WEStimonial:

Having been asked by Bill to write up my experiences, good or bad, I am apologetic that I have been unable to render a proper 'balanced' or 'unbiased' report. Unfortunately, after having worked with Bill for the past 3 months, I am unable to adequately describe any 'bad' experiences, at all, in working with Bill! Honestly, apart from paying for it (ok, so I'm cheap), this has been the easiest and most satisfying experience in my purchasing life - and with 4 kids, I've done lots of purchasing!

All right; I'll try to get started with my commentary on my satisfaction in working with Bill Wilkat. I began looking for a Luthier to make a body for me due to my frustration at the originality of bass bodies available, with a couple exceptions, in the current market. Of course you've got the original Steinberger XL-2, one of my all-time favorites, then there's the Kubicki Factor, and some of the models by Warwick, Spector, and Tobias. But generally, everyone wants to stay true to Leo's old classics (not that there's anything wrong with that). However, I like to be different. So I began looking for something that could be made for me, that would compliment my style and taste, and be affordable (to be able to match those would be a miracle).

I found a great many luthiers, and body shops. Most of the body builders I found had a niche building, you guessed it, Fender replacements. I sent out many emails, and was able to narrow the field down by those who did not even respond. Bill Wilkat was among those who responded, and quickly. After discussing what I was looking for in very vague and uncertain terms, Bill and I came up with the idea of doing a Thunderbass style body, to match my Steinberger neck and associated hardware. I began to get an inkling that this may work out well for me - I love my Steinberger XP-2, and to have a great design, with exotic wood and a small body - this sounded great. What kept Bill in the forefront of the 'contenders' for my business (because I was only in the market for 1 body, not 15) was his kindness, his ability to work with me to find out what exactly I wanted, and his honesty at what would or wouldn't work, and how it would look. And Bill has this knack for the customer being the 'King'; and where we hear this every day in the advertising world, how 'Customer is job 1' or whatever other ad campaigns fly at us every day - the difference was this: Bill wasn't just giving lip service to an ad campaign - he was living it! I mean, Bill really and truly acted like what I thought was/is important. I mean, where's this guy from? Who really cares what I want as a customer - aren't you supposed to tell me what I want? No way, Bill is the real deal - really went the extra mile to make sure I was happy with everything. And the proof is in the pudding, so to speak. Let me tell you a story.

First, Bill is the email guy - I got daily emails updating me on what was happening on that day, and what the plans were for the week, and how excited he was to be doing this (the guy loves his job!!). A certain Monday, I got an email from Bill about the neck pickup. Now, from previous emails, I knew he had probably just routed out the pickup locations, since he had finished the electronics route earlier, and that was next on the agenda. Anyway, he wanted to let me know about a mistake he had made in the route. OK, wait - a mistake; what's the big deal? I mean, this is a HAND-MADE guitar - of course it won't be perfect, I mean, look how much I'm paying (not much at all considering the work, not to mention the exotic woods). But, Bill tells me, the neck pickup is closer to the neck than we agreed, so he offered me a deal. No, he didn't say "too bad" or "hey, everyone makes mistakes - just live with it" and he certainly didn't Not say anything, and deliver it and pretend it didn't happen. Not Bill Wilkat. He offers me one of two options: Discounted price or start over. Hold on - what? Start Over??? Yup, start over. HOLY COW!! So, me being the jerk I am, ask him to start over - which he has absolutely no problem with (...side note: the only, only reason I do this is I count on the pickup placement for my playing style - believe me, Bill was completely understanding here). WOW - I was so amazed. and still the positive upbeat attitude in the DAILY emails continued.

Now, let me tell you about the woods that Bill and I discussed. From the first email, I had stated that I wanted something different, along the lines of an exotic top, knowing there would probably be other wood involved. Bill takes a look at a picture I sent him, and comes up with this combination: Zebra wood (for the top), maple and wenge (for the center), walnut, (veneer, sandwiched between the top and bottom) and butternut (for the back). WOW - what a combination - and what is this Butternut stuff (a great, lightweight wood).

Final result - Bill thought (and I agree) that the oiled look for bass bodies with exotics looks great. So after Hand sanding, he oiled it. Not just once, either - he put on a professional grade finish.

When I finally got the email that it was on the way, I think I started to psyche myself into a 'don't get too exited' state - so as to avoid any disappointments that this bass would not be as great as I thought. I mean, this guy is working alone, I've seen the pictures, but the pictures looked ok, but I certainly didn't think Bill could pull this off and have it be 'that great' - probably no where near as good as a [insert name here] bass. After I got the body, I took it to my 'bass shop' in the basement (remember, I'm married) and set the box down. I had an event with my son, so I would get to it later. After a few hours, when I returned home, I decided to go ahead and open it up, and see how it looked. After picking myself up off the floor, and closing my mouth, and trying to wipe that 'stupid grin' off my face, I realized that Bill had done it. He had completely surpassed all and any of my expectations. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but holding that body in my hands . . . well, there are no words. When Bill and I started, he called this my "dream bass". Wow, if my dreams were only that good. This bass is the best, most beautiful instrument I have ever had the pleasure of owning. I feel guilty playing it - cause I'm not good enough to have a bass like this!!

When I finally got everything assembled - pickups, electronics, neck (Bill did a great job on the neck joint, which I understand was very difficult - so what did he do? He asked Ned Steinberger - yup, that's the one - the guy that invented the Steinberger in the first place!!) - anyway - when she was finally together - WOW - again!! The sound I was looking for was finally mine. I've been playing this bass now every day for about 2 weeks. It's still great - the love of my life (just don't tell my wife). When I was in the studio with my band, we were finishing up a song, and the engineer stopped the recording, but my bass sang on - this has the best sustain of any bass I have ever played - and I've played everything.

To sum up, there's not much I can say about this bass that will do it - or Bill - justice. I'm very proud that Bill has named something so beautiful after me - and it's unfortunate that I'll never be able to live up to the quality of this instrument. Of course, Stradivarius was taken......

If you have questions, feel free to email me - I am always available to answer individual questions about my experience with Bill. He's going to make your dreams come true.

Sincerely,

Wes Watson

e-mail     wesw@grics.net
 

Bill's Response:

Wow!!! Wes' testimonial made my day! I really love what I do, and work hard to please everyone, but I had no idea that it could be so rewarding. In turn, I'd honestly like to point out, that Wes made it easy for me to help him out, by patiently answering my many questions, understanding the limitations of adapting a design, and promptly making decisions about what he liked and didn't like. I also would like to note that the use of the Steinberger neck and bridge, and the EMG pickups that Wes chose to use, are contributing factors to the wonderful end result of this bass. The woods used were carefully selected, and I can't say enough about the natural beauty of fine wood -- it can make or break a fine bass or guitar!

Note: For those of you not familiar with "Butternut",  it's a super choice for basses and guitars, and is part of the Walnut family. It is physically very lightweight, but not when it comes to sound. Used in combination with maple and other hard woods, it provides a fantastic tone, balancing the brightness of maple with its mellow and warmer resonance, while still providing wonderful sustain. A further benefit is the natural highly accentuated grain structure, giving it a timeless beauty (Mother Nature deserves the credit for this aspect!).