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Luthier Spotlight: Frank Scheucher, Zerberus-Guitars
How did you get your start in music?
I come from a very musical family. My father is a full-time guitar player and singer who worked in several bands; he is still active at age 76.
I got my first acoustic guitar when I was 7. When I got older, I was an active guitar player and singer in several projects.
Are you still an active player?
When I launched Zerberus-Guitars in 2002, I did not find the time to play in bands anymore. It was always great to play live on stage but now it is also great to build guitars and basses and see my customers happy.
How did you get started as a Luthier? When did you build your first bass?
When I was 13, I started building my first guitar with the help of an old joiner who lived in my little hometown. Being a guitar player I mostly focused on building guitars. I built my first bass in 2010. That bass, called “Hades,” was sold to a customer in the USA.
How did you learn the art of woodworking/Luthier? Who would you consider a Mentor?
I learned a lot about woodworking from the old joiner with whom I built my first guitar. That man taught me a lot of old techniques and tricks that were (and are) helpful in woodworking.
Earlier my grandfather also took me to his wood workshop when I was a kid. So this is when the seed and love for woodworking was sown. I will never forget the smell of sawdust and wood-oil in his workshop and even now when I am 51 Years old, I love the smell of wood.
How do you select the woods you choose to build with?
I often try to find very long seasoned and old wood from private wood stocks. Sometimes I can grab some really excellent lumber that was stored for decades in the attic of an old barn. Some of my Mahogany has been steps of a circular staircase. I love to recycle that Mahogany because you hardly will find better lumber that is seasoned so well in a shop.
If I decide to use quilted, figured or flamed Maple I buy that lumber directly from suppliers in the USA, mostly from the hills of Washington. But I also love to use native lumber from my region in Germany.
How about pickups? What pickups did you use in the past? What electronics do you use right now?
I am not bound to any brand and so I have used pickups from various companies. But I have had very good experience with Bass-Lines Humbuckers made by Seymour Duncan and MM boutique Humbuckers by Harry Haeussel, who builds amazing pickups here in Germany. In general I prefer to use humbuckers.
All my basses usually have electronics by the German company named “Glockenklang”. I think it is my roots as a guitar player that wants me to have the electronics effective but simple.
A two-band control with active/passive by push-pull-potentiometer for me is perfect. I am not into having 10 knobs on my instruments when a two-band Glockenklang control does the job. On my guitars, only passive controls and passive pickups.
Who were some of the first well-known musicians who started playing your basses?
Since Zerberus-Guitars is a very small company with only one person in the workshop (Me), I only build very small quantities of guitars and even smaller quantities of basses. So actually there are no well-known or famous bass players who own one of my basses.
Lenny Castellanos, who played with Rick Vito, tried my Hades Bass a few Years ago. He really liked it but it already was sold to another customer.
How do you develop a signature or custom bass for an artist?
This is one of the most exciting things to do. I love the interaction with customers. To define a wish and substantiate what starts as a customer´s dream is what makes this job so amazing. That starts by discussing the needs, dreams and wishes of the customer.
- What kind of music do you play?
- What kind of sound do you like?
- What kind of design are you dreaming of?
There is so much to ask and talk about.
Later I make a sketch on paper and again discuss with the customer. Then we talk about the lumber… about the top (quilted, flamed or any exotic lumber). If we are satisfied with the parameters, I start picking out the best lumber in my workshop. I take pictures and make some photo-realistic drawings with various colors and lumber. Once we are both happy about the results I start building the bass. Of course I take pictures of every step and mail them to the customer so he always can see how his dream comes real.
What are a few things that you are proud about your instruments and that you would consider unique in your instruments?
I am very proud about my instruments because they are all my babies, until I give them into the hands of a happy customer.
On my unique, custom shop projects I do all the work by hand and I don´t employ CNC machines that churn out bodies or necks every hour. That makes every guitar and bass an absolutely unique specimen and second to none. Even if I build the same bass or guitar one more time, it never will be the same.
Being a one-man-workshop, every step is done by me, from buying the wood to polishing the finished instrument; they are all mu babies. And then the smile on the customer’s face when he holds and plays his new instrument for the first time – invaluable. I don´t want to make copies of already existing instruments and I want all my guitars and basses to have my very individual note.
Which one of the basses that you build is your favorite one?
