Bayou Basses

Handmade electric upright basses. Fretted and fretless models. I have been a bassist for over 50 years. This page is dedicated to these instruments.

During that time I have always worked on my own instruments, modifying and improving. Several years ago, I started buying and selling basses and guitars, repairing and upgrading as needed. I then made the decision to start building my own designs using the knowledge and skills I have learned over the past 5 decades.

08/02/2025

Presenting our latest creation, the second of two commissioned pieces that were completed this week.

"Bella Maybird" is based on a previous original design and was built for one of our best clients, Jeff Bradshaw.

The carved body is made of Ash and has 2 Tonerider Humbucking pickups with 2 volume and 2 tone controls. One of the volume controls is a push-pull switch to allow for coil splitting.

The 5 piece neck is made of Maple and Walnut with Ash laminated to the headstock and a Rosewood fingerboard.

Please visit our website, www.morphosiscreative.com to see more of our unique instruments.
Custom builds are always welcome, contact us for more information.

07/31/2025

"Marlin" is a custom built 6 string left handed guitar commissioned by a client in Maryland.The design is based on the original prototype for the Fender Telecaster.
The chambered body is made of Cherry with a Spalted Maple top. The 5 piece neck is constructed with Maple and Cherry with Spalted Maple on the headstock and Rosewood fingerboard.
There are 2 Seymour Duncan Jazz humbuckers with a 3 way switch and 1 volume and 1 tone control. The volume control is a push-pull for coil splitting.
Please visit our website www.morphosiscreative.com to see more of our unique instruments.
Custom builds are always welcome, contact us for more information.

04/29/2025

Introducing "Nemesis" a 30" scale bass custom designed and built for a very happy client.
The chambered body is constructed of Sapele with a Sycamore top. The sunburst effect was done with aniline dyes and then finished with 25 coats of wipe on polyurethane. The three piece neck is made of Maple and Sapele with a Sycamore lamination on the headstock and a Rosewood fretboard.
There is a Musicman style humbucking pickup and a Delano preamp system featuring a bass and treble control and a push-pull volume control to switch between active and passive modes.
The bridge and tuners are by Guyker and it is fitted with Ernie Ball Super Slinky light gauge strings.
The weight comes in just a bit over 7 lbs and it is a pleasure to play. The sound is deep and full.
Please contact us for more information about our custom instruments.

11/25/2024

"Papako", the Lenape word for pheasant is the latest offering from Bayou Basses.

The body is constructed with Ash, Soft Maple, and Walnut and features a piece of Zebrawood on the front.

The 5 piece 34" scale fretless neck is made of Maple and Sapele with a Sapele fingerboard.

The body is finished with polyurethane and the neck with Tru-oil. The fingerboard is coated with 4 coats of Danish Oil.

The is a piezo pickup under the bone saddle with a preamp by Analog Workshop in the body, and volume and tone controls.

The tuners are Guyker and the strings are LaBella low tension flatwound. The action is light and smooth.

The bass is available and can be seen at Morphosis Gallery in Onancock, VA

10/30/2024

"Red Fox", is our newest Bayou Bass.

The chambered body is constructed of Sapele with a book matched Sycamore top. The 5 piece neck is made of Sapele and Maple with a Granadillo fingerboard, and a book matched Sycamore veneer on the headstock. The body and neck are finished with aniline dyes and wipe on polyurethane.

There is a piezo rod pickup under the bridge with a preamp by Analog Workshop inside the body. The tuners and bridge are made by Guyker and the strings are LaBella low tension flatwounds.

"Red Fox" is available and is on display at Morphosis Gallery in Onancock, VA.

09/15/2024

When I was building my latest bass, the grain pattern of the Spalted Maple top reminded me of a piece of driftwood that had been polished smooth by the tides.

"The Drifter" is a 34" scale fretted bass featuring a 3 layer chambered body. The center chambered piece is made of Wild Cherry that grew here on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and has been aging for over 10 years. The back is Mahogany and the top is a bookmarked set of Spalted Maple.

The 3 piece neck is made of Walnut and Narra, with a Granadillo fingerboard, and the headstock is covered with Spalted Maple.

The body and neck are finished with Crystalac Brite Tone.

