This week’s BotW comes from across the pond in the UK, where John Writes:
Finally got round to taking a few pictures of my custom build bass. It was built for me by a friend a few years back now. We came up with the design together and at the time I was more sure about what I didn’t want than any fixed must haves. I didn’t have and couldn’t afford a 5 string at the time and my friend offered to build one for me at cost if I was prepared to wait! He had built 4 or 5 custom six string guitars but never a bass. My guitar was to be his ‘guinea pig’ and I have to say it was well worth the years wait! He used a few exotic woods, the names of which I now forget, but it has a mahogany fretboard and I remember bubinga being mentioned! It is an unconventional scale length (approx 36″ from the tailpiece to the nut, and the nut to the 1st fret is just under 2″). This requires a bigger left hand stretch in the lower register, but the pay off is a stable rich sounding bottom end. The hardware is standard EMG with active circuitry. There is a volume pot for each pickup, a balance pot that sweeps between them and a split bass and treble pot – nice and simple for me, having come from a 72 Fender precision.
My friend (Gary Tyrie) is a craftsman and very modest (I had to persuade him to make a name plate for the headstock)! Hope you like it.
Well done, John! Thanks for sending!
If you would like your bass, amp or gear setup to be submitted for feature of the week, send an email with photos and a short story to featureme@bestbassgear.com.
Wow! Beautifully done, and I love the woods that were used. Mr. Tyrie should feel proud of his work—especially since this was his first bass!
Nice job.
I like those off-center fret markers a lot, too.
-Jay
WOW! nice bass i like all your choices especially the wood.
Glad you like it. Many thanks.
Beautiful wood and design. Interesting placement for the neck pickup. Seems to be further back, like a P Bass pickup. Do you like the result? Congrats !!
Thanks for the comments. Yes I am very pleased with the results. The pickup placement still gives a very warm and ‘woody’ tone.
Very nice bass John – your friend Gary does quality builds from what it looks like. Owning a custom-made instrument is very special – enjoy playing it!
It’s all about love pay attention to your balance. keep your lbs down. stunning wood work.
cheers tim s
this is a beautiful bass. one day I hope to build my own custom bass.
wonderful finish but I dont like shiney instruments. Would love to hear a sound bite. Thanks for showing us!
Can you build one for me?
wood fantastic, but at the back it looks ugly, seems a fantastic sounding bass though, oops
That is one beautiful Bass Guitar…