The feature bass for this week is a very nice semi-hollow 32-inch scale that takes some inspiration from a 1930’s Martin instrument.
Builder Tom Rodriguez from Rodriguez Electrics writes:
The bass I entered was a custom build for a customer that wanted a mahogany body & neck and an ebony fretboard, semi hollow bass. He wanted the finish to match and give the same vibe as his grandfather’s 1930’s Martin tenor ukulele, thus the satin finish and the tortoise shell binding. The electronics are passive with a Delano P bass pickup, installed backwards at the customers request. The neck is a set neck with a 32″ scale length and the nut and position markers are mastodon ivory. The bridge and tuners are Hipshot.
Well done!
Want YOUR bass to be featured for Bass of the Week?
Submit yours now using our easy web form
Your client must be well pleased – a sublime creation. Well done indeed.
Very nice! Would like to hear it!
Absolutely beautiful! What’s the advantage of the backwards pickup?
A little more fatness on the G an D and better definition on the E and A.
I think it should be the standard way to install P-style pickup. Indeed, E and A strings deliver more lows as for me, and when you moving to D and G, your bassline disappears somewhat.
So the great idea and the great instrument!
Amazing!
Beautiful bass! How much of it is hollow?
A strip the width of the bridge, down the center, is solid.
I’m that customer he built it for. absolutely love it!
Im the client, and I’m very happy with how it turned out. I changed the pickup to the single rail Dimarzio P for a less aggressive sound and have dark wood top hat knobs on it now and flatwounds. It’s perfect and is extremely lightweight.
You have great taste. What’s the actual weight? Love that body shape.
Wow, absolutely love the look of this bass. And 32″ scale is the best of the bass scales. 😀
Brilliant work by the builder and great taste by the client.
Great work. Been building for little more than a year. (BASS MONKER GUITARS) I love bass music. This builder has great taste. I try to never copy anyone. All my work is ONE of a KIND. When a player walks on stage with a BASS MONKEY FOUR STRING guitar he will be remembered. Beauty is in the body. I have one to submit in a few more weeks.
Absolutely beautiful…..
This bass is gorgeous!
Beautiful bass. I’m also a builder and appreciate original design. It’s not easy to do. Makes us appreciate Leo Fender! Very graceful balanced body, and beautiful workmanship. I like simple and I like extreme. Well done elegant bass!
That is gorgeous! Beautiful job.
This bass is a work of art! I’d love to be able to play and hear it!
Love everything about this bass,something tells me there should be a fretless version
Yep, I’d play that. Gorgeous. Great job.
Every once in awhile someone comes up with a design that is timeless like a p bass or a rick 4001, I believe you have done that
Nice shape!, I used those pickups on an upright that i built and they provided oodles of bottom end, Choice!!