Show us your Martin Keith Basses

[J.Wolf]

Is that a Bass VI set by La Bella, or something custom? Thanks.

My understanding is that its a 6 string set, minus the low b, and Martin has ordered a bulk qty of high F strings in black tape, which are close in gauge to a roundwound high C. Im not sure if you can buy this *set" from anyone, but you could buy the 6 string set and see if Martin will hook you up with the F.

 

[smperry]

Thanks!

 

[smperry]

I’ve been talking with Martin about a special instrument for my fiftieth birthday since last year, and I’m ready to share. It’ll be a hollow bodied fretless 6 string, 32” scale. Rosewood back, sides, and fingerboard. Cedar top. Graphtech piezos and a single magnetic (I think Bartolini) by the neck. Here’s the back (edit, top too!):

 

[77stingray]

Nice is that a custom body shape?

 

[smperry]

Yes, it is. The inner shape.

 

[Joshua]

Top drawer!

 

[emjazz]

I’ve been talking with Martin about a special instrument for my fiftieth birthday since last year, and I’m ready to share. It’ll be a hollow bodied fretless 6 string, 32” scale. Rosewood back, sides, and fingerboard. Cedar top. Graphtech piezos and a single magnetic (I think Bartolini) by the neck. Here’s the back (edit, top too!):

View attachment 5019274

Martin mentioned to keep an eye out for what you and he have in store. Beautiful. He's really excited for that one

 

[gscroggin]

Martin Keith 5 string Martin Keith 5 string - Natural Over Spalt Top | Reverb

Not mine, just popped up in my feed on Reverb. I swear I've seen that spalt top before here on TB...

 

[emjazz]

View attachment 5022890

Martin Keith 5 string Martin Keith 5 string - Natural Over Spalt Top | Reverb

Not mine, just popped up in my feed on Reverb. I swear I've seen that spalt top before here on TB...

Martin made a fretless with a similar top as well

 

[mikezimmerman]

Is this going to be Martin's Elfin Hollowbody Bass shape? It will look stunning with those woods!

I was just spending some time with mine this morning...

I’ve been talking with Martin about a special instrument for my fiftieth birthday since last year, and I’m ready to share. It’ll be a hollow bodied fretless 6 string, 32” scale. Rosewood back, sides, and fingerboard. Cedar top. Graphtech piezos and a single magnetic (I think Bartolini) by the neck. Here’s the back (edit, top too!):

View attachment 5019274

 

[smperry]

Is this going to be Martin's Elfin Hollowbody Bass shape? It will look stunning with those woods!

I was just spending some time with mine this morning...

No, it’s a new shape based on his Auriole design. It'll be about 2.25" thick with a floating top (poplar center block) like the Elfin Hollowbody. It will hang differently than his Elfin HB design (lower/more angled, if that makes sense), as shown here:

Martin expects that the body behind the bridge will be a kind of counterbalance to the neck, and I've experienced this different feel with acoustics. Seated, it'll rest similarly on my leg as you can probably see.

It will have some other differences, like a tailpiece, but the body shape is probably the most notable one. I'm not sure whether this will become a usual offering or if this will be a one-off.

 

[mikezimmerman]

Very cool! I've always wondered if he might try a bass version of the Auriole. Will it have a cutaway?

No, it’s a new shape based on his Auriole design. It'll be about 2.25" thick with a floating top (poplar center block) like the Elfin Hollowbody. It will hang differently than his Elfin HB design (lower/more angled, if that makes sense), as shown here:
View attachment 5023230

Martin expects that the body behind the bridge will be a kind of counterbalance to the neck, and I've experienced this different feel with acoustics. Seated, it'll rest similarly on my leg as you can probably see.

It will have some other differences, like a tailpiece, but the body shape is probably the most notable one. I'm not sure whether this will become a usual offering or if this will be a one-off.

 

[smperry]

Very cool! I've always wondered if he might try a bass version of the Auriole. Will it have a cutaway?

Thanks! Yes, like the one on the rosewood photo, pretty much.

He gave me the option of no cutaway, a sharper one kind of like the Elfin HB, or a more rounded one, which was my preference. Oh, I have a picture of that too:

Soundholes and controls will be approximately like the Elfin HB, as shown in this sketch.

 

[Jeff Scott]

View attachment 5019274

Kinda Martin OMC-like shaped.

 

[nonohmic]

Who's is this?

 

[smperry]

Kinda Martin OMC-like shaped.

Yeah, I'm thinking the outer outline was just for general scoping of the wood, or something.

 

[smperry]

Who's is this?

I think that was his first double cut. I'm not sure where it is now. SOLD - .....Temporary drastic reduction..... Martin Keith custom

 

[emjazz]

Is this going to be Martin's Elfin Hollowbody Bass shape? It will look stunning with those woods!

I was just spending some time with mine this morning...

View attachment 5023002

That'll always get me....so amazing that it's back in the world

 

[mikezimmerman]

That'll always get me....so amazing that it's back in the world

I spend a lot of time just playing it unplugged. With the low tension flats, it has a tone that reminds me a lot of Erik Friedlander's pizz cello, so I'm thinking about working up a few pieces from "Volac: Book of Angels, Vol. 8"...

 

[emjazz]

I spend a lot of time just playing it unplugged. With the low tension flats, it has a tone that reminds me a lot of Erik Friedlander's pizz cello, so I'm thinking about working up a few pieces from "Volac: Book of Angels, Vol. 8"...

I'm a big fan of Erik. Very cool