This week’s selection is from David Dupuis. Here’s the story of the build in his own words:
This is my third complete build. As many other builders do, I started out by doing mods on mine and my friends basses and guitars which over about 18 months evolved into doing my first build.
The bass that you are looking at was built in tandem with one that I was building for myself, which is an exact replica of this (style and shape), except for it being a semi-hollow carved top with the addition of a piezo bridge set up. My intent was to see how much more time it would take to build two together versus just one (i.e. cut out 2 bodies at the same time etc.) .
Turns out, the timing is about the same.
As far as my process goes, I build my instruments using traditional power tools for the heavy lifting (table saw, band saw, thickness planer) but from there everything else is done using chisels, rasps, spoke shaves and other less modern tools. Primarily, this is because I am disabled because of a broken back several years ago so I can only work on them for short periods of time and most of the work is done in my recliner or at my kitchen table and needless to say, is slow compared to most…. 🙂 for example this bass took me just over 6 months to complete.
Since undertaking this hobby it has been extremely satisfying and helps me deal with my physical limitations by giving me a sense of doing something with my time and God given abilities.
So on to the specifics….This bass is built with a basswood core, back layer of bubinga and the top consists of a thin layer of black walnut topped with quilted maple.
The neck is multi laminated using flamed maple, black walnut and the center being a resawn piece of zebra wood flipped to create the “V” pattern so technically its 6 layers, and also includes carbon fiber reinforcement rods.
The fretboard is flatsawn Wenge with medium jumbo frets, mother of pearl dot inlays and a double action truss rod adjustable at the headstock end and also includes a real bone nut.
As far as hardware and electronics go, its currently strictly passive with Vol/Blend/Tone control with an Orange drop capacitor and USA pots, however I left plenty of room in the control cavity for the future addition of a pre-amp should whoever buys it want it added.
As you can see it has Aguilar DCB soapbar pups.
The bridge is a Hipshot Transtone which I really like, even compared to their other iconic models.
Tuners are Fender brand 1/2″ clover style open gear.
The neck on this bass is profiled very similar to a modern P-bass as far as nut width and neck thickness goes.
The bass is balanced very well and weighs in at 8.3 lbs so its a charm to play and sounds great.
Overall, I am pleased with how this bass turned out, however there are some minor flaws in the finish which I hope to perfect in future builds as my experience grows.
My goal is to eventually grow my passion into a small business building “personal” basses and guitars “built to order”, one at a time, but first need to sell this one to fund my next project, as you all know, this is an expensive hobby.
Just for fun, I placed one picture of the semi-hollow body that I built simultaneously.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and look at the work that I’ve been blessed to be able to do.
So, what do you think for David’s third build? BTW – If you’re going to comment, whether it be positive or negative, please keep it constructive! We don’t approve of haters. [Comment below]
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Great looking bass! And a 6 month completion time isn’t bad at all.
Well done!
E.
Nice bass David, I admire you for wanting to do something constructive with your time, despite being handicapped. May God continue to strengthen you in your body to prefect your gift as a Luthier.
wow, nice work man. The back of the neck is wild.
Keep building and thanks for sharing.
Lenny Mo
Really nice job. I love the neck lams. I’ve built a couple guitars too and I can’t imagine how you managed from the easy chair. A true inspiration.
This would be my next bass!!! The right features & layout; I love the neck’s size/length – looks just right for me! Mr. DuPuis, you’ve done an excellent job & I’m looking forward to seeing/hearing more of your builds!
I love the neck. Been building for 8 years. The only flaw I see is your access door could fit a little better. It needs to be just as smooth as the balance of the backside. Otherwise you did a great job. If hours equaled dollars I’le bet this would be a $10,000.00 build. I only build 4 string. Mine sell for starting @ $1,200.00 and never weigh more than 8 pounds.
GREAT JOB on your third build
Bass Monkey
Thank you for the compliments and you’re correct, if hours only equaled dollars, lol.
I agree completely with your assessment of the control cavity, for some reason it’s an area that I continue to struggle finding perfection in. I think it’s time I make a set of templates for this work rather that trying to freehand it.
Great work, nothing this fine comes quick or easy – keep building! I really like the head shape. I want one with the same finish quilt top on the head.
