Wyn Guitars

Tim Baker

Tim Baker, a great San Francisco Bay area player with his flame topped Koa 5-string. He is the current bassist in both the Miles Schon Band and BillionsUponUs.

Check out Tim on FaceBook and on MySpace.

David “Bassman” Celestin

David Celestin, aka “Bassman,” is the bassist for Grammy Award-winning R&B vocalist Ashanti Douglass.

Born in 1985, David was initially exposed to music at his church and listening to Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Earth, Wind and Fire. At the age of 16, he started playing at his church, which maintains a congregation of 2,000. Other notables that David has played with include Anthony Hamilton, Ryan Leslie, Haitian Mass Choir, Brooklyn Tabernacle, Omega Gospel Band, and many more. He is also a proud endorser of Gallien-Krueger, ZZYX Snap Jack, Levy Straps, Fodera Strings and now WYN Guitars.

Al Criado

Al Criado is currently working on a project for Globo TV from Brazil, playing with saxophonist Devin Phillips from New Orleans, Dave Valentin, Latin groups Havana Rumba, Caliente and Cana Son, his own group Clave 2:3, and saxophonist Dave Valdez. He’s also producing a project for bassist and fellow Wyn great, Ben Jones, and preparing for another with drummer Gary Hobbs. Also lots of bass overdubs from his studio for Bard Studios, Mayuto Correa, and others. Another working musician that clearly gets no sleep!!! He’s pictured holding his figured Wyn Clairo Walnut 5 string fretless with taper core Wenge and Padouk neck and a Macassar Ebony finger board.

Check out Al’s FaceBook page »

Dammo Farmer

From Chicago Gospel roots, Dammo has played with Toni Braxton, Baby Face, El Debarge, Stevie Wonder, Jamie Foxx, Patty LaBelle, Yolanda Adams, Mary Mary, and Kirt Franklin among others.

Ethan Farmer

Ethan Farmer has been a dominant force in the Hip Hop/R&B realm for over a decade. He’s played with Janet Jackson, Baby Face, and many others. He’s the current bassist for New Kids on the Block and Christina Aguilara in addition to finishing his upcoming album. Here Ethan plays his new 5-string Wyn with Quilt Maple top, Macassar Ebony fret board and Wenge/Rock Maple neck.

Check out Ethan’s web site: www.ebassman.com »

Maurice Fitzgerald

One of the most highly respected Gospel and R&B session players, Maurice Fitzgerald has most recently been seen working with the likes of Marvin Sapp, Bebe and Cece Winans, Andrae Crouch and Donald Lawrence.

Check out Maurice on MySpace »

Erik Griggs

Erik “Bluetooth” Griggs is a multi-instrumental music producer/writer with many credits including the Dreamgirls soundtrack and music for various main stream acts such as Tyrese, Omarion, and Charlie Wilson. Erik is also the largest contributor to the international hit record “No Air” with Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown, for which he was Grammy-nominated. All of this has occurred within his first 5 years on the LA music scene. He’s known for his live instrumentation. If you hear a live bass on his track (and you often will), you can be sure it’s his Wyn.

Erik on Facebook » | Erik on Twitter »

Jimmy Haslip

Jimmy Haslip with his Wyn Cocobolo 6-string, “Gabriela Rose” (named for his daughter). Jimmy is currently recording, producing, writing, and touring with Robben Ford, Alan Holdsworth, and The Yellowjackets. Geez, does Jimmy ever sleep?? (Jimmy also plays and endorses Roscoe, MTD, and Yamaha basses.)

Visit Jimmy’s site: www.jimmyhaslip.com »

Jerry Henderson (aka JBlakk)

Jerry Henderson, a.k.a. JBlakk, an amazing New Orleans player, with his Bubinga and Padouk topped 5-string with figured Cocobolo fretboard. Jerry completely lit up the Wyn booth at NAMM, taking part in a spirited funk and soul jam with Ben Jones.

Check out Jerry on MySpace »

Adam Johnson (aka TAJ)

Adam Johnson aka TAJ, is playing a Wenge topped 5 string with a figured Cocobolo fretboard. A custom Wyn 6-string is in his future. Adam has toured with Jill Scott and served as Stephanie Mills’ musical director. Currently you can see him on the road with Donnie McClurkin and hear his Wyn bass on Jonathan Nelson’s latest CD, releasing in summer 2010.

Check out the TAJ Music web site »

Ben Jones

Ben Jones lives in the Pacific Northwest with roots in Detroit. A bassist, vocalist and composer, Ben’s played with the likes of keyboardist Jeff Lorber, pianist Tom Grant, and jazz violinist Noel Pointer to singer Phyllis Hyman, Robert Cray and B.B. King, to name but a few. Ben currently tours with The Neville Brothers (he can be heard on their recent album “The Heart and Soul of New Orleans”, downloadable on iTunes), and is also finishing up tracking/production on a long awaited solo CD.

