Beautiful, Durable, Multi-Laminate Neck
You have a dream
We have the means.
Y our guitar or bass should be an extension of your personality, a tool designed to
make the most of your unique musical abilities, and that is what Conklin is all about.
We work directly with you to create the exact guitar you have in minda one-of-a-kind
professional instrument of the finest quality.
At Conklin, each of us is dedicated to
creating instruments of unsurpassed
workmanship instruments that
push the envelope of conventional
thinking and conventional standards.
Every aspect of construction at
Conklin is performed by hand. We
have no CNC machines, no robotics,
no computer aided design or drafting
just a handful of experienced
craftsmen with keen eyes, skilled
hands, an unwavering attention to
detail and an obsession for quality.
Conklin Guitars is a small, but proud
company dedicated to producing
uncompromising instruments for
discerning musicians. We aim to meet
or exceed your highest expectations.
If you can dream it
Conklin can create it.
C O N T
Company Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Product Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Extended Range Instruments . . . . . .4
A Word About Woods . . . . . . . . . .10
Signature & Custom Guitars . . . . .10
No holds barredthe sky's the limit . . . . . .
Mobile Electric Upright (M.E.U.) Bass
A revolutionary instrument . . . . . . . .13
New Century Series. We limited the options
and lowered the prices . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
2 We turn good ideasinto great guitars!
W e understand that the very heart and soul of
the instrument lies within the neck.
Therefore, we are extremely particular about the
materials and processes used to build our necks. All
Conklin instruments are constructed with a durable
multi-laminate neck. This standard feature provides
unparalleled strength and stability and resists twisting
and bowing like no one piece neck ever could. Other
benefits of this design include a much more even
volume spectrum across all the strings and a livelier,
cleaner, focused response on every note. For added strength, the Conklin neck and
headstock is cut from a single multi-laminate
blank, then inlaid, fretted and hand carved
Exclusive Contoured for a comfortable, somewhat broken-in
Neckheel feeling that fits perfectly into your hand.
Rugged Integral
Headstock
Conklins tapered and contoured neckheel provides
the smoothest transition from neck to body and
Bill Conklin (left) and partner Phil Goschy. Two guys enriching effortless access to the highest fret.
people's lives. You'll swear youre playing a neck-thru-body.
Conklin's tilt-back headstock increases tension over the
nut for better sustain and the straight string pull design
improves tuning accuracy.
E N T S
Hollowbody Guitars and Basses
The hippest of the hollowbodies . . . . .17
The Exclusive "Melted Top"
Organic Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
The Power of Piezos & The
Magic of Midi . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Team Players
Conklin owners and users . . . . . . . . .22
For More Information Conklins integral headstock, fully contoured body and tapered neck heel provide the ultimate in comfort, playability
We want to hear from you . . . . . . . . .23 and durability.
www.conklinguitars.com 3
We wrote the book on Extended Range Instruments.
Much of Conklin's notoriety has come from the fact that we thrive in areas that any other
company would fear to tread. Nothing exemplifies this more than our extended range
instruments. Basically any instrument that has range beyond the normal 6-string guitar or 4-
string bass could be considered extended range. However, Conklin has become famous for
taking range and versatility to the limits. Since the introduction of our sidewinding 7-string
bass in 1992, Conklin has built hundreds and hundreds of custom order 7, 8, and even 9-string
basses; and the response has been similarly overwhelming to our 8-string guitars.

Why so many strings?

Our intention, when designing these extended range instruments, was not so we could brag
that we had more strings than anybody else. These are incredibly versatile, totally practical,
serious World-class instruments.

Try not to view these instruments as some alien creature requiring super human strength and
huge hands to playquite the contrary. The Side-winder is a very user-friendly
instrument, easily adapted to by any player with a basic knowledge of the bass and guitar.
You may be amazed to know that many Conklin converts report that the 7-string is actually
easier to visualize and play than a six string bass! With the addition of the high F-string
chording becomes as natural as on a keyboard or guitar and even complicated scales
become easier and faster because of being able to play vertically without having to
transpose up the neck.

