See the business listing for this bass builder here
The feature bass this week comes from a builder who specializes in nothing but uprights.
Builder Bill Kretzer from Bayou Basses writes:
I have been a bass player for over 45 years and have always worked on my own instruments, and those of my friends. When I retired I decided to try and build my own, but wanted to make it different than anything else out there.
All the basses I have built are 34″ scale solid body electric uprights, and each one is a one of a kind. I have found the upright position to be extremely comfortable, and very easy to get used to. This bass is #011, “Swallowtail” and is the first 5 string in the collection. It was commissioned by a gentleman in Biloxi, MS who is the bassist for a church which had purchased one of my instruments last year.
The bass has a 3 piece body made of sapele, an African hardwood similar to mahogany. It is finished with a transparent red dye and 15 coats of clear lacquer. It features a Musicman style humbucking pickup, and the controls are mounted out of sight on the back of the body for ease of adjustment while playing. It sits on a sturdy heavy duty stand which is adjustable for height and tilt. The 5 string neck is made by Carvin and is made of maple with an ebony fingerboard. The bass is fitted with Rotosound black nylon wrapped strings.
I take these to various jams and the response to them has always been gratifying. All of my basses are not only great sounding and playing instruments, but are also works of art. I do have several other basses in stock that are available for sale, and always welcome inquiries for custom builds.
Video of the bass being played (please excuse the audio quality as this was recorded at a service – we were happy to get any video of this instrument being played)
Well done, Bill!
Want YOUR bass to be featured for Bass of the Week?
Submit yours now using our easy web form
That is marvelous. Super cool idea, and so beautifully executed. I’ll be it sounds phenomenal with the MM pickup and all that sapele. Where did you find that tilting piece for the stand? (I’m guessing it’s a speaker stand base). Great work.
The stand is a conductor’s music stand that I modify to mount to the bass. Thanks for your comments and yes it sounds as good as it looks.
Nice bass, intolerable song
why a flat fingerboard on an upright?
I’m curious, in as much as they’re upright, why you don’t make a curved bridge so they can be bowed as well?