The Bass Geek

FoBG Marshall Kreeb recently finished this devastating project as a DIY project - he’d been playing a nice Stingray but evidently wanted something that could cleave stone in twain with his band Devils of Belgrade.  Hence, the bass you see here.  For those who are interested in the pertinent stats, here they are:=

Body: Dinky J Bass Style, Swamp Ash, Black Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish
Neck: Graphite - Made by Moses Graphite, Hipshot Tuners
Pickups, Electricals, & Misc.: 2 Bartolini Musicman style Humbuckers (one is a classic modeled off of the original stingray pickup, the other is based off the modern design in the current basses), Leo Quan Badass II Bridge, Aguilar OBPII Active Preamp (18V).

Knob Configuration Is: Volume, Blend, Treble, Mid(push-pull frequency select), Bass

The part that intrigues me is the graphite neck. Kreeb says drilling the Moses Graphite neck was the scariest part of the project:

You have to drill pilot holes for the tuner mounting screws, string tree, and neck bolts. The neck bolts come with brass inserts from Moses that you set into the pilot holes, then the neck attaches to the body with 4 bolts - standard Fender bolt pattern.

From there, it was a lot of soldering, wet sanding, sealing and buffing. Looks fantastic, and I am both terrified and intrigued by his description of the sound combined with his Eden rig:

It sounds like the great hammer of Thor striking down upon the weak of heart

I can see why this had to be a DIY project - such a sound does not usually roll off of the factory floor.

Noted Indianapolis bassist Cory Carleton is organizing a bassist’s get-together at Fionn MacCool’s in Fishers, IN for September 28th from 2pm to 6pm (I complement him for picking a time when the Steelers aren’t playing - my attentions would be sorely divided).  Check out this thread on TalkBass for more info.  From my brief perusal of it, it’s starting to feel like a classic car show - everybody brings their “baby” and nods appreciatively when the others rev the engines.  For those who like that kind of thing, come on down.  It might also be a good place for non-bassists to recruit for their bands.

Realize, though, that we are bassists and therefore have 2-3 gigs already.

Radio Radio welcomes Bill Kirchen (Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen) with Bigger Than Elvis and Mandy Marie and the Cool Hand Lukes. Has ever a show featured more rockabilly played on Telecasters? I dare say no.

Sam’s Saloon has Chad Mills tonight and a tribute to Bill Monroe tomorrow featuring the Henhouse Prowlers and Toby Oler. Adjust your schedules accordingly.

Deano’s Vino has the Shirtless Biddles tonight and the Josh Harden Project tomorrow. And it’s Swing Night at the Fountain Square Theater - your band tonight is the Stardusters.

The new Indianapolismusic.net Podcast is up - download here or listen at the site.

It’s not a Fountain Square music show, hence why I’m talking about it today and not tomorrow. The Melody Inn features an eclectic show tomorrow night with The Fuglees (in their first show since the Paleolithic Era) and Harley Poe (Violent Femmes infectd by whatever causes zombification). It’s a great show deserving your attention. I’m further intrigued by talk of a new Fuglees album. Their last album single-handedly ushered the return of David Lee Roth to Van Halen, so do not doubt their prognosticating abilities.

Radio Radio has a huge weekend planned - Born Again Floozies release their CD “Street Songs” with a celebration tonight, while Bigger Than Elvis and the Randy King Five take the stage tomorrow.

Sam’s Saloon features Al and the Black Cats, Art Adams and Save The Radio tonight. Tomorrow is Revival!, “a 60s Soul/Psych/Garage/Punk Dance Party.” Please enjoy thoroughly.

Big Car Gallery opens their First Friday exhibit early tonight, and there’s additional music from Joe Molinaro, Wee Giant and Beyond Things.

Deano’s Vino has Andy DeCarlo & The Travelin’ Hillbillies tonight and Josh Oldham tomorrow. There might be some music at the Brass Ring Lounge, too.

Sunday, of course, is the first Steelers game of the season. Please maintain respectable radio silence between 1pm and approximately 4pm that day. I probably won’t be able to communicate beyond a series of grunts and shouts.