Howdy, fellow bass enthusiasts!
I am hugely excited to have my first custom bass build underway. To get the most joy possible from the experience, I would like to invite you all on the journey with me. I welcome any feedback, experience, observations, questions, and comments. I’ll even welcome criticism, so long as it’s not about being bald.
I initially made a much lengthier and unfocused post to chronicle this, which I asked to be removed. I cut out a lot of narrative elements, as it was predominantly a journal entry.
The basics: 34” Scale, 4 string, fretless
The Luthier: Andrew Drake
The inspiration: Long lost Eshenbaugh Bass
The one that got away. I believe it’s an experience many of us have shared. Advancements in quantum computing, meta-materials science, and theoretical physics have all culminated towards their highest aspiration: bringing “the one that got away” home. We can build her better, faster, stronger, and most importantly, sexier.
The original bass and inspiration:
There is a story as to this bass’s departure from my life, but it is long. To summarize: bass go bye-bye; me want back. It’s not necessary I reclaim the exact instrument. I am happiest having a new creation, made to my learned preferences, that pays tribute to the pinnacle of my bass playing youth.
Andrew Drake of Drake Customs is a fantastic builder. I have the privilege of owning a Drake Model 7, and it is one the finest instruments I’ve ever encountered. Andrew, in addition to being a true craftsman and artist, is incredibly helpful and kind. Andrew listened to my idea and was more than up to the task.
As I find the process of genetically engineering my very own instrument incredible, I wanted to choose some of the woods myself. A very helpful exotic wood supplier helped guide me to the perfect woods for the bass. My aim was to utilize the same woods as the inspiration bass, but with more flavor….spice….pizzaz!
The Koa top:
The Nigra fingerboard:
3-piece Maple neck:
African Mahogany body:
A late change to the build specs was the decision to go fretless. I had a real love affair with playing fretless in my youth and am eager to rekindle the flame as an adult. The bass will be lined, currently planned with black lines. What can I say, I’m a sucker for crutches! That aspect is subject to change once I can see how I like the look of them.
In the realm of electronics, I have settled on the following:
Nordstrand Big Blades (Warm and Wooly):
Darkglass Tone Capsule preamp:
I was very fortunate that Mr. Drake had an open spot in his queue for me, and the willingness to take on this project. I will post images of the build as I receive them. I had an absolute blast sharing some custom work I had done on a Warwick Corvette several years ago (I still adore that bass). My hope is to share the fun of this experience with whoever wants to be part of it.
I am hugely excited to have my first custom bass build underway. To get the most joy possible from the experience, I would like to invite you all on the journey with me. I welcome any feedback, experience, observations, questions, and comments. I’ll even welcome criticism, so long as it’s not about being bald.
I initially made a much lengthier and unfocused post to chronicle this, which I asked to be removed. I cut out a lot of narrative elements, as it was predominantly a journal entry.
The basics: 34” Scale, 4 string, fretless
The Luthier: Andrew Drake
The inspiration: Long lost Eshenbaugh Bass
The one that got away. I believe it’s an experience many of us have shared. Advancements in quantum computing, meta-materials science, and theoretical physics have all culminated towards their highest aspiration: bringing “the one that got away” home. We can build her better, faster, stronger, and most importantly, sexier.
The original bass and inspiration:
There is a story as to this bass’s departure from my life, but it is long. To summarize: bass go bye-bye; me want back. It’s not necessary I reclaim the exact instrument. I am happiest having a new creation, made to my learned preferences, that pays tribute to the pinnacle of my bass playing youth.
Andrew Drake of Drake Customs is a fantastic builder. I have the privilege of owning a Drake Model 7, and it is one the finest instruments I’ve ever encountered. Andrew, in addition to being a true craftsman and artist, is incredibly helpful and kind. Andrew listened to my idea and was more than up to the task.
As I find the process of genetically engineering my very own instrument incredible, I wanted to choose some of the woods myself. A very helpful exotic wood supplier helped guide me to the perfect woods for the bass. My aim was to utilize the same woods as the inspiration bass, but with more flavor….spice….pizzaz!
The Koa top:
The Nigra fingerboard:
3-piece Maple neck:
African Mahogany body:
A late change to the build specs was the decision to go fretless. I had a real love affair with playing fretless in my youth and am eager to rekindle the flame as an adult. The bass will be lined, currently planned with black lines. What can I say, I’m a sucker for crutches! That aspect is subject to change once I can see how I like the look of them.
In the realm of electronics, I have settled on the following:
Nordstrand Big Blades (Warm and Wooly):
Darkglass Tone Capsule preamp:
I was very fortunate that Mr. Drake had an open spot in his queue for me, and the willingness to take on this project. I will post images of the build as I receive them. I had an absolute blast sharing some custom work I had done on a Warwick Corvette several years ago (I still adore that bass). My hope is to share the fun of this experience with whoever wants to be part of it.
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it looks like it's going to be a beauty, and the fact that you're getting a fretless is the icing on the cake! 
. I was almost mildly disappointed to not receive much feedback the first few posts. I think the project is really unique and it's cool to see it unfold in real time!