[Bass of the Week] Michael Barton Art Obscura (Stanley the Bass)

This week’s selection is from Michael. He built this bass quite literally from scratch. He says:

Stanley the Bass is is made from over 305 pieces of wood (frankly I lost count at 305 and there are so many small pieces that it’s difficult to give an exact figure) that are left over from over 10 other builds.  The goal was to create a unique instrument from scraps that would bring a smile to people’s faces.  He was built to travel from person to person in a similar fashion to the Flat Stanley project that is loved by school children all over the globe.  Stanley has an Instagram page that is in its infancy.  He travels with a journal for people to sign as well.  Among these woods are cherry, oak, walnut, mesquite from a log in west Texas, a log from an oak tree found in a river in Lithuania, a cedar tree from my neighbor’s yard, swamp ash, purpleheart, maple, and so on.  The neck is a laminated maple with a figured maple fingerboard.  The pickups are a single EMG soapbar with a push/pull knob for splitting the coils.  There is a single tone knob keeping the electronics simple, with a bit of history and tradition. The body shape is designed for balance, compositional interest, form and also a respect for the tradition of bass building without getting too outside the lines.  Just outside enough.  The active electronics are wired for 18 volts to give more headroom.  The simple electronics limit to the versatility of Stanley to a degree, but his voice is clear and direct.  In short, Stanley is what Stanley is and does what Stanley does.  There are many great basses in the world, but there is only one Stanley.  There are more basses at michaelbartonmusic.com

Well done!

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