Basses - Page 35

Fodera has revealed the latest in their top of the line Masterbuilt series with the Butterfly. The one-of-a-kind bass is inspired by the company’s butterfly themed models and uses the Imperial body shape as a “canvas.” “Using over 200 pieces of varying natural materials such as Gold Pearl, Mother of Pearl, Black Pearl, and various colored stone, each piece was...

Ibanez has launched two new compact acoustic basses with the AVNB1E and the AVNB1FE. The basses, which are fretted and fretless models respectively, feature a 634-millimeter scale with parlor shape body. “Our short-scale parlor basses offer players compact acoustic options which are better suited for small stages, make for easier trips, and do so without sacrificing low-end tone and presence,”...

EBS is celebrating their 30th anniversary this year with a special bass built by Hungarian luthier Csaba Boldogh. The instrument is fitted with an EBS logo on the headstock as well as a custom EBS 30th Anniversary inlay at the twelfth fret. The seal is also found on the rear of the bass. Boldogh built the bass with a Hungarian...

Eastwood Custom Shop is reviving their former Airline 2P bass with a new model: the Airline Jetsons Jr. Bass. The retro design retains many of the same features with a few differences. “Inspired by the discontinued Airline 2P Bass, the new Airline Jetsons Jr. Bass keeps the same ‘JB Hutto-style’ body shape, but now comes with a single, P-Bass style...

Höfner has reissued another part of their history with the H500/5 “Reeperbahn” bass. Based on the 500/5 that was produced between the ’50s and ’70s, the instrument features a large hollow body and short scale neck. It was famously used by a Beatle, though not the one you’re thinking of. “Although used by many players none is quite so famous...

Fodera has expanded their Standard Specials line of instruments with the Madrone Burl Monarch 5 Standard Special. Built around the Monarch model, the bass has a new combination of woods with a mahogany body, Madrone Burl top, a three-piece maple neck, and an ebony fingerboard. Fodera says the real difference is in the pickups as it is the first Standard...

Chapman Guitars has teamed up with Dave Hollingworth to launch a new signature bass. The MLB1 DH was created with the Dorje and Toska bassist to deliver what he considers the perfect bass. A four-string player, Hollingworth’s model doesn’t have a five-string version. Instead, it comes in either regular or fanned fret versions. “I’ve always been a 4-string player and...

Back in 2015, Ibanez introduced a five-string bass to their Bass Workshop Series they called the Volo. The bass featured a shorter 33-inch scale and was tuned E to C for a higher range. Now Ibanez has brought the model back as the BTB845V. The spirit of Volo lives on through the new bass has a few differences in materials....

ESP updated their LTD line this year with upgraded versions of their most popular basses. The LTD B-204FM and LTD B-205FM take the flagship models and add a flamed maple top in translucent See Thru Red and See Thru Blue finishes. Other new features include an improved control layout and a new fingerboard wood: roasted jatoba. Each model is built...

Luthier Axel Roks of Roks Instruments is known for his unique, minimalist designs. (Check out his Microtonal Futura model.) But now he’s added his flair to a more traditional design to create the Nardis, a hand-built bass that mixes vintage and modern. “Nardis is a bass inspired by tradition, but is infused with the Roks flair and engineering,” the bass...

Warwick has expanded their Alien Bass series of acoustic bass guitars with a new thinner model aimed at the touring musician. The Warwick RockBass Alien Deluxe Thinline Hybrid will be available as a 4-string or 5-string in both fretted and fretless versions. “[The bass was] designed to be thinner for more ergonomic comfort,” Warwick’s Marcus Spangler writes. “When listening to...

Cort Guitars has expanded their Artisan Bass Collection to include a fanned-fret design. The A5 Plus SCFF is a five-string bass that has a scale that spans from 34 inches on the G string to 35.5 inches on the B string. “This design modification and a corresponding single-string hardtail bridge improve tension and enhance the tonal response of each string,”...