Cary Long Bass Guitars

The top piece is authentic African Ebony. 20”x7”x2”=$400. I have wanted to do an Ebony face on a guitar for a while. So this will either be serial #11 bass or serial # 1 Electric Guitar.

Meet Serial #9 owner Austin Hagood. His dad is my ENT and former boss. When I worked for his dad Austin may have been ~8 years old when I met him. Never would have thought one day I would be building him a bass. After playing his bass for a short time he gave me the greatest compliment a builder can get….”It feels like it is a part of me.” It was an honor to build this custom for this family.

MEET SERIAL #11 owner Jeremy Pence. A native of Cedar Point, AL, Jeremy was able to hear music by ear and play back tones as early as age five, on a small white Casio keyboard his Mamaw, Vida Mae Pence, bought him for Christmas. The first songs he learned to pick out were Stevie Wonder's "I Just Called to Say I Love You" and Kool and the Gang's "Cherish," her favorite song. His love for music would deepen even more with his favorite pastime of listening to The Eagles, Bread, Skynyrd, and Statler Bros on repeat with his Uncle "Duck" Keith Pence.

It was at age 12, though, when his "first love" would come calling. His Dad, James, had started a gospel group with his neighbors and needed a bass player, so he got a pawn shop bass (Mako) and put stickers with the notes on the fretboard, and told Jeremy he could keep it, but only if he was ready to play by their first singing in a month. Needless to say, after learning his first song, Patty Loveless's "Dont Toss Us Away", he kept right on playing.

Alongside his Father, Jeremy would go on to help found Calvary Road Quartet, and play, tour, and record throughout the mid/late 90's , opening for national gospel acts such as The Perry's, Spencer's, and Russ Taff, while also appearing with secular acts such as The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Clay Walker, and Kenny Wayne Shepard. While recording with Calvary Road, Jeremy would meet his mentor and teacher, Grammy Award Winning Producer and Musician, Chalmers Edward "Eddie" "Spanky" Alford, who produced CRQ's first album and would teach Jeremy to play standard guitar. Under Spanky's tutelage and help from Toto bassist David Hungate, he would go on to work with Opry Member Mark Wills and Brady Seals (Little Texas). Jeremy would then return to his love of gospel music.

Jeremy has also served as a bassist for several North Alabama churches such as Rivertree, Cove Baptist, and Hope Valley Bible Church , and was recently named as Interim Worship Leader ar Lakewood Baptist Church in Huntsville.

Jeremy has been blessed throughout thes years to have also recorded, appeared or collaborated with the late-great, Jeff Cook (Alabama) , Leroy Parnell, Steve Wariner, Fairfield IV, Gold City Quartet, Claire Bowen, Jennifer Nettles (Sugarland), and most recently Lana Del Rey.

Jeremy resides in Cedar Point, AL with wife Stacey (Ake) Pence, children -Cash (13), and Presley (9), and fur babies - Emmitt, Marty, and Biff. They also love to spend time with their older children - Jagger and Karlei Pence, Chase Miller, and Dylan Selvage, whenever they can.

Gonna cure for a week, polish then assemble. SN:11

SN 11: 5th coat. May be 2-3 more…

SN 11: First coat.

SN 11: Mock-Up.

SN 11 Control Cover. Route the cavity tomorrow so this can sit flush.

This is my first bolt on neck and was unsure how the transition would turn out. Think I nailed it. SN 11

Frets on, shaping the neck
Next. A little water so you can get an idea of the color. SN 11

SN11: Carbon fiber rods, Allied Lutherie trussrod, and this hot sunken bass clef with brass inlay.

If you will, which fretboard would look the best?

Bryan Shirkey

Well…it’s true.

I have polished many nuts…but look at this mother of pearl one.

Serial #9 Final Coat.