The owner of this bass, Charles Lambiase, describes the build as being made by “A humble 83 year old Master Luthier out of Pastore Music named Ronaldo Orlandoni. The man is an absolute tactician with his hands and genius with his mind. Whether it is a guitar or bass from scratch, an accordion from 1930, other instrumental maintenance, or your everyday repairs. Repping Northern New Jersey, Ronaldo is one of a kind.”
…and further goes on to say:
The bad bird 1 a unique first of its kind. The bass that has many elements of my original Gibson basses since I was 14 years old. It started out with me begging my good friend Ronaldo to build me a bass for so long, and coming up with ideas. Then coming to the drawing board with him was great because he envisioned it the way I saw it as well. I wanted to have all my experience with my basses into one itself, and it ended up being more than I could’ve imagined. The bass has a fret less Indian rosewood fretboard surrounded by walnut binding. Three piece mahogany neck. Dynamic early late 60s Gibson EB3 headstock with vintage style EBO tuning heads. Two piece flamed mango wood giving it that flying bad bird look. A Khaler tremolo for unlimited expression. A single Bartolini styled thunderbird pickup. A traditional concentric volume and tone control for a more spacious piece.
Well done!
Want YOUR bass to be featured for Bass of the Week?
Submit yours now using our easy web form
I know Ronaldo for over 30 years. He’s a master craftsman and a kind, humble person.
Many years ago (the 70s) , I saw a Gibson EB-3 with the neck broken in splintered pieces in his shop. It looked like a tree that was hit with lightning, to give you an idea of the damage.
I went back a few weeks later and that bass was hanging in his shop, showroom perfect condition. My jaw dropped.
Ronoldo is a national treasure. At 83 , he still runs up and down the stairs at Pastore Music like a 30 year old. Listen to Julio of Spyra Gyra, a good friend and Hoboken NJ resident, he’s been using a Ronoldo custom for years.
fretless with a whammy bar?
since there are no fretlines I guess intonation is sort optional anyway?
I will pay money to see/hear this abomination gigged with the tremolo in action.
Just because you need training wheels with a fretless bass not everyone does, i hate them myself, cheatlines on fretless basses are relatively new anyway.
right on Bob… I detest lines on a fretless board… the Kahler isn’t really my bag though, I’m a bender…
Jazz I’ve seen this guy Play That Bass he is far far above average player he does both Hill Bend the strings he’ll hit harmonics and he’ll use the term when changing the pitch of the harmonics very very cool player if you saw him I think you would like him
Me too! He is brilliant!
Would love to see and hear a video of this beautiful piece of craftsmanship!!
Very nice, always loved Pastore Brothers. like the Kahler and fretlss, cool….
Yes sound sample pkz
I know Pastore music store and Ronaldo Orlandoni since I was fifteen years old, Ronaldo was fixing my basses, this man is so humble that never tried to push his products, until one day I realize that he used to build his own instruments, that’s when I asked that I want to buy a bass from him and that’s how all started in 1978 I got my first P J Ronaldo Custom, since then I only use his instruments I own five Ronaldo Custom Basses, maybe if I get Lucky some pictures will be chosen for Best Bass Gear.
A true beauty. Done by a master! My brother in law, Doug Salomone, is his apprentice and now partner. Their catalog is outstanding.
Congratulations Doug , With you’re perseverance , determination and drive I always knew you would go far . T .
Wonderful, but (there is always one):
Banjo style tuners do not work good on guitars. I got an Epiphone Firebird with Kluson tuners, they didn’t work well. I tried Steinberger gearless tuner, I found them difficult. With bass strings it could be even more difficult.
No need to say anything about a trem on a fretless bass, everybody knows that this isn’t needed, from a musical perspective. And I don’t like the headstock shape. But maybe I’m too much fan of the firebird shape.