2025 ISB Build-a-Bass Sweepstakes Winner

Over $23,000 raised!

Congratulations to ISB member Luis Villafane of Reading, Pennsylvania! His name was drawn at random from 390 participants and 92,360 chances to win our 2025 ISB Build-a-Bass Project Sweepstakes. Said Luis, surprised and delighted upon learning that his was the winning entry: "I have been saying for years that I'm saving up for a new bass. For various reasons, that has not happened. Without the generous ISB Build-a-Bass Project team, I'd still be saying 'someday.' Thank you all so much, not just for this wonderful instrument but for this amazing opportunity to continue developing as a musician!"

The ISB is grateful to Kevin Curry, Assistant Professor of Florida State University's College of Fine Arts and Chris Rivera, studio equipment manager, for making the FSU Sculpture Lab available to the Build-a-Bass Project team as a workspace.

A big ISB "thank you" goes out to 2025 Build-a-Bass Project sponsor Robertson & Sons Violins and in-kind donations from Despiau Planet (bridges), GaiaTone (fingerboard made from compressed paper/95% recycled materials), Miami String Haus (Orchestra Outfitters tuned tail piece), New Harmony (end pin), Metropolitan Music (Sloane machine heads) and Thomastik Infeld (set of Peter Infeld PI strings).

And a million thanks to 2025 Build-a-Bass Project team leader Paul Hart and the 2025 Build-a-Bass Project team of gifted luthiers who gave so generously of their time and talent to create this beautiful instrument: Frederick Boissonnault, Connor Brauer, Stephen Burke, Dale Cockrum, Samantha Crane, Jonathan Crane, Matthew Estlack, Henri Gross, Chris Gutierrez, Jack Hanlon, Joseph Lattuada, Bill Lee, Zoe McCadams, Robbie McIntosh, Helen McIntosh, Mitch Moehring, Sam Morel, Christy Oliver, Gian Pangaro, Marcus Reid, Grace Richardson, Anne Marie Runco, Eric Trujillo and Dustin Williams (Pictured above, Paul Hart receives the 2025 ISB Friend of the Bass Award. Photo by Shane Kiser.)

Proceeds of the 2025 sweepstakes will benefit the ISB Rodney Mohr Luthier Scholarships Program and future Build-a-Bass Projects.

Photo by Shane Kiser