5-string Bass Archives - Page 27

I love checking out new basses that set themselves apart from the pack, and the LedBelli Jonah does just that. The fretless, single-cut, semi-hollow bass is a real eye catcher. The company just shared pictures of the recently completed Jonah #015, which features a stunning book-matched California Redwood burl theme. The bass’s body is semi-hollow and chambered with f-holes. Its...

MTD Kingston is introducing the Saratoga Deluxe Jazz bass at Winter NAMM 2015. A riff on their Saratoga bass, the Deluxe model includes active/passive operation with a bypassable 3-band EQ. The Saratoga Deluxe comes in three finishes: limited edition satin honey burst, satin dark cherry burst, or gloss transparent black. Its maple neck sports an asymmetrical profile for faster playing...

This week we check out the XTC by Phantom Guitars. Handmade in Cologne, Germany, the XTC brings together elements of several classic basses with a single-coil and humbucker pickup configuration that the company says gives it modern sounds for rock, funk, jazz and pop. The XTC comes in 4-, 5-, and 6-string versions with a choice of body woods. Its...

Ibanez has unveiled a new limited edition version of their SR Premium bass. Built in their Premium facility, the SR Premium LTD SR5BBLTD is set from its apart with a Buckeye Burl top with a matching headstock and pickup covers. The SR5BBLTD’s ash body is matched with an Atlas-5 five piece wenge and bubinga neck that is reinforced with KTS...

This week we check out the R.Hyde Guitars Soul Machine, an instrument Ryan Hyde calls a blend of traditional and modern values. Hyde honed his skills in Ken Smith’s shop before starting his own in Philadelphia. “The Soul Machine is meant to be a work horse instrument of the highest caliber,” he states. “It exudes the classic vibe of yesteryear,...

Scottish bass company AC Guitars has unveiled the Krell E Type singlecut model, a riff on company’s Krell bass. Designed with Ewan Beck, the bass is denoted by a swamp ash body topped with a flame maple top and a Faded Black finish. The bass is built with bolt-on construction with a 5-piece purpleheart, wenge, and maple neck topped with...

Brice has introduced a new multi-scale version of their Defiant model. The 5-string Defiant 53437 stands out with a string scale that ranges from 37 inches on the B-string and 34 inches on the G-string with fanned frets to accommodate the adjustment. The Defiant’s design includes slim, dual cutaway mahogany body wings attached to a five-piece maple and walnut neck....

Anaconda Basses has expanded their range of basses with the Super J, which luthier Andrew Taylor-Cummings calls his take on a classic J-style. “I didn’t want to do yet another straight copy, but rather build and improve on a classic,” he writes. “The body is downsized and more sculpted, allowing for better ergonomics and comfort. I wanted to add a...

Dream Studio Guitars has released a 5-string version of their Maverick Bass called the M5. The bass retains many of the same features as its predecessor while adding a low B string. The M5’s body is built from a single piece of swamp ash that is given a vintage offset shape with extra contouring. Its bolt-on, hard maple neck is...

UNICORNbass is a boutique bass company out of Sweden that’s making some pretty slick instruments. The Ozellman Master is a flexible, performance-driven bass with the added touch of customizable looks. Built with either bolt-on or set-neck construction, the bass features a 7-ply neck of maple and purple heart matched to a bookmatched mahogany body topped with a choice of exotic...

BassMods has introduced the K534, a 5-string bass that pays homage to a classic style. The model is built with a chambered alder body and a bolt-on maple neck with white binding and pearloid block inlays. Each K534 is made to order and built for a dual pickup configuration. Pickup options include Bartolini Dual Coil Brights, Bartolini Deep Tone Dual...

Eve Guitars has expanded their instrument lineup with the IONA, a handmade bass fitted with the company’s Eve Jazz + Humbucker pickup configuration. Luthier Douglas Mullen says the bass spent lots of time in the development phase. “We’ve spent a significant amount of time getting this instrument right,” he shares. “We had a great starting point originally from the Elite,...