[Bass of the Week] Hilton 6 string fretless

When a luthier doesn’t reveal his secrets, sometimes amazing things happen.

Owner Richard Nunez writes:

Earlier this year I contacted Pete Hilton about a new build that would be his idea of a perfect bass. I wanted a 6 string fretless, but told him I would not give any input because I wanted him to build the bass he wanted for himself. I gave him free control over the budget but I told him I wanted it to be elegant, and fancy over all so don’t worry bout the cash. The man read my mind somehow and built my dream bass…….

I have purchased 7 Hilton bass guitars and every one of them is unique, but all of them play just as easy/same as the other Hiltons if that makes any sense. There is a consistency I’ve found in no other builder that is refreshing. Just giving a little backstory since I sound like a mad man just saying “charge whatever you want”. Pete is a very honest and ethical man.

Pete had been very secretive about the bass and gave me no real hints. The day finally came he told me my bass was on its way! When I received the bass I opened it right there at the FedEx office. The bass was honestly the bass I would’ve daydreamed about. I rushed home to plug it in and it just sings. It has a voice that is like angels singing……… while battling demons from hell hahahahaha  The neck profile is flat,  wide and feels closer to 34″ than 36″.

The bass body is made of:
Snakewood
Ebony
Walnut
Paduak
And mahogany

The neck is:
Mahogany
Paduak
Walnut
Ebony

Fingerboard:
Snakewood

Scale is :
36″

Bridge and Nut are custom made by Pete himself out of aluminum and brass.

Pickups:
2 Kent Armstrong custom hand wound soap bars

Active Preamp:
Aguilar OBP-3

Strings:
GHS custom set

Well done!

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