Tuned in fourths
and spanning the limits of
range, these Conklin
Sidewinders combine contra bass
(below E), standard bass, tenor bass
(normally tuned A-C) and piccolo bass (an octive above Since the release of our Sidewinder 7-string bass in 1992, Conklin has pioneered more advancements in the field of
standard E-G) and allows you to play through all these modes without extended range instruments than any other company and more recently we've made history with our 8- and 9-string
basses, tuned in fourths from Low F# to High F or even High Bb!
any thought involved.

4 We turn good ideasinto great guitars! www.conklinguitars.com 5

Extended Range Instruments Extended Range Guitars
Tight, punchy presence This pair of 8-strings feature
multi-scale fingerboards
The Superior construction of our super strong maple/purpleheart neck offers several (licensed by Novax). The
advantages. The need for graphite reinforcements which sterilize your tone is eliminated and fanning of the frets creates a
it provides punchy, focused lows and mids, bright, clean glassy highs, incredible sustain and longer scale length on the bass
side to allow for tunings well
the tightest low B on the planet. below the normal range of a 6-
string. The shorter scale on the
The tight bottom end response also enhances right hand technique by allowing for lower treble side allows for tuning to
action and a lighter touch while creating more even dynamics. High A.

Unparalleled comfort and playability

The Sidewinder bodystyle is also perfectly balanced and seemingly weightless making the
Conklin bass a dream to play for hours at a time. The Sidewinder bass features a 34" scale,
double expanding truss rods, a custom made bridge, available with narrow or wide string
spacing and a wonderfully thin, fast neck. The extended arch of the fingerboard created by
the wider neck is more ergonomically suited to your hand which actually reduces fatigue and
improves playability.
3 on/off switches;
3 band EQ. Total
control
totally cool

For the traditionalist

looking for extended
range we offer this
A radical design thats quite comfortable and very playable; this 36 fret 7-string is the epitome of extended range
Sidewinder 8-string
and versatility.
with wooden Melted
pickguard.
Guitarists need added range too!
Conklins standard 8-string guitar has added range in both directions making it a lead players
dream. Modern jazz guitarists will find the chordal possibilities wide open, and country Check out the custom Conklin tremelo on
this shreddin' 7.
pickers will love the versatility of the low B for baritone range and the high G for slide
work. Or, for those who like their Lows, the 8 can be tuned with two lower strings for a
walking bass line or devastatingly low chords.

String spacing on the 7 & 8 string guitars is virtually identical to

standard electrics. Five piece laminated necks are standard, and both models feature a
custom made Conklin bridge.

All Conklin extended range instruments are available with Conklins exclusive melted tops,
custom electronics, and many other options.

6 We turn good ideasinto great guitars! www.conklinguitars.com 7

 Range Basses
Extended

This georgeous satin finished 7-string

features a one piece figured walnut top.

While this one features a one piece solid

figured maple body. Both utilize Lane Poor This
pickups and full EQ. to die for
Sidewinder
7-string
screams for attention
It just doesn't get any nicer than
with its one-of-a-kind
this. A stunning one piece figured
Melted Top, piezo and
walnut top hammers it home.
magnetic electronics and
incredible tone and playability.

Our 8-string
basses add an
F# below B or a
This simple beauty features neck-thru-body high Bb above F.
construction, a beautiful, curly maple top and
Bartolini pickups. This one also has an on-
board parametric EQ and
direct out XLR.

Bill The
Buddha
Dickens
leaves
Two beautiful custom basses. A quilted crowds
maple 5-string built for Danny DeMorales
with Wayne Newton and a Melted Top 6- wiped out
string made for Kieth Nelson with Diana with his technical prowess. Here he is on the world's
Ross and Donna Summer. first 9-string bass. Bill's Custom Basses feature stereo
panning, parametric EQ and a 12-volt power supply.

