NBD: custom designed hand made Precision style Bass

[bassstrangler]

Occasionally I run across something that just catches my eye and I want it. In this case I saw this on the CL and worked out a trade. It's made from over 40 layers of Canadian hard maple. All Hipshot hardware and Geezer Butler pickups are installed on this bass. It weighs 10 pounds and is definitely a one of a kind.

 

[vancityjoe]

In a past life that was a whole bunch of skateboards, i think. Looks amazing! What a great guitar.

 

[5StringBlues]

I like it!

 

[blastoff]

wow! how the heck did they do that

 

[scuzzy]

wow! how the heck did they do that

It's laminate. They have been doing it on many things, including gun stocks, for years.

Martin actually had an acoustic with a composite back and laminate neck. Very inexpensive but sounded solid and might Outlast Keith Richards.

 

[Five String]

How does it sound?

 

[bassstrangler]

How does it sound?

Very bright and punchy, Geezers are the best IMHO.

 

[dragon2knight]

That just looks sweet! Laminates a great thing if it's done right, but it can get heavy if too many layers are done. Glad to see you ended up with a lighter result Mix in good hardware and you've got a real winner, play her well!

 

[vancityjoe]

Glad to see you ended up with a lighter result

i read 10 pounds and my back cried out in fear.

 

[dragon2knight]

i read 10 pounds and my back cried out in fear.

That's actually pretty light for a laminate, the more layers, the more glue, the more weight. He did good here no doubt especially since the maple wood used isn't exactly known for it's lightness....

 

[vancityjoe]

agreed. when i was a teenager had a summer job my dads furniture factory, loading trucks by hand. everything was pressboard, just woodchips and glue really. i got really strong that summer!

these days i am just lazy. i have a ash jazz that weighs about 10 pounds and it is the top end for a bass i can hang around my neck for an hour or more.

that bass is such a great looker and conversation starter, i have to admit i am more than a little jealous, regardless of weight.

 

[bassstrangler]

agreed. when i was a teenager had a summer job my dads furniture factory, loading trucks by hand. everything was pressboard, just woodchips and glue really. i got really strong that summer!

these days i am just lazy. i have a ash jazz that weighs about 10 pounds and it is the top end for a bass i can hang around my neck for an hour or more.

that bass is such a great looker and conversation starter, i have to admit i am more than a little jealous, regardless of weight.

10 lbs. is my max usually, I was glad the builder actually advertised the weight in his Craigslist ad. It is a unique bass, a one of a kind and honestly fulfilled some need of mine to have something no one else does.

I appreciate the compliments, I'll pass them along to the builder. I told him in a text after I got it home and spent some time with it that I was definitely proud to own it and he should feel proud of his work.

 

[two fingers]

That is ridiculously cool!!!!!

 

[vancityjoe]

i am sure he will be happy to get good (and well deserved) feedback! ask him if he would consider selling a body and if he says yes, feel free to message me his contact info

 

[jamro217]

Yay!!! Beautiful! Just close your eyes and imagine it's a T-40, then it'll feel as light as a feather.

 

[bassstrangler]

Yay!!! Beautiful! Just close your eyes and imagine it's a T-40, then it'll feel as light as a feather.

I had a T-40, I never weighed it but, it had to have been pushing 15#. It was even to heavy for sitting.

 

[Krisfield]

I used to work in a saw mill where they peeled logs for making laminated veneer lumber. Interesting bass.

 

[blastoff]

It's laminate. They have been doing it on many things, including gun stocks, for years.

View attachment 3105959

Martin actually had an acoustic with a composite back and laminate neck. Very inexpensive but sounded solid and might Outlast Keith Richards.

sure, i can see that its a laminate. but how do you see through concentric layers with a flat surface? they must have started with a bell shaped chunk. or something. well executed anyhow

 

[bassstrangler]

sure, i can see that its a laminate. but how do you see through concentric layers with a flat surface? they must have started with a bell shaped chunk. or something. well executed anyhow

I'd post some pics of the process, but since they aren't technically my pics to post I won't. But, it looks like in the build process the layers were curved at one point and then carved and sawn into the Precision body shape.

 

[gln1955]

Interesting too that the two halves don't match. I'd really like to see how this is done.