Vic Victor's (Unnamed)

When Koffin Kats bassist Vic Victor decided to go for a new bass, he turned to his local upright bass custom shop... Vic had an overall vision and a laundry list of modifications from day one, which have now come together in a righteously custom new road bass.

The bass itself began life as the prototype for the new (but as yet still in devolopment - more info on these will be on the site as they near regular production) line of removable neck basses. Essentially a Series II gamba with a steel dovetail neck joint, the bass can be broken down in minutes whenever space is at a premium or whenever the bass must be shipped or transported in any kind of freight or air travel context. Vic agreed that an automotive finishing system would provide additional durability to stand up to his band's stage show, and a classic primer black look was chosen, with only the outer linings and f-hole and outline "pinstripes" in gloss. For just a hint of 'color,' Vic asked that the inner overhangs of the top and back be touched in antique white, which also found its way into the interior of the peg box.

Other features include internal rib doubling on the "driver's side," recessed string notches in the bridge to avoid damaging string windings, an access hatch in the treble-side C-bout, handle on the bass-side C-bout, and the guts of a K&K rockabilly system (and wireless transmitter) all plumbed inside the bass. There's also a bypass jack on the bass should the preamp and/or transmitter fail for any reason. The internal electronics and wireless make for a fully-equipped amplified bass with a VERY clean, minimal look.

Speaking of minimal, the tailpiece on this bass is a one-of-a-kind trapeze style piece that mimics the look of old non-tremelo archtop guitars. Two fabricated aluminum "lipstick tubes" are joined by two flexible steel aircraft cables, the same material we use as tail gut. Vic, Norton Customs' luthier-at-large Tom Murray and myself kicked around a number of unique tailpiece ideas, eventually arriving at this. In keeping with the rest of the bass, it makes for a clean look with a totally unique vibe.

A few shots of the details... From left to right: A peek at the steel dovetail of the removable neck joint; the bridge recesses in which the actual, properly-sized string notches reside; the trapeze-style tailpiece; and the access hatch