Updates from Bass Players around the world…

This week, I sent around a note asking the Bass Community to share what they’ve been working on during this unprecedented time of social isolation. It’s been really encouraging to see your responses, and I thought I’d share them on this blog so you can encourage (and be encouraged) one another:

From Ed Garnero @ Garnero Guitars:

Hey guys,I really appreciate the personal note you sent all of us. I feel for you. So many friends, family are similarly affected (business owners). It is all so surreal, and sad. I really worry about all the performing arts people, and those that serve them, like you.  But staying positive, I send a pic of four 5 string basses I’m building.  They look weird because you’re seeing the insides — a resonance chamber system I’m working on (the lengths of the channels are tuned). It all gets covered with tops, backs, fretboard, so you don’t see any of it when it is complete. tops in pic are oregon myrtle, curly maple, and flamed redwood!  As you might imagine, these are very light.  The last batch I made (two of them), came in just over 5 pounds each w/out hardware (so I expect them to come in just over 7 lbs for 34″ scale 5 strings).  I also include a picture of one of them.  Mediterranean olive wood, from the area I live (phoenix), rosewood finger board, and sissoo (local, another breed of rosewood) for sides, internal ‘ribs’. 
so, I hope you enjoy the pics.  But more relevant, I hope you enjoy the fact that bestbassgear provided everything for these things.  Not sure when my recent order of bridge and truss rods will come, but I patiently wait and appreciate all you guys provide.
please take care and stay healthy,

Best, Ed

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From Robbie Craig –

My First bass now very much a Franken bass is now by my side in my living room office. Making the most of working from home practicing and learning new stuff as well as thinking about its next mod 🤦‍♂️

From Mark Jensen –

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From Cristi sandu

From Simon Wood –

Doing some documentary scoring while my 1982 Olivo (sporting new pups and pre from you-know-who) and his slightly younger American buddy try to catch my attention.
Stay safe and wash your hands!Simon

From Bubba Scherer –

Thank you so much! We are thankfully able to do some work! Will place an order soon

From Prince Ricker –

Hang tough! We will be here for you guys. Downtime is giving me time to nurse a wrist problem-from shingles, if you can believe that-and get some practice in as can be done without aggravation. Stay safe and best wishes to all. Prince

From David Clark –

I teach at a small state college. We just finished spring break, and we have this week to adapt all of our classroom courses to online format. It’s a crazy time for us all, but we saw it coming. I used the break to finish up two projects that were taking way too much time, for I knew I wouldn’t have any spare time in the next few weeks. And I finished both basses just as the break ended: a matching set of J and P basses, one with chrome hardware and the other with black hardware. Aren’t they gorgeous? I know the Nordstrand NP4a pups came from you guys, and I’m sure other parts did, as well. 
Thanks for all you do. It’s nice to know you are always a click away. Stay well.
Dave

From Michael Tilka –

Que  Dios  los guarde   y  bendiga   hermanos  

be safe – stay well. Joe

From Vic –

All Cooped Up In My Little Man Cave, Saw Your email’ so, just drop a Line, on my, “Jazz Bass”,…   So Here is my : “Vintage 1973, I did a Custom Build On My’  “Fender Jazz Bass”,… “I got the, Body and Neck Plate, on Line, T/B.com…    The Serial Number Decoder, says “Serial Number ‘X, Production Year 1973″ I have Replaced and Installed, everything,.  First a…….   ” Maxed Out, Made in USA B-Hefner* “Flamed Maple “Ebony” OMG, Super Jazz Bass Neck,… NEW Gotoh GB640 Super Light Weight 4-String Bass Guitar 28 x 1 Reverse Tuning Machine,….     Seymour Duncan Hot Stack Jazz Bass Neck & Bridge Pickups With Increased Output and Fatter Tone,… And a Smooth Modulus* Jazz Bass Control’s, “That Can be Used as, 250K or 500K,….     The Jazz is a “Perfect Player,. has Every Sound’ You Could Ask For, and Plays Like “Butta”,…. This is Not a Franknbass, eh’ .. it is a, “Super Bass”, You would Think it is a, “Active, When you Plug the Jazz in,  So I Got Some Pictures of er, For You,..                      Thanks Vic!!! Enjoy &  I Hope To You To’ Stay Safe’ Best of Luck … 

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From Doc Robinson –

Yo Fellas,
Glad to read you’re all doing well and keeping busy!  Per your email, here are a couple clips of my jazz project Stratify

From Gordon Rose –

Here’s a bass I built using.parts from your site.

