This week’s bass is a custom build by Rick over at Moonshine Guitars. He submitted this one of kind piece and here is what he had to say about it:
This was the second bass that I built for this client, the first was a replica of Micheal Anthony’s Jack Daniels bass. It came out so well he asked if I could build a bass replica of Eddie Van Halen’s Frankenstrat guitar.
I have painted a EVH replica before, but this time I spent a lot (too much) of time researching Eddie’s original guitar, in the process I learned a lot of small details about the instrument.
Both the P bass body and neck came from GFS. The body is made of paulownina, a lightweight wood. Since I was installing a tremolo I decided to inlay an insert made of oak to support the studs for the tremolo. I also filled the P pickup route and then did a “rough route to resemble a stratocaster pickup route. It was odd to purposely make things look crude but I got into it after awhile.
I decided to use an imported tremolo that I bought off of eBay, it was cheap but surprisingly well made.
After that it was all about the paint job; I made it a point to use electrical tape as well as automotive pinstripe tape just like what EVH used on the original. I tried to get as close as possible to replicating the original but I still took a bit of “artistic license” being this is a P bass not a Strat (and who’s going to really know. Lol).
One thing I didn’t want to change was all of the little details that were on the original guitar; this was the fun part, the paint job was only the beginning… There were a ton of details to add, not the least being the 1971 Quarter once used to help the original Floyd Rose tremolo return to the proper location.
GFS paulownina body and maple/maple neck, import double J style pickup (The neck pickup and switch in the middle position are dummy) wired straight to volume pot, import bass tremolo (works surprisingly well), tuners and other assorted hardware, custom built brass locking nut, eye bolts (screws) for strap buttons and last but not least red and yellow reflectors installed on the rear of the body.
For an “Art Bass” it plays amazingly well. The sound is very aggressive.
So, what do you think of Rick’s 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]
I’m impressed. I could totally see myself building something fun like this, but only once, hahaha. I love the Quarter detail too. I’m sure that humbucker breaks window caulking.
So as a luthier myself. I know how difficult it is to make things less than perfect. I’ve spent a lifetime trying to have no flaws show. This is a fabulous artistic re-creation of the EVH look. You said it sounded aggressive would you guess the pickup placement or the choice of body woods has more to do with that ? Just wondering
Thanks, Nelson joyce
Swan Song Guitars
Rimrock Arizona
Very Impressive. Very nice re-imagining of EVH’s monster. I’ve been flirting with the idea of doing some work on one or two of my guitars. Something like this will be down the road and around the bend before I attempt it.
I really dig it. It makes me think of the rat rods and bikes that are still popular.
Just one question… Why did you start with a paulownia body if you knew you were were going to put a whammy bar on it? You added an oak insert I’m guessing because you didn’t trust the paulownia to be able to withstand the stress a tremolo would put on the body.
FRAUD ALERT!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM7hZ_mG2kM
Always wanted to design and build a Danelectro inspired guitar. My name is Doug Tulloch, guitar fanatic since the late 1970’s. Been in the business since then also. I began collecting Danelectro instruments/amps in the 1980’s, and ultimately authored “Neptune Bound, The Ultimate Danelectro Guitar Guide”. I also co-wrote the 1st book ever written on the subject, “Guitars From Neptune”.
A few years ago I acquired the Coral™ trademark with the intentions of resurrecting the brand. An opportunity I’d never dreamed I’d have. I contracted Rick Wilson of Moonshine Custom Guitars in White Bluff Tn. to build a prototype Coral™ guitar that was to be based on one of Vincent Bell’s personal guitars that was in my possession. As I understood he worked at Gibson and Gruhn Guitars repairing instruments, and later opened his own repair shop. I paid him in full for the prototype build, in advance, as well as supplying pickups and other essential/special components for the instrument. It was to take 90 days but instead took 1 1/2 years. When finally delivered it had some incorrect specs., and the fit/finish was a bit rough, but I figured after all it was a “prototype”, and aside from me having to pay a local luthier $180.00 to level/dress the frets to get it playing perfectly, I took everything into consideration and accepted it as delivered. When I brought these issues to his attention before continuing {such as, he changed the inlay design, added neck binding, & a fancy fretboard end without consulting me} and {the fit/finish was off}, and the obvious delays {he used Covid as an excuse through much of that year}, I quickly received his assurances the two batches of six production models each that followed would be “perfect” and on time. I also afforded him an additional 2 weeks to “clear out his backlog of work” so this project would experience no delays. I took him at his word and sent him a 25% deposit on the first 6 guitars. He assured me they would be completed in 90 days once he began.
