This is my latest bass that I have been working on.  It is predominantly domestic (walnut, maple, red oak) with on e small cocobolo accent.  I am pretty excited with the way it is starting to come out as I am moving through the lacquer process.

Thanks for looking,

Stephen

To answer some questions -

Udi: the neck maintains a constant profile all the way up to the 22nd fret.  That is the beauty of the blended transition block.  The first place that I saw it done was Fodera guitars.

Bruce:  I will be using passive jazz pickups - for now. ( I am working with some electrical engineers at work to develop my "own" on board preamp system).  Basically, for each coil, I am designating its own tone and volume, while also giving myself an on/on switch for series/parallel switching with the coils.  The two tones and volumes may seem excessive, but I play a great deal of harmonic laced bass routines, so I need to the response of the bridge pickup to be there without losing the warmth of the neck.  The series/ parallel switch is there for experimentation, or if I ever need more punch...

Thank you so much,

Stephen 

zehley,

I could not decide if I liked it either for a while.  I have been a Leo Fender man to the core - so yes, this has the a-symmetrical J-bass lower bout with an opened hand position and the Fodera singlecut feature.  I also pulled the neck out - more like a Fender to keep the guitar "long" feeling.  Warwick's feel a bit cramped for me, but I am fairly lanky.

Build it and show it!  We need more bass builders in and around here...

Stephen

To give credit where it is due, It  is fashioned on Carey Nordstrand's singlecut design, which is a reflection of Vinny's Fodera's original singlecut bass work in 1988 (I believe)...

Thanks!

Stephen

The Anthony Jackson contrabass is a Fodora.  That was the only single cut I saw for a long time back then.

I'll build it someday, just need to get some acoustics under my belt first.  My only concern is that I fear it will not be balanced.  I would only make it a 6 string bass as thats what I've been playing for 17 years.  I'm lost on a 4 string.  The upper horn is relativly short, some where between the Warwick Thumb and Dolphin.  Extending it never looked right.  I dont like the balance of the thumb bass at all because I tend to shift the bass to center it more at my body, so the upper horn hits my side.  I'm also lanky at 6'5" with a 80+" wing span, but even at that I dont like that long feel.  This is why I tend to center the bass on my body and have a neutral arm position.  The body size is similar to the Dolphin but a shorter horn.  That along with six tuning machines at the HS may make it a bit top heavy.

Oh, I like how yours looks, but Ive always hated Fender basses.  I think its a wanting to be differnt thing.

Yeah, I think Vinny Fodera worked with Anthony Jackson to develop the singlecut contrabass.  It is a little "uncurvy" for me, but started a trend in custom builders today....

It is funny that you say you are lost on a 4 string - because if I pick up a 5 or a 6, I am totally lost...I feel as though the blasted 4 has enough real estate to keep me busy for my life.  I wish I had started earlier on some of the 5's and 6's, because there is even more tonal variation to work with, but now it is just a little uncomfortable for me.

Acoustics are amazing.  There is just something about developing art with thinned wood - rather than carving a lock of wood; but as a bass player, I just can't help but build what I love to play.

Stephen