From Bryan Anderson –

Hey guys, HANG IN THERE!
I’m hanging in there on this end. My wife can’t go to work (working from home), daughter can’t go to school. We are making it work. Like everyone els, my shows have been cancelled or rescheduled. I’ve been spending my time working on a remix of one of my songs Smitty’s Groove” that I recorded in 2005, from my Slow Your Roll CD. I’ve been laying down percussion for the past few days. 
Stay safe.
Bryan

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From Corey Pietrzak –

White Pearl & Torrified Maple/Rosewood Warmoth Jazz V waiting for some Nordstrands and a Kickass bridge from y’all.  I’m grateful for you!
-Corey

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From Ken Robinson –

Thanks gang. I don’t have anything to share about practice, etc because my left thumb is recovering from  cortisone shot on Monday. But here’s a clip of my latest project from October 2019.
Ken

From Dave Jorgenson –

Eric,I loved the letter. It’s a good time to pull together. Sharing our passion for all things bass is a good thing. I’ll share one and a quick story. I’ve always been a McCartney nut. I have a theory. The music you hear when you’re 9 or 10 goes deep in your soul. That was The Beatles for me. A few years ago I heard Paul was coming to town. I decided I’d build him a gift just as a thank you. Long story short, it was given to him at a meet and greet before his show. A concert assistant brought this letter to me in my seat. Thanks Paul.Quick description:Shape inspired by Ric 330 and 4001 bass. Maple body and neck. Curly cottonwood top. Outrageous wood! Short scale ebony fretboard with inlays for John-glasses, Paul-wing’s logo, George-om, Ringo-star, and Linda-lava lamp. Gold hardware with Hofner pickup. Thanks guys. Courage.Dave J.

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From Scott Yingling –

I am working on keyboard bass lines and reading bass clef. Both new for me.

From Scott Winkler –

It’s a ruse, a damn good one. An invisible enemy. WTF???Anyway, love you guys! Wishing you all the best. Hang tuff coz we need you!

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From Ulysses Balis –

Hi Franke,
Happy to send some pics.  If you remember, you helped me immensely with replacing a module for a Pope preamp that was not working in active mode.  Here are some pics of the bass project in question, in various stages of development and assembly.  It was a custom project for Dave Sharp, a nationally known bassist and composer (for example, he was the prior touring bassist for the Melvins, among other roles).  This bass is unique in several ways, including its absolutely ridiculous / over-the-top level of signal path shielding, and the use of automotive iridescent paint.  I’ll send the photos as several emails, so as to not overload your inbox.
Cheers!
Ul

Hi NaniaMania –

Eric, Franke, Scott, Jim, and the guys, 
Thank you so much for the email. I hope you and your families are well and safe.This has been a very hard time for everyone and your email means a lot. I’m originally from NY and I’ve lost a few friends. Several others are sick and their future is very uncertain. I have a friend in Phoenix and 2 others in Italy who have the virus and aren’t moving in the right direction.I used to write pandemic plans for he American Red Cross and I can assure you that this is very serious and unfortunately will get worse before it gets better. Take the necessary precautions and please be safe.Music and family have been getting a lot of us through.Projects – last night I wanted to see about a capo on the higher register of the bass. It works great! I tried it to do the piano part of Daydreaming by Radiohead. Others than some occasional clams, it works. The bass I used has a Darkglass Tone Capsule that I bought from you guys – love it! Cheers!Be well!