Klingon Bird of Prey 12-String Bass
The Klingon Bird Of Prey 12-string bass was built for Odell Robinson in 2014 by Michael Marino at Mike's Custom Guitar Works in Benicia, California.
Odell Robinson and his Bird Of Prey 12-String Bass. Qapla'!
The body wings are basswood with a maple top. Medium 32" scale with Hamer bridge and tailpiece. The bass has one volume control and a stack tone control with bass on bottom and treble on top.
The Klingon glyphs read "Twelve" and were hand painted by Odell's mother. The bass is nicknamed "BoP".
The truss rod cover is the Klingon insignia logo in white mother of pearl inlaid in ebony. It is held on in place by two small magnets. Michael Marino's "M" logo is also mother of pearl inlaid in ebony.
The neck is maple and purple heart. Fretboard is ebony with 6 different inlays.
The EMG electronics run at 18 volts. Magnets secure the electronics cover so no screwdriver is needed.
The bass includes a brass plate that reads, "Marino Bass / #0003-12 / The Bird Of Prey / 2014".
Odell on stage with the band Super Mega Everything - rocking out with the Klingon 12-string bass. Image by Condor Photography.
Screen shot from the music video “Gotta Go” from the DJ Judge Show.
Editor’s note: I have heard this bass played live at a gig in Portland, Oregon and it sounds KILLER! Congratulations to Odell for a great concept and to Michael Marino for getting everything just right!