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Zemaitis Custom Bass

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Page last updated Aug 11, 2025

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Discover the artistry of bass guitar craftsmanship with the Zemaitis Custom Bass, a remarkable instrument that blends traditional design with modern precision. This electric bass is crafted for musicians who demand both visual allure and exceptional sound quality. Known for its distinctive engraved metal front and headstock, the Zemaitis Custom Bass stands apart, offering both aesthetic elegance and sonic depth.

Equipped with custom-designed pickups, the Zemaitis Custom Bass delivers a rich, full-bodied tone that can handle anything from classic rock to modern jazz. The custom pickups ensure clarity across the entire frequency spectrum, making it an ideal choice for live performances and studio sessions alike. The 4-string configuration provides a familiar feel while allowing for expressive playability and dynamic range.

The bass features a comfortable, contoured body and a smooth neck, making it easy to play for hours on end. The high-quality tuning machines provide stability and precision, ensuring that your instrument stays in tune even during the most demanding performances. Whether you're laying down a groove or stepping into the spotlight for a solo, the Zemaitis Custom Bass offers both reliability and inspiration.

Key Features:

Custom-designed pickups for rich, full-bodied tone
Distinctive engraved metal front and headstock
4-string configuration for versatile playability
Comfortable, contoured body and smooth neck
High-quality tuning machines for stability and precision

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Critic Reviews

The Faces' Ronnie Lane’s Custom Zemaitis Bass Guitar - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

The Zemaitis Custom Bass showcases stunning craftsmanship with intricate engravings and a unique design that reflects a piece of rock history. However, the review highlights issues with its playability, particularly the missing knob and the overall weight, which may deter some players. While it stands out visually and carries significant legacy, its practicality for modern musicians is questionable. The sentiment leans towards admiration for its artistry but frustration regarding its functional shortcomings.

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Cool and classic basses: Zemaitis M/F Custom Bass | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Zemaitis Custom Bass combines stunning aesthetics with solid performance, showcasing a unique metal front design that not only turns heads but also offers superior shielding. Musicians will appreciate its heavy build and quality Seymour Duncan pickups, which contribute to its rich tone. However, the hefty price tag may deter some buyers, and the weight could be cumbersome for long gigs. Ultimately, this bass is a striking choice for players seeking individuality, though it comes with compromises in comfort and cost.

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Ronnie Lane

Singer, Guitarist

Faces

Verified via Photo

In a 1972 performance of Faces on BBC's "Sounds For Saturday," Ronnie Lane is seen using a Zemaitis Custom Bass, as evidenced by the video footage.

Pete Cruickshank

Bassist

The Groundhogs

Verified via Discogs

Listed among Cruickshank's equipment in the liner notes of Hogwash (where it is also pictured) and Solid. It can be seen on the EMI cover of Live at Leeds '71 and is also attested by the following:

Top of the Pops, April 22, 1971 (dated according to Martin Charles Strong's The Great Rock Discography) (three extant stills: one by Chris Walter dated November 30, 1971, another posted to The Groundhogs' official Facebook page on October 20, 2014, and another posted by McPhee to Facebook on March 16, 2016)
July 8, 1972 photos from Carl Dunn of The Groundhogs performing at Concert 10, posted to Facebook by McPhee on September 12, 2011 (Photo 1, Photo 2) (visible)
Hogwash liner notes

Zemaitis Bass Guitar

Sounds, May 5, 1973, "Mac’s Home Cooking: The Groundhogs" by Jerry Gilbert

Cruikshank was plonking away on his Zemaitis bass and Brooks disappeared behind the partition to his drum kit. Mac picked up his Telecaster and the action begun.

Solid back cover

Instruments used :

Gibson S.G, Fender Stratocaster, Yamaha Acoustic, Zemaitis Bass, Ludwig Drums, ARP 2600 Synthesizer, Mellotron

WWA press kit for Solid (1974), profile for Cruickshank

INSTRUMENTS: Zemaitis Bass Guitar, Gbison [sic] EB3 guitar, 4 H/H 2 x 15 cabinets, 2 Amps, H/H 100 watt

TalkBass, September 2, 2009 reply by PJSShearer

The first Rock Gig I ever went to - The Groundhogs @ Guildford Civic Hall in 1974 - the Bass Player had a Zemaitis, I believe Greg Lake played one with ELP but I've never seen one since.
Facebook, Tony McPhee, September 12, 2011

Pooconos festival looking towards stage, Me playing my grey 1963 Strat( later stolen in Wales, bugger it!) Ken on his Kit (stolen in London) & Pete on his fabulous Zemaitis, which he later gave to his son.

Basschat, June 15, 2020 reply by Raymondo

On 13/06/2020 at 07:34, Bill Wy,Aye,Man said:

I wouldnt mind the bass that Tony Zemaitis made for Ronnie Lane, it's the only one and Ronnie was an actual musician

Actually he made a bass for Pete Cruickshank that looks very similar(or at least he owned one , gave it to his son for doing well in exams a few years ago apparently ...Ken Pustlenik told me that when I mentioned that I had always lusted after Mr Cruickshank's bass).