I am a proud owner of a Wilkes G.A.F. bass guitar, infact the 3rd one Doug made! He said at the time that there would be a bespoke run 38 in the series, but in a recent conversation I was informed that only 9 were brought to life?

In the 80's I was a jobbing pro muso playing the usual holiday camps and cruises, at the time I had a 70's Fender Jazz and a custom Wal Pro bass. A fellow musicain from the band Liquid Gold who were doing the rounds with Mud told me about Wilkes guitars. My interest was immidiate and I wasted no time contacting Doug and arranging a visit to his work shop in Hanley Stoke on trent. 

I remember the workshop smelling of wood and lacquer it was at this point he introduced me to a beautiful body of a bass guitar hanging on a rail. The finish was a flat satin but underneath a deep red wood stood out, I had never seen a shape like this before. The neck had yet to be made and that was of a Rose Wood and I presume Maple construction.

We talked for ages and I explaind what I was looking for Doug assured me that this bass would be as Good As F**K (G.A.F.) It took a nano second for me to commit myself to buy it, this was late in 86 about the November.

Not long later about mid December I got the call from Doug, I set out in earnest from home Knowle Solihull West-Mids to collect my life long instrument.. I could not get home quick enough I remember nearly skidding off the M6 at Spaggetti Junction on that cold winters evening in my haste to get home.

The bass has never dissapointed me I have toured europe done crusies, holiday camps and club land all over the country.

I have recorded with it, done session work and the usual busking. It has proved over the years to be a versatile and robust instrument, even earing it self the nick name "The Beast!".

After 23 years the Beast is still out doing the rounds with me, but sharing the duites with a 1994 Fernades APB bass. These days I am playing in a working band called 4More doing the usual general covers in venues all over the Midland Counties, occasionaly playing in Stoke-on-Trent.

If you go to www.4more.org.uk you can see the gig list. In conclusion The Beast is still in good nick with very few dinks and I am pleased to say, has aged better than I have!!

 

"God bless you Doug!" I think the Beast shall out live us both............

 

Steve Clarke..