Doner Design Fight Back Series User manual
1
Doner Designs
Warming Hearts with Cool Guitars
“FightBack”Series
AirForceBass
UserGuide
ForSerialNumber0003
2
Doner Designs www.donerdesigns.org
Contents
1. EstimatedValue
2. DescriptionandSpecifications
3. Instructions
4. Photographs
5. AboutDonerDesigns
3
Doner Designs www.donerdesigns.org
EstimatedValue
WehaveestimatedthatthefairvalueoftheDonerDesigns
FightBackSeriesAirForceBass(serialnumber0003)is
approximately$1,700.
Thisisaoneofakinditemandvalueisdifficulttoassessbecauseofalackof
comparableproductsandsaleschannels,however…
Inafundraiserauction,werecommendaminimumstartingbidof$750which
approximatesourmaterialscost.LaborinvestedbySteveandRichardDoner(at
notangiblecost)isapproximately100hours.
Inafundraiserauction,wewouldhopetoseebiddingactivitywellaboveour
estimatedvalue.Atargetsalesvalueapproaching$3,000wouldnotbe
unreasonable.
4
Doner Designs www.donerdesigns.org
DescriptionandSpecifications
EncourageaFightingSpiritwiththeDonerDesignsAirForceBass
Description
TheDonerDesigns“FightBack”militarythemeguitarsandbassesweredevelopedtoencouragekids
whoarefightinglife‐threateningillnessesaswellasthefriendsandfamilywhosupportthem.These
guitarsarefullyfunctionalandconstructedwithpremiumhardwareandelectronicssuretopleaseany
musician,butarealsoworksofartsuitablefordisplayfortheinspirationofanyone.Forneworaspiring
players,aheadphoneamplifierandself‐studylessonbookareincluded.
TheAirForcethemebassguitarisbasedonLeoFender’sfamousPrecisionBass.Thebodyandneckare
fromavalue‐pricedSXbassguitar.DonerDesignsthencompletelyrebuilttheguitarbyreplacingthe
pickup,hardwareandelectronicswithpremiumaftermarketcomponents.Twoadditionalpickupsand
anonboardpreampwereadded.ThetwoaddedpickupsaresimilartothoseusedonaGibsonEB‐3
bass.Bodyrouteswereaddedtohousetheadditionalpickups,preampandbattery.
Theunusual3pickupconfigurationenablestheAirForceBasstoemulatethesoundofseveralclassic
bassdesignsincludingthePrecisionbass(middlepickuponly)Jazzbass(middleandbridgepickups)EB‐0
(neckpickuponly),EB‐3(neckandbridge)andStingray(bridgeonly).Withall3pickupson,thebasshas
itsownuniquetone.Theonboardpreampandpassivebassandtreblecontrolsaresomewhatakinto
thosefoundonG&Lbasses.Tonalflexibilityandcontrolisenhancedbythreeseparatevolumecontrols
andon/offswitches‐oneforeachpickup.
AircraftgraphicsincludetheAirForceRoundelsymbol,USAFstencilletteringandthesharkteethmost
commonlyseenonthefamedP‐51MustangWWIIaircraft.Inaddition,aredcoveredmilitaryswitch
alongwith10dialsandswitchesgivethecontrolpanelacockpit‐likefeel.Thesilverandchromepaint
schemeandastrapmadeofseatbeltmaterialalsocontributetotheoveralllook.Asemi‐glossclear
lacquerhelpsprotecttheletteringandcontributestotheruggedindustrialequipmentlook.
