Randy Fullmer’s Legacy Lives On in New Wyn Tribute Bass Line
The world lost a visionary bass builder in 2023 with the passing of Randy Wyn Fullmer, whose designs with Wyn Bass Guitars inspired fellow luthiers and bassists alike. Now, his legacy will continue beyond the instruments he built with the Wyn Tribute line. Fullmer’s widow, Diana, shared the news on the Wyn Bass Guitars Facebook page.
“Since Randy passed away in 2023, I’ve often thought about how much building basses meant to him. It wasn’t just his work; it was part of who he was. He put so much of himself into every instrument and genuinely cared about the people who played them. If you knew Randy, I’m sure you felt that. In his final weeks, one of his greatest regrets was knowing he couldn’t build the instruments promised to customers on his waiting list. He took those promises to heart and wanted so much to honor that trust.”
Fullmer added that Randy was also generous in sharing his knowledge. When Scott Sterling reached out for advice on bass building in 2011, the established luthier helped him navigate instrument building from a hobby into a profession. Sterling founded Lea Bass Guitars in 2016, and he will build the new Wyn Tribute Line of basses. The project began with a conversation in early 2025 between Diana Fullmer and Sterling.
“This project is a deeply humbling undertaking. To be clear, I am not taking over Wyn Guitars; these instruments are a collaboration designed to carry on his legacy,” Sterling writes on his website. “For the initial series, I am honored to use original bodies, hardware, electronics, and select wood stocks personally sourced and prepared by Randy. By incorporating these components into my builds, I aim to ensure his vision remains at the heart of every instrument. As this legacy supply is limited, I will eventually transition to building these basses entirely from scratch using his designs. These instruments are a labor of love from my shop – they are Lea basses at heart, but with the soul of a Wyn, and are intended as a bridge between his teachings and the future of his craft.”
The Wyn Tribute Line includes Doublecut and Singlecut models that come in four-, five-, and six-string versions. Each has many options available, but Sterling lists standard features as Nordstrand pickups (Fat Stack, Big Single, or Big Splits), an active preamp (Nordstrand, Aguilar, or Bartolini), a Hipshot A-style bridge, Hipshot Ultralight tuners, Kurt Mangan strings, and carbon fiber stiffeners for 5-string and larger necks.
The basses start at $3,000 for the four-string doublecut and $3,200 for the four-string Singlecut. Importantly, 25% of the proceeds from each Wyn Tribute bass will be donated to the American Cancer Society in memory of Randy Fullmer.
If you’re unfamiliar with Randy Fullmer, check out our Custom Shop interview from 2011 or watch the documentary, “Restrung.”
Wyn Tribute Line Doublecut and Singlecut Bass Guitar Mockups:
Wyn Tribute Line Doublecut and Singlecut Bass Guitar Features:
| Body: | Choice of Woods |
| Top: | Choice of Woods |
| Neck: | Choice of Woods, Carbon Fiber Reinforcement on 5- and 6-String Models |
| Fingerboard: | Choice of Woods |
| Frets: | 24 |
| Pickups: | Choice of Nordstrand Fat Stack, Big Single, or Big Split |
| Electronics: | Choice of Nordstrand, Aguilar, or Bartolini preamp |
| Bridge: | Hipshot A-Style |
| Tuners: | Hipshot Ultralight |
| Other: | Kurt Mangan Strings, 2-way Truss Rod, A donation of 25% of the proceeds will be made in your name to the American Cancer Society in memory of Randy Fullmer, owner and luthier at Wyn Guitars |
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
