This concept has been in my head for a few years now. It took a willing muse to bring it to life. The concept is an alchemy of balance, complexity, understanding, and flow, with a little mysticism mixed in. 

Beginning with the fingerboard, the centerpiece. As stars seem randomly scattered thru the sky, there is order in the chaos. Their placement is anything but chance. As sailors would navigate the seas, guided by the known stars, so will the master of this instrument. Specific stars guide your intonation. Once that intimate knowledge is attained, the limits vanish, and this sky becomes your musical canvas. There are two constellations: Taurus, and Ursa Major. Centered between them is a blue paua crow -a spirit guide- and a full moon. The rest of the concept emulates the infinite possibilities of navigation thru the tonal universe, just waiting to be explored.

The finish is also something I’ve had in mind for some time. It’s a layering of royal blue, blue to violet color shift pearls, with translucent black over the top. In low light it looks black. Add some room lighting and the starry blue night sky becomes apparent. Under the spotlight is when the purple aurora comes to life.

Punchy, growly, well balanced in both tone and feel. At 9.0lbs it is comfortable for long sets, or long weeks. It has all the articulation and mid-forward character you'd expect from a fretless. The slimline neck feels comfortable, fast, and effortless. The electronic options add an extensive tonal palette to both passive and active operation. 

The pickup is one of my personal fav's. It’s a Nordstrand Big Blademan, slightly underwound for a little greater sensitivity. But it still has the tonal girth and muscle to ensure your presence is felt, and known. 

The toggle selects between parallel mid scoop hum-free operation, split coil, and series for more heft and a thicker, beefier mid boost. Plan on spending some time getting to know this instrument, and discovering the multiple personalities is possesses..

The aluminum/steel Transtone bridge adds punchiness, with the Hipshot quality that is known.

The combination of a Honduran mahogany neck and 35” scale make for warm deep lows with piano like crispness. If you’re thinking “35 is too big”, well, it’s really not. Here’s why: the difference in distance from the nut to the first fret -the largest gap- is 3/32”. At the 12, it’s 3/64”. Tiny, and well worth the increased low-end clarity. The little bit of extra space in the upper register keeps the feel uncluttered and easily accessible.

I built this instrument as I do every one, as if I’m building it for myself. In a sense I always am, because the joy I take in craftsmanship, details, functionality, practicality and aesthetics is a reward of its own merit. Either way, I wouldn't offer any creation for sale that I wouldn't long for myself.

I hope this beauty finds its way to it’s forever home. But it wouldn’t break my heart if it never left.