8 We turn good ideasinto great guitars! www.conklinguitars.com 9

Signature & Custom Guitars All new styles
All new standards.
Redef
ining custom
At Conklin Guitars, custom means just thatthe customer is free to choose every C onklin Guitars is dedicated to creating the ultimate
level of instrument. One whose standard features
include higher standardsan obsessive attention to
specification of the instrument including design, woods, colors and componentry.
detail for those who will not settle for second best or
Extremely rare curly Koa highlights this compromise commitment.
spectacular The result of this obsession is Conklins extraordinary
7-string featuring an on-board Parametric EQ
(PEQ).
Standard Set-up - a wealth of options available as All Conklin instruments can be ordered
standard equipment on every custom Conklin Guitar. with an earth-friendly, fully resonant,
urethane/oil finish. Many players prefer
These include your choice of bodystyle, neck width, the woody feel and sonic properties of
scale length and fingerboard radius, standard woods and this hand-rubbed finish. Also note the
standard colors, as well as any type of bridge or tremolo detailed mother-of-pearl inlay work on this
wenge and purpleheart bass.
system, tuning machines and pickups. And thats not all.
Other standard features include:

A multi-laminate neck and unified headstock for superior

strength, beauty and durability.
High-perf
ormance Your choice of fine maple, rosewood, or ebony, fingerboard.
Chrome, gold or black hardware.
refinement
An ergonomically designed body, featuring our exclusive
Before construction, every detail of your tapered neckheel.
custom Conklin design is carefully A recessed straplock system for worry-free stage movement
evaluated for balance, weight and overall and low profile strap attachment.
player comfort (whether seated or A locking input mechanism to prevent accidental cord
standing). Conklin helps you refine your extraction.
ideas, to assure that your guitar delivers Mother of Pearl position markers located on the upper edge
unmatched performance regardless of of the fingerboard that double as top and side dots allowing
how radical the design. And, of course, easy viewing from any angle. Bill shapes and sands the edges of a
every guitar is fully inspected and set-up An Ultralite case from Modern Case Company. hollow body bass.
prior to delivery by a professional Conklin Guitars unprecedented limited Lifetime Warranty
technician/musician for perfect tuning, against defects in custom workmanship for as long as you
intonation and playability. own your guitar.
And if thats not enoughAbsolutely unlimited custom options
can be specified.

A w
ord about
Woods
As a general rule of thumb the lighter
more porous woods will give a warmer
woodier, more resonant response and the
heavier, denser woods will have the
brighter, snappier more focused tone. Phil puts the final touches on an
Keep in mind that each piece of wood is exquisite 8-string bass. Control
merely an ingredient of the overall result. cavities are competely shielded
and each instrument is hand-
There is no right or wrong. wired with meticulous attention
Our standard case is the form-fit
Could this be the most incredible feat of custom guitar "ultralite" from Modern Case Co.
to detail.
engineering ever?

6 We turn good ideasinto great guitars! 11

10 www.conklinguitars.com
 Custom (kus'tem)
adj. 1. Made or done to order, or, made extra fine; 2. Making things to order, or dealing in Conklin Means Custom
things made to order [a custom luthier]; 3. Made according to personal or individual
specifications, according to the customer's specifications syn. SEE ALSO CONKLIN.

This MIDI 7-
string has it all
and does it all.
Call or write for
owners manual
(just kidding)!

This ferocious-looking bulldog was three-

dimensionally carved and then air brushed. A
cartoon brought to life.

Brilliant tropical colors highlight this

comfortable, well-balanced guitar.

