[Bass of the Week] Doner Designs Time Machine Bass

Rarely do we get to have this much fun with a Bass of the Week, but this one is an exception. Steve over at Doner Designs just sent this in. They don’t build these to make money, all the proceeds from the sale will go to charity. Read more about it and the use of the proceeds here: https://www.donerdesigns.org/

Here’s the story in his own words:

Each Doner Designs themed guitar is a one‐of‐a‐kind custom creation.   The purpose of these instruments is to raise funds for large national charities. These guitars are fully functional and constructed with premium hardware and electronics sure to please any musician, but are also works of art suitable for display by individuals who don’t play.   A complete set of quality accessories, including a self‐study lesson book, is included so that any buyer could learn to play if they wish. While carefully avoiding direct references to the Back to the Future movie series, the time machine bass features flashing lights, a selectable destination year display, a device resembling a flux capacitor and a complex array of electronic components sure to please fans of the time travel entertainment genre in all its forms. For still‐ photography, the chasing lights effect can be changed to an always‐on photo‐mode with the flick of a switch. The time circuits utilize a 7.2 volt rechargeable NiMH RC battery pack which is fully isolated from the audio electronics. The included owner’s manual includes detailed instructions for operation of both the time travel and audio circuitry. The time machine bass guitar features a Warmoth Iceman bass body made of alder wood and a Warmoth maple neck with ebony fretboard.  A Nordstrand Power Blade P bass pickup delivers exceptional classic tone to an Audere two‐band preamp which offers a transparent uncolored signal when the knobs are at noon plus onboard bass & treble boost/cut capability.  Many consider the Nordstrand/Audere electronics combination to be the best available electronics configuration for electric bass guitar. The patented Babicz Full Contact Hardware (FCH) bridge is one of the finest on the market today.  The tuning machines are Hipshot Ultralights which are widely regarded as the best. The silver, black and bronze finish is nitrocellulose lacquer provided by The Guitar ReRanch, which has the best available selection of specialized guitar finishing supplies. Last but not least, the custom cavity covers, switch plate and 1.21 gigawatt warning were provided by Axetreme Creations Custom Shop.

Estimated Value Valuation of such a unique item is not an exact science.  The retail value of the parts, materials and accessories, excluding Doner Designs labor, is approximately $2,000.  We believe that a fair selling price at a charity event could be $15,000, or more, when considering the labor, intangible artistic value and the fact that the proceeds are to benefit a worthy cause.  The estimated 250 to 300 hours of labor invested in this one‐of a kind custom creation make this a truly priceless work.

Features & Specifications:

• Custom design, construction, finish and setup by Doner Designs in suburban Chicago
• Warmoth 20 fret maple neck with ebony fingerboard
• Warmoth alder Iceman bass body
• Nordstrand Power Blade ceramic magnet P bass pickup
• Audere two‐band preamp with passive tone when set flat and boost/cut controls for bass and treble
• Babicz Full Contact Hardware bridge
• Hipshot tuning machines
• ReRanch Guitar Products nitrocellulose lacquer finish
• Axetreme Creations custom clear cavity covers, switch plate and high power warning sign
• LazrArt custom neck plate
• Ernie Ball Cobalt flatwound strings
• External 9 volt battery box for easy replacement of preamp battery
• Key operated switch for activation of audio electronics
• Covered military style switch for activation of time machine electronics
• Rechargeable NiMH battery for operation of time machine electronics (2 hour charger included)
• Four digit destination year display selectable from the year 0000 to 9999 AD. Each digit individually selectable.
• LED lights in a device resembling a flux capacitor. Lights can be switched between the normal chasing effect or to an always‐on state for still photography
• LED lit vacuum tube in rear cavity
• High power warning sign

Accessories Included

• Electro‐ Harmonix brand headphone amplifier from Guitar Center, Villa Park, Illinois
• Studio headphones
• Deluxe padded gig bag
• Leather strap
• Clip‐on tuner
• Custom instrument cable
• Bass method book
• Compact guitar stand
• Wall hanger
• Two hour charger for 7.2 volt NiMH RC battery

Safety Warnings:

• Never leave the guitar unattended when charging the NiMH battery
• Always disconnect NiMH battery when the guitar is not in use
• Disconnect NiMH battery from charger and from guitar if the battery becomes hot to the touch
• Please read all operating instructions included in owner’s manual

Best of luck with the Auction guys!

Want YOUR bass to be featured for Bass of the Week?
Submit yours now using our easy web form

What do think of the design? Put it in the comments below…