Check out Ben on MySpace »

Abraham Laboriel

Abraham Laboriel takes his Ziricote E to E 6 string for its maiden voyage. This bass has the same tuning as a regular guitar,but one octave down. It allows Abraham, an amazing guitarist as well as bassist to comp chords while playing foundational bass. Perhaps double scale is in order whenever he plays this instrument??

About Abraham »

Jon Laws

Twenty three year old Jon Laws hails from Toronto, Canada. Born into a talented musical family, Jon has played the role of Music Director in his church since the ripe old age of 15. These roots as well as playing with numerous Gospel greats have helped Jon to form a solid musical foundation focused on keyboards and bass. Jon is the current bassist for the wildly popular Drake.

Jon on Twitter »

Cee Jay LePage

Progressive rock instrumentalist.

Check out Cee Jay’s band, Pictures of Sound, on MySpace »

James LoMenzo

James “JLo” LoMenzo is a metal bassist best known for his roles as a former member of White Lion and the thrash metal band Megadeth.

Here he plays his carved Sapele and Ebony Wyn, Winter 2010 NAMM show

Check out James on MySpace »

Stewart McKinsey

Stew McKinsey has played and performed for more than 25 years as a solo artist, composer, sideman, studio musician, educator and writer. Whether touring nationally or playing a local coffee house, he brings an honest style with humor and joy to every performance. Stew is proudly holding his Wyn 6-string with Lacewood top, Wenge taper core neck with Pau Ferro fretboard.

Check out Stewart’s web site, www.subcontrabassist.com »

Edwin Oliver

A music industry veteran best known for launching the careers of numerous successful recording artists & music producers. Edwin is also a very talented bassist. His company FIRST TRIBE MEDIA provides music for various television shows as aired on such networks as: ESPN, OXYGEN, MTV, VH-1, ETV, and more.

Check out First Tribe Media on MySpace »

Tony Russell

Another go to bassist with extensive roots in the Chicago Gospel Scene, Tony is currently the bassist for Jay Z. In addition to Jay Z, a few of the many that Tony has worked with include Puff Daddy, Jamie Foxx, Yolanda Adams, Smokey Norful, and John P. Kee.

Eric Smith

Eric Smith aka “Pikfunk” – is a monster go to bassist and Musical Director. Currently touring as Musical Director with Rihanna, he has worked with Shiela E, Jamie Foxx, P. Diddy, JC Chasez, Fantasia Barrino (MD), Lupe Fiasco (MD), Chris Brown, Mary Mary (MD), Jill Scott (MD), Jessica Simpson, Darius Rucker, Destiny’s Child, TLC, Brian McKnight, and Baby Face, to name but a few. Also be on the look out for Eric’s amazing band – “Legally Blynd.”

Karl Anthony Maximus Sweeney

Karl Sweeney turned a lot of heads at the Wyn booth at Winter NAMM. He’s an amazingly accomplished 17 year old player from Liverpool, UK. He started playing saxophone at 6, and by 12 had found his love in the bass guitar. Karl currently plays in a Liverpool based progressive metal band named Vice Vendetta. He’s also a college student, in the process of recording a solo acoustic EP of his own material, and teaches music students. (Another music cat with little sleep.) Look for very big things from this guy. Karl is pictured with his Wyn Cocobolo 4-string with heart and sap wood Cocobolo fret board.

Robin Zielhorst

Robin Zeilhorst, formerly of Exivious, is the bassist for the very popular progressive metal and jazz fusion group, Cynic. He plays a Wyn Ziricote 5 string fretless equiped with Nordstrand Dual Coils and a Graphtech Piezo.

Check out Robin on MySpace »

Donald Alford II

Writer, producer, arranger, and owner of Don J Music Productions, Donald Alford II, released his first album “Chasing Dreams” in May of 2010. As a bassist, some of the many greats that Don has toured with include Patti Labelle, Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp, Yolanda Adams, Fred Hammond, BeeBee & CeeCee Winans and Smokie Norful. Donald is currently working on his 2nd jazz project, “The Dream Movement” to be released in 2011. His Wyn six string AAAAA Maple Quilt top, Wenge and Padauk neck bass has his production company’s name “DON J” inlaid into the Indian Rosewood Fretboard.

Check out Donald’s web site at www.reverbnation.com.

Billy Dickens

If you haven’t seen Billy Dickens play, don’t worry about it. It’s not possible. All you’ll see is sort of a speed blur looking thing with multiple image hands and wildly vibrating strings. Bill is a legend!! Billy burns on his built for speed Wyn Koa six string with figured Cocobolo fret board and Ebony ramps. A complete honor for me to have built this bass for Bill!!

