Mica/Jesse, an old one, so likely nothing in the files, but if you get a chance to check that would be great, would be cool if there is some documented history on this bass. Thanks very much, Rob

Even the oldest instruments originally had at least a 3x5 card with some scant details of the build, though this card looks like it was lost long ago. There is a file with a bunch of information about owners, this one went through a great many of them.

It must have visited here at some point because I scribbled this in a replacement file for this bass, but didn't date the entry:

peghead front: Cocobolo
peghead back: Zebrawood
top: Koa
back: Koa
(no note for body wood)
neck: Walnut - Maple or Beech - Walnut - Maple or Beech - Walnut
logo: special black epoxy with Ebony dust with brass
sacrificial veneer: Maple
backplate: hammered brass
inlays: mother of pearl oval
truss rod: single
finish: oil

at the time I recorded the owner as living in Oakland, CA

There's another undated note (with a 2010? written later) with a phone number from central California that says "custom built by us for Carlos"

A note dated 1-6-2010 says we received a message that the owner of this bass passed away. We prepared a Replacement Value Statement for this bass the next day.

On 10-8-2018 we got a message that someone in southern California just purchased this bass from Raphael Saadiq* (who never registered so I can't really confirm this statement, it's just what's in the file). There are some pictures from then. 

*Ownership information is private, except when there's a public figure in the files. I feel a little weird about this note because I have no substantiation. But if some evidence pops up, we'll know where to place the details.

Wow, what an adventure!! Thank you!

I wonder if the originally undated, (with 2010 added later) note that says "Custom built by us for Carlos" could be a reference to the other #73-28, the Carlos Santana guitar?


Quite a story this one has. And it ain't over yet!