CertainBass Precision-60's Style

I am a blessed owner of one of David's p-basses, basswood body in arctic white with white pick-guard, maple neck and custom inlaid rosewood fretboard (sturdier than the veneer Fender uses.) When it arrived it had the wider p-bass neck; my previous bass was a '72 precision with the skinny 'A' neck. I asked David about this, and he offered to customize the neck. It arrived today, and it is ridiculously comfortable and playable! I never would have guess the neck had been altered if it were my first time seeing it.

I play a variety of music: jazz, folk, gospel, blues, etc. and use an Ampeg BA-112. Of all the basses I have owned (Peevey T-40, Korean Fender P-bass, '72 USA P-bass, Mexican Fender Jazz), this is honestly the most alive sounding of them all. It growls the lows without losing articulation and sings and soars on the high end. I am smitten with the range, and can't wait to show it off at the next gig.

The action is just a tad higher than I am used to, but obviously can be adjusted. The hardware is flawless. I have rated this a 9 only because of my personal preference; it isn't exactly what I usually play with; but some people wouldn't like the action as low as I prefer, so it's pretty arbitrary.

Before the neck customization, I was given a compliment on it's sound by an internationally-known producer I occasionally play with. I have not gigged out since getting the bass back with the newly shaved-down neck, but have only higher expectations now that the neck is so comfortable and sweet to play. The finish seems very durable, just a couple little dings/touch-ups, no big deal. Strap buttons are solid, and the neck doesn't look or feel like it could possibly be any more solid and true than it is.

David completely goes out of his way to explain every step he takes with his basses. You can tell he loves what he does, and has a master luthier's concern in the integrity of his creations. It was an absolute delight corresponding with him and knowing not only from a technical perspective what he builds his basses with, but also as a regularly gigging musician himself, he has the full perspective on what a serious player is looking to get out of their instrument. I had been look a long time for a bass like this one, and it really superceded my expectations because of the attention to detail and love of the craft that he pours into his work. And finally to be able to express my concern about the neck and for a minimal cost have it customized was an amazing aspect of the process of finding the perfect bass.

I have been playing about eight years doing a lot of church, coffeehouse and festival gigs; I am a songwriter and recently began a recording. I own a Mexican Fender J-bass, a four string Tacoma Thunderchief, a Gibson L5, a cello and a Yamaha keyboard. And a couple chicken shakes. This bass is a dream come true from its lightweightness to its playability to its incredible tone (not to mention the beautiful finish, the white with the rosewood neck looks very sharp); and the fact that it didn't come out of some factory but from a true craftsman with the attention to detail that only can come from such a one-man shop makes it all the more valuable an instrument to me.

Hi everybody my name is Billy and i am from Greece.I just bought a jazz bass from David.The bass arrived in perfect condition it has a basswood body maple neck and a rosewood fretboard and it is everything that David promised me.It has an incredible sustain that i haven't heard in many expensive basses and it comes with an outstanding sunburst color.Of course it needs some adjustment regarding the neck but considering the journey from USA to Greece this is absolutely logical.The bass has a warmth round sound very similar to the old fenders.My best friend owns a 65 jazz bass and when he heard David's bass he couldn't believe it.I definitely recomend David.

I have one of David's Fretless Jazz basses. It is a basswood body in a really gorgeous sunburst finish. It was made in March of 08. The neck feels amazing and David did a killer job with the defretting and finishing. I had him put a Bad Ass II bridge on it. The only things I changed were installing an Audere Pre amp and a set of vintage reverse tuners. The bass is super light and everyone whom I have shown it to has wanted to buy it! :-)

Out of the box the sound was amazing. It was quiet and sounded better than any new Fender that I have played including the Custom shop models. The Audere just gave it some more control.

The set up was probably THE best thing about this bass. Right out of the box is was perfect. It was still in perfect tune too!

So far it has been bullet proof. I have not had to adjust the neck or the bridge. I don't foresee any problems down the road.

David has been great to deal with on everything. He has been more than helpful with anything I have needed.

I'm a professional Jazz drummer with over 35 years of playing experience. I played bass in high school and started back up at the beginning of 08. I also own a Fender 60s Reissue Mexican Jazz bass that has been modified with 62 Reissue Pups, reliced reverse tuners, a reliced neck plate and other aging procedures. It looks, feels and plays like a Custom Shop Reissue relic. I also have a Squier Modified Vintage Fretless that I recliced to look just like Jaco's bass of doom. It also has the 62 Reissue Pups and extensive hardware relicing too. Everyone who has seen it can't believe that it started as the Squier! :-) I am now building up a US Highway One Jazz bass. I am getting the body and head stock painted in Sea Foam Green and will be adding Custom Shop 60s Pups and will be basically making my version of a 60s Reissue, but it will be all US Fender parts except for Gotoh Vintage reverse tuners. If I lost the Certain bass or it was stolen, I would be on the phone in an instant to order another! :-)

This is a handmade copy of a 60's Precision Bass by David Certain. Basswood body; black finish; fat 60's style 2 piece maple neck/fretboard; standard tuners & bridge and white pickguard. I give this a '10' because no corners were cut and everything that makes it a P-Bass is here.

