Bass of the Week: Kohlman Bassworks RetroMod 4
This week we’re checking out an amazing RetroMod 4 from Kohlman Bassworks. This particular bass was built by luthier Chris Kohlman for bassist Mike Gardner and features an intricate matching top and fingerboard. The builder utilized purpleheart, flamed maple, quartersawn maple, and walnut to create the patchwork design.
The core of the bass’s body is maple and purpleheart while the back is ambrosia maple and purpleheart. Its neck is solid purpleheart that is reinforced with a pair of carbon fiber rods. For electronics, Kohlman and Gardner picked a pair of Bartolini 9S Jazz pickups matched to a Bartolini XTCT preamp with an MCT3MC Mid module. Hipshot hardware rounds out the instrument.
Kohlman Bassworks RetroMod 4 Bass Specs:
| Body Core: | Maple and Purpleheart |
| Body Back: | Ambrosia Maple and Purpleheart |
| Top: | Purpleheart, Flamed Maple, Quartersawn Maple, and Walnut |
| Neck: | Solid Purpleheart with Double Carbon Fiber Neck Stiffeners |
| Nut: | Hand Cut Brass |
| Fretboard: | Purpleheart, Flamed Maple, Quartersawn Maple, Walnut |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12″ |
| Frets: | 24 Medium Nickel Frets |
| Pickups: | Bartolini 9S Jazz |
| Electronics: | Bartolini XTCT Preamp with MCT3MC Mid Module |
| Tuners: | Black Hipshot HB7 |
| Bridge: | Black Hipshot A style |
| String Spacing: | 19mm |
| Other: | Full Copper Shielded Control Cavity |
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 looks like neck through. I don’t understand what the bolts are for
I know the Owner of this amazing bass. I tried to count the individual pieces of wood in the build from pictures. I gave up at 26.
I asked him to count them. The final count is 33! That’s a lot of pieces. I was wondering if that is a record.
Yes, I know about the one with 1,200 colored pencils, but I wouldn’t call that a normal build.
Your input is welcomed.