A trio of custom
bassesa solid
It honeycomb quilt
Heavenly
melts in maple lefty 7;
HardbodiesSome your hand a 3 octave
mouth-watering Wenge/Bubinga neck-
morsels of Melted not in your
Tops and thru with Ziricote top
3-D relief carving.
mouth. and a one-of-a-kind
The 8-string 4-string in the same
dragon bass was We call this bass
shape as our
made for Victor the Ultimelt
Wooten. Crossover guitar. The
because of its liquid
Melted pick guard
looks, precision
on the arched top 4 is
craftsmanship and superior
made of Cocobolo and
performance. We think
curly maple.
it will melt
your heart.

12 We turn good ideasinto great guitars! www.conklinguitars.com 13

Mobile Electric Upright
The instrument that was originally designed to
allow upright players to move around on stage
and electric players to easily adapt to upright
style has evolved into a revolutionary instrument
that continues to amaze even its designers. The
Conklin M.E.U. or Mobile Electric Upright is a
fully mobile, fully portable, extremely well-
balanced electric upright that is strapped on like
an electric bass but hangs on the body in
upright position. A combination of precisely
placed strap buttons and an ingenious balance
block on the back of the instrument allows the
lightweight M.E.U. to hang effortlessly just off
the players body at a perfect playing angle and
height.
The secret to the M.E.U.s size and mobility lies
in its 34 scale length, but dont think for a
second that the M.E.U. cant run with its long-
scale acoustic counterparts. The Conklin has
an incredible acoustic tone, even down to the
thud produced when plucking an upright
string and the vibrating top effect produced by
bowing an acoustic. You wont believe your
ears!
M.E.U. Bass
Even with its drastically downsized body, thin characteristic rarely found on any electric
profile and lack of arching or F-holes; the upright.
M.E.U. sounds like its two
feet wide, six feet tall and The strap on design and compact shape of
pushing air! Die hard the body also allows the player to become
acoustic players are one with the instrument making the M.E.U.
amazed at how the easier to play, even in thumb position.
M.E.U. neck and
fingerboard Another advantage of the M.E.U. is its
replicates an traditionally styled body. When combined
expensive full with its realistic acoustic, sonic
size upright and capabilities the M.E.U. will surely be
even transmits welcomed in virtually any musical
vibrations into forum just short of the symphony.
the left
hand; a The M.E.U.s size makes it a hands
down winner in yet another
category; transportability. At only
52 the M.E.U. can be zipped into its
custom Ultralite Case and easily carried
across campus over the shoulder, tossed
into the back seat of any subcompact car
and even placed in the overhead
compartment of most planes!
Kyth Trantham demonstrates the bowability of the
5-string M.E.U. No more of those shipping
nightmares for acoustic
upright players.

If you currently play acoustic

upright, electric upright or
standard electric bass, you
owe it to yourself to
The M.E.U. bass shown check out the Conklin
with the removable
M.E.U. bass. From
balance block and
adjustable strap which Conklin and no one else!
allows the instrument to
rest in perfect upright
position on any size
player.

Players include:
Allen Woody - Government Mule
Victor Wooten - Bela Fleck
Kevin Chown - Studio Musician0
Paul Arntz - Nashville session player. The M.E.U. sounds like it
s two feet
Paul IL - LA Session Player wide, six feet tall and pushing air!

14 We turn good ideasinto great guitars! www.conklinguitars.com 15

The New Century Series The New Century Series
Instruments of Integrity

U nderstanding that not every player has the need for a completely
custom instrument or even the budget to acquire one, Conklin is
proud to offer a limited production series of guitars and basses, priced
within the reach of virtually anyone.

These instruments are not mass-produced, down-grades of our

renowned signature and one-of-a-kind models, but are standardized
versions of our most requested designs and options. The NEW
CENTURY SERIES guitars and basses are hand made to the same
exacting standards, by the same craftsmen, using top grade hardwoods
and name brand hardware, right in the same shop as our finest custom
instruments. By limiting options, instead of lowering quality, we are able
to streamline production and lower costs.
Every instrument produced at Conklin features the same craftsmanship,
playability, and lifetime warranty, regardless of price.

Were with you for life Thats integrity!