5
Doner Designs www.donerdesigns.org
DescriptionandSpecifications(continued)
Features&Specifications
•Customdesign,construction,finishandsetupbyDonerDesignsinsuburbanChicago
•Lacquerfinishedmapleneckwithmaplefingerboardandtwowaytrussrod
•ContouredPrecision‐stylealderbody
•DimarzioWillpowerMiddlePbasspickups
•GotohNecksidewinderpickup
•GotohBridgesidewinderpickup
•BartoliniTC‐3boosterpreamp
•BabiczFullContactHardwarepremiumbassbridge
•HipshotUltralighttuningmachines
•HipshotXtender(drop‐Dtuner)
•Hipshotstringretainer
•CustompickguardandbackplatesmanufacturedbyAxetremeCreations
•Separatevolumecontrolsforeachofthe3pickups
•On/offtoggleswitchesforeachpickup
•Passive/activeboostswitch
•Masterpassivetrebleandbasscontrols
•Momentarycontactpush‐buttonswitch(formachine‐guneffects)
•Militarystylecoveredtoggleswitch
•Bournspotsandorangedropcapacitors
•Hipshotstringretainer
•GraphTechnut
•Roto77longlastingbrightflatwoundstrings
Accessories
•Gatorgigbagwithcoordinatingcolors
•MatchingGatoraccessorybag
•MonoWarsawSeatbeltStrap
•Danelectroheadphoneampwithshortcablesforbeltclipuse
•Panasonicearbuds
•Korgplug‐intuner
•Cruztoolsmulti‐tool
•LiveWireinstrumentcable
•HalLeonardBassMethodbook
•Musician'sGearstand
•PlanetWavesstringwinder
•Assortedrubberbasspicks
6
Doner Designs www.donerdesigns.org
DescriptionandSpecifications(continued)
Support
DonerDesignsisafather/sonpart‐timecharitableenterprise.Eachguitarisputtogetherandsetup
withourownfourhandsusinghighqualitycomponents.Wedonotanticipateanyuserissuesandhave
limitedresourcesintermsoftimeandmoney.However,wewantouruserstobehappyandableto
makethemostoftheirpurchases.Iftheoriginalownerexperiencesanyissues,wewilldoourbestto
makeitright.Inaddition,ifyouaredelightedwithyourpurchase,wewouldlovetohearaboutthat
too.Pleasefeelfreetocontactme(SteveDoner)attheemailaddressindicatedonourwebsite:
www.donerdesigns.org.
DonationInformation
DonerDesignsguitarsandbassesarepaidforbyDonerDesignsandgiventothecharitableorganization.
Afewpartsaredonatedbysuppliersandsomesuppliersofferdiscounts,butmostofthepartscostand
allofthelaborisdonatedbyDonerDesigns.Onehundredpercentoftheamountpaidatauctiongoes
tosupportthecharity.
7
Doner Designs www.donerdesigns.org
UserInstructions
ControlsDiagram
ThepicturebelowshowstheAirForceBasscontrolsataglance.Thenextpagesgointodetailed
explanationsofeach.RefertoourwebsiteorFacebookpageforavideowithsoundclipsdemonstrating
thetoneofeachpickup.
8
Doner Designs www.donerdesigns.org
UserInstructions
DescriptionofControls
TheAirForceBassincludesthreepickups,eachwithitsownvolumecontrolandon/offswitch.
•MilitaryToggleSwitch:Theguitarwillnotoperateunlessthisswitchisinthe“on”position.To
turnon,liftcoverandfliptheswitch.Toturnoff,closethecover–closingthecoverwillreturn
theswitchlevertotheoffposition.
•VolumeControls:Thethreelargerknobscontrolthevolumeofeachindividualpickup.The
knobnearesttheneckcontrolsthepickupnearesttheneck,etc.
•ChromeMiniToggleSwitches:Thethreechromeminitoggleswitchesturneachindividual
pickuponandoff.Theswitchnearesttheneckcontrolsthepickupnearesttheneck,etc.
•BlackMiniToggleSwitch:Theblackchromeminitoggleactivatesanonboardboosterpreamp
whichincreasestheoutputofthebass.Thisisintendedmoreasaneffect,thusweconsiderthe
“normal”settingtobe“off”.
•SmallGrayKnobs:Thesmallergrayishknobsaremastertrebleandbasscontrols.These
controlsare“passive”whichmeanstheyoperateevenwhenthepreampisoff.Thecontrolsare
cut‐onlymeaningthatthenormal/flatsettingisfullyclockwise.Bassortrebleboostcanbe
accomplishedthroughpickupselection–favortheneckpickupforbassboostorfavorthe
bridgepickupfortrebleboost.
•RecommendedSettings:Awidevarietyoftonaloptionsareavailablefromthisbass.We
recommendexperimentationbeginningwithallcontrolsfullyclockwise,withpreampoffand
withpickupsoff.Then,tryeachofthethreepickupsoneatatime.Nexttryeachofthefour
possiblecombinationsofpickups.Then,selectonepickupcombinationandexperimentwith
eachofthetonecontrols.
9
Doner Designs www.donerdesigns.org
UserInstructions(continued)
BatteryReplacement
•BatteryLife:Theboosterpreampinthebassrequiresasingleninevoltbatterytooperate.
Plugginganinstrumentcableintothebassactivatesthepreamp,thereforeleavingthecable
pluggedinwhennotplayingwilldrainthebatterywithinamatterofdayseveniftheblack
toggleswitchisinthepreampbypassposition.Batterylifewillrangefromafewmonthstoover
ayearifthebassisunpluggedwhennotinuse.
•BatteryCover:TheroundPlexiglascover(whichlookslikeagascap)coversthebattery
compartment.Itcanberemovedwithanallenwrenchoftheappropriatesize(includedwith
accessories).
•Batteryremoval:Thebatteryfitssnuglyintothebassbodytoeliminateanyvibration.To
remove,gentlyprythebatterylooseusingathinmetalobjectlikeabutterknifeorsmall
screwdriver.
