Fascinating, Jim... 2-string bass by Eastwood

[HeadlessBassist]

Anyone seen or played one of these? Apparently, all the money's on the E-string...

 

https://eastwoodguitars.com/products/eastwood-the-sandman-2-string-bass?srsltid=AfmBOooeuftkRxv9OB_YanEqAVfXff4y82cr7_ZcO7ZM4XeZ3iAo9Ne9#case-fit

 

 

 

 

Edited August 22 by HeadlessBassist

[zonular]

Love morphine! One upon a time I converted an old vintage sg into a two string bass ala the presidents of the USA. Why did I ever sell it 😭 

[pineweasel]

Mark Sandman tuned his in a fifth, D and A, and used a slide. A fantastic, unique sound and brilliant band. 

 

Edited August 22 by pineweasel

[RonC]

Love Morphine, no bassist was ever as original as Mark Sandman. What a sound!

I’m glad that I’ve seen them live several times.

[Beedster]

Why a 4-string nut?

[HeadlessBassist]

I'd imagine no one mass produces a 2-string nut. For good reason. Well spotted though, Beedster.

[NancyJohnson]

Sandberg made some two string basses and so did Waterstone.

 

I'm surprised nobody put a 2-string Chris Ballew Gitbassinto production.

[tauzero]

5 hours ago, Beedster said:

Why a 4-string nut?

 

In case a certain customiser should decide to add two more tuners at jaunty angles, add two bridge saddles, and ram a couple of Strat pickups into the pickup routs.

[zonular]

2 hours ago, NancyJohnson said:

Sandberg made some two string basses and so did Waterstone.

 

I'm surprised nobody put a 2-string Chris Ballew Gitbassinto production.

Id buy it

[Beedster]

7 hours ago, HeadlessBassist said:

I'd imagine no one mass produces a 2-string nut. For good reason. Well spotted though, Beedster.

How much would it cost for them to use blanks and do it properly? To me it shouts poor attention to detail 🧐

[HeadlessBassist]

Agreed.

[pineweasel]

16 hours ago, Beedster said:

How much would it cost for them to use blanks and do it properly? To me it shouts poor attention to detail 🧐

It’s a copy of Mark Sandman’s bass, which was a 4 string with only 2 strings on it, so it’s quite accurate in that regard. 

[RonC]

Exactly! The headstock should have 2 extra holes as well and should be black.

Edited August 24 by RonC

[Hellzero]

And a way higher nut alongside a full length string retainer as he was playing with a bottleneck all the time (as mentioned earlier).

 

Saw Morphine with Moondog Jr opening, with the two bands playing together a full encore: one of the best "rock" concerts I've ever attended.

 

Mark Sandman was really gifted.

[Gareth Hughes]

9 hours ago, Hellzero said:

Saw Morphine with Moondog Jr opening, with the two bands playing together a full encore: one of the best "rock" concerts I've ever attended.

 

I am properly envious of that, what a magical pairing. 
 

I could have seen Morphine at Reading ‘94 but I was wedged down the front to see CooShootCop and Rollins Band. And I didn’t know who they were at the time, alas.

[binky_bass]

On 23/08/2025 at 16:45, Beedster said:

How much would it cost for them to use blanks and do it properly? To me it shouts poor attention to detail 🧐

Its a 4 string bridge too, with only 2 saddles, same for the pups. All you'd need to convert it to a 4 string is 2 saddles, 2 strings and 2 machine heads! Looks like an MDP creation to my eyes! 

[itu]

My workmate brought this awkward record to listen to. What's this? Have to say I've liked his work since. He's a good example of playing only the right notes. 

[HeadlessBassist]

4 minutes ago, itu said:

My workmate brought this awkward record to listen to. What's this? Have to say I've liked his work since. He's a good example of playing only the right notes. 

 

I know what you mean. I have encountered a lot of players who play 18 billion notes, hoping that one might fit.

[JoeEvans]

I think there's at least one two-string ACG out there too. I don't think I could live without octaves myself!

[alyctes]

There's at least one Krappy purpose-built Sandman two-string.  (I know, I've got it.)

[Count Bassy]

On 23/08/2025 at 09:38, Beedster said:

Why a 4-string nut?

Indeed, why a four string neck?

[itu]

3 minutes ago, Count Bassy said:

Indeed, why a four string neck?

Maybe it was available only from Atlansia?