Bennie “BJ” Edwards

Chicago based Bennie “BJ” Edwards started playing bass at the tender age of 5, and never looked back. Along with his work as a producer, singer, and writer, Bennie is currently the bassist for Lionel Richie. He is playing a 5-string lefty, (strung righty) AAAAA Koa top bass with a Wenge and Eastern Rock Maple neck.

Larry Fulcher

Larry Fulcher is playing his 5-string Ziricote Wyn with Wenge neck and Macassar Ebony Fretboard. Larry plays the blues, R & B, and Reggae and has a long time association with Taj Mahal and The Phantom Blues Band.

Terance Key

Terance “Bamps” Key was groomed in the Quartet Gospel scene of NYC. He is currently playing bass with Darrell McFadden and the Disciples (DMD). Although he has deep roots in quartet music, Terance also plays hip-hop, pop, R&B and jazz with his Wyn carved Bubinga & Wenge 5 string with Cocobolo Ramp and Pickup Covers.

Follow him on Twitter: @IamBAMPS

Trevor Lawrence Jr.

Trevor Lawrence Jr. as a drummer, writer, producer has been nominated or won a grammy every year since 2000. When Trevor approached me to build a bass guitar as the “house bass” for his state of the art recording studio in California, I was honored. We collaborated on a book matched Claro Walnut five string with Macassar Ebony fretboard for the task!

Jose Valentino Ruiz

The prestigious Downbeat Magazine named Jose Valentino Ruiz 2010 WINNER in two categories: GRADUATE COLLEGE JAZZ SOLOIST (flute) and GRADUATE COLLEGE CLASSICAL SOLOIST (flute). In addition, Jose was recognized with the GRADUATE COLLEGE OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE ENGINEERED STUDIO RECORDING. Yea?? Well just wait till you hear him on his Amboyna Burl 5-string Wyn fretless bass!!! Jaw dropping I tell ya!!

Fernando Vallin

Fernando is a supporting musician on live performances with the legendary Latin rock band Mana. He also continually weighs in on production and audio engineering as well as contributing to their albums as a session player. Fernando is playing his Ziricote 6-string E to E tuned bass inspired by Abraham Laboriel’s Wyn.

Mike McLean

Mike McLean is an accomplished bassist and producer. He has performed both nationally and internationally for over 25 years. He most recently played and did production work on the 2011 CD entitled “Praise is What we Do” with the Northeast Community United Methodist Choir. Mike’s bass work & co-production on the Gospel CD “You Don’t Know” with James Bennett and the Texas Jubilaires earned accolades as the “#1 Quartet Gospel Recording Group” at the 2009 San Antonio Gospel Music Awards. Though Mike’s bass playing has strong gospel roots, he also performs with the Rock groups “The ProjX” and “The Mark Odom Band, as well as with blues artist Jimmy Spacek and Country artist Mark Monaco.

Mike holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from St Mary’s University and teaches Bass & Guitar privately at Jeff Ryder’s Drum Shop San Antonio.

Mike has professional endorsement deals with Wyn Guitars, Lakland Bass Guitars, Summit Audio Products and Xotic Effects.

Franklin Peredo

Originally from Ecuador, Franklin has produced and recorded a number songs for local gospel singers in the New York area. He has produced his own bass solo project and is currently writing new songs featuring his WYN bass. Franklin’s genres cover Latin to funk , rock to R&B. He has also posted some great Youtube videos on a variety of playing techniques.

Check out Franklin on MySpace.

Pennal Johnson

Pennal Johnson is a bassist, writer and entrepreneur from Chicago’s West Side.

He began playing bass at the age of 8, when hiscousin, a store-front preacher at the time, bought a bass guitar and akeyboard for his son to play. Since the bass guitar wasn’t of interest to his son, he passed it on to Pennal. It was during a time of practicing with his cousins that he realized he could play by ear. By hearing a note played on the keyboard, young Pennal was able to match it with his bass. This was the beginning of a beautiful thing!!

While attending Hugh Manley High School in Chicago, Pennal learned to read music and to sharpen his bass playing skills. In his sophomore year, he was selected to be a part of Manley’s Jazz band, leading to the designation of bass player for The Chicago All-City Jazz Band from 1984 to 1987. During this time Pennal received numerous awards including “The Outstanding Soloist Award” at the Midwest Jazz Festival and “Outstanding Musician of the Year” from All City Jazz Band of
Chicago.

After High school, Pennal became the full-time bassist for Jessy Dixon and his choir where he learned showmanship and how to be a professional musician. This led to the opportunity to perform with the talents of Andre and Sandra Crouch, Kurt Carr and Abraham Laboriel.

Currently Pennal is the bassist for Clubbin TV and is working on his own album to be released in May 2012 as he continues to tour the USA and abroad with other artists. When not touring he stays busy doing clinics and studio sessions. Pennal’s overriding concept is to simply have FUN!!!

Visit Pennal online at www.reverbnation.com/pennalpjjohnson.