I've been playing bass for almost 50 years, though there were extended periods of time in there when I didn't play much, if at all. I've owned well over 40 basses during those 50 years and I've tried out or otherwise played over 100 basses, up close and personal. This custom boutique bass handmade by noted luthier Chris Benavente is the most gorgeous bass I've ever owned, and may be the most stunning bass I've ever seen in person. I've owned about 10 boutique basses over the years, including a couple of Alembics, a Sadowsky (currently my no. 1 and not for sale), a Hoyt, a Black Rose Custom, etc. I've auditioned several Foderas, several Ken Smiths, a Spector or two, etc. In quality of workmanship, sound, variety of tones, visual appeal, this bass is right up there with all of them. Seriously. Even though it's much less expensive than virtually all of the bigger names.
I recently contacted Chris through his website (check it out, it's very cool) and here's what he had to say about this bass:
"Wow. Haven't seen this one in awhile. The serial# is actually this: 1202VTX40007. I hand wrote them back then and my writing is challenged at best. Completed in Dec 2002 (pre CNC days). This is the 7th Vortex made with Flame bubinga top over ash body. Matching bubinga inlays and pickup covers, maple fingerboard, multi-lam neck of maple and bubinga, Hipshot hardware, John East preamp and I cannot remember the pickups but most likely are John Surh dual coils or Aero dual coils. Thats about all I can remember. Hope this helps. Have a good one." To add a little more detail on the preamp, it's a John East J-Retro 01, which has nearly universal positive reviews on the internet. And that's an understatement -- lots of people love the sound and tone of this preamp, which has a defeat/override switch allowing the bass to be played in purely passive mode. Included with the bass is a hard copy of the original John East instruction manual, which you can also find online on John East's website and elsewhere. (Feel free to contact me if you're having any trouble locating the manual.) In the U.S., this preamp currently sells for $299.
Chris hadn't seen this one in a while because I've owned it since 2004 or so. I'm the second owner (so I was told back in 2004). Check out the pictures. This bass is truly mint. If you picked it up in a music store, you couldn't tell it wasn't new. I hate to part with this lovely instrument, but the fact of the matter is I have too many basses -- around 35 at the peak, plus too many guitars -- and I need to thin the herd in a major way. I had my guitar tech Kenny check it out and he could find no flaws. Kenny marveled at the way it played and the range of available tones. Comes with the original form-fitting case, plus an instruction manual for the preamp.
Please don't hesitate to ask questions. I'd be happy to take and post more pictures.
