NBD: Obstructures Model 34 solid aluminum bass prototype

My aluminum bass dreams have been fully realized with no. 2 of the 5 Obstructures bass prototypes:

Milled out of solid 6061 aluminum- the body and fretboard are anodized black and the neck itself is anodized clear.
The Travis Bean bridge saddles were sourced directly from Kevin at Electrical Guitar Company.

The pickup is a custom MM/J with selectable coils, manufactured by Proto Guitars. At 13.5 lbs and 3/4” thin, this thing is snug and sounds massive. Can’t believe I finally own one. Looking forward to seeing what they do with their production run early next year.

 

It could certainly double as a pizza paddle, or a tire ramp- probably its best use outside of making music would be a battle axe.
Glad it came with Schaller Strap Locks- wouldn’t want to drop this on my feet.

 

If you mean the bolts visible from the back, the three in a triangular configuration are bolting the bridge and neck to the body.
The middle three screws are holding the pickup to the neck, and two bolts near the neck are attaching the neck to the body.

 

Obstructures has a really great aesthetic- function over form, to the max.
I love the strict, fully symmetrical build, which makes things super easy for those who are left handed. The dual output jacks are there for that reason as well.
This also makes it easy to bi-amp, as both outputs are fully running in tandem. Can’t wait to run one output super distorted and one dirty/clean.

 

Do you mean these?

They are indeed the dual output jacks.

 

This bass could easily open some cans. And maybe also anchor a boat— not willing to try the anchor thing out, though.

 

Seems to be— the resonance is crazy, and the weight is reasonable. I’ve owned Precision basses that have weighed maybe 3 lbs less but felt like back breakers due to their thickness.
I wouldn’t want to deal with a bass made out of stainless steel, my back aches just thinking about strapping on a 20+ lb monster.

 

Approximately 13.5 lbs - but the fact that it’s so thin (3/4”) makes the weight negligible; it sits very snug to the body, sitting or standing.
Sounds like a grand piano being played very percussively in a grand cathredal.