I got the second bass that was built for me by Joe Kruse of MBJ Guitars a few weeks ago. Joe has been working on my basses for years, as well as running his own small shop and doing his own builds. His "day job" is building for Carl Thompson. This bass is a slightly different take on his Double-Bit design as it doesn't have the "hook" carving on the upper horn and the back is not as contoured. It weighs 7.4 pounds which is heavier than my other MBJ.
Wood
- The body core is Mahogany
- The top is Purple Heart with a Maple center strip
- Two small strips of Padouk separate the Purple Heart from the Maple
- Thin piece of Maple beneath the Purple Heart (contrast line)
- The back is Flame Maple with a thin piece of Purple Heart beneath (contrast line)
- The neck is one piece Mahogany with Purple Heart on the edges
- The fretboard is Ebony (I think) and the markers are Abalone
Hardware
- Hipshot
Electronics (the electronics are based off of one of my favorite basses, a Spector Legend Classic)
- Spector HAZ Preamp
- EMG Alnico Soapbar P/J Set (in Spector positions)
- I went with Soapbars so I'd have some flexibility. I have another set of the same pickups so, at any time, I can easily swap them out and make it a Jazz or a Double P.
There were a couple firsts for Joe on this bass. It was his first full Purple Heart top. His first fully laminated back. And his first time using Gold hardware. I had to twist his arm to put chrome hardware on my first bass.
I feel so privileged to know Joe. He does great work, is totally stable/reliable, and is a super nice guy. I set my basses up a little weird and he's got it down to a science.
Wood
- The body core is Mahogany
- The top is Purple Heart with a Maple center strip
- Two small strips of Padouk separate the Purple Heart from the Maple
- Thin piece of Maple beneath the Purple Heart (contrast line)
- The back is Flame Maple with a thin piece of Purple Heart beneath (contrast line)
- The neck is one piece Mahogany with Purple Heart on the edges
- The fretboard is Ebony (I think) and the markers are Abalone
Hardware
- Hipshot
Electronics (the electronics are based off of one of my favorite basses, a Spector Legend Classic)
- Spector HAZ Preamp
- EMG Alnico Soapbar P/J Set (in Spector positions)
- I went with Soapbars so I'd have some flexibility. I have another set of the same pickups so, at any time, I can easily swap them out and make it a Jazz or a Double P.
There were a couple firsts for Joe on this bass. It was his first full Purple Heart top. His first fully laminated back. And his first time using Gold hardware. I had to twist his arm to put chrome hardware on my first bass.
I feel so privileged to know Joe. He does great work, is totally stable/reliable, and is a super nice guy. I set my basses up a little weird and he's got it down to a science.
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