Bass of the Week: Duesenberg Kavalier
The Duesenberg Kavalier bass seems like a throwback to quirky vintage instruments, but the company designed it with more versatility than basses of yore. It features a short 30.5-inch scale similar to vintage instruments, but the key to its tone is its unique pickup.
“Fitted with our acclaimed Phonico Splitbucker, this bass opens up a sonic palette that spans from deep, resonant lows to articulate highs, giving you unparalleled versatility for any musical style,” they write. The pickup has a three-way tone selector knob in addition to volume and tone controls.
The Kavalier comes in Narvik Blue or Red Sparkle finishes over its solid alder body. Its one-piece maple neck has an Indian rosewood fretboard with 21 jumbo frets. Other features include a 3-ply black or aged white pickguard, Duesenberg Z-tuners, and a Duesenberg 4D bridge.
Duesenberg Kavalier Bass Specs:
| Scale: | 30.5″ |
| Construction: | Bolt-on |
| Body: | Solid Alder |
| Neck: | One-piece Maple |
| Neck Shape: | Medium D |
| Fingerboard: | Indian rosewood |
| Fingerboard Radius: | 12″ |
| Frets: | 21 Jumbo |
| Inlays: | Cream Dots |
| Pickup: | Duesenberg Phonico Splitbucker |
| Controls: | Master Volume, Master Tone, 3-Way Tone Selector |
| Tuners: | Duesenberg Z-Tuners |
| Bridge: | Duesenberg 4D |
| Hardware Finish: | Nickel |
| Color: | Narvik Blue or Red Sparkle |
| Case: | Duesenberg Custom Line Case Included |
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
“It’s a Duesy”
Very stylish. It’s not for me personally, but that is simple taste. This is a beauty. A short scale, playable instrument with a lot of thought in it’s “simplified” design. I love the crenelations on the headstock – repeated in negative on the base of the pickguard.
A neat, neat, neat! pocket rocket! Short scale id becoming very popular again, even in 6 string basses I have seen 30.05”. Well done!