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A fine offering from master luthier Ken Bebensee. Say what you will about Ken's business history, but there is no denying his mastering of the art of luthiery. There is a reason that folks wait 10 years for a bass from this man. This bass, an example in simplicity and elegance from the normally wild and complex Bebensee, offers one of Ken's signature body designs, custom wooden knobs, wooden battery compartment and forward thinking electronics. In addition to the standard 1/4" out, this bass is equipped with the 13 pin MIDI out which allows you to control your MIDI devices and modules with your bass!!! A built in ramp between the neck and the pickups to encourace smooth and even tone. The bass is currently strung with flats and it feels like a dream. This is one that I may end up hanging onto...
ASKING PRICE = $2,500 (checking the pricing on Ken's site, a similar bass would cost over $4,125 today - and that's if Ken is still building & the wait is manageable)
Builder: Ken Bebensee
Model: Sam (?)
# Strings: 4
Serial Number: N/A
Case/Gigbag: Gigbag
Dimensions:
Weight: 8.2lbs
Scale Length: 35"
Neck Shape: shallow C
Width at Nut: 1 9/16" (40mm)
String Width at Bridge: 2 1/4" (57mm)
String-to-string spacing at the bridge: 3/4" (19mm)
Overall Length: 44 1/2"
Widest: 12 3/4"
Construction:
Neck: ??/maple/?? (brownish/amber flamed wood - maybe bubinga,alder,ash,mahonagny?) 3-piece neck through construction with a bone nut and 0 fret - ebony headstock with shell KB logo inlaid.
Fingerboard: ebony (with mother of pearl side markers), 24 frets ...radius
Body: (brownish/amber flamed wood - maybe bubinga,alder,ash,mahonagny?) top and back with a flamed maple/wenge body
Finish: hand rubbed oil
Hardware:
Bridge:, Hipshot with RMC MIDI pickup in the saddles, black.
Tuners: Hipshot ultra-light, black.
Knobs: custom Ken Bebensee matching wooden knobs
Strap buttons: Schaller (locking), black.
Outputs: one 1/4" mono on bottom body angle, 1 13-pin MIDI out (hooked up to RMC MIDI piezo saddles in bridge).
Electronics:
Pickups: 2 Bartolini soapbars
Controls: Vol/Blend/Bass/Treble (?) - toggle switch for MIDI and coil tap/pu selector (?) toggle switch
Preamp:
Overall condition: Very Good - the bass is mint, that is to say...for it's age. The pickup and playing positions show some wear as does the fingerboard, however, the wear seen is minimal. The bass has no noticable scratches or nicks and after a good cleaning would likely look brand new.