Seven months later this is what Rick Wilson @ #moonshinecustomguitars sent to me as completed production models. He described them to me one week before shipping as Quote: “Boutique instruments that will be purchased by collectors and they will pay big money for them.” This is a guy who has been custom making instruments for 35 years!
After working with him for nearly 2 1/2 years, accepting his repeated apologies and excuses regarding delays and updates, I told him respectfully the guitars were unacceptable and explained why, supplying the photos you see below, and his response was to break our contract and quit the project IMMEDIATELY. He then went on Facebook and threw a pity party for himself telling everyone he was “in a dark place” and “was questioning whether he was a “fraud” talking about mental health issues without revealing ANY details. His reply ending our association because I brought up these HORRID guitars he sent was “Doug, I am done. I should have never agreed to do this project at the price I did and that is my fault. The amount of money I have lost working on these has come close to bankrupting my company.” He later said I WAS responsible for his business going bankrupt.
Oh, did I mention a few days before shipping the guitars he called me with a “proposition”. Seems he was in dire finacial straights and needed ca$h badly. He then asked me to advance him $3,000.00. When I told him I cannot pay for something that has not yet been built/delivered, and didn’t want to wait two more years he got very upset claiming I insulted him. Now, he’s holding $4,300.00 worth of my stuff that was shipped to him to build these 12 guitars {cases, wood, parts, paint, etc.} telling me that he’s broke, going bankrupt, and currently cannot afford to ship my property back to me, but he will “when he is able”. Quote: “At this time I am broke and overdrawn at the bank (not that is your problem) so I cannot afford to ship these items at this time but I will do so as soon as I am able.”
I immediately offered to pay the shipping, and his story changed once again. Quote: “As I mentioned yesterday, I am in a financial crisis. my priority is getting some money in to take care of my family. AS you made very clear to me, my financial situation is not your problem. Likewise for me. I will get to it when I can.” That was his answer.
He illegally breaks our contract 2 1/2 years into this project because he made an error in the quote and has personal $ problems. Then, to make matters worse, agrees to, then changes his mind now refusing to return the $4,300.00 of my property. I have tried to be classy throughout, despite his foolish behavior. His next move was to block me on Facebook. I really tried to work with him to get my stuff back without going public/legal but he forced it on himself sorry to say.
Turns out he’s not only a spiteful, vindictive fraud of a guitar builder with zero integrity, but also a thief.
interesting and creative
That’s one sick bass. Great freakin’ job!
Nice work !!! I would love to hear what it sounds like…
This bass made my day!
Inspired work! You really went all in, and it shows. I agree, I want to hear what it sounds like too! This is the coolest thing I’ve seen in a while.
I would love to play it on a gig Great job
The only thing left in life is to hear this thing dive bomb!
That’s one piece of awesomeness. Definitely a show stopper hearing that thing in action!
I’m impressed. I could totally see myself building something fun like this, but only once, hahaha. I love the Quarter detail too. I’m sure that humbucker breaks window caulking.
This is amazing! Nicely done
Fantastic build! Very impressed with all the trouble you went to getting the details. Nice Work!
Fantastic!
So as a luthier myself. I know how difficult it is to make things less than perfect. I’ve spent a lifetime trying to have no flaws show. This is a fabulous artistic re-creation of the EVH look. You said it sounded aggressive would you guess the pickup placement or the choice of body woods has more to do with that ? Just wondering
Thanks, Nelson joyce
Swan Song Guitars
Rimrock Arizona
Hi Nelson,
I believe it has more to do with the pickup placement, also the double Jazz pickup wired in series is very powerful with a lot of mid/highs.
Thank you,
Rick Wilson
Moonshine Custom Guitars
Thanks all for the compliments!
The Killer Photos are by William Ritter.
Rick Wilson
Moonshine Custom Guitars
Nice job Rick!
Would love to hear it!
A rock and roll machine….
YOU NEVER KNOW…..LOOKS LIKE MY NEPHEWS NEIGHBORS AXE
Very Impressive. Very nice re-imagining of EVH’s monster. I’ve been flirting with the idea of doing some work on one or two of my guitars. Something like this will be down the road and around the bend before I attempt it.
I really dig it. It makes me think of the rat rods and bikes that are still popular.
