The Signature 12-String Bass That Almost Was

2006 Fantasy 12-String Basses

In the early part of 2006 we were contacted by a seemingly successful entrepreneur who was in the initial developmental stages of creating his own line of guitars and basses. He had been directed to 12stringbass.net by a luthier who is a fan of the 12-string bass. After researching the instrument, the builder contacted us, told us of his plans to possibly add a 12 to his line, and asked us for help in the design phase of the project. As ideas were tossed about, we offered to ask a prominent player we know if he might be interested in having a production signature model 12-string bass. 

Our idea was well received by the builder so we contacted Doug Pinnick with a few specific questions regarding what they would want if he could have a bass made to his exact specifications. The specs were returned to us as follows:

  • Les Paul body style

  • Maple neck and wide fretboard with no fret markers

  • Earth-green finish

  • One Seymour Duncan Basslines P-Bass pickup

  • Single volume and tone controls

So we went to work. We first sent in a few very rough designs to the builder with these specs. After several days we received two very nicely done, but well off the mark, renderings of the bass. One was a single pickup version as requested by the player, the other was a two pickup version. Those renderings looked quite a bit like a blending of two 12's that were already in existence. We radically Photoshopped the renderings in an attempt to make them match the specs we were given by the player. For simplicity’s sake we kept the images right-handed but obviously dUg would need the basses to be left-handed. Here is what we came up with:

Single pickup RH model

Two pickup RH version

Unfortunately the "deal" fell through shortly after our versions were completed. The would-be builder was overzealous in his approach and, after repeated warnings and directions from us on how to best handle the relationship, he basically scared Doug away by demanding too much too soon. At last report the would-be builder was no longer considering building 12-string basses and has moved on to other pursuits.

The point in divulging this is to show a little of the behind-the-scenes work that goes on here at 12stringbass.net. Not all projects are successful but each is a learning experience, and we carry that knowledge forward to the next adventure. And more adventures are in the works...