Rob Elrick has earned a reputation as one of the top custom bass builders in the world, building hand-carved treasures that satisfy a highly discerning clientele. His original designs incorporate years of examining the shortcomings of traditional instrument designs, and coming up with his own balance of radical and familiar. I’ve had the chance to review several of his instruments, and I’ve played countless others during my years teaching at the long-gone Bass Emporium in Austin, Texas. I’ve always felt his boutique creations are not only superbly crafted, but they have a “practical” tone — meaning something I would actually want to use on a gig. Granted, my personal taste runs to the ordinary (read: old Fender), but many of us know what it’s like to pick up a beautiful custom bass, only to plug it in and start asking, what type of legs would convert it into the best coffee table? Elricks are suitable for framing, but also provide the meat and gristle that stodgy traditio