Phil Maneri’s
BASS
LAB
Rarely do builders decide on scale lengths shorter than 34” (the Fender standard). Usually, they opt for longer scale lengths, certainly when using a low B string. There are some short-scale instruments throughout the history of the electric bass – like some hollow-bodies – that settle with 30” or 32”. This bass sits at 33” – a somewhat unusual, but increasingly popular choice – and it shows no symptoms of E string weakness. In fact, it’s quite balanced through its range.
The neck is smaller than most Jazz basses. It is my understanding that Andrew Drake offers a variety of neck widths, and this particular instrument represents one of his thinner neck builds. It certainly works well, here, and doesn’t seem weird. The instrument is very well made; lots of great choices and skilled execution.
The body is a mahogany slab, topped with a lovely figured maple. The neck is another hunk of roasted, flamed maple, topped with figured ebony. It is a glued set neck. The Aguilar® DCB® pickups feed an EMG BQC preamp. Interesting choices, which I don’t see often; but again, here, they work well together. I love the magnetic control cavity; it makes battery changes and mods easy work. An interesting side effect of this system is that it floats the cavity cover over the well-shielded cavity box, leaving a disconnect between the back cover shielding and the main cavity. Although they are connected via the magnetic holders, there is a gap all around that opens what should be a sealed box.
The bridge and tuning keys are from Hipshot, which is the “standard modern bass choice.” This bass sports a de-tuner on the E string; nice to have that option. The joinery and carvings are all really great. Clearly, the builder has great skills. The finish is a urethane that is well-applied and looks great.
The bass has a pleasing design and shape, allowing great access and balance standing or sitting. The bass flat-out sounds great. Add some preamp EQ, and it starts roaring. This is a great-sounding instrument that plays easy and has potential to adjust however a player would prefer.
The shorter scale and skinny neck are at odds with how huge the instrument sounds. It’s an unusual and pleasing contrast to play this bass. At $3,000 (list), this should be on anyone’s short list for an audition in this price range. It could easily sell for much more. 
Drake Custom Bass Model 7
CONFIGURATION
| Strings: | 4 |
| Style: | Double cutaway |
| Overall Length: | 43 ½” |
| Body Dimension: | 19” long x 13” wide at lower bout |
| Body Contouring: | Moderate |
| Weight: | 8.6 lbs |
NECK
| Scale length: | 33” |
| Neck width at nut: | 1.524” |
| Neck width at 12th fret: | 2.113” |
| Neck width at joint: | 2.301” |
| Neck thickness at nut: | .916” |
| Neck thickness at 1st fret: | .788” |
| Neck thickness at 12th fret: | .944” |
| Neck thickness at joint: | 1.023” |
| String spacing at nut: | .416” |
| String spacing at saddle: | .739” |
| Fingerboard radius: | 12” |
| Descriptor for neck shape: | small C |
| Peghead break angle: | 11 deg |
| Bridge break angle: | 14 deg |
| Afterlength at nut: | 2.66” to 4.87” |
| Afterlength at saddle: | 1.5” |
| Attachment: | Set neck |
| Pocket gap: | n/a |
| Truss rod type/access: | dual action / peghead access |
| Fret count: | 24 |
| Fretwire: | 76x43 (stainless steel) |
ELECTRONICS
| Pickups: | Aguilar DCB |
| Pickup location(s): | 11 ¼” and 14 ¼” from 12th fret |
| Electronics: | EMG BQC |
| Controls: | Volume, blend, bass/treble stack, midrange stack (boost/cut and frequency sweep) |
| Shielding: | Foil |
| Preamp circuit voltage: | 9V |
CONSTRUCTION
| Body Woods: | Mahogany body, with quilted western maple top |
| Neck Woods | Quarter-sawn flamed maple (tempered/roasted), with 2 carbon fiber bars |
| Fingerboard: | Macassar ebony |
| Body Finish: | Urethane (clear) |
| Neck Finish: | Urethane (clear) |
HARDWARE
| Strings: | D’Addario XL (nickel roundwound) |
| Gauge: | .045, .065, .080, .100 |
| Attachment: | At bridge |
| Bridge/color: | Hipshot A-style / black |
| Nut: | Black TUSQ by Graphtech |
| Tuners/color: | Hipshot Ultralite / black |
| Knobs/color: | EMG (plastic) / black |
| Pickguard: | n/a |
| Control cavity cover: | Matching body wood, magnetic attachment |
GENERAL
| Company: | Drake Custom Bass Nevada, Iowa Phone: (641) 891-6404 Email: drakecustom@live.com www.drakecustombass.com |
| County of origin: | USA |
| Warranty: | Limited lifetime (original owner) |
| Price: | $3,000 (direct) |
| Available colors: | Numerous |
| Options: | Numerous |
| Accessories: | Mono Vertigo gig bag |
| Acquired from: | Drake Custom Bass |
| Dates: | Fall 2016 to Summer 2017 |
| Locales: | Ohio |
| Test gear: | Bergantino B|Amp, Bergantino HD212, Fender Bassman 800, Fender Bassman Neo 410, Quilter Bass Block 800, Trace Elliot 2x8, F bass BN4, Fodera Monarch 4, 1974 Fender Jazz Bass |
TEST RESULTS
1-5 (unacceptable to impeccable)
In-hand
| Features: | 4 |
| Tonal Flexibility: | 4.5 |
| Ease of Use: | 5 |
| Aesthetics: | 5 |
| Ergonomics: | 5 |
| Tone: | 5 |
| Value: | 5 |
In-hand Score 4.79average
On-bench Score 4.94average
On-bench
| Overall construction | 5 |
| Wood choice | 5 |
| Materials choice | 5 |
| Joinery | 5 |
| Fretwork | 5 |
| Fit and Finish of adornments | 5 |
| Quality of finish work | 5 |
| Ease of repair | 5 |
| Potential range of setup | 5 |
| Balance on knee | 5 |
| Balance on strap | 5 |
| Overall electronic quality | 4.5 |
| Solder joints, wire runs | 5 |
| Clarity | 5 |
| Noise | 5 |
| Shielding | 4.5 |
| Quality for Price Range | 5 |
SONIC PROFILE:
Low: Warm and punchy, but articulate
Mids: Lots of control; easily goes from mid-forward to scooped
Highs: Organic, lots of sustain; clear, but not a lot of sparkle
TONE-O-METER:
(Reggae-funk shade, with needle on rock)
This bass brings a balanced tone, with a great mix of punch and clarity. The pickups and electronics allow for a wide range of tonal options.