As soon as I received this bass I took it to a recording session. I play through a Traynor YBA200 all tube head and an Ampeg cab. This bass lots of volume and is very tight and punchy. Through both D.I and miked, it really cut through the mix. With the tone control rolled all the way up, this bass had a lot of high end bite. Rolled down, nice creamy low bass.

When I received this bass the set-up was a bit off and there was some fret buzz. Now I puchased and received this bass in February via postal service; so I blame the weather/climate for this. The only other slight problem would be the small spacing between the body and G-side of the neck. It's not a huge deal. The neck and body is otherwise very tight and solid.

There is no doubt that this bass is a solid piece of work. It could absolutly withstand regular gigging schedule.

David Certain is very communicative with his customers, and I feel that if there was a problem he would do whatever is needed to help.

I also own: MusicMan Stingray; Fender '62 reissue Precision Bass; Geddy Lee Jazz Bass; Jasmine accoustic bass; and various effect pedals.
This bass is very well crafted. All the features are comparable to my '62 reissue, other than the higher output pickups on the CertainBass. The maple neck and fretboard are beautiful and solid. I would even go as far to say that it's as good of a copy as a Nash.

I asked David for a "meat and potatoes" p-bass and got exactly that in a beautiful package. It's '62 P-bass copy with a great sunburst finish and faux tortoise shell pickguard. The body was alder. The neck is figured maple with a rosewood fretboard. Tuning keys are great and the knobs came standard in knurled chrome. I get A LOT of compliments on its looks. I give it a 10 because, I got EXACTLY what I asked for. (For the record, David offered different body and neck wood combos, and had tons of different upgrades I could have gotten).

The pickups are some asian secret he has. (I am guessing Teslas, though I have no way of knowing). They are quiet as can be and nailed that classic sound. I can coax a nice low dub sound, or by moving my right hand positioning and digging in a little can get a lot of great growl. This bass sounds fantastic.

Here's what it's all about. David does the best setups on these basses possible- period. He explained ot me that he purposefully drills all screw holes a little small and uses clamps to get everything as tight as possible. The neck has just a touch of relief, and is lightning fast. Simply put, this is the best playing bass I've owned, and I've owned A LOT of basses from Fender to G&L to old-school Ibanezes.

It's a tank. Period. Like I said, everything is screwed in tight as can be. I am rough on my basses, and this thing never goes out of tune, never has a neck issue, it's just great.

I received dozens of progress emails, as well as a couple phone calls to make sure I got exactly what I wanted. He even talked to me about the different tone woods I could choose (He prefers basswood, which I'm going try on my next one).

I bought this bass to replace a '62 reissue I sold that I loved. This is better the bass I was trying ot emulate. If it were lost or stolen, I'd be on the phone replacing it immediately.

I've been playing for 16 years in all styles of music. I have owned lots of different basses costing much more, but this is my favorite. I'm a bass hoarder, and still by tons of basses, but come show time I always end up pulling this one out. I think I am actually going ot sell the rest of my other basses and ask David to make me one or two more.

This instrument,by all appearances,is your typical precision bass but examining the bass deeper gives you an understanding of it's importance to the player. Basswood body, Maple neck, standard P Bass configuration for all hardware. The rating of 10 is in consideration for what it is regarding the features that accompany a P Bass. It is the rest of the information that really matters.

This instrument rivals any P Bass that I have had the pleasure of owning or playing in my over 40 years of making the low notes! The tone is rich and bold across the entire tonal spectrum. This is a very articulate bass. I have never owned an electric bass that allows me to translate my ideas as fully as this one.

The build quality of this instrument is nothing short of excellent. David's attention to detail, fit and set-up are second to none. All components are firmly in place. The neck joint is solid as a rock which translates the tone "spot on". Superb attention to detail regarding the fretwork. Mine has a nice Maple board and the action is very smooth under my hand.

I utilize this instrument live with a couple of bands, sub work and for recording. This bass is solid and worry free as a "Gig" tool. I do not hesitate to use her without a backup.

David is a solid communicator. All of my questions and correspondence receive an answer and he has a wealth of information which he readily will share.

I wass looking for a P Bass to give me the feel of my 69. This instrument not only reminds me of my old friend but is, in my opinion, a superior piece. The look is right on. The feel is right on. The tone exceeds my expectations. You owe it to yourself to contact David and see what he can build for you. Look for Certainbass store on Ebay.