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[Bass of the Week] Steve Arnett 1401

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This week’s bass guitar of the week shows that getting projects done can do a wonder of good.

Bass builder Steve writes:

I heard one of my mentors, Anthony Wellington, say at a clinic that a player owes it to his/her instrument to know everything he/she can know about one’s instrument. I thought what better way to know “everything” than to build one. I then spoke to my neighbor, a master woodworker, if he might be interested in a joint project. “Ian” agreed so I ordered up a bundle of rough cut lumber from an internet supplier. He and I worked on a Tuesday for four hours together, took a day off, and agreed to meet back on Thursday to carry on. Wednesday night, Ian suffered a massive stroke which has left him paralyzed on his right side and barely able to speak. So…that left me with a choice – abandon the project, or carry on by myself. I chose to carry on and dedicate the build to my pal Ian. I would carry parts and pieces to his hospital room, then later to his rehab facility, and finally to his assisted living facility. He was thrilled to see the progress. It also has served as somewhat of a motivator for him to recover and get back to his own shop work. Six months later, here you see the finished project.

This is my first bass build, my first fret job, and actually my first endeavor into “luitherland”. There are seven woods in this 35″ scale bass. The body core is swamp ash and alder. The 5 piece laminated neck through is maple/cherry/wenge/cherry/maple. There is a 1/8 piece of black walnut sandwiched between the body core and the Oregon myrtlewood top. Finally, the fretboard is Macassar ebony.

The hardware includes a Hipshot brass (painted) bridge, Hipshot ultralight tuners, Aguilar DCB pickups (in the Tom Kennedy position), and a Mike Pope preamp.

I designed the single cut body shape myself, which returns to the 12th fret on the bass side of the neck. The deep cutaway on the treble side allows complete and easy access to the upper register 24th fret. The headstock design is mine as well and couples both peaked treble side points and rounded points on the bass side. The peghead is capped with a thin piece of myrtlewood. For my first build, I’m very pleased with the fit, finish, balance, and tone. Now…on to numbers two and three…this could be addictive!

01692_08_body topwood cutouts

01692_07_volute hand carving2

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01692_01_finished1

01692_05_finished8

01692_06_finished5

01692_09_finished7

01692_02_finished3

01692_03_finished2

01692_04_finished6

Well done, Steve!

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13 thoughts on “[Bass of the Week] Steve Arnett 1401”

  1. A beautiful job, especially for a first build. You really nailed it. I bet it sounds as good as it looks, but sound and look aside, it’s still a priceless instrument because of how it came into existence through your work and patience and the friendship built into it. I’m sure you did more to help inspire your friend’s recovery than a whole team of therapists. You should be proud of it on both counts.

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  2. My old friend Stece, that is a beautiful bass and a great story. Thanks for sharing your life. Your craftsmanship never ceases to amaze me. Your kindness I will always aspire to. sm

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  3. Steve your guitar is beautiful! I am in awe of your gifts and talent though I shouldn’t be. Your work has always been perfection and this is just another example of what you can accomplish!!! jbt

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  4. Steve, incredible job, check out Brubaker Basses …my friend Kevin might want to hire you! The basses are quite similar ..your custom additions absolutely beautiful, This email has taken me 7 tries to get correct and six yrs.to get this far…so tell your friend my strength and prayers are coming his way..altho I’m only a certified tech I certainly appreciate beautiful work!

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