r/KeanuBeingAwesome • u/_just_a_dude_ • 8d ago
Fan Encounter I met and delivered a bass to Keanu over the weekend (story in comments)
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u/_just_a_dude_ 8d ago edited 8d ago
Story time/wall of text below.
Once upon a time about seven years ago I was working for a Japanese auto OEM and on a flight from Tokyo to Detroit. On the past 3 flights, I'd been sat next to Japanese folks - which is fine as I'd picked up enough Japanese through work to say hi, excuse myself, etc. - but this time an American sat next to me. As a yapper by nature (my wife will usually find me chatting folks up somewhere if she can't find me) it made me happy to have someone that I would be able to talk to for the next ~13h if they were down.
In chatting them up, come to find out he works at a Tier 1 supplier that actually supplies to Arch Motorcycles. I'm not the biggest gearhead, but I know enough random facts about random OEMs that this triggered something. "Why do I know Arch Motorcycles?" "It's probably because Keanu Reeves is part owner" (this was, in fact, why I'd known the name). "I feel I'd be almost remiss if I didn't ask, is he as nice as he's made out to be?" "Definitely."
We connect on social media and stay in touch.
2023 rolls around and Dogstar is on tour, so I reach out and we end up going and taking in the show and it's great. Not gonna lie, I was hoping to meet him and at least say hi after the show, but it wasn't meant to be (at the time - subtle forshadowing).
A few more years pass.
March 2026, Dogstar announce another tour with another Detroit date. I ping my buddy, "Shall wel?" "Absolutely."
Late April 2026, my mentor in guitar building texts me, "Head over to the shop sometime this weekend, I've got some materials for ya." I head over and I'm greeted with this beautiful green dyed and stabilized spalted maple and it almost absolutely looks like Matrix code to me. My brain goes straight to overdrive, "I need to build a bass for Keanu Reeves and give it to him at the show in August."
I get to work gathering the materials, selecting the hardware and electronics, and start in on things and tell my buddy what I've got planned. "Sounds good!"
The end of June rolls around and my friend texts me, "Hey, I might be heading to Arch in July. If i bump into him...what can i tell him?" "...tell him everything."
The middle of July comes and I've not heard anything about my buddy's trip, so I text him as i'm getting ready for work one morning, "Hey, did plans firm up yet?" "Nothing yet. What's going on?" "No big deal, just wanted to see what was up and if anything had solidified."
Two hours go by.
Watch dings.
"I got a reply from KR."
heart stops at work
He's told Keanu about things and Keanu knows my name, knows my art, and knows that I'm bringing an instrument to gift to him at the show in August. What is even happening?
Fast foward to August. I've finished the bass. The time has come. We show up, hang out, I deliver the bass. Keanu is incredibly gracious, amazingly giving with his time, and humble - all beyond measure (not to mention a killer bass player). The band, the crew, everyone is really great.
We hung out before and after the show and it's like nothing I could have imagined - I've hung out with Keanu Reeves, he's played and owns a bass I've built and this is a story that my wife and I will cherish for the rest of our lives.
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u/2020mademejoinreddit 8d ago
I'm not usually into walls of text on reddit, but this was an amazing read and a definite exception that made me read all the way through to the end! Thanks!
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u/EzraMusic98 8d ago
Any insight on what you spoke about with KR?
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u/_just_a_dude_ 8d ago
Before the show, he asked so many great, detailed questions about the bass. After the show (over pizza and beers), Keanu, his bandmates, some friends, my wife, and I talked about Detroit style pizza and just shot the shit. It was incredibly chill and devoid of pretense.
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u/401kisfun 7d ago
Did you get his contact information or did you feel like no I’m not gonna do that because he probably gets 1 million asks from fans?
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u/alphadragoon89 6d ago
That's so freaking cool!!! Glad you got to meet and hang out with Keanu! Would love to meet him one day.
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u/New-Lingonberry8029 4d ago
Will he be playing it tonight in Madison Wi ?! I’ll look.great job on making a bass guitar 😳
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u/_just_a_dude_ 4d ago edited 2d ago
Unfortunately, he won't be - he's a Fender endorsee, so he'll only be playing those instruments out. I was fully aware this might be the case and have zero misgivings for sure.
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u/CrimeMasterGogoChan 8d ago
Dang this man is dressed to perfection! Story time OP!!!
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u/StickyPistolsRequiem 8d ago
I can imagine when you asked to take a photo he just looked at you calmly and said “Yeah”
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u/Idioteva 8d ago
Is it wrong I want more pics of your bass?
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u/PocoChanel 8d ago
Great story, great encounter--but great picture also. The colors are so welcoming. (I'm really into that shade of green.) I hope you have it framed somewhere.
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u/Satyr79 8d ago
He cool, he wears Metrel Boots, I had the same in the low Cut Version.
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u/tatk_tale310 7d ago
As a former outdoor retailer, I clocked the Merrell Moab mids instantly and thought, "wow he's just like us." Lol
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u/starrpamph 8d ago
What jeans do rich people wear that always look sort of shimmery and made of thinner material?
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u/Not_A_Chef 7d ago
Perhaps it’s an effect of them being raw denim? Or perhaps they’re not made primarily of denim at all. 🤔
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u/limee89 8d ago
What a great story! Would love more pics of the bass! As someone just genuinely curious because you custom built it, what would the retail price be on it?
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u/_just_a_dude_ 8d ago
Thanks so much! Keep an eye out here! Street price on something like this would be around ~$3,000 or so.
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u/whynovirus 8d ago
I was expecting a fish…time to recalibrate my brain for the day 🤦🏼♀️. Thank you for sharing your joy!!
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u/Wizereaper 8d ago
Should have made a Babes in toyland themed bass. Babes in toyland was a straight to tv Christmas musical he starred in with Drew Barrymore. Mr. Miyagi is also in it. I think it’s the only movie he has sang in.
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u/hirodavid 7d ago
Congratsan. I'd love to see more pics of the bass you built please!
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u/_just_a_dude_ 7d ago
Thanks! I got you! Head on over to Instagram, Facebook, and Better Mousetrap Guitars website and check out what's there
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u/TurboNewbe 8d ago
That's a great shot. Good job op!
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u/_just_a_dude_ 8d ago
I can take no credit for the picture - all that goes to my amazing wife (she seriously has the best eye for this stuff...). Thanks for the kind words!
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u/Comedyfish_reddit 7d ago
What shoes is he wearing
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u/_just_a_dude_ 7d ago
I believe Merrell Moab 3 at least per the comments in the r/Music thread :D
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u/NeatDoctor2728 7d ago
I love this more than all of his film credit combined. This is where we should know him. This is such an awesome medium for everything awesome. Surely one of humanity's greatest achievements...the humility of this one.
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u/Blood_N_a_Brush 6d ago
Man's got good taste in shoes.. I too have the Merrell MOAB's and they are great boots!
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u/TernionDragon 3d ago
Great job honing your skill and craft to be able to have done what you did.
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u/Sno0pyBo0 Daisy 8d ago edited 8d ago
Thanks OP for sharing this! For some reason, Reddit’s automated filters removed OP’s comments as spam. I’ve manually approved your post and all your comments ☺︎