Whitehouse Custom 12-String Basses

Whitehouse custom 12-string basses are built by Tim Whitehouse in San Diego, California. Since 2005 Tim has been the official photographer for Taylor Guitars (also in San Diego) plus he builds his own custom instruments. Thus far he has built only two 12-string basses. Both are short scale.

The Deluxe model was built in 2011. It has a bound body, neck and headstock.

Tim says, “I’ve been building guitars since 2000. I’m a fan of bassist Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick, and I was friends with Jol Dantzig of Hamer Guitars in high school during the late ’60’s, who was one of the developers / builders of Petersson’s first 12 string bass. I liked Petersson’s sound and wanted to own one so I built two.”

The tailpiece on the Deluxe model attaches to the end of the body and has a wood cover.

The Deluxe model Whitehouse 12-string bass was named “Bass of the Week” by the BestBassGear.com website on February 19, 2019. Very cool and well deserved - congratulations to Tim Whitehouse!

Deluxe Model Specs

  • Chambered Sapele mahogany body, Maple over mahogany back strap

  • Book matched maple cap with a little flame colored black & sanded back

  • Coco over maple PH face plate, tummy carve. Ebony nut, bridge, and tailpiece

  • Finished with 16 coats nitro, high gloss body & neck

  • 31" scale, 24 jumbo frets, coco fret board with MOP dot inlays

  • 5-piece set neck: 3 flame maple + 2 Cocobolo splines, single truss rod

  • Mini Humbuckers with 5-way switch, PH volute, PU surrounds and knobs (1V &1T)

  • No name and mini tuners, Strings are grounded through a replaceable fuse

  • Ivoroid binding + ivoroid/black purf on top, neck and PH

  • String spacing at bridge is .6” between the fundamentals. Nut width = 1.95”, f24 = 2.25”

  • Weight 9.5 lbs.

The SortaDeluxe model was built in 2010.

Deluxe headstock

SortaDeluxe headstock

The nuts on both basses measure just under 2 inches in overall width.

SortaDeluxe Model Specs

  • Chambered Sapele mahogany with maple stripes body, Book matched Sapele top

  • 31" scale, 24 jumbo frets, Bone nut. Coco fret board, bridge, tailpiece and truss rod cover

  • 5-piece set neck: 3 flame maple + 2 Cocobolo splines, single truss rod. MOP dot inlays

  • Mini Humbuckers with 5-way switch, PH volute, PU surrounds and knobs (1V &1T)

  • No name and mini tuners. Strings are grounded through a replaceable fuse

  • Mahogany over Maple face plate. Finished with 16 coats nitro, high gloss body & neck

  • String spacing at bridge is .6” between the fundamentals. Nut width = 1.95”, f24 = 2.25”

  • Weight 9.5 lbs.

Tim Whitehouse