The Last Bass Outpost

8 string fretless 'bird. That's unique! I remember Sting had an 8 string fretless Hamer Explorer in the early 80s.

That's the only other one I've ever seen.

I always get a kick out of seeing my designs used in a build, whether it's a conversion neck or an 8-string bridge.

And then there were four:

I keep expecting to see photos of new Epiphone basses. Imagine my surprise with what I find instead.

Here's another one of those things that I've been thinking about for a while, and it's finally happening: a lightweight chrome-plated aluminum Strat-style knob. The sample is nickel, but the production item will be shiny chrome.

This little Weldon countersink bit is the right tool for the job. These pickup rings will be chrome-plated along with my 8-string bridge parts by Advanced Plating in TN.

The 9-to-5 has kept me beyond busy since I started my new role, but I have a few things cooking in the background. 

One little update is that I have decided to offer what I'll call a "standard" symmetrical shape on the new necks coming through the pipeline. These will be based on the 3+2 shape, but without the bottle-opener. I'm curious to see if these sell quicker as replacement necks vs. the bottle-opener. 

I think they will, but only time will tell.

I think it's interesting that you hear about these suits being filed, but you never hear when they're resolved. For example, Google offers no updates on the 335 body shape trademark dispute and Gibson still displays it as a trademark on their page.

https://www.gibson.com/en-US/Trademarks-of-Gibson-Brands-Inc