5-string Bass Archives

Five years ago, Sandberg Guitars introduced the vintage rock-inspired Forty Eight model. This year they worked with Victor Brandt of Dimmu Borgir to create a signature version. Kevin took the 4- and 5-string basses for a spin in this new review.

Singleton Guitars’ Stellar Funk5 bass features a killer purple and pearl yin yang design. It’s hand-crafted by luthier Mark Singleton, who built it with a Western Red cedar body, a flamed maple neck, and a bubinga fingerboard.

Ernie Ball Music Man has unveiled their December lineup for the Ball Family Reserve series, which includes two takes on the Stingray Special. This includes the Stingray Special 5 in a Kinetic Blue finish and the Stingray Special – Passive.

Adamovic Basses has unveiled the latest in their Concept line of instruments with The Katana bass. The company has been developing it for several years, which advanced thanks to a collaboration with Moto Fukushima.

Warwick has expanded its Rockbass Alien Deluxe Hybrid Thinline series of basses to include eight models. Each offers a different aspect of the instrument, which is centered around a thin hollow body fitted with both magnetic and piezo pickups.

Master luthier Gerald Marleaux is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Marleaux Basses this year, and he continues to experiment and dream up new instruments. This week we’re checking out the MBass Big Hollow 5-String Fretless.

Spector is launching a new line of instruments called the NS Pulse Series, and they’re kicking off the range with the NS Pulse. The bass features their flagship NS body shape and is described as representing the core of Spector’s iconic design.

Many entry-level basses are built in factories in Indonesia, but the country also has plenty of highly skilled luthiers. This week we’re checking out the Odieng Red Viper 5 that is absolutely decked out.

Solar Guitars has announced their first bass model with the Type AB2 Series. The line includes three variations, and Solar says the AB2 is designed “for the modern metal bass player with high-quality expectations at an affordable price.”

After replacing the American Standard Series with the American Professional Series in 2016, Fender has unveiled its next generation of instruments. The American Professional II Series builds upon the range through several years of player input.

Ernie Ball Music Man unveiled their September 2020 releases in the Ball Family Reserve Collection, including a version of the Bongo 5HH that features a Honduran mahogany body in a Satin Honey Burst finish.

Steve Smith of m7 Bassworks shared his latest build called the Type [M]. The model, which won a Talkbass build-off, is the luthier’s take on a modern bass.