See Nicholas’s business listing here
Once again, this bass was sent to our featureme@bestbassgear.com inbox with a story and photos, but no title for the bass, so for this one I call it “Scrap Exotica” and you’ll understand why in a moment.
Nicholas writes:
The aim here was to challenge the idea of using rare, endangered and exotic pieces of wood for electric instruments by making an bass out of scrap wood. My motivation was from the disparity between the technological development we had since the 50’s with computers and electronics in general and the almost [nonexistent] development in terms of technology for electric instruments, which still relies on the use of “special” woods and low tech electronic circuits and all the problems we are facing with the deforestation and exploration of endangered species of wood.
For this bass, the only “proper” part I used was the Brazilian rosewood fretboard, the rest are scraps of many woods collected from wood workshops I worked in Helsinki – Finland. For the electronics, I used a Bartolini 5.4 pre-amp with some old Ibanez humbuckers I had.
This basically goes to prove you can make a bass out of darned near any wood – even scrap wood – if you put your mind to it.
The look of this bass may not agree with all as it has a sort of “inside of a chocolate bar” look to it, but hey, it totally qualifies as an exotic.
I would have liked to have more information on how the bass was constructed. I think it looks phenomenal!!!
First off, good work Nicholas! And thanks to BestBassGear.com for providing this forum. It’s mostly not worthy of comment, but the 1st comment poster appears to be a very small-minded and jealous person. Regardless of anyones personal opinion, Nicholas is a doer- someone who is creating and participating in the dialogue that is all things bass – and he was successful doing so. As the axiom goes, if you can’t find something good/positive to say about something – don’t soil the thread w/such petty bs. And further Nicholas, I apologize as this was most certainly posted by an american. Such people are the loud few.
“American” is ALWAYS capitalized. If you could please refrain from any further misuse of the term, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
An American.
Whatever. There’s a helluva difference between using leftover pieces of exotic wood from other builds, and using real “scrap” wood from out of a wood pile somewhere. Bully for him, he used his leftovers — but he didn’t save any trees. If he really wanted to save trees, he’d build his instruments out of plastic. Or quit making them all together and go join a commune.
I would have liked to have learned more about the construction details. I think the bass looks phenomenal!!!
Personally i love it..
Very cool, but it does remind me of an Ibanez BTB
Nicely done dude! Never like to see wood wasted–it’s too precious!
This bass looks fantastic! Well done!
I agree. I use mainly native woods for my electric instruments that a harvested right here in Illinois and Iowa, USA. There is a wide selection of species and grain patterns readily available and quite reasonably priced compared to what is available from the “Luthier Suppliers”.
I think you should flip it over and use it for
a cutting board
What does it sound like? Is there a sound clip?
Beautiful!!!! Reminds me of a lamp I made in high school shop class (in a good way). It takes the concept of a striped neck and extends to the body. Awesome!!!
Steve Doner
That’s a thing of beauty!!!
It must be one of the most beautiful basses I have ever seen !!! i’m curious on how it sounds…
I like it a lot would prefer to have a 7 string built some day . any suggestion on a bass builder?
Hello! Thanks everyone for the comments! I really appreciate! For those who wanted to see more about the building process I will publish it as soon as I have some time, in the blog http://www.viraroque.blogspot.com