For sale Eye-Catching Shawn May DCS5 Custom 5-String Bass - Mint Condition - LED's and More!

Bryan Threlkeld said:

DCS5 Custom 5-String May Bass by Luthier Shawn May

- 2021 build in mint condition
- 35” scale
- 18mm spacing (adjustable ~17mm to ~19mm)
- Figured Claro Walnut top and back
- Swamp Ash body core w/Flame Maple accents
- Flame Maple / Black Walnut neck
- Ebony fretboard with Flame Maple blocks and binding
- Illuminated side markers
- Nordstrand Audio Zen Blades (x3) in Flame Maple cover with custom "Triquetra" inlay
- Nordstrand Audio 3B preamp
- Hipshot hybrid hardware
- Jim Dunlop USA recessed strap locks
- General Finishes High Performance Poly finish
- THG Custom Knobs - Walnut & Maple

- Volume knob (push/pull for passive/active)
- Passive tone knob
- Mid-range knob (push/pull for different mid frequencies)
- Stacked bass and treble knobs
- 3 pickup switches (on/off for each Nordstrand Z-Coil)
- 1 LED on/off switch

- MONO gig bag
- Bass maintenance kit

This is a simply stunning example of Shawn May’s craftsmanship. But as sweet as this bass looks, the tone is even more awe-inspiring. This is absolutely the best-sounding bass for funk (slap/popping) I’ve ever heard in my life. The low B and E strings sound insanely good.

If you look carefully at the pictures, you may notice that I had a custom wood-worker add a little walnut ramp piece at the end of the neck for slapping/popping. I think it blends great with the walnut bass itself, but you can look at the original pictures from Shawn’s website to compare what the bass looks like with and without the ramp. Either way, this is easily removable (attached with special woodworking tape that will come right off and not leave a residue). Also, I am not the original owner of this bass, but I’ve been told that if you’d like to swap out the front ramp or backplate, Shawn will do so at a very reasonable price.

Finally, I'm really torn about releasing this baby because I doubt I'll ever find a bass with the same killer funk tone as this. But at the end of the day, the reason I'm moving this bass is because all my other basses are short-scale and that’s just my sweet spot (31” to 33”). I will say, though, that the way Shawn positioned the body and neck, this particular 35” scale bass will likely set right with you if you are used to a standard 34” scale.

Buyer pays actual shipping and insurance.

Thanks for looking and let me know if you have any additional questions.

Cheers!
Bryan

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Bryan Threlkeld said:

DCS5 Custom 5-String May Bass by Luthier Shawn May

- 2021 build in mint condition
- 35” scale
- 18mm spacing (adjustable ~17mm to ~19mm)
- Figured Claro Walnut top and back
- Swamp Ash body core w/Flame Maple accents
- Flame Maple / Black Walnut neck
- Ebony fretboard with Flame Maple blocks and binding
- Illuminated side markers
- Nordstrand Audio Zen Blades (x3) in Flame Maple cover with custom "Triquetra" inlay
- Nordstrand Audio 3B preamp
- Hipshot hybrid hardware
- Jim Dunlop USA recessed strap locks
- General Finishes High Performance Poly finish
- THG Custom Knobs - Walnut & Maple

- Volume knob (push/pull for passive/active)
- Passive tone knob
- Mid-range knob (push/pull for different mid frequencies)
- Stacked bass and treble knobs
- 3 pickup switches (on/off for each Nordstrand Z-Coil)
- 1 LED on/off switch

- MONO gig bag
- Bass maintenance kit

This is a simply stunning example of Shawn May’s craftsmanship. But as sweet as this bass looks, the tone is even more awe-inspiring. This is absolutely the best-sounding bass for funk (slap/popping) I’ve ever heard in my life. The low B and E strings sound insanely good.

If you look carefully at the pictures, you may notice that I had a custom wood-worker add a little walnut ramp piece at the end of the neck for slapping/popping. I think it blends great with the walnut bass itself, but you can look at the original pictures from Shawn’s website to compare what the bass looks like with and without the ramp. Either way, this is easily removable (attached with special woodworking tape that will come right off and not leave a residue). Also, I am not the original owner of this bass, but I’ve been told that if you’d like to swap out the front ramp or backplate, Shawn will do so at a very reasonable price.

Finally, I'm really torn about releasing this baby because I doubt I'll ever find a bass with the same killer funk tone as this. But at the end of the day, the reason I'm moving this bass is because all my other basses are short-scale and that’s just my sweet spot (31” to 33”). I will say, though, that the way Shawn positioned the body and neck, this particular 35” scale bass will likely set right with you if you are used to a standard 34” scale.

Buyer pays actual shipping and insurance.

Thanks for looking and let me know if you have any additional questions.

Cheers!
Bryan

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Bryan Threlkeld said:

...I'd put his instruments right up there with all of the high-end, boutique basses - Alembic, Fodera, Muckelroy, Jerzy Drozd.

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naetog said:

Agreed.

I have two of Shawn's basses.

The fit and finish are absolutely incredible.
Not only are his necks ridiculously comfortable, they also sound amazing and balance oh so well.

Really though, his attention to detail in the construction easily puts him in the same conversation as any boutique luthier.

I have two Muckelroy currently, and have owned Alembic, Clement, Tobias, Skjold, Pedulla, Zon, Martin Keith, Bordwell, EBMM, Warwick, Status, and Modulus (among others). Shawn has more than earned his place among them.

Photos cannot capture how tidy his work is. It really is amazing to see the little details in person. And the wiring too. So clean in those control cavities. Seriously.

Stuff like the battery box cover, cavity cover, side dots, and little veneers between layers are all things that don't really matter to me when I'm looking to buy something, but they look so freaking amazing that I can't help but smile every time I pick up my bass.

If you're in the market for a 35" scale bass, this is IT.

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funkbass4u said:

Thats until you go to sell and reality hits, he’s not there

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