This week’s bass of the week was built for John Mackenzie by builder Frank Usher, who is located in the Scottish Borders, also lead guitarist for Fish, Marrilion, Border Boogie Band, and many others.
John writes:
Being a mainly fretless 4 string player (Fender Precision ), I wanted to expand to five strings and have some frets for a change. I chose the woods from Frank’s stock, but left him total free rein to create the instrument. Spalted Beech body, Maple neck with ebony scarfs and neck joints. Ebony fingerboard, Kent Armstrong soapbar multi-tap pickup. Boron Machine heads.Custom made controls. Another true wonder of this man’s creations. Passive electronics.
A fine example of how cool spalted can look. Very well done!
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What a sweet looking bass love the idea of spalted beech very creative
Nice looking base. Great Rig. I use the same MKIV head, modified to have two independent channels, and bi-amped (at 350Hz) to a 60W Roland with a 10″-er. The MKIV is hooked up to an 18″ and a 15″ Cab. Main axe? Rickenbacker 4003SPC Blackstar, number 147 out of a limited run of ~200.
Hi. I Bi-amp mine with a Fender Pro Reverb. I just feed ” low out” into poweramp in and take “high out ” to the Fender. I love this amp for its EQ and variations of input gain
That Peavey bass head used to be a killer.
The Bass head still is the best I have used. The 1810 Trace Cab is also amazing especially with a 5 string machine like this.
The wood is quite attractive. The shape of the body is adequate however the treble side ‘horn’ would be better if it were less hooked in. The headstock would be nicer if it were also spalted and perhaps less truncated looking. As it is it seems domewhat like it was grafted on. I prefer necks without distracting inlays.
Its all a matter of true balance when playing this guitar, the contours are only there to achieve perfection in this dimension, as you well know.
WOW!
I love Frank Usher’s playing (esp. with Fish). Nice to see another side of his artistry. Beautiful!
Superb. What a beautiful instrument.
I think it is beautiful. I love the lines of the spalted wood. Nice work Frank!
If I could get a rick type neck & electronics that bass would be perfect Very good looking
I am sure Frank could make you a Riccy neck and fit your choice of pickups. That is what he does for people. x