There’s no denying that Freekbass is a master of the low end. The beloved bassist is so identified with the instrument, it’s in his name! Now he’s taking that connection to the next level, partnering with Stonefield Musical Instrument Company to create the first-ever Freekbass Signature Model.

“…For me, the relationship of a maker with an endorsing artist has to be one of mutual benefit but first of all it has to be real.  I love the Freekbass approach to funk, I dig his use of effects and his playing technique and I completely respect his role as a music educator. He’s the kind of person I want to work with and I feel lucky that he wants to work with us as well,” said Tomm Stanley, owner of Stonefield.

Stanley tells us more about what it was like working with Freekbass on the new instrument:

With the Freekbass Signature Model, right from the beginning of the build we kept two key things in mind: the look, style and unique features of a Stonefield and the flash, flair and funkiness of Freekbass. I remember him saying, “make the Batmobile.” How’s that for a challenge? We discussed a mod that reinforced some other player’s feedback about the string height above the body when slapping. I wasn’t crazy about modifying the instrument to suit a single playing style but he agreed with the comments. We discussed how the concern might best be dealt with and that became the Funk Plate. There was one mod requested that I just wouldn’t do and after explaining my reasons he was fine with it. That willingness on his part to bend got me thinking about what I could do to make the instrument stand out more from the rest of our line up. I suggested some circuit alterations, alternate choices for materials and other tweaks. Some of it he went for, other things he was clearly not interested in. We had a two way street kind of thing happening and that really was right from the beginning of the build. What more could anyone ask for?

I’m really pleased with the instrument that we’ve created. The choices of woods that satisfied the Batmobile request also added a snap to the tonality. To get the blackness we chose African wenge for the topwood on the body and Solomon Island ebony for the fingerboard. We also used the ebony for the nut and floating bridge system. The combination of brittleness and density did magic for a woody tone with a funk edge to it. On top of that we have used our titanium hardware option to trim a bit of weight and have done the sweetest four-colour burst on the back of the through-body core: natural to amber fading into red before turning black but with red highlights peeking out of the black on the headstock points and heel transition. Absolutely gorgeous…

Not only is Freekbass releasing his own custom bass, but he’s also traveling to New Zealand to film some promotional footage for the instrument. The bassist will star in something that’s “part reality, part fantasy,” essentially a mini-movie where Freekbass discovers the signature model! Keep it tuned to L4LM for more from Freekbass on his wild expedition!

You can find out more about the bass via Stonefield Music’s website. Check out his tour schedule below:

JULY

-Saturday, July 2: Sterling Stage / Sterling, NY
-Friday, July 8: Navy Pier / Chicago, IL
-Tuesday, July 12 : Brooklyn Bowl / Brooklyn, NY (Freekbass performing with The Band Is Bond)
-Wednesday, July 13: Ardmore Music Hall / Ardmore, PA (Freekbass performing with The Band Is Bond)
-Saturday, July 23 : Whispering Sun Festival / Pataskala, OH
-Thursday, July 28: Zoo Bar / Lincoln, NE
-Friday, July 29: Quixotes / Denver, CO
-Saturday, July 30: Owsley’s Golden Road / Denver, CO 

AUGUST

-Monday, August 1: Town Square Tavern / Jackson, WY
-Wednesday, August 3: Casey’s Whitefish / Whitefish, Montana
-Thursday, August 4: Live United Concert Series/ Idaho Falls, Idaho
-Friday, August 5: West Yellowstone Concert Series / West Yellowstone, Montana
-Saturday, August 6: The Filling Station / Bozeman, Montana
-Wednesday, August 24: Scarlet & Grey / Columbus, OH
-Saturday, August 27 : Woodfest Festival / Mendon, OH 

SEPTEMBER

-Friday, September 2 : Union Street Station / Traverse City, MI
-Saturday, September 3: Hookahville Festival / Pataskala, OH
-Friday, September 16: Cranky Pat’s / Neenah, WI
-Friday, September 23: Secret Circus Music Festival / North Branch, MN
-Saturday, September 24: Kathy’s Pub / Rochester, MN

 

[Cover photo via Kim Blackburn Photography]