I like the Crow bass most of all because it has a two-piece Padouk Coral Lumber body and I applied some really extreme shapings on that bass.
Can you give us a word of advice to young Luthiers who are just starting out?
Often young people ask me about how to start as a guitar or bass builder. I know they might hate to hear this answer, but I always recommend they they have a good education and to find a decent job first. I think it is better to start building guitars and basses as a side-line first so you can count on your job to pay your living if the Luthier business does not work out as you expected. Being a Luthier can be a very exciting and satisfying way of life, but it also can be very frustrating and uncertain some times; it is always good to have a solid basis to rely on when times get rough.
Don´t get me wrong, being a Luthier is exciting. But if you talk with other Luthiers you will find out that many of them also work in guitar stores or wood workshops to make their living. Others build guitars and basses full-time, but most of them have learned a job. (I did and I started building guitars and basses as a side-line.)
What advice would you give a young musician trying to find his perfect bass?
Go to a music shop and give them all a try, don´t rely only on big names. There are many basses out there beside the standards and as an individual you don´t have to play what everybody plays.
What is biggest success for you and for your company?
We have exhibited at the NAMM show a few times and we will continue to exhibit at that amazing show. But the biggest success is when I see that a customer loves his new instrument. This is what makes this job so awesome and that is what makes a project a success.
Are you preparing something new, some new model or new design?
Actually I am very much focusing in building my new “gorgonized” guitars with tops made of real stone and gemstone. I launched my new models at the NAMM show in Anaheim last year and I introduced my new Chronos model with real gemstone tops (Amethyst, Tiger´s Eye and so on) at the 2017 NAMM show in Anaheim. Those guitars have real 0.2” thick gemstone tops laid into a chambered Mahogany body, and the weight is only around 8 lb.
For the time being I need to focus on the guitars, but I will build “gorgonized” basses with gemstone top as soon as I find the time.
Visit online:
- Website: zerberus-guitars.de
- Facebook: facebook.com/Zerberusguitars/
- Instagram: instagram.com/zerberusguitars/?hl=de
Positive Grid launches Spark 2, the next evolution of their cutting-edge smart guitar practice amplifiers and Bluetooth® speakers.
Engineered for acoustic, electric guitar, and bass, Spark 2 delivers an immersive practice and playing experience. Enjoy detailed sound and an all-new upgraded speaker design powered by Positive Grid’s exclusive Sonic IQ Computational Audio technology. With an onboard creative looper, optional battery power, and intuitive AI features for tone exploration and practice, Spark 2 is the gateway to a musical experience that goes beyond expectations.
Proprietary Audio and Advanced Technology
Spark 2 represents a leap forward in amplifier design. It integrates a new DSP amp modeling engine with double the processing power, and at 50 Watts, it packs 25% more volume than the original. Positive Grid’s proprietary Sonic IQ Computational Audio delivers incredibly detailed and dynamic sound. New HD amp models, enhanced by multi-band dynamic range compression and virtual bass augmentation, redefine the sonic landscape.
Equipped with two premium FRFR speakers and reflex ports, Spark 2 offers wide stereo imaging and broader frequency response, ensuring refined bass and clear, immersive sound.
Built-In Creative Looper
Spark 2’s built-in Groove Looper features hundreds of hyper-realistic drum tracks. From basic loops to multi-layered soundscapes or the ultimate jam session, this intuitive tool inspires endless creativity. Onboard amp controls provide quick, on-the-go looping functionality.
AI-Powered Tone and Smart Jam
Spark AI revolutionizes tone exploration. Describe any desired tone in the Spark app – from practical to outlandish – and Spark AI will suggest tones to audition or download. The more it’s used, the smarter it gets, delivering the perfect sound.
Additional smart features make it easy to practice, learn new songs and improve playing skills. Smart Jam listens to the user’s playing style and generates accompanying bass and drum parts, while Auto Chords analyzes any song streamed and displays the guitar chords in real time, to make learning and practicing new songs easier than ever.
Enhanced Hardware Design and Portability
Spark 2 allows for storing up to eight customizable presets directly on the amp for quick access to favorite sounds. Perfect the tone with large, visible onboard controls for looper, EQ, gain, reverb, and more.
