Brenda now identifies as Electric.

I like to build things. Through shear persistence I've had some successes. Frustrated by a lack of refined polish I offer the mistakes up as style… metaphor even. It seems like I just had beginners luck several years ago when I built Flattop (although he's certainly gone through some updates). Many—OK, nearly all of the basses between the present date and the Flattop are now ashes mixed into the soil of my nascent suburban landscaping. The Mammoth Cave Bass or Electric Brenda Version One sits waiting for me to sort out the bridge/electronics. My upright build sits monolithic waiting for my ambition and confidence to kick back in.

But wait! I've had a success. Morale is boosted. Brenda has become Electric Brenda or Electric Brenda: Mistress of the Dark. Flattop has a little sister and I kinda like that. The two couldn't be more different sonically. Brenda is punchy and metallic which Flattop is mellow and woody.

I thought of using some restraint and not get into the details of the build, specs, but I can't resist… I played one show with Brenda up in Milwaukee because my pickup for Flattop hadn't arrived. I quickly added a thicker jatoba back to cut back on feedback. In my hurry to get show ready I forgot how heavy jatoba is and basically made the world's heaviest acoustic bass guitar. You can see here the prep for chopping and channeling.

Some ragged poplar kerfing:

This little note I hope to never see again:

My finishing gung fu is obtuse. The finish is a buildup of wax and oil. This is a fresh layer of shoe polish:

Brenda is going to travel up to Wisconsin again this Friday, but this time she's ready for action.

For whom it may concern—specs:

32" scale
Sitka Spruce Top
Beech & Maple plywood back
Mahogany plywood sides
Maple neck
Rosewood fingerboard (defretted)
EMG-MM HZ pickup
1 volume
DR Black Beauties