Bass of the Week: Torillo & Fendt “The Element Bass”
Today we’re checking out the Element Bass, a new concept designed by Tom Germann of Torillo Basses and Steffen Fendt of Fendt’s Finest. Available in four and five-string versions, the bass was created using their collective experiences in bass playing.
“What makes sense in a bass and what is negligible? Our bass should be suitable for (as much as possible) every gig and have the qualities of a high end bass, but cost only half,” Fendt tells us. “As many bass players as possible should have the chance to buy a handmade custom instrument. We left out things that cost money (fancy tops, high gloss lacquer, etc.) and focused only on the really crucial parts.”
Those standard set of features includes a Quartersawn maple neck, a red alder body, and the choice of an East Indian rosewood or maple fretboard. The neck has a compound radius for a comfortable feel. It’s fitted with a pair of Torillo single coils in ebony covers with a special preamp.
“We were able to win over a small team of bass-playing electronics enthusiasts from Nuremberg for the electronics, who liked our project,” they write. “They designed a preamp for us according to our ideas, which is now used in the Element. Handmade in Germany.”
Other features include a Hipshot USA bridge and Gotoh Japan tuners. While the Element Bass comes with a standard set of features, they do have options for upgrades like a swamp ash body and a top wood.
The Element Bass Specs:
| Scale: | 34″ |
| Construction: | Bolt-on |
| Body: | Red Alder (Swamp Ash Option) |
| Top: | Optional |
| Neck: | Quartersawn Maple |
| Neck Profile: | Compound Neck Radius |
| Fretboard: | East Indian rosewood or Maple |
| Frets: | 23 NIckel Silver |
| Pickups: | Torillo Single Coils with Ebony Covers |
| Electronics: | Custom Made 2-Band Boost Only Preamp (+15dB@50Hz/+15db@3,5kHz) |
| Bridge: | Hipshot USA B-Style |
| Tuners: | Gotoh |
| Other: | Ebony Wood Knobs with Brass Dots, Pickguard of Choice |
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.
