I burned three bass bodies and seven necks before I got one right. Being the third bass that I ever successfully completed, Vern is thrilled that he broke this trend. He also breaks other trends with his laminated maple top, laminated body and simple electronics. With flat wound strings, a wood bridge and Precision bass pickups, Vern is nothing but soul with strings. Vern’s neck has become the one that all of the others measure up to. It took a long time, but I finally got them right and Vern is thankful although his headstock got a bit scorched with a branding iron.