Bass of the Week - Page 47

In 2010, extreme flooding left a trail of destruction across much of Tennessee including the area surrounding Nashville. Many musicians from all walks of life were affected by the natural disaster. Wooten Woods, Victor Wooten’s home base and teaching haven located near the Duck River, was temporarily overrun by water and had to be evacuated. Thankfully it was restored with...

The Lipe Guitars Lupara bass is handmade in California by veteran luthier Mike Lipe. Based on his guitar models, the Lupara comes in 4- and 5-string versions with a choice of P/J, J/J, and humbucker pickup configurations. The bass comes standard with an alder body that’s contoured for comfort. Several choices for exotic tops are available including mango, quilted maple,...

This week we check out the Kayenta bass from the Italian bass builders at Manne Guitars. Designed around an offset body, the bass’s shape puts it in a more upward angled position when playing that the company says is suited well for players that wear their instrument higher. Its korina body is also multi-chambered to add a more complex midrange...

In July, we posted a cool video of Bart Soeters displaying a wide variety of basses, and one of his instruments really stood out to me: the Toby Chennell Arco Acoustic Bass Guitar. The electric bass and upright bass share several qualities, but overall they’re really different instruments. UK-based luthier Toby Chennell set out to bring more of their elements...

Hold on to your hats. Periphery’s Adam “Nolly” Getgood shared the details of his newest axe from G-Spot Basses called the Temptress, and the name fits the bill. The handmade six-string bass was built by luthier Steve Gammon out of Hollywood, Florida and recently got its debut at one of Periphery’s concerts. Based around a swamp ash body, the Temptress...

This week we check out an innovative design out of Germany by C. Eller Design. The UT2’s striking body shape was ergonomically designed to fit comfortably in both standing and sitting position, while the lower cutaway allows for access all the way up to the bass’s 24th fret. The UT2 is built around a single piece of European Walnut that...

As part of Wahlbrink’s Art Line of basses, the Kronos is a distinct instrument. The bass’s unique body shape with its distinct bouts add form to its function while its visual aesthetic is upped by exotic woods and attention to detail. A great example of the model is the company’s Black Ax, a one-off creation with a dark theme. The...

Scottish luthier Alan Cringean makes some fine instruments, and this AC Guitars Recurve Classic 6 is a beautiful example. Topped with a stunning Tasmanian Myrtle Burl, the 6-string bass as much a piece of art as it is a workhorse instrument. Equally stunning to the bass’s top is its back, which shows off the natural wood grain of its swamp...

This week, we’re checking out the Calypso from Odyssey Basses, a bass that’s handmade in Greece by luthier Iannis Ioannides. The slick design comes in 4-, 5-, and 6-string configurations with options for lefties, as well. The Calypso comes standard with a lightweight swamp ash body, an American maple neck, and an Indian Rosewood fingerboard, though several upgrade options are...

When Bryan Acampo sent us a photo of his bass, and I knew we had to feature it. Bryan plays an Aurora NW6BP bass, by the London-based Ramsay Musical Instruments. The single-cut, neck-thru bass features ash body wings, an alder/mahogany tone block, and a birdseye poplar top for a stunning display. The Aurora NW6BP’s neck is built with 3-piece quarter-sawn...

Artisan Bass Works looks at things from a different angle. The Ohio-based company licenses ANSIR Technology, which is a patented neck design that puts the fretboard into a more natural playing position. ABW puts the design to use on their Classic Series to add their own touch to common bass styles. The Artisan Bass Works Classic basses are available in...

Freddy Utrera is a Venezuelan luthier who has been producing some gorgeous basses, including his Ellegance singlecut. Available in 4-, 5- and 6-string versions, the bass is evidence of the luthier’s love of natural finishes and often ships that way, just to display the gorgeous cuts of wood he utilizes. The Ellegance comes in two flavors: standard and custom. The...