Guitars you wish had bass versions

[awilkie84]

I want that USAF bass...it looks badass! Do all the knobs/switches do something??

[PlungerModerno]

Originally Posted by pklima

Really, with all the varieties of Spongebob guitars, ukuleles and even drum kits, the fact that there's apparently no market for Spongebob basses makes me wonder.

I would love a spongebob bass . . . not sure if I'd pay that much for it (a fun beater bass maybe?).

Oh and this face as the main texture:

[pklima]

Glad to hear I'm not alone, LOL. The Spongebob guitars are cheap... a bass version would probably be $150 at most.

I would seriously want one, too. In the 3D printing thread a couple of weeks ago I mentioned something about using a 3D printer to make a Spongebob bass with actual spongy texture.

[Silver Blues]

My Hanson. I actually plan to do a build. That would be sa-WEET

--Silvie

[Would'e?]

Ibanez S series. There used to be the SB basses, but its been 20 years since they were in production. Time to bring them back.

[cfsporn]

Originally Posted by pklima

I want that SpongeBob bass because reasons.

[Spectrum]

I bet a Fender Marauder would make a cool bass. I already love the Jazz and Jaguar body shapes, and the Marauder seems to be a cross between the two. I'll take mine in surf green, please.

[RyanJD]

Originally Posted by Spectrum

I bet a Fender Marauder would make a cool bass. I already love the Jazz and Jaguar body shapes, and the Marauder seems to be a cross between the two. I'll take mine in surf green, please.

+1! But I love the color in this picture.

[fjadams]

Originally Posted by Spectrum

I bet a Fender Marauder would make a cool bass. I already love the Jazz and Jaguar body shapes, and the Marauder seems to be a cross between the two. I'll take mine in surf green, please.

Yes, I'll take mine as a SS, two humbuckers, and teal green with matching headstock will do nicely.

[Doner Designs]

Originally Posted by cfsporn

I want that SpongeBob bass because reasons.

Are you a bubble blowing baby? Don't think we don't know how to weeeeed 'em out!

(From Sponge Bob movie - I'm a fan too) :-)

Greatest cartoon ever - even better than Bugs Bunny from the days when I had a right to watch cartoons. :-)

[Doner Designs]

Originally Posted by awilkie84

I want that USAF bass...it looks badass! Do all the knobs/switches do something??

Thanks awilke! I must correct you however - its not bad-ass, its bab-icz. :-)

It has been gratifying to get a lot of positive feedback on the military guitars and basses partly a matter of pride but also because we don't know how well they will do at auction yet. Every penny they bring will benefit the charity, but it would be heartbreaking for me if they were to sell for low $ and then get parted out. You can see from the parts list below why that might concern me.

Anyhow, to answer your question, all the switches do something. I'm very much into the electronic geekery which is a nice fit with the military cockpit themes. I'll just paste the spec sheet here to give my fingers a rest (and probably tell you more than you wanted to know).

This is the first time I have posted the description anywhere. Any feedback would be helpful. My day job is accounting, not marketing. :-) I'm sure I'd (rightly) get scolded for posting this if I were selling something, but there is no profit motive for me - just want the recipient to bring a fair price (or more since the buyer will be supporting the charity). Hopefully that's ok (and I'm also answering a question from a fellow TBer).

Description

The Doner Designs “Fight Back” military theme guitars and basses were developed to encourage kids who are fighting life-threatening illnesses as well as the friends and family who support them. These guitars are fully functional and constructed with premium hardware and electronics sure to please any musician, but are also works of art suitable for display for the inspiration of anyone. For new or aspiring players, a headphone amplifier and self-study lesson book are included.

The Air Force theme bass guitar is based on Leo Fender’s famous Precision Bass. The foundation (body and neck) comes from a value-priced SX bass guitar. Doner Designs then completely rebuilt the guitar by replacing the pickup, hardware and electronics with premium aftermarket components. Two additional pickups and an onboard preamp were added. The two added pickups are similar to those used on a Gibson EB-3 bass. Body routes were added to house the additional pickups, preamp and battery.