Designed for convenience, an optional rechargeable battery provides up to 12 hours of playtime for on-the-go sessions. The new double-thick strap and durable build ensure easy and secure transport. Spark 2 is also Bluetooth® ready, allowing for music streaming and jamming along with favorite tracks anytime, anywhere.
Multiple Outputs and Advanced Features
Spark 2 offers versatile connectivity with a headphone out for private practice, stereo line outs for external audio sources, and a USB-C port which enables it to function as an audio interface. WiFi-enabled, Spark 2 allows convenient over-the-air firmware updates, keeping the amp up to date with the latest features and improvements.
“I’ve used a ton of practice amps while touring the world for over 38 years and it was always just a technical, bland exercise,” says guitar virtuoso, singer-songwriter and producer Nuno Bettencourt. “Spark 2 is like taking Madison Square Garden wherever you go – epic and versatile.”
Color Options
Available in Pearl or Black finish with a dark weave grille and premium finish.
Special Event, Upgrade Pricing & Availability
Join the special live premiere event featuring Nuno Bettencourt and surprise guests on August 1, 2024, at 8:00 am PT/11:00 am ET. Visit positivegrid.com/pages/livestream for more details and to sign up for a reminder.
Regularly USD $299, Spark 2 will be available at special early bird pricing during the pre-order period. Registered Spark 40 owners can also receive exclusive upgrade pricing.
For more information and to sign up for pre-order alerts, visit positivegrid.com/products/spark-2.
A review of the Joyo Gloam – Sub Octave Fuzz Pedal for Bass
Disclaimer: This pedal was kindly provided by Joyo for the purpose of this review. However, this does not influence our opinions or the content of our reviews. We strive to provide honest, unbiased, and accurate assessments to ensure that our readers receive truthful and helpful information.
Introduction: The Joyo Gloam is a sub-octave fuzz pedal specifically designed for bass players, combining modern sub-octave effects with rich fuzz tones. With two independently controlled circuits, the Gloam aims to provide a versatile range of sounds, from deep, aggressive fuzz to Moog-like synth effects. This review will explore the Gloam’s specifications, controls, and overall performance, highlighting both its strengths and areas for improvement.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 130 * 110 * 50 mm
- Weight: 403g
- Working Voltage: DC 9V
- Controls: The Joyo Gloam features a comprehensive control set designed to provide bassists with a wide range of tonal options:
- Dry Tone: Adjusts the tone of the clean signal.
- Dry Volume: Controls the volume of the clean signal.
- Sub Octave Volume: Adjusts the volume of the sub octave signal.
- Gain: Controls the amount of gain in the fuzz circuit.
- Fuzz: Adjusts the intensity of the fuzz effect.
- Bass: Controls the bass frequencies in the fuzz circuit.
- Treble: Adjusts the treble frequencies in the fuzz circuit.
- Fuzz Mode Switch: Switches between two different fuzz modes.
- Dry Tone Frequency Switch: Selects between two different frequency points for the dry tone.
Performance: The Joyo Gloam excels in its dual-circuit design, offering both a sub octave and a fuzz channel that can be controlled individually. However, it’s important to note that the octaver cannot be used without the fuzz circuit activated; the only way to solo the octaver is by turning down the fuzz while both channels are engaged.
Fuzz Circuit: The fuzz circuit includes standard controls such as gain, volume, bass, and treble, along with a fuzz mode switch that toggles between two distinct fuzz modes. While one of the fuzz modes is highly usable and delivers a rich, aggressive tone, the other mode falls short and is less practical for most applications.
Octaver Circuit: The octaver circuit features controls for sub octave volume, clean volume, and clean tone, along with a dry tone frequency switch that provides two different frequency options. This allows for significant tonal versatility, enabling bassists to fine-tune their sound to match their preferences. Despite its limitation of being tied to the fuzz circuit, the octaver produces a deep, balanced sound that stands out.
Combined Effect: When used together, the fuzz and octaver circuits create a wide range of sounds, from classic, aggressive fuzz to synth-like tones reminiscent of a Moog synthesizer. This combination makes the Gloam a powerful tool for bassists seeking to experiment with their sound and achieve unique, textured tones.
Pros:
- Versatile Controls: Extensive control options for both fuzz and octaver circuits.
- Rich Tones: Delivers deep, aggressive fuzz and balanced octaver sounds.
