Bass of the Week: Scott French Instruments SF4
Luthier Scott French combined his SF2 and SF3 models to create the SF4, featuring a singlecut body with a deep cutaway for reaching the highest notes. This particular SF4, which he built for Ian Hill, is a great example of the design with gorgeous woods to accent its features.
The bass’s body is made with figured California Claro Walnut on the back with a carved and figured Red Gum Eucalyptus top. It’s matched to a nine-piece laminate neck of wenge, bloodwood, and flame maple. French utilized ebony to tie the rest of the components together, using it for the fingerboard, bridge, knobs, and headcap. The aforementioned lower cutaway lets you up all the way to the 26th fret.
For electronics, the luthier opted for a pair of Nordstrand Fat Stack pickups and an 18-volt Noll 2-band parametric preamp. Other features include Hipshot Ultralight tuners, a Danish oil/wax finish, and a 34-inch scale.
Scott French Instruments SF4 Bass Specs:
| Construction: | Set Neck |
| Scale: | 34″ |
| Body: | Figured California Claro Walnut Back |
| Top: | Carved Figured Red Gum Eucalyptus |
| Body Finish: | Danish Oil/Wax |
| Neck: | 9-piece Wenge/Bloodwood/Flame Maple Veneer |
| Neck Profile: | Standard/Thin “C” |
| Fingerboard: | Ebony |
| Fingerboard Radius: | 12″ |
| Nut: | 1 3/4″ |
| Frets: | 26 Super Jumbo |
| Inlays: | Abalone Side & Face Dots |
| Pickups: | Nordstrand Fat Stack |
| Electronics: | Noll 2-Band Parametric 18v Preamp |
| Bridge: | Ebony Bridge |
| Tuners: | Satin Black Hipshot Ultralight |
