Will's Custom Series Bass

[mica]

Still in spray, but now with inlay logo:

That black mother of pearl looks great in the cloud.

[sonicus]

Beautiful logo!  I really like the mother of pearl in this one  too.

[mica]

Also spied your hardware back from the chrome plater:
 

 
Note the tailpiece is rounded as much as possible

[sonicus]

The chrome plated 5 pin plug housing is a nice touch .

[tbrannon]

That black mother of peal looks awesome in the cloud... looks like a storm is brewin'.    Beware of low end thunder!!

[willgunn]

Low End Thunder is right, Toby! I'd failed to mention earlier that this bass will be tuned B-E-A-D (a setup I've been using exclusively for the past 5 years with great success....well, for ME, at least!). Now I'm REALLY excited...as if I wasn't already!

[pauldo]

Will -
What gauge strings do you use for that tuning?
What scale length is your current Essence?
 
I recently joined a group that has me playing some tuba parts and they have a bunch of low C's B's and sometimes A's. . .  I was thinking a 5 string would be the ticket but now you got me thinking.  
(Maybe I should just go ahead and find me a Series II 5 string )

[rjmsteel]

Will,  
The colors in/of the BMP Logo inlay are stunning! The rays add additional character and beauty. Really like the placement and how much it stands out against the hi-gloss black lacquer, (ebony), background too.
Rich

[willgunn]

Paul,
I use D'Addario XL Nickel Roundwounds; gauged .130 (B) - .095 (E) - .070 (A) - .055 (D). Those particular gauges are nearly identical in tension to each other on a 34-scale; which is what my current - and upcoming - basses both are. D'Addario's website features a VERY handy gauge/tuning/tension/scale computation chart which I used to arrive at this particular combination; and they feel VERY even in tension across the neck. If/how it would be at all applicable to other brands of strings is questionable; given the differing core/outer wrap ratios each manufacturer utilizes, among other details. I seriously contemplated utilizing a .145 (A) - .105 (D) - .080 (G) - .060 (C) setup, but chickened out at the last minute. Hey, if anyone out there is adventurous enough to try THAT idea out, I've got 2 full unused sets of THOSE strings layin' around (D'Addario XL's) that I'll let go CHEAP! Anyhow, I hope this helps.

[sonicus]

I LIKE  the idea of  the use of a 4 string Bass tuned to a lower register rather then a 5 string  when notes lower then the low E  are mandated in a musical arrangement.  DAS IST KOOL !

[mica]

A little out of order, but I had taken this one before the plating and thought you might like to see it:

[willgunn]

Mica,
That's EXACTLY what I was hoping for - thank you!

[LMiwa]

Hate to tell you, but there are going to be a BUNCH of orders that start with You know that _____ you did for Will Gunn's bass? Can I get that too?
 
There are just so many wonderful little details on this bass...

[mica]

So close, but not quite ready to fly:

 

 Your knobs look good.  

 The obligatory out of focus peghead shot.

[David Houck]

Wow!  That's just an amazingly cool bass!