There’s actually quilt under the black paint, after multiple tries I couldn’t get a perfect match and got frustrated and painted it. I wasn’t smart enough to put aside my dye mixture from the body….live and learn
I’m on my third build as well. I will be offering up pictures upon its completion. I only hope it turns out as good as yours! Congrats.
Gorgeous! I’m curious about the compound angle at the neck joint. Stylistic or functional?
Thank you! Mostly style driven, unless of course you play that high up on the neck (I rarely do) it does give better access to those frets.
No sound bite? Please just a little peek into the sound!
Those that can do. Do! And you do amazing work. Design, choice of woods, style and attention to detail are Absolutely beautiful. I am beyond impressed. Thank you for sharing.
Wow, that’s gorgeous!
You got me. How do I go about buying it?
If it sounds as good as it looks—!!!
It certainly is beautiful, David, nicely done. You’re so right about building two or three at a time: you can produce identical parts once you’re set up and ready to shape or cut or sand or rout, but it does end up taking about the same amount of time anyway for each instrument. I find it inspiring that you persevere to accomplish something like this despite the physical difficulties you face, bravo.
Plus you can open a beer with the headstock!!! That’s nice.
Where do you live btw?
Grand Blanc, Michigan. It’s just south of Flint
My hats off to you sir, very nice work all around. I’m glad for you to have found this very rewarding passtime and hope it turns out well as you offer them to future clients. best of luck.
Awesome work I am super impressed by your workmanship the bass looks amazing, I totally understand the satisfaction you gain from building I am 4 months into a building a bass and have A disability it’s awesome to be able to do things with your head and hands, I almost go slowly as I want to savor the experience, best of luck with your endeavors, I hope to see more of your fine work in the future h
I like that a lot, I bet Paul Gilbert would too, it is definitely reminiscent of his Fireman guitar but way better looking. You can hear Paul G talk about why he likes the basic design here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6x-hOf8XN8 I am sure that this instrument has most of the same attributes.
You have been blessed with a great talent! And you are using it to the fullest. Great looking bass. Keep up the great work.
Dave, very impressive! The quality of your instruments are excellent! Looking forward to see your next creation.
Dude! That zebra wood on the neck is bad ass! A lot of the same components and wood as on my last build and mine sounds amazing. I bet this thing rips. That little dimple in the wood to lift up the control cavity cover? Genius. I am totally stealing that idea. On the back I see the seam in the bubinga – did you not have a large enough piece?
Inspiring instrument brother, keep up the great work!
Thank you all for your compliments and encouraging words. I’m truly blessed to have been given this honor!
Contact info is available at http://www.dupuisguitars.com with a few other pics. It will be completely functional within the week.
That is a gorgeous instrument and I for one would be proud to own it! I’m an aging disabled vet myself and it makes my day to see guys like you that don’t let anything stop them from doing what they love. Keep up the good work!
Excellent in all aspects – design, wood choices, and choices of hardware and electronics. I particularly like the zebrawood “V”. It is a nice accent for the neck.
First off, an incredibly beautiful bass, and the middle stringer on the neck is gorgeous! The “only” flaw I see, and Gene Stuffel pointed it out, is your control cavity access plate… I dig the recess access point, and what i think would be ideal, would be to use small rare-earth magnets to keep the control plate in place. That way, you wouldn’t need screws at all, to detract from the beauty of your work! Well done David, and when it comes to handicaps, and building basses – I have a handicap – you, my friend, don’t!
Honestly I am usually not impressed with many custom builds, mainly because some folks get a little “otherworldly” with their work. This, however, is simply stunning IMO. Not too extravagant, yet graceful at the same time. Good work sir!
I really like the quilted maple top. remarkable looking instrument. excellent job.
Very nice job on this bass. Good job on the design also, when making something that does not look like a P or J bass, which have been done a million times, its a balancing act to come up with something that looks different but does not look cheesy. You found the sweet spot on that one. I am also a luthier and I just completed my 5th bass build and the only suggestion I would give is to definitely make yourself some templates for the control cavity and the cover so that you get a good fit with a nice even gap all around. Other than that, very nice bass guitar.