Though I have not been on Talk Bass for awhile now, over the years I had read some content on luthier Ron Blake. I have six Ron Blake masterpieces including the 4 string "Claw" bass to a six string with standard string spacing. Also a 5 string with a high "C" and not low "B", as well as a 4 string fretless. There are others as well. I have two new Ron Blake Custom Basses I will be picking up in two weeks. A 4 string and a 6 string with string spacing at17mm. Both basses will be suited with Alembic "Activators." The might be nicest basses yet?!
I have played basses from Fodera, Alembic, Lakeland, and many others and I can confidently say Ron's basses have equaled if not surpassed the quality of some of these basses. His attention to detail is paramount. The care he puts into each stage of the process is unparalleled. Additionally, Ron is a wonderful and humble human being! Very gracious and caring in everything he does, including building extraordinary Custom basses.
Ron used to build with Carl Thompson, Ron would build the necks of the instruments. He built the necks of instruments for Les Claypool, Stanley Clarke and many more.
After leaving Carl Thompson Ron focused on one of a kind instruments and was never into creating a template to crank out a large number. He builds for the love of the craftsmanship. I always give him artistic freedom in creating my masterpieces. When I played a set with guitarist Paul Gilbert awhile back he commented on how wonderful the Blake Bass was.
I met Ron when I was heading the Bass Department at the National Guitar Workshop, teaching at NGSW for about 30 years, and have cherished Ron's friendship since the 1980's. If anyone would want to see pics of my Ron Blake Custom Basses let me know. My website (daveoverthrow.com) is down for a few days while being re-vapmed but will be back up in days with pics of all Of my Blake basses, including the two new instruments he is finishing up for me. Both the 4 string and 6 string will have Alembic pups, Graphtech machine heads and Hip Shot bridges. The basses will be suited with DR Handmade strings, sent to me from the wonderful folks at DR! Thanks for the strings guys!
If you are planning on a on a high end bass in the near future for a very reasonable cost considering the amazing quality of the instrument, think of Ron Blake.
I have played basses from Fodera, Alembic, Lakeland, and many others and I can confidently say Ron's basses have equaled if not surpassed the quality of some of these basses. His attention to detail is paramount. The care he puts into each stage of the process is unparalleled. Additionally, Ron is a wonderful and humble human being! Very gracious and caring in everything he does, including building extraordinary Custom basses.
Ron used to build with Carl Thompson, Ron would build the necks of the instruments. He built the necks of instruments for Les Claypool, Stanley Clarke and many more.
After leaving Carl Thompson Ron focused on one of a kind instruments and was never into creating a template to crank out a large number. He builds for the love of the craftsmanship. I always give him artistic freedom in creating my masterpieces. When I played a set with guitarist Paul Gilbert awhile back he commented on how wonderful the Blake Bass was.
I met Ron when I was heading the Bass Department at the National Guitar Workshop, teaching at NGSW for about 30 years, and have cherished Ron's friendship since the 1980's. If anyone would want to see pics of my Ron Blake Custom Basses let me know. My website (daveoverthrow.com) is down for a few days while being re-vapmed but will be back up in days with pics of all Of my Blake basses, including the two new instruments he is finishing up for me. Both the 4 string and 6 string will have Alembic pups, Graphtech machine heads and Hip Shot bridges. The basses will be suited with DR Handmade strings, sent to me from the wonderful folks at DR! Thanks for the strings guys!
If you are planning on a on a high end bass in the near future for a very reasonable cost considering the amazing quality of the instrument, think of Ron Blake.