The unusual 3 pickup configuration enables the Air Force Bass to emulate the sound of nearly all of the most common designs including the Precision bass (middle pickup only) Jazz bass (middle and bridge pickups) EB-0 (neck pickup only), EB-3 (neck and bridge) and Stingray (bridge only). With all 3 pickups on, the bass has its own unique tone. In addition, the onboard preamp and passive bass and treble controls are somewhat akin to those found on G&L basses. One could say that the Air Force Bass has all the basses covered. Tonal flexibility and control is enhanced by three separate volume controls and on/off switches - one for each pickup.

Aircraft graphics include the Air Force Roundel symbol, USAF stencil lettering and the shark teeth most commonly seen on the famed P-51 Mustang WWII aircraft. In addition, a red covered military switch along with 10 dials and switches give the control panel a cockpit-like feel. The silver and chrome paint scheme and a strap made of seat belt material also contribute to the overall look. A semi-gloss clear lacquer helps protect the lettering and contributes to the rugged metallic equipment look.

Features & Specifications

• Custom design, construction, finish and setup by Doner Designs in suburban Chicago
• Laquer finished maple neck with maple fingerboard and two way truss rod
• Contoured Precision-style alder body
• Dimarzio Willpower Middle P bass pickups
• Gotoh Neck sidewinder pickup
• Gotoh Bridge sidewinder pickup
• Bartolini TC-3 booster preamp
• Babicz FCH bass bridge
• Hipshot Ultralight tuners
• Hipshot Xtender (drop-D tuner)
• Hipshot string retainer
• Custom pickguard and backplates manufactured by Axetreme Creations
• Separate volume controls for each of the 3 pickups
• On/off toggle switches for each pickup
• Passive/active boost switch
• Master passive treble and bass controls
• Momentary contact push-button switch (for machine-gun effects)
• Military style covered toggle switch
• Bourns pots and orange drop capacitors
• Hipshot string retainer
• Graph Tech nut
• Roto 77 long lasting bright flatwound strings

Accessories

• Gator gig bag with coordinating colors
• Mono Warsaw Seatbelt Strap
• Danelectro headphone amp with short cables for belt clip use
• Panasonic earbuds
• Korg plug-in tuner
• Cruztools multi-tool
• Live Wire instrument cable
• Hal Leonard Bass Method book
• Musician's Gear stand
• Planet Waves string winder
• Assorted rubber bass picks

Donation Information

Doner Designs guitars and basses are paid for by Doner Designs and given to the charitable organization. A few parts are donated by suppliers and some suppliers offer discounts, but most of the parts cost and all of the labor is donated by Doner Designs. One hundred percent of the amount paid at auction goes to support the charity.

[Silver Blues]

Originally Posted by Doner Designs

Greatest cartoon ever - even better than Bugs Bunny from the days when I had a right to watch cartoons. :-)

Big +1

[PlungerModerno]

Originally Posted by pklima

Glad to hear I'm not alone, LOL. The Spongebob guitars are cheap... a bass version would probably be $150 at most.

I would seriously want one, too. In the 3D printing thread a couple of weeks ago I mentioned something about using a 3D printer to make a Spongebob bass with actual spongy texture.

WOW. That would be cool.

A simpler, cheaper (although probably less effective) option could be to take the body of an existing bass that plays great - make a custom shaped 'spongey' cover of suitable colour and shape . . . and put in a carefully matched face on a suitable surface . . .

I've got to get a few plans together . . . The machine washibility and/or durablility of the cover will be the main challenge . . . as will making it look sufficiently silly.

[J03YW]

Originally Posted by jmclearnon

Gibson Explorer Bass, i think only a few hundred were made before they were discontinued

There's one in my local guitar center... o.O

[pklima]

Originally Posted by PlungerModerno

I've got to get a few plans together . . . The machine washibility and/or durablility of the cover will be the main challenge . . . as will making it look sufficiently silly.

I've seen some velour bibs over on the DB side... that sort of thing could work.

[HereIGoAgain]

I was once in a music store when someone from Japan tried to trade in a Fender Stratocaster bass. The store owner had to explain that the bass was a fake.

True story.

[Darren Low]

Are there lap steel basses?

[two fingers]

This. It really cuts through any mix.

[Ric5]

[millsbass5]

Originally Posted by spector_boogie

PRS.

A good one that wasn't the $12k Grainger sig.

+1