CertainBass Elita

I recently ordered two 2008 Elita Certainbass basses from David Certain in St. Louis, Missouri. They are both 12 Lb., 34"=scale 4-string 21-fret basses with Maple bodies (screw the weight!: I adore, and wanted, that mid-range growl and treble presence that I've always associated with Rickenbacker basses)--one (tobacco sunburst finish) has a maple neck with slab rosewood fretboard, while the other (a black gloss finish) has a maple neck with slab maple fretboard. Each is a passive, P-style bass with a volume control and tone control, and each--in addition--has a 6-position varitone switch (for endless tonal possibilities). In addition, each has a Badass II bridge, vintage Fender-style P-pickups (arranged in reverse, with the pickup under the D and G strings closer to the neck) and Schaller-style tuners.

I play predominantly classic rock (you know: Stones, Beatles, Cream, Hendrix, Eagles, CSNY, etc.). I run my basses through a Tech 21 Sansamp 3-Channel DI, an Electro-Harmonix Leather Steel pedal, a BBE Sound Sonic Stomp pedal, and a Mesa Boogie Walkabout Scout Cab. Up front, I confess that I am a total P-bass dude, and, for me, these basses are P-bass Heaven! On balance, the rosewood bass gives me that "Old School," James Jamerson sound that I want for R&B and Blues-flavored tunes, while the maple bass puts me squarely in John Entwistle territory for those hard-rocking numbers. In each case, however, the combination of the tone control and varitone switch gives me a universe of alternative tones. Really, either bass is capable of playing any style of music you could want to play! Sound-wise, either meets--and actually excels--the standard set by the most recent, 2008 generation of Fender American Standard P-basses!

David Certain (who, by the way, is a superb jazz bassist in his own right, and can be heard on YouTube waxing euphoniously on the 73-style Jazz bass that he built to hold the place of his orignal, 73 Jazz bass) declares that the basses he builds must please HIM before FedEx takes them on their merry way to their eventual owners. In the case of the P-basses that I ordered from him, David is as good as his word: I adore, and asked for, high-action on these P's, and I got it; moreover, I received two basses whose setup and finish far exceeded anything that I have encountered in any bass that I have purchased to-date. If David had a dozen or so assistants, Fender corporation would be in serious trouble. However, I am glad that he dosen't because, this way, he is applying his expertise for the benefit of the fortunate few (among whom I count myself).

Well, you know, who can see into the future? Howeever, If their quality of build, finish and setup is any indication, these P-basses will be my mainstays for a long, long time.

All I know is that David and I were in constant email communication over the months during which he was building these basses, and he addressed, and took into account, every single one of my questions, concerns and preferences. He is also, if I may say so, a renegade free-spirit with a mind of his own, and a distinct creative vision--what an antidote to the corporate instrument-makers! Would he back up his products in the event that something went wrong with them? I haven't had the chance to answer that question through experience--unfortunately, given the quality of Davuid's instruments, I will NEVER get the chance to answer that question--but I have NO doubt, in view of his approach toward every other aspect of his bass-design and sales, that top-shelf customer service would be a given.

OK folks: For the P-bass fanatics out there (and you KNOW who you are), absolutely DO assume that the most recent generation of Fender American Standard P-basses represent a benchmark of excellence. Please know, however, that if you want an instrument of comparable--no, better--setup and qualtiy, with sound that is as good or better, you can be certain of a good deal by purchasing a Certainbass bass from David Certain!