Just one question… Why did you start with a paulownia body if you knew you were were going to put a whammy bar on it? You added an oak insert I’m guessing because you didn’t trust the paulownia to be able to withstand the stress a tremolo would put on the body.
How much, would something like this cost, if you don’t mind me asking.
FRAUD ALERT!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM7hZ_mG2kM
Always wanted to design and build a Danelectro inspired guitar. My name is Doug Tulloch, guitar fanatic since the late 1970’s. Been in the business since then also. I began collecting Danelectro instruments/amps in the 1980’s, and ultimately authored “Neptune Bound, The Ultimate Danelectro Guitar Guide”. I also co-wrote the 1st book ever written on the subject, “Guitars From Neptune”.
A few years ago I acquired the Coral™ trademark with the intentions of resurrecting the brand. An opportunity I’d never dreamed I’d have. I contracted Rick Wilson of Moonshine Custom Guitars in White Bluff Tn. to build a prototype Coral™ guitar that was to be based on one of Vincent Bell’s personal guitars that was in my possession. As I understood he worked at Gibson and Gruhn Guitars repairing instruments, and later opened his own repair shop. I paid him in full for the prototype build, in advance, as well as supplying pickups and other essential/special components for the instrument. It was to take 90 days but instead took 1 1/2 years. When finally delivered it had some incorrect specs., and the fit/finish was a bit rough, but I figured after all it was a “prototype”, and aside from me having to pay a local luthier $180.00 to level/dress the frets to get it playing perfectly, I took everything into consideration and accepted it as delivered. When I brought these issues to his attention before continuing {such as, he changed the inlay design, added neck binding, & a fancy fretboard end without consulting me} and {the fit/finish was off}, and the obvious delays {he used Covid as an excuse through much of that year}, I quickly received his assurances the two batches of six production models each that followed would be “perfect” and on time. I also afforded him an additional 2 weeks to “clear out his backlog of work” so this project would experience no delays. I took him at his word and sent him a 25% deposit on the first 6 guitars. He assured me they would be completed in 90 days once he began.
Seven months later this is what Rick Wilson @ #moonshinecustomguitars sent to me as completed production models. He described them to me one week before shipping as Quote: “Boutique instruments that will be purchased by collectors and they will pay big money for them.” This is a guy who has been custom making instruments for 35 years!
After working with him for nearly 2 1/2 years, accepting his repeated apologies and excuses regarding delays and updates, I told him respectfully the guitars were unacceptable and explained why, supplying the photos you see below, and his response was to break our contract and quit the project IMMEDIATELY. He then went on Facebook and threw a pity party for himself telling everyone he was “in a dark place” and “was questioning whether he was a “fraud” talking about mental health issues without revealing ANY details. His reply ending our association because I brought up these HORRID guitars he sent was “Doug, I am done. I should have never agreed to do this project at the price I did and that is my fault. The amount of money I have lost working on these has come close to bankrupting my company.” He later said I WAS responsible for his business going bankrupt.
Oh, did I mention a few days before shipping the guitars he called me with a “proposition”. Seems he was in dire finacial straights and needed ca$h badly. He then asked me to advance him $3,000.00. When I told him I cannot pay for something that has not yet been built/delivered, and didn’t want to wait two more years he got very upset claiming I insulted him. Now, he’s holding $4,300.00 worth of my stuff that was shipped to him to build these 12 guitars {cases, wood, parts, paint, etc.} telling me that he’s broke, going bankrupt, and currently cannot afford to ship my property back to me, but he will “when he is able”. Quote: “At this time I am broke and overdrawn at the bank (not that is your problem) so I cannot afford to ship these items at this time but I will do so as soon as I am able.”
I immediately offered to pay the shipping, and his story changed once again. Quote: “As I mentioned yesterday, I am in a financial crisis. my priority is getting some money in to take care of my family. AS you made very clear to me, my financial situation is not your problem. Likewise for me. I will get to it when I can.” That was his answer.
He illegally breaks our contract 2 1/2 years into this project because he made an error in the quote and has personal $ problems. Then, to make matters worse, agrees to, then changes his mind now refusing to return the $4,300.00 of my property. I have tried to be classy throughout, despite his foolish behavior. His next move was to block me on Facebook. I really tried to work with him to get my stuff back without going public/legal but he forced it on himself sorry to say.
Turns out he’s not only a spiteful, vindictive fraud of a guitar builder with zero integrity, but also a thief.