Basses - Page 49

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,”...

Kala’s popular U-Bass has three new models for 2018 called the Wanderer, the Passenger, and the Journeyman. The trio are described as their most affordable models yet. Each ukulele-sized bass is made of mahogany with a satin finish and comes equipped with black die-cast tuners, Aquila Thundergut strings and a Kala UK-500B preamp with EQ and built-in tuner. The lineup...

Every year, Warwick produces a limited edition bass from their custom shop. This year they’re also releasing a Pro Series Teambuilt limited edition model. The Warwick Streamer Stage I LTD 2018 is part of their Custom Shop Masterbuilt Limited Edition basses. Available in four of five-string versions, the bass is built with a swamp ash body topped with a 1-inch...

After introducing the Alpha Bass in September, Jericho Guitars has unveiled the Alpha 5 five-string model. It carries many of the same features including a solid ash body, a single-piece maple neck, a Macassar ebony fingerboard, and a black finish. Jericho fits the Alpha 5 with G&B Golden Age StewMac pickups and Hipshot hardware including an A-style bridge and tuners....

Pennsylvania’s Balaguer Guitars has expanded their bass lineup with the Hyperion Bass. Modeled after a signature guitar, the new bass features an offset body in satin silverburst or satin trans black finishes. “Pulling aesthetics from Ryan “Fluff” Bruce’s signature model Hyperion guitar, The Hyperion Bass has a slightly thicker body to evenly balance the weight and a 35? scale for...

Behemoth bassist Orion has got a new signature bass with ESP. The ESP LTD Orion-5 Signature is a five-string model based on their AP series featuring an alder body, maple neck, and ebony fingerboard. Everything is finished in black: the body, the pickguard, the hardware, the neck, and the headstock. Even the Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder PJ pickups are matched...

Master luthier Rob Elrick is celebrating 25 years of building basses. To commemorate the anniversary, Elrick Bass Guitars has unveiled their first limited edition instrument. The Elrick 25th Anniversary Bass will be restricted to no more than 10 instruments that feature their most popular features and primary wood selections. The e-volution single-cut body is made from swamp ash with a...