I am Andrew Drake and I specialize in crafting custom handmade bass guitars. Drake Custom builds semi-hollow, solid body, fretless, headless, extended range, and customer specified one off designs. My instruments have been built for a wide range of musicians, recording artists, composers, and collectors. Along with my own designs, I have completed prototyping work for other designers. I started building commissioned instruments in 2005 and opened Drake Custom in 2010. I am located in Nevada, Iowa, USA.
Quality Made Instruments
Drake instruments are true handcrafted instruments as each is crafted by me, in my small shop, with basic shop tools. I have control over the entire process from start to finish. Since the work is all done by hand, customers can be assured that every detail of the instrument, from the fretwork and neck carve, to the electronics and hardware, will get my close attention. I strive to create an instrument that has the feel of the highest quality, voiced with the greatest tones, and with bulletproof reliability. My goal has always been to create an instrument that meets the player's needs and surpasses their expectations.
History
My foray into bass guitar construction began as early as my first bass guitar, in 1993. My first bass was a cheap bass with a plywood body. I tinkered with it, and tried to sort out a way to make it sound and play better. After 10 years of tinkering with cheap basses, I decided to scratch build my own bass. That bass turned out really nice and I had some players interested in having me make one for them too. In 2005 I started building my first handmade instruments to sell. During that time I found that I had a knack for making necks that were perfect for players with hand issues or who had suffered shoulder injuries. Things were going well, so in 2010, I left all my other work and concentrated on building basses full time. I started Drake Custom on June 6th of 2010, and specialized in building custom one-off designs, built to customer specifications. I still build under this label today.
Today:
Drake Custom is a full on custom shop. Our passion and specialty is semi-hollow 33 and 32 inch scale basses, but we make all sorts of bass instruments and some guitars. Please visit our Instruments page to view our current offerings, or contact us with your custom request.
Drake Custom is located in Nevada, Iowa, USA. I do not have a store front and visitations are by appointment only. If you will be in the Central Iowa area, and would like to visit the shop, please contact me through the website or call.