The versatile bodystyle of the Conklin Crossover can be set-up in several different variations.
New Century Series Note how well this design lends itself to strat-style, tele-style and Les Paul*-style
guitars and basses configurations. All pick guards are made of wood.
feature cherry bodies,
*Strat, tele, and Les Paul are registered trademarks of Fender Musical Instrument Co. and Gibson Guitars. Conklin is in no way affiliated
multi-laminate necks, with these companies.
rosewood
fingerboards and our
exclusive
off-sides dots.
All 4,5,6, & 7-string
basses are available
in 3 models and 3
option packages.

All 6, 7, 8-string New Century Guitars are available in 2 bodystyles, 3 models and 3 option packages.
*See New Century Series price list for full details.
*See New Century Series price list for full details.
16 We turn good ideasinto great guitars! www.conklinguitars.com 17
Conklin Arch Tops... A Les Paul lovers
archtop.
The Hippest of the Hollowbodies

S ing the same construction techniques that allowed us

to produce our highly praised Mobile Electric Upright
(M.E.U. Bass) Conklin is now offering a new line of hollowbody
guitars and basses. These
wonderful instruments are
Piezo pickups in the bridge of this georgeous 6-
built around the same string Crossover hollowbody produce incredible
compact body style as our accoustic tones while the neck position
humbucker gives it a wonderful warm T o celebrate their 15th year
solid bodies for a more intimate feel
jazzbox tone. of business and the release
and comfortable playing position than
of their new hollowbody basses;
can be achieved on a full size jazz box.The
Conklin is proud to offer this Limited
neck, pickups, electronics and bridge are also
Edition 15th anniversary model. A
set up in a more familiar fashion to allow electric
special finish, select hardware, exotic
players to feel right at home at all times.
wood binding and custom electronics
highlight this hollowbody
7-string Sidewinder
bass.

Dave Wood, New

York City jazz,
funk &
Because the fusion
deep,hollowbody session artist.
design features both
magnetic and piezo
pickup options these
hip little hollow bodies
can do it all from a
screaming lead guitar , a thick chunky rhythm
guitar , a beautiful warm jazz box or a rich glass-like
acoustic guitar .

Once you see, hear and

feel the new Conklin
hollow-bodies you may
decide this is the only
guitar you need.
Conklin hollowbodies can be decked out with piezo
and magnetic pickups, preamps, EQ's, on board
This spectacular piece features walnut back and sides, 5 pc. Melted
MIDI electronics, Melted T ops and even multi- Top, 3 band EQ, MIDI electronics and custom Conklin bridge.
scale fingerboards as on this beautiful Sidewinder Conklin hollowbodies include an
easy-access control cover, contoured
hollowbody . neckheel and arched back.
(T uned Low B to High A).

