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[Bass of the Week] Doner Designs Navy Bass

This week’s BotW is a build that involved quite a lot of different people and companies to get finished. The end result is an awesome 4-string (no, not a 2-string, if you look close, 2 of the strings are black and “hide” themselves a little bit.)

Our latest project (SN 5), a Navy Aircraft Carrier theme bass, is now finished.  The bass has been donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) of Illinois for auction at the One Dream Gala at McCormick Place on December 13, 2014. 

We were thrilled that Captain James A. Lovell, US Navy, Retired (and Apollo 13 Commander) agreed to sign this special guitar. Watch this inspiring clip from the Apollo 13 movie to see why we named this bass after CV-38, the USS Shangri-La, and how it is connected with Captain Lovell and his Navy career. 

https://www.anyclip.com/movies/apollo-13/watching-jim-on-television/#!quotes/

One of our longtime sponsors was more like a partner in this project. Axetreme Creations Custom Shop donated the time, materials and a lot of the creative work related to the pickguard and the neck inlays, both critical elements of this project.  Without our friend Nick and his team at Axetreme, this bass guitar would not have been possible.

A complete list of friends and suppliers who were a part of this project are listed at the bottom of this page.

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Well done!

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18 thoughts on “[Bass of the Week] Doner Designs Navy Bass”

  1. This must be the most graphically impressive string instrument I’ve ever seen. I would get in the auction if I lived nearby, for sure!

    Reply
    • Thank you very much. I think offsite bidding can be arranged, but the target price will be up there – probably with an opening bid around $2000 and hoping to sell for 2X that (which really depends on who goes to the auction).

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    • Thanks! Contact JDRF Illinois – I think you can bid remotely, but starting bid is probably going to be around $2000 with hopes of selling significantly higher.

      Reply
  2. Thanks BBG for posting this! Note that the more recent photos on our website have the runway lines continue across the pickup covers.

    Reply
  3. Am I the only one that thinks nylon A&D against steel E&G is a little odd? Why not go all the way and put in a tailhook style whammy bar?

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    • Strings are identical in construction. DR coated. Only difference is color. White represents continuation of runway lines.

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    • Its being donated to a charity for seriously ill children. The military themes are intended to encourage them to fight their illness. We are not fans of war either.

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    • Nothing is glued. Those are images of an actual phantom jet and are part of the pickguard. But yes, its not for everyone but they do well in charity auctions we donate to. Just clarifying that the surface is flat.

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  4. My daughter is in Navy boot camp now, and will be a cook, on a carrier if she gets her way. This is Amazing. Any chance of decorating my existing bass similar? It is worth every penny you hope to get! Could I buy graphics from you? Love it! Tim

    Reply

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