Electric Upright Bass Database

Knutson Luthiery - Messenger Custom DLX

• Vintage: 2004
• Number of Strings: 4
  • Double bass strings compatible
• Bowable: Yes
• Thumb Reference: E♭
• Position Markers: Yes
• Playable Seated: Yes
• Balance While Playing: (8/10)

Here is a copy of the e-mail that I sent to John Knutson after I received the bass that sums up my opinion:

"Aloha John,......... Well, I did a lot of quick practicing, and I have now played two gigs with the bass. John, the bass is more than I had even hoped for. Plays great even for a new upright bass player and it sounds awesome...indistinguishable from an acoustic as far as I can hear and my fellow musicians that have heard it agree.  Set up correctly, it sounds just like your sound samples. People stop and look and admire. I am getting the word out to other local bass players to come and try it. Thanks for the obvious care you put into its construction."

That pretty much says it all. The transition from the fretted electric bass to the upright was made easy by the excellent playability of the Messenger. The Cusom DLX has both Messenger and Barbera pickups. The user can blend seamlessly between them giving many sound options. I am using it regularly now and I continue to be impressed as do my fellow musicians here in HI. I play Hawaiian music here in Maui and much of the music really requires an upright sound. The Messenger gives a great  upright sound, but is obviously much easier to transport. I bought the optional hard case as well as the soft gig bag. For local transport I have been using the bag. I ordered the cherry sunburst finish which is absolutely perfectly done. I also ordered position markers to help speed up the transition.

Details of the bass can be found at www.messengerbass.com.
I called John several times before purchasing. He was extremely friendly and helpful.

This is wihout a doubt, the best sounding EUB I have heard.