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Please read!!

MikeBass

MikeBass

Supporting Member
Nov 4, 2003
11,943
3,140
Fowlerville MI
Disclosures
Endorsing artist- Suhr basses, PedalTrain, GHS, Ultimate Ears
#1
This is tough. Let me explain why. (don't panic Mods, this is about a bass!!!!)
A few of you know that I became sick a while back. And because of that, the doctors pulled me out of work.
Well, a little over three months of no paycheck because disability was all jacked around caused my family and I to live off of our savings.
This resulted in me selling some gear to take care of things. I'm still in the position of having to move some more basses (my Smith 5 and/or my BSX Allegro 5).

Well, enter in my friend Mike Winnen (and a whole bunch of others from here on TB) and you have this:
Link Removed

After many times telling Mike that I was really the wrong person to recieve this, he threatned to send it to KJung (Ken) to give to me.

This was totally unexpected. Not ever been on the recieving end of such generosity, this was...IS hard to take.
I threatened to sell it and donate the money in his name to his church. That wouldn't work he told me, because not only are my initals inlayed at the 12th fret, but everyone who had something to do with this (all 22+ of you crazy bastards) are sending in their signitures to have them airbrushed on the back!! UNDER the clear coat!!!! (that Mike, thinks of everything!!-nut case I tell ya!!) So who would want it he says!!!
He was gonna donate just the money, but he knew I wouldn't take it (and I wouldn't!) so they did a bass!!
This does make selling the others a little easier knowing that sometime in Sept it will arrive.

I'm a little choked up now typing this. My wife and I shared a good tearful night over this too.

I'm a little short on words reguarding this. All I can say is from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU.

There is more to this as well, I'll let Mike's page describing it do the rest:Link Removed

Here are the ones who I owe a hand shake and a hug to:
Name: TB handle:
Nino Valenti TB:NinoValenti
Adrian Garcia TB: Adrian Garcia
Dean Groom TB: Big String
Simon TB: simongpaez
David Pickles TB: pickles
Sean Baumann TB: seanbaumann
John Mitchell TB: thedude
Mike Chapin TB: munjibunga
Vic Serbe TB: Vic
Steve Burkhalter TB: Burke48237
Tommy Overstreet TB:tbone0813
Tom Bowlus TB: tombowlus
Mike Winnen TB: BigMikeW
Jai Swann TB: j-raj
Tom Stanley TB: tommixx
Drew Felder TB: Fretless5verfan
Ken Jung TB: Kjung
Matt Call TB: OpaqueBass
Jason Phelps TB: Vision
Henry Israel TB: Biker4Him
Jonathon Starr TB: Jonathon Starr
Rob DeSantis TB: Bikeplate

Who isn't on here is USA-CG who is doing the body and neck, Pat Wilkins who is doing the finish, Roger Sadowsky who donated his pre-amp & Cary Nordstrand who is doing the pick-ups.
I guess the color on the mock up is different from what the actual color is. It's going to not be so "Yellow" and have more red around the edges. Also, Mike just told me that the neck is gonna be birdseye maple. This thing should be sweet!!

I'm not sure why this happened to me, but I can say that I am truly blessed.
I'm doing MUCH better. In fact speaking, I sound almost 100% normal. My playing is doing a ton better as well. And I just went back to work this week. It will still be tight for a while, but we'll pull through in time.

Thanks again guys. I owe each and everyone of you.

God Bless all of you and know that I will play it for you, and him as well as he lets me.
I don't think there will be a note coming off of it that doesn't praise the glory of God and the kindness that DOES exsist in man.

If this seems a little scattered, I'm sorry. I just really don't know how to put my feelings into words about this.
 
#9
That is some heavy duty stuff. The kindness and friendship on TB is pretty incredible at times. Best of luck to you, MikeBass.

That bass is incredible looking. Nino should offer it as a MikeBass signature model (maybe with a small percentage going to you to help with your medical condition).
 
#11
Eggman said:
Wow -

1. Congrats on feeling better and getting back to work!

2. Way to go to all who were involved in this project - tremendous.

3. Beautiful bass - I hope you enjoy it.
Click to expand...


+1.

I am without words of my own to adequately describe just how great this is. I have nothing but the highest respect for all of you involved in this.

:)
 
#13
Best of luck to you as you continue your recovery!

To Mike Winnen: People like you are rare indeed in today's world, and I wish you all the personal and professional success that you desire. Congratulations on assembling such a wonderful team to make this project a reality.
 
#16
I'm very glad to hear you're doing better, Mike :) And massive props to all the TBers as well as the luthiers who made this happen- I wish I'd have known- I'd have donated as well (must've been hidden in that 36 page Fodera thread in the Classifieds ;)).
 
#17
Mike, most of all I'm happy to hear your doing well. Second, I'm proud of the people who were so kind to you. To paraphrase Figjam, you must be an even greater person than player to generate this sort of response. I've heard you play, so you must be a great guy indeed! God bless all concerned.
 
#19
Mike -

Congrats. I have been the beneficiary of similar generousity from Talkbass. (TFunk, I'll never forget ya!)

This is just another example of what TB such a great community. Real people who genuinely care about one another in a selfless way.

MikeBass said:
God Bless all of you and know that I will play it for you, and him as well as he lets me.
I don't think there will be a note coming off of it that doesn't praise the glory of God and the kindness that DOES exsist in man.
Click to expand...
Like my Pastor always says,
"God is Good -- All the time."

Play it well, Mike -- God Bless you and your family.
 

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