Monster

I want to give a special shout out to Monster who has been an invaluable resource for all aspects of Orchid-related design: "Yo, Monster...what about..."

He's been playing bass for 30 years, and has a fine stable including: Rob Allen swamp ash & walnut fretless 5-string; Philip Kubiki Factor 4-string w/drop tuning; Hamer 12-string Chaparral, etc.

He plays everything from Kings X (who we almost opened for — but that's another story) to Rush to Audioslave. But nothing shows off his skills like his original bass lines. Listen to his tasteful playing in Foul Rift...

GIFT MP3 — Strong melodic bass with expressive solo.

Voice : Scott Harrington
Bass : Monster
Guitars | Drums | Lyrics | Recording : Toone

RADIO SILENCE MP3 — Quirky and solid.

Voice : Scott Harrington
Bass : Monster
Guitars | Drums | Lyrics | Recording : Toone

Anyway, he dropped by the shop in the early stages of Orchid sculpturing to evaluate the physical embodiment of our collaborative design jam sessions. Monster has smallish hands, and had not yet heard about my trapezoidal neck profile, so I handed the roughed-out instrument to him...holding my breath.

"It's funny. Part of me wants to speak of its praises in a conventional way...the balance is great, it sits on your leg...you have a great vantage point on the instrument...the resonant effect on your breastbone...the lack of wide sweeps of motion with left and right hands, etc., but this is what I keep coming back to:

"There was a time where the most important thing to me about a bass was how it looked. When everyone I knew was playing a Fender Precision (or a copy), I wanted a bass that stood out and made people look: hence my first selection was a white Flying V.

"As I began gigging, I desired an instrument that sounded good, with thundering, powerful lows and clear, ringing highs. The look became less important and sound became the sole priority. As I got older, I wanted a bass that was also easy to play, to spare my hands, wrists, back and shoulder while still giving great sound.

"Orchid has taught me there is another level beyond these.

"As I first played Orchid, I realized that the goal of the instrument is to both be there and not be there at the same time. The sound would neither be hindered by the player nor the instrument. Orchid allows the player to be aware only of the touch of fingers on bass and of vibrations that directly reach both ears and heart. It is truly a transcendent instrument — a bass without limitations."