This week’s build is a custom piece that is described as having a “Jazz Bass” sound and built by Wallace Culver with his decades of experience in the instrument manufacturing industry. He shared a bit about his build with us here:
This bass took about 50 hours to build. In real time it took about a year. I am a guitar builder living in Buenos Aires Argentina. I am 54 years old, and worked in the US almost 20yrs in the musical instrument manufacturing sector for Tobias of Burbank, Broadmoore automatic instruments, and I worked at Taylor guitars for 12 years.
I used jigs for the pickup cavities, and everything else is freehand. I decided to go this rout to avoid having to make jigs every time i wanted to modify a design… So even though I roughly follow a design , every instruments comes out a little different.
The bass in question has the body made of cypress from the south of Argentina, and grapia (hardwood similar to maple) from the north of the country. The ebony I buy from Taylor.
Unlike the US, there is no wood processing industry for instrument makers. I have an oven, and in most cases, start with a trunk.
The tuners are hipshot, the pickups are Fralin. The pickguard is made of copper sheet.The bridge is a composite of stainless steel and laminate of wood. I take a lot of care with the bridge so that the sound is balanced and esthetically pleasing. My target is the “jazz bass” sound.
Finish is a combination of shellac and nitro.
Really nice growl. I’m impressed.
Outstanding!
Beautiful bass, Wallace! Sounds great. A really unique shape for the body and peghead. Well done, sir!
Sweet bass!
Very nicely crafted! I really like the sculpting on the back of the body and the fact that you do your own bridge design. I also like that you are using wood that is indigenous to your country. Sounds good!
First thought I had when I saw it was “Yes”. I could imagine Squire rocking that thing.
I would like to see closer detail shots of that bridge, if you have any?
Looks and sounds great, to me! Good work, Wallace!
Awesome custom build! That would make a sweet fretless too!
Really great sound.But I didn’t like the headstock design.Overall it’s a really inovattive design.Congrats!
sounds really good
Awesome build! Very unique, and the Fralin’s are always the right choice. Enjoy.
WOW ! A very creative design and build. Nicely done!
sweet, respect
This bass has an attitude in its voice, ready to cut through the mix.
Love it!@ Very unique design. Sounds great!
A resonance rarely attained in a bass guitar.
Beautiful bass, I love it, seems really easy to play. Is it for sale?
I love the flutes and ridges on the end. This was obviously a labor of Love.
Sounds great and looks cool too!! Well done.
Gorgeous. In terms of materials and carving, reminiscent aesthetically of Jack Casady’s Alembic #1, hand-carved by Rick Turner.
Very cool looking and great sounding bass! Excellent job. Equally impressive bass playing.
Sounds fantastic and looks great. Work of art!
I’d buy the bass just on the sound alone, let alone the beautiful build!!
Neat design and really nice sound. Well done.