There is a piezo pickup under the bone saddle and a preamp by Analog Workshop with a volume and tone control.

The bass has Guyker tuners, La Bella Low Tension Flatwounds and has a smooth feel and rich tone.

"The Drifter" is available and can be seen at Morphosis Gallery in Onancock. VA. Feel free to contact me for additional information on this or any of our other builds.

08/14/2024

"Walosi" is the Cherokee word for frog. Introducing "Walosi", the latest Bayou Bass.

The body is made of Black Walnut with a Narra top. The simulated f holes are carved into the body, painted with color shifting powder and then filled with clear epoxy. The five piece 22 fret neck is constructed of Maple, Sapele and Narra, with a Satinwood fingerboard. The body and neck are finished in a gloss polyurethanne. This is the lightest bass I have built, coming in at 6 lbs 12 oz.

There is a piezo rod pickup under the bone saddle with a preamp by Analog Workshop connected to a volume and tone control.

There are Guyker tuners and it fitted with La Bella low tension flatwound strings.

This bass is available and can be seen at Morphosis Gallery in Onancock, VA.

05/22/2024

Presenting "Red Tailed Hawk" our newest creation.

The body is made from Black Walnut with a Spalted Maple top and finished with a transparent red dye and 25 coats of Truoil.

The 5 piece 34" scale neck is constructed with Black Walnut, Ash and Sapele with a 22 fret Genadillo fingerboard. The headstock features our new Bayou Basses logo.

There is a piezo rod pickup under the saddle and a preamp from Analog Workshop inside the body.

The strings are La Bella Deep Talkin' Flatwounds and a Gator Polyfoam case is included.

The bass is currently available and on display at Morphosis Gallery in Onancock, VA.

03/30/2024

Happy new owner of "Hashi", our newest Bayou Bass.

03/28/2024

Brand new Bayou Bass!
"Hashi", the Choctaw word for sunrise is the name of this handcrafted bass and the beautiful sunburst finish reflects the name perfectly.

The chambered body is made from Black Walnut with a Figured Maple cap. It features a Rosewood bridge with a piezo pickup mounted under a bone saddle.

The 34" scale 5 piece neck is made of Ash and Sapele with a 22 fret Grenadillo fingerboard. The headstock is also capped with Maple.

There is a preamp from Analog Workshop inside the body with volume and tone controls.

The strings are LaBella low tension flatwounds.

The bass comes with a hardshell case and is now on display at Morphosis Gallery in Onancock, VA.

02/02/2024

Presenting "Guitron", a custom built three string 34" scale left handed bass that was designed by my newest client.

The design is based on the video game "Discs of Tron". The body and neck are made of Black Walnut and features a Richlite fingerboard. The design called for black frets which I was able to accomplish using 1/8" black delrin rod. The 12" round body is painted gray and the concentric circles were routed into the wood and then filled with color shifting power and topped with clear epoxy resin.

The neck is dyed black and finished with matte wipe on polyurethane. The body is finished with Crystalac high gloss.

There are 3 single string humbucker pickups and a Nordstrand preamp.

It is fitted with LaBella Gold flatwound strings. The bass shipped out this week and arrived at its new home in Sedona, AZ today.

For more information about custom builds or any of our other instruments, please visit our page or our website www.morphosiscreative.com
For our friends on the east coast, we invite you to come to our gallery at 33 Market St. Onancock, VA

11/21/2023

In 1964 I saw my first Broadway musical, "Golden Boy" starring Sammy Davis Jr.
In honor of Mr. Davis' contributions to the performing arts and the Civil rights movement I have named this golden bass "Sammy".
"Sammy" started life as a 3/4 size cello. The neck was replaced with a 5 piece 34" scale fretless neck made of Ash and Sapele with a Grenadillo fingerboard.
There is a piezo rod pickup under the bridge and a piezo preamp built into the output jack.
The bass is fitted with Rotosound black nylon wrapped strings and the action is smooth.
"Sammy" will debut at Morphosis Gallery in Onancock, VA this weekend during the Eastern Shore Artisans Guild annual artisans tour.
Please contact us for more information on this or any of our other instruments.

Address

New Orleans, LA

Telephone

+15043015122

Website

http://www.morphosiscreative.com/

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