Bass of the Week: BL Design Caracal 5
BL Design shared one of their recent builds and it stopped me in my tracks. This Caracal 5 is a five-string bass with a 35-inch scale and an incredible crotch walnut top. Its equally beautiful body is made from Spanish cedar while the 3-piece wenge and ash neck is fitted with an East Indian rosewood fingerboard adorned with Mother of Pearl side markers.
For electronics, luthier Beau Leopard chose a pair of Nordstrand Big Rig pickups matched to a Nordstrand 3B preamp. Other features include Hipshot Ultralite tuners, an ETS Tuning Fork bridge, and a high gloss polyester finish.
BL Design Caracal 5-String Bass Specs:
| Scale: | 35″ |
| Body: | Spanish Cedar 2 piece end matched |
| Top: | Crotch Walnut |
| Neck: | 3-piece Wenge & Ash Neck with wenge/maple heelblock |
| Nut Width: | 1 3/4″ |
| Fretboard: | East Indian Rosewood |
| Inlays: | MOP side markers |
| Fretboard Radius: | Compound 12″ at nut |
| Pickups: | Nordstrand Big Rig |
| Preamp: | Nordstrand 3B |
| Hardware: | Hipshot Ultralite |
| Bridge: | ETS Tuning Fork |
| String Spacing at Bridge: | 19mm |
| Finish: | High Gloss Polyester |
| Weight: | 9lbs. 2oz. |
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.
Absolutely stunning! Even though it is probably WAY above my pay grade, I want it…
Any chance of a fretless version of a five-string?
I am interesting in becoming a professional bass player
Beautiful absolutely beautiful the work of artist.
Price