Solano Speed Shop 2026 969B-Coupe Wenge Top Single Cut Bass

Solano Speed Shop 969B-Coupe — Wenge Top, Mahogany Body — 4-String Bass

Here's the Story...
This bass was a few months in the making. I wasn't sure about the Pale moon ebony fretboard at first - this was my first experience with it. I have used Ebony for years, but this pale moon variety, and it's intricate personality, made me pause a few times. My worries were unfounded however, and it was clear that I'd made the right choice as soon as I fit the neck to the body for the first time and saw the Pale Moon really embedded against the Wenge top. I was hopeful that it would come together (and that I hadn't just turned all this beautiful wood into kindling), but that moment really sealed it for me.

This bass took so long that it was the first neck and body made in this Series (969B-Coupe Single Cut), but it was the last that I completed of the three...mostly due to the occasional pause. The other was the weight - loaded up for the show it comes in between 9 and 10 lubbs, so not exactly light. I chambered the upper bout and have a generous e-cavity, but this particular piece of Mahogany is beautiful, but denser than other boards I've used. Again, my fears were a bit overblown - the weight feels balanced, both on the knee and strap, and the resonance and sustain from the combo of this dense piece of mahogany and beautiful wenge top, that it's worth a little extra heft.

I love doing the wiring on my guitars and basses. A carryover from my favorite task when I was building race cars. The two resistors you see on the microswitch eliminate the "click" noise when switching between the 800MHz and 400MHz Low Range. I chose the Aguilar OBP-3 due to my experience with them on the Ash top 969B-Coupe, as well as feedback from other builders and players. All commented on how well the Aguilar plays nice with most anything you attach it to, but I hear nothing but good stuff as far as their reliability. I was excited to try them with these Delano Wide Range pickups and could not be happier. Tons of tonal possibilities from a solid pair of humbuckers - this was the first bass that, while I was doing it's initial tests through a Katana 210, I was worried I'd blow the windows out of my office.

Some of my favorite details on this bass include the purple anodized cup washers I used on the neck bolts. I like the hint of color from those, as well as using the turquoise powder on the imperfections in the body. I prefer to highlight nature rather than conceal it, when I can. I also live the fretboard binding. I included a black and white veneer at the base of it and used a simple small white side dot marker - which I realize just now I don't have a photo of...I'll get that fixed.

Some people are going really crazy over the gold volume knob! I dig it, but maybe that's just me. I'll happily swap that out before it ships if you prefer a black volume knob.

Finally, all of my new basses will ship with a Brass nut, including this one. Currently has a bone nut installed, but I've recently switched my process and hear/feel things I really like, so there we go.

My wish is for you to look at this bass in your room/studio, and it calls you to play. And for it to be comfortable and fun enough that you can't put it down.

OK, now here's all the sh*t Ai thought would sound good, with some of my edits where it went way off the rails...

This Solano Speed Shop 969B-Coupe is a hand-built, 4-string bass that blends classic proportions with modern playability and serious tonal flexibility. Built with premium materials and pro-level components throughout, this is an instrument designed for players who demand both feel and sound without compromise.

The body pairs Genuine Mahogany with a Figured Wenge top, separated by a single Oak veneer for subtle visual contrast. The result is a bass that’s resonant, balanced, and visually beautiful without being overdone. It’s elegant, not flashy.

The 34” scale, bolt-on Roasted Flamed maple neck features dual carbon fiber rods for long-term stability and consistency. A Pale Moon Ebony fretboard with 24 frets bound with dark ebony which itself includes delivers a smooth feel with excellent note definition, while the comfortable neck profile and taper makes this bass easy to settle into whether you’re in the studio or playing live.

Electronics are dialed in. Delano SBC4 HE/S-E Wide Range pickups Can be switched between Series, Single Coil, or Parallel, and feed an Aguilar OBP-3 preamp, giving you everything from authoritative, vintage-leaning tones to modern clarity and punch. This setup excels in mix-ready articulation, making it a strong choice for session work, fusion, rock, funk, Worship, and anything that demands tonal range.

Hardware is rock-solid and road-worthy, featuring a StewMac Brass bridge and Solano Open Gear tuners for reliable tuning stability.

This bass has been professionally set up and plays exactly as a high-end custom instrument should. It's clean and responsive across the fretboard.