A common problem a lot of luthiers end up with is an overabundance of materials – you get a top or a slab for a body and repeat this in ad infinitum until you run out of storage space in your shop. This bass started out as a way to use some materials I’d had kicking around the shop for some time – leopardwood and yellowheart.

When nearing completion, one of my colleagues reached out and asked if I had any instruments or art I’d be able to donate to the American Heart Association’s for 2019 rock and roll-themed Heart Ball. As this instrument wasn’t yet spoken for, I decided to donate it to a good cause and have it auctioned off as part of the celebration.