18 We turn good ideasinto great guitars! www.conklinguitars.com 19

The Magnificent Melted Top The Power of Piezos
Conklin Guitars has become known for its many unique creations and exclusive innovations, W hen people hear the term piezo pickup these days, they often think of the ones used
in acoustic/electric guitars and those that make solid bodies sound like acoustics;
that is correct, but that's definitely not all the piezo is capable of.
but nothing sets us apart from the pack like the
Melted Top. The world class Conklin craftsmen have developed what may be the ultimate
construction technique. In a special process the Conklin design team uses only the finest
exotic woods to create stunning organic graphics; two or more different types of wood are
combined into a unique visually stimulating pattern to portray the illusion of movement, Piezo crystals can be installed under each bridge
harmony and colorful excitement. saddle giving the individual strings their own signal.
These separate signals can be used for splitting the
bass and treble strings into separate outputs for doing
two hand tapping techniques without cross talk or for
How do they do that? true stereo panning. And because the piezo operates
on string pressure instead of vibration, the response is
The process of making Melted Tops is a virtually instantaneous making them the perfect
radical departure from the standard candidate for another challenging tasktriggering
bookmatched top (i.e. figured Maple MIDI systems.
tops) seen on virtually every guitar Piezo crystals imbedded in the saddles of
this ABM bridge can be used for a wide
manufacturers products today. variety of applications.
Conklin's highly skilled luthiers carefully
sort through hundreds of boards from
several different species of wood such
as burl walnut, curly, quilt or birdseye
maple, lacewood, cherry and purplehart
The Magic of MIDI
MIDI allows your guitar or bass to digitally interface or communicate with other MIDI
just to name a few. Each piece is equipped devices such as computers, controllers and converters so that you can write,
selected for its particular grain pattern or record and edit your music via your computer or create the sounds of virtually any other
color contrast when combined with the instrument, live
other woods. Conklin is the first and only guitar company on the planet
or in the studio.
offering this mysteriously beautiful and diverse construction
method, blending impeccable craftsmanship and artistic
creativity.
Our MIDI electronics are made by RMC and
are completely housed within the control
cavity of the instrument and triggered via
piezo pickups in the bridge. This method
It's a work of art that works! allows us to do multi-string applications and
also tracks much faster and more accurately
Once the boards are chosen, the Conklin craftsmen must figure out how each of the woods than the old hex pickups. This system is
will interact in the pattern to create the finished top. From there, Conklin uses a secret compatible with any 13 pin MIDI converter
process to melt each piece into the pattern with super precise airtight joints. Its hard to and can be blended with the existing piezo
MIDI electrtonics hidden inside the control cavity of
believe these woods didnt grow this way in nature! Every finished Melted Top is a one-of-a- this bass allow it to produce the sounds of virtually and magnetic signals from the instrument.
kind creation as unique as the woods that go into it and the artist that owns it. any other instrument. The only clues to its existence You can order MIDI electronics on any of our
are a patch switch, a synth switch and the custom shop, New Century Series or
telltale 13-pin output jack. Other electronics include
Conklin offers four basic patterns in 2,3 and 5-piece tops which allow for an infinite number of a 3 band EQ, a magnetic pickup blend knob and a hollowbody instruments.
piezo/magnetic blend knob.
designs that can be created using different species of woods and grain patterns. Custom
patterns are also available.

20 We turn good ideasinto great guitars! www.conklinguitars.com 21

TEAM PLAYERS
Notable Conklin Owners & Users
See our Website for updated listings and bios on these
and many other incredible artists.

All Conklin basses are available fretted or fretless. Fretless models can be ordered with or without lines and with or
without a hard finish on the fingerboard.
Pennal Johnson Ted Whitmore Jake Kot

Ask the Experts.

If you need assistance with your design and hardware selection please dont hesitate to call
Conklin doesnt have the our friendly, knowledgeable staff. Thats what were here for!
huge budgets that are often (417) 886-3525 or E-mail: conklin@conklinguitars.com
used to "buy" endorsers,
hand out free equipment or
sponsor major tours or
clinics.
Send us your dream.
John Jordan These artists simply
wanted an instrument as A combination of your imagination and our craftsmanship your Conklin will allow you to
individual as they are and reach unexplored musical horizons and discover new avenues of expression and untapped
had the integrity to pay us to potential within yourself.
get them. Now that's an
endorsement! If you have drawings or sketches of your dream instrument that you feel may help convey
your ideas to us; send them along with your other specifications to:

Keith Rouster

CONKLIN GUITARS & BASSES

P.O. Box 1394/Springfield, MO 65801
OR FAX THEM TO: 417-886-2934

So let your imagination soarWell turn your good

ideas into a great guitar.

Ask us about Conklin WearablesJackets, Shirts & Hats as well as Conklin

accessoriesstrings, cases and stands.
Copyright 1991, 1993, 1995, 1998 Conklin Guitars
Mark Harris Eddie Pruitt Josh Smith Photos by J.T./Envision/Harmon Creative Photo

22 We turn good ideasinto great guitars! www.conklinguitars.com 23

300
$