•Passiveoperation:TheAirForceBassisdesignedtosounditsbestwiththeboosterpreampoff.
Iftheuserneveractivatestheboosterpreamp,thebatteryisnotneeded.Withoutthebattery
inplace,theblackminitoggleswitchwillactasamasteron/offswitch.
Care
•Cleaning:Wedonotrecommenduseofanywax,polishorcleaningproducts.Thebassshould
bewipedaftereachusewithasoftcottoncloth(likeanoldt‐shirt).
•TemperatureControl:Wheneverpossible,keepthebassfromextremetemperatureconditions
andavoidrapidtemperaturechanges.Whentransportingthebass,leaveitinthecaseafterfor
atleast30minutesafterarrivaltoallowforagradualwarmuporcooldown.
•HumidityControl:Humiditycontrolishelpful,butnotasimportantwithasolidbodyinstrument
asitiswithanacousticguitar.Inmoderateclimates,thebasscanbesafelydisplayedoutsideits
case.
•Strings:Roto77brightflatwoundstringsareincludedwiththebass.Theywilllastindefinitely.
Experimentingwithdifferentstringsisagreatwaytochangethetoneofthebass,butmay
requireadjustmentofthebridgeand/ortrussrod.Seethelinksbelowforinformationabout
howtodoyourownsetups.
•FinishRepairs:Somefolkspayextraforaguitarwitha“roadworn”distressedfinish.Ifyou
prefertokeepyourslookingnew,minordents,dingsandpaintchipscanbefilledinwithan
automotivetypetouchuppaint.
10
Doner Designs www.donerdesigns.org
UserInstructions(continued)
TheHeadphoneAmplifier
ADanelectrominiamplifierhasbeenincludedwiththeintentionofuseasaheadphoneamplifier.The
amplifierisnotrecommendedforanyotherpurposeeventhoughithasasmallbuiltinspeaker.Itcan
beusedwithanyheadphonesincludingtheearbudsincluded.Ashortinstrumentcablehasbeen
includedtofacilitateuseoftheminiampwithitsbeltclip.
IfthisisYourFirstGuitar
Ifyouarenewtoplayingbass,anumberoflinksareincludedonthenextpagewhichyoumayfind
helpful.Ifyoudon’thaveanamplifier,that’ssteponetogettingthemostoutofyournewbass.The
headphoneampwillallowyoutoplayrightawaybutisnothowthebassisintendedtobeused.Ifyou
don’thaveanamp,visitaGuitarCenterorSamAshwithyourbass,plugitinandbeamazed.Wehave
alsoincludedlinksforonlineamppurchase,lessonbooks,onlinelessons,etc.
LetusHearfromYou
Wewanttohearfromyouwithanyfeedbackorquestionsyoumighthave.Ifthisisyourfirstguitar,
we’llbehappytocoachyouonpickingoutanampifyouwantusto.Visitourwebsiteat
www.donerdesigns.orgforcontactinformation.
11
Doner Designs www.donerdesigns.org
OnlineResources
DonerDesigns:
http://www.donerdesigns.org/
https://www.facebook.com/donerdesigns?ref=hl
GeneralInformation:
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?
http://www.harmonycentral.com/index.jspa
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/
Setup&RepairatHome:
http://www.sweetwater.com/expert‐center/techtips/d‐‐02/21/2007
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/browse/article.jsp?mediaId=m710672
http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/tutorial1.htm
http://www.tunemybass.com/bass_setup/
Setup&RepairService:
http://www.thirdcoastguitar.com/
LessonBooks:
http://www.halleonard.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Hal‐Leonard‐Guitar‐Method‐Complete/dp/B000RQ73GQ
http://www.amazon.com/Leonard‐Bass‐Method‐Easy‐Use/dp/0793563836
http://www.amazon.com/Guitar‐For‐Dummies‐Mark‐Phillips/dp/0764599046
http://www.amazon.com/Bass‐Guitar‐Dummies‐Patrick‐Pfeiffer/dp/0470539615
OnlineLessons:
http://www.fender.com/features/onlinelessons/
http://www.guitarlessons.com/
http://www.jamplay.com/
http://www.guitartricks.com/
http://www.studybass.com/
http://www.cyberfretbass.com/
StarterAmplifiers:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Frontman25R/
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers‐effects/acoustic‐lead‐guitar‐series‐g100fx‐100w‐1x12‐guitar‐combo‐amp
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BA108/
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers‐effects/acoustic‐b100‐100w‐1x15‐bass‐combo
12
Doner Designs www.donerdesigns.org
Photographs
13
Doner Designs www.donerdesigns.org
Photographs(continued)
14
Doner Designs www.donerdesigns.org
Photographs(continued)
15
Doner Designs www.donerdesigns.org
Photographs(continued)
16
Doner Designs www.donerdesigns.org
Photographs(continued)
17
Doner Designs www.donerdesigns.org
Photographs(continued)
AirForceBassincludesthebassitselfandasinglesetoftheaccessoriesshowninthepictureabove.
