jealous of it's more pristine condition. Maybe he plays his like an adult?!?!?

They were made to be played.

Signs of wear indicate an instrument that's been enjoyed and loved!

Dude. You should see Lemmy's two. The action is a mile high, and they both look as though he's used them to dig the garden with. Added to that, both of his have fake pickup covers screwed into them to act as a hand rest. I know how he feels about that. Over the last 30 years, I've gotten so used to using the bridge pickup cover as a hand rest, that I get cramp playing the 4004LK until I get used to it again.

[Ric N. Backer]

When mine was next to Steve's (I love the carving on Steve's BTW) it was painfully obvious to me how "used" mine looks. The gold hardware is heavily worn and some of the edges of the carvings/body are slightly rounded from wear. I take great care of it by keeping it well oiled and the hardware is wiped down/waxed after any heavy use but my ham handed playing is certainly taking it's toll. On one hand it makes me giggle like a schoolgirl that it has some battle wear but on the other hand I wish it was as new looking as Steve's. This is in no way saying that Steve's LK doesn't get used or anything like that (I am only using his for a comparison since it's the only other one I have had my mitts on)......I am just a bit jealous of it's more pristine condition. Maybe he plays his like an adult?!?!?

They were made to be played.

Signs of wear indicate an instrument that's been enjoyed and loved!

Dude. You should see Lemmy's two. The action is a mile high, and they both look as though he's used them to dig the garden with. Added to that, both of his have fake pickup covers screwed into them to act as a hand rest. I know how he feels about that. Over the last 30 years, I've gotten so used to using the bridge pickup cover as a hand rest, that I get cramp playing the 4004LK until I get used to it again.

They were made to be played, that's for sure.

[coolhandjjl]

What's the story with the name? Were they designed especially for Lemmy or did Lemmy just buy some and soon they simply became known as the Lemmy bass?

[bassduke49]

John, they were a special marketing effort, similar to the "signature editions" but without (of course) a signature as on the Tom Petty's, Susanna Hoffs, Chris Squire's, etc. I believe the plan was to have 50 made, but it ended up being 60. It was first marketed in 1995, but early production models appeared in 2001, with the last in 2006 (as far as I can tell). They even had a photos session done with Lemmy to promote:

[coolhandjjl]

I've never seen Lemmy smile before. Looks photoshop'd on 'em.

I can just image the marketing folks on that one. Before, it was like...Hey, let's find this great guitarist hot chick...Susanna Hoffs...
For that one it's like... Hey, lets find the baddest bad arse we can....

[ken_j]

If I recall correctly ther were two different people that carved the Lemmys. One person did all the early ones and the other the latter ones. This may acount for some of the differences.

[johnhall]

If I recall correctly ther were two different people that carved the Lemmys. One person did all the early ones and the other the latter ones. This may acount for some of the differences.

There were four that I remember and maybe more I've forgotten. The first ones were done by John Quarterman, then Mike Ponce and Adam Page. The last ones were done by Rick Seccombe, who was probably the most skilled of all and who also pushed the limits of the original design.

John Quarterman was well known for his work with Dobro before he joined us. Mike Ponce was a Fender Custom shop masterbuilder when he joined us. Adam Page, his cousin is the son of John Page, of Fender fame. Rick Seccombe was a long time handwired amp builder and I believe worked at Matchless. All were attached to our now defunct acoustic guitar department and also built acoustics at the same time they were carving these basses.

[gareth]

There were four that I remember and maybe more I've forgotten. The first ones were done by John Quarterman, then Mike Ponce and Adam Page. The last ones were done by Rick Seccombe, who was probably the most skilled of all and who also pushed the limits of the original design.

Any idea of what numbers these guys did ? I would love to know who exactly carved #26.....