When Jim Larsen set out to build a bass guitar, his goal was not just another instrument. He wanted to thank a friend.

Bill Adam is a retired Air Force pilot and longtime musician. Jim decided the best way to celebrate their friendship was to build a custom bass, finished and personalized specifically for Bill, and present it to him as a surprise. The result is “Bill’s Bass”, a WB Bass Guitar Kit with Mahogany Body Flamed Maple Top, Rosewood Fretboard from Guitar Kit World, transformed into a unique tribute instrument.

Choosing the right kit

Jim knew he wanted a bass with a flamed maple top and a clean, modern shape. Although he originally hoped to find a bound body, he chose our WB bass kit for its striking maple veneer, comfortable double cutaway body and classic PJ pickup layout.

Images courtesy of Jim Larsen

Bringing the lava burst finish to life

The body and neck were carefully hand sanded up to 600 grit before any color touched the wood. Jim then set out to create a dramatic lava burst finish.

He started by staining the edges deep black, softly fading toward the center. Over that, he layered amber and red highlights, then sanded much of the color back to let the grain shimmer through, especially where the black stain settled into the most porous areas of the flamed maple.

Images courtesy of Jim Larsen

That cycle repeated several times – stain on, sand back, repeat – until he was satisfied with the blend of black, red and amber. A final all over amber coat gave the top a warm glow. Jim used TransTint stains mixed with alcohol so he could build up thin layers quickly with short dry times.

Dialing in the neck

Out of the box, the WB neck already looked good, but Jim wanted Bill’s bass to feel as refined as it looked. A straightedge check showed a few high frets and fret ends that needed attention.

Jim taped off the rosewood fingerboard, leveled the frets, dressed the ends and then polished everything to a smooth shine with a Dremel buffing wheel. Along the way, he checked the fretboard radius and confirmed it at 10 inches, a comfortable curve for both fingerstyle and pick playing.

Hand rubbed Tru Oil finish

For this build, Jim chose a hand rubbed finish rather than spray lacquer. Wanting something that would look great and also nod to Bill’s interest in firearms, he used Tru Oil gunstock finish on both the body and neck.

Coat after coat, he watched the flame and the burst colors become deeper and more vibrant. After allowing the finish to cure, he polished it with 3M boat wax to bring out a final high gloss sheen. The result is a rich, glassy surface that still feels organic and smooth in the hands.

Electronics, shielding and upgrades

Inside the body, Jim lined the control and pickup cavities with copper foil to reduce hum and keep the bass quiet under stage lights. He reused the volume and tone pots supplied with the kit, knowing they are easy to upgrade later if needed.

Images courtesy of Jim Larsen

For pickups, he decided to swap the lightweight stock ceramics for a set of Fleor Alnico PJ pickups that he sourced based on strong reviews. That choice gave Bill’s bass more clarity, punch and dynamic response while preserving the familiar PJ character.

Images courtesy of Jim Larsen

On the hardware side, Jim initially installed the standard tuning machines that came with the kit but was not completely satisfied with their feel. After the first full setup he upgraded to a set of Guyker bass tuners, which offer smoother operation and more precise tuning control. 

These upgrades reflect Jim’s careful research and his ear for how he wanted Bill’s instrument to feel and respond.

Air Force inspired engraving and a personal nameplate

The most striking personal touch on Bill’s bass is on the back. Jim’s son Josh owns a laser engraver, and together they found line art of an F4 Phantom fighter jet, chosen to honor Bill’s Air Force service, turning the back of the bass into a collaborative family tribute.

Images courtesy of Jim Larsen

They masked the back of the body with tape to minimize smoke marks, then burned the detailed outline of the Phantom into the mahogany. The result is a crisp, technical illustration that transforms the rear of the bass into a tribute panel.

Images courtesy of Jim Larsen

Under the neck plate, Jim added another subtle personalization. Knowing Bill likes to put his name on his gear, he 3D printed a custom tag with “Bill Adam” and mounted it under the neck plate screws. It is visible every time someone looks closely at the joint, a small but meaningful signature.

The reveal

The photos of Bill holding his finished bass say everything. The flamed maple top glows under the lights, the PJ pickups and upgraded hardware hint at serious tone, and the laser engraved F4 Phantom on the back ties the instrument directly to his life and service.

Images courtesy of Jim Larsen

What began as a flat packed DIY kit became something far more personal in Jim’s hands. Through careful prep, a complex burst finish, thoughtful upgrades and meaningful custom artwork, he created a one of a kind instrument that reflects both his skill as a builder and his deep respect for a friend.

Jim’s generosity shines through every part of this project. He built this bass not for himself, but to honor someone who mattered to him. The time, patience and craftsmanship he invested speak to the kind of friend we all hope to have — someone who shows appreciation through genuine effort and care.

From everyone at Guitar Kit World, congratulations to Jim Larsen on a beautiful and heartfelt build, and to Bill Adam on his new custom bass. Jim, thank you for trusting our WB bass kit for such a meaningful project, and for sharing your story and photos with the community.

Meet the author

Nathan T.

As a longtime contributor at Guitar Kit World, Nathan has spent more than a decade helping guitar builders turn basic kits into stage-ready instruments...

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