TheArmyGuitarisnotincludedwiththeAirForceBass.
Acaseandguitarstand(notshown)arealsoincluded.
18
Doner Designs www.donerdesigns.org
AboutDonerDesigns
In2008mysonRichardpurchasedhisfirstelectricguitar.AweeklaterwereturnedtoGuitarCenterto
buyanelectricbassforme.Soonthereafterwestartedtinkeringwithupgradesofhardwareand
electronics.Jammingandguitarbuildinghavebeengreatfather‐sonactivitiesforuseversince.
PastexperiencewithbuildingstereoequipmentandRCmodelshelpedworkingonguitarstocome
somewhatnaturally.Dozensofsourcesontheinternethelpedfilltheholesinourknowledgebase.By
thefallof2012,whenDonerDesignswasfounded,wehadbuiltorsignificantlymodifiedeightguitars
andhadmadesignificantstylingmodificationstoahandfulothers.
During2012,asweconsideredtheideaofbuildingforcharityauctions,ourthoughtsquicklyturnedtoa
familywehavebeenclosetoformanyyearsandwholosttheirdaughterJennatocancerin2011.We
decidedthatthefirsttwoDonerDesignsguitarswouldbededicatedtoher.
AmetallicblueleopardthemedguitarwasbuiltwithandforJenna’sfamily,inhermemory,usingher
favoritecolors.TheexperienceofbuildingtheguitarwithJenna’sfamilyalsoservedasapilotfor
potentiallyofferingguitarbuildingworkshopsinthefuture.
Thefirst“FightBack”ArmyGuitarwasbuiltinmemoryandhonorofJenna’sbravefightagainsther
illness.Themilitarythemewasimportantduringherfinaldayswhenfriendsandfamilyvisitedandsent
picturesofthemselvesincamoattiresymbolizingtheirsupportofherbattle.
OurAirForceBassguitarisbeingdonatedtotheChicagoareaMake‐A‐WishFoundationforauctionat
theirannual“WishBall”fundraiserinMayof2013.Make‐A‐WishhadpreviouslygrantedJenna’swish
to“swimwiththedolphins”inFloridawhileshewasundergoingtreatmentforherdisease.
Lookingtothefuture,wethinkthat“FightBack”militarystyleguitarsliketheArmyGuitarandtheAir
ForceBassmaybeofinteresttoorganizationsneartoourheartslikeMake‐A‐Wish,Children’sMemorial
HospitalandtheAmericanCancerSociety.Timewilltell.Wealsohaveaclosefamilyconnectiontoa
childwithCysticFibrosiswhichiswhywearedonatingtheArmyGuitartotheCF2013Chef’sGala.
Insummary,webuildguitarsforenjoyment,butalsowiththehopethatwecanhelpbringjoyto
others.Jenna’smemoryisapartofthemotivetohelpothers.AnotherpartcomesfromourFaith,
whichisanimportantpartofourlives,thoughyouwon’thearustalkaboutitmuchunlessasked.
SteveDoner
19
Doner Designs www.donerdesigns.org
AboutDonerDesigns(continued)
WedonatedthisguitartotheMake‐A‐WishFoundationbecauseourlivesareconnectedtoMake‐A‐Wishthrough
Jennaandherparentswhoareclosefriendsofourfamily.DuringhertreatmentsforLymphoma,Jennawas
grantedherwishtogotoFloridaandswimwithdolphins.Theexperiencegaveheramuchneededrespitefrom
herarduoustreatmentsandliftedherspritssignificantly.
Followingadoublelungtransplant,friendsandfamilysentherpicturesofthemselvesdressedincamouflage
attire.Thiswastoencourageherwiththethoughtthat,inspirit,wewereallfightingalongsideher.Thiswasthe
originalinspirationforDonerDesigns.AllofourFightBackseriesguitarsarepartofJenna’slegacy.
ThankyouforjoiningwithDonerDesignsandtheMake‐A‐WishFoundationtohelpbringhope,joyand
encouragementtochildrenwhoarebattlinglifethreateningillness.
20
Doner Designs www.donerdesigns.org
AboutDonerDesigns(continued)
WethankyouforyourinterestinDonerDesignsandourFight
Backseriesofguitars!
SteveDoner
RichardDoner
www.donerdesigns.org
https://www.facebook.com/donerdesigns?ref=hl
Table of contents
