This is a rare opportunity to own one of the original prototype Retroglide basses.
Each instrument was developed in collaboration with Mark King and has been signed and dated.
Mark has used all these basses in various rehearsals and the last (# 4) prototype was used for various
concerts in The Netherlands and at the start of the UK tour in Autumn 2006 until the final model was completed.
These basses now available.
Mark's original idea was to have a KingBass with a Metalflake lacquer similar to a custom car.
Being around the 25th anniversary of Level 42, silver seemed to be the obvious choice...
I wanted to get an interesting finish for the moulding to replace the regular graphite weave and
approached our pre-preg supplier to try and develop another option.
They had recently acquired a limited quantity of a 'silver' material but were not sure of a suitable
application as it is quite difficult to process and not ideal for many manufacturing systems.
These original basses were used to refine the techniques necessary to process the material consistently.
All were made within a few weeks in the summer of 2006.
The serial numbering is slightly 'odd'....
Prototype 28 : This is the first prototype with the Metalflake lacquer, 'woven chrome' neck and white front and side LED's.
Prototype 29 : The second prototype. Similar to # 1 but with red front and side LED's
0706001 : This is the third prototype and was thought to be the final version (hence the serial number)
until I suggested we try and incorporate the 'woven chrome' material on the body as well as the neck.
Prototype 30 : Prototype four.... nearly there. Using the silver material on the whole bass
needed a little refinement but the overall look was getting close.
The final touch for the production model was making a pair of custom chrome pickups
based on regular guitar sized covers. Mark also suggested we use the
black lacquer on the back of the body to give more contrast and a 'classic' look to the overall bass.
Please note : Being prototypes, these instruments have various minor cosmetic flaws but all play perfectly.
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A few snaps of Mark with the basses...
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Please contact us to check availability and exact prices
including door-to-door shipping and insurance.