- Sturdy Construction: Durable build quality ensures reliability.
- Wide Range of Sounds: Capable of producing everything from classic fuzz to synth-like effects.
Cons:
- Unusable Fuzz Mode: One of the fuzz modes is less practical.
- Dependent Octaver: Octaver cannot be used independently of the fuzz circuit.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the Joyo Gloam sub-octave fuzz pedal offers a versatile and powerful option for bassists looking to expand their tonal palette. Despite some flaws, the Gloam delivers impressive sounds and flexibility. Its combination of rich fuzz and deep octaver tones, coupled with a sturdy construction, makes it a valuable addition to any bassist’s pedalboard. For those seeking a modern bass distortion with the added depth of sub-octave effects, the Joyo Gloam is a compelling choice for a very compelling price.
Visit online at joyoaudio.com/product/281.html
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Behind the Strings – Jim’s Corner…
D’Addario & Co. proudly announces the launch of “Jim’s Corner,” a captivating new YouTube series telling the 400-year-old story of the D’Addario family creating the world’s largest music accessories company. This series features Jim D’Addario, Founder and Director of Innovation at D’Addario and Co., sharing his family’s remarkable journey from 17th century Italy to a 21st century global enterprise.
In the first four episodes now available, Jim D’Addario takes viewers back to the beginning, making strings from animal guts and knotting ukulele wire as a family around the television. Countless generations carried the passion forward until the 1970s when the company made it official and never looked back. Jim recounts the creation of strings that inspired legendary riffs, including one by The Who, the launch of Darco strings, the merger with Martin Guitars and the company’s humble beginnings with his wife, Janet and brother, John. Jim D’Addario’s firsthand accounts provide an intimate and personal perspective on the milestones and challenges that shaped D’Addario into the revered brand it is today.
Episode Highlights:
- Episode 1: The Early Days in Italy and the Move to America
- Episode 2: Inspiring Iconic Riffs and Legendary Partnerships
- Episode 3: Launching Darco Strings and Merging with Martin Guitars
- Episode 4: Building the D’Addario and Co. Legacy
Watch & Subscribe Now:
Join us in celebrating this incredible legacy by watching the first four episodes of “Jim’s Corner” on YouTube. New episodes will drop every month so please subscribe to our channel to ensure you don’t miss any future episodes and exclusive content from D’Addario & Co.: www.youtube.com/@daddarioandco
Gear News
Gear News: Aguilar Amplification Unveils Limited Edition NYC Gold Skyline Tone Hammer Preamp
Aguilar Amplification announces the release of the Limited Edition NYC Gold Skyline Tone Hammer Preamp pedal. Hand serialized 1-100, this exclusive edition celebrates Aguilar’s deep roots in New York City with a tribute to its iconic landmarks and vibrant spirit.
Born in the heart of NYC and raised on the road, the Tone Hammer Preamp DI has been an indispensable tool for bassists seeking inspiring tone and versatility. The new Limited Edition Gold NYC builds on this legacy with striking custom graphics encapsulating the essence of New York City. Featuring iconic landmarks from the Statue of Liberty to the Empire State Building, this pedal is not just a tool, but a piece of art embodying the soul of the city. Each unit features a sharp platinum silkscreen over a stunning matte gold sparkle finish, that is as visually captivating as it is sonically powerful.
The Tone Hammer is an essential preamp/direct box for every bassist’s toolbox. The Tone Hammer features fully sweepable midrange frequencies in addition to bass and treble controls. With the Tone Hammer’s pristine D.I. players are set for either studio or stage. To give this tone shaping unit the ultimate flexibility we introduce our proprietary Adaptive Gain Shaping circuitry (AGS). AGS allows the player to kick in an additional gain structure and EQ with the “stomp” of a button. You can go from modern slap sounds to vintage or overdriven. 18-volt operation gives the Tone Hammer plenty of headroom to reproduce the most dynamic playing styles. Separate gain and master controls allow players to dial in just the right gain structure for any instrument.
Aguilar Amplification’s Jordan Cortese adds, “With only 100 hand-numbered units available, this third iteration of our NYC edition Tone Hammer is a collector’s dream. “It’s a homage to our city’s monumental influence on music and culture and celebrates the craftsmanship and the story of Aguilar”.
Street price: $299.99 For more information, please visit www.aguilaramp.com