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Electric Basses

Jeffers Front Full.jpg

Laminated Fretless Electric Bass

Maple, mahogany, rosewood.

1979

Jeffers Back.jpg

Laminated Fretless Electric Bass

Rear view detail.

1979

Covering The Basses

 

        On the electric bass front, I delved into the fabrication of a fretless instrument. Without frets, there are virtually no critical dimensions and there is a great sense of purity, ease and satisfaction in bringing them to fruition. For strength, design and sustain, I gravitated toward multiple laminates, first in the laying up of bodies, then finally inclusive of the necks. Hidden glued-in mortise neck joints gradually evolved to more contiguous through-the-body designs. 

        My favorite aspect of working with multiple laminates is the sheer topographic thrill of creating contours on the rounded sculptural edges of the body and neck. I sold my favorite bass (shown at left and right) to my good friends Russ & Becky Jeffers of Smokey Mountain Sunshine in Nashville, but like any of my creations, I regretted letting it slip away. 

MultiLam Plan.jpg

Lamination Plan

EndOfMulti.jpg
MultiLamBass_4_Front.jpg

Multi-Laminate Exotic Wood 

Fretless Electric Bass.

1986

 

Featured in

Fine Woodworking Magazine’s

Design Book.

Link to

Electric Guitars

 

"Maverick" Electric Bass

by dick boak

1978

 

EB-18Front.jpg
E-18 Body-bk.jpg
EB-18 Body.jpg

Early Prototype of

Martin EB-18 Electric Bass

by dick boak

1978

 

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