Basses - Page 83

Höfner has introduced new “Cavern” versions of their Contemporary and Ignition Series Violin basses at the 2013 Musikmesse in Frankfurt last week. The pickups on the new models are positioned closely together and towards the neck in the Cavern style, similar to Paul McCartney’s original 1961 bass. Each of the entry level basses will be built with the same specifications...

Waterstone Musical Instruments is honoring the work of Jackson Pollock with a new line of guitars and basses named after the influential abstract artist. The instruments feature an abstract finish inspired by the floors of Jackson Pollock’s studio. “Pollock’s studio was a converted barn, where he spread his canvas out flat and danced around it, using rhythmic gestures to apply...

Fender has announced the Cabronita Precision bass, a take on their original bass model with a flair from their Cabronita series. The bass sports an alder body that comes in 2-color sunburst, black, or Candy Apple Red. The Cabronita Precision Bass is fitted with a single FideliTron humbucking bass pickup with classic Volume and Tone controls. Its maple neck has...

Ibanez has extended their Grooveline series with the introduction of the G106, a six-string version of the ergonomically-minded model. Made in Ibanez’s Japanese factory, the bass is designed for optimized balance in sitting and standing positions. The G106’s body features an alder center and ash for the top and back, all in a natural finish. Its 5-piece neck is built...

Epiphone is paying tribute to the old school with a limited edition of six of their models in TV Pelham Blue, a color finish that was first introduced in the ’60s. The color was offered as a custom option in its heyday and as such is rare to find on vintage instruments. The lineup includes the Ltd. Ed. TV Pelham...

Mike Lull has taken the classic non-reversed T-Bird style bass concept and combined it with his own engineering. The result is the new NRT4 and NRT5 basses. The NRT4 and NRT5 offer up the same specs as the company’s T4 and T5 models, but with the non-reversed body shape. Lull wanted to take the classic deep tones of the original...

G&L has reintroduced the LB-100, a bass they describe as a “subtle evolution of the p-style platform.” Originally released two decades ago, the bass features a streamlined alder body for improved comfort and balance. The new LB-100 retains the tone of its predecessor thanks to an accurate recreation of its Alnico V pickup, which is wound in house, as well...

Lakland has added another flavor of their Hollowbody bass to the Skyline series. The Skyline Hollowbody 30 shortens the model to a 30? scale for ease of playing and an old school feel. The bass is stocked with a pair of single-coil, vintage-style pickups with a Volume/volume/tone configuration. Its compact body is machined with an “F” hole. Other features include...

Warwick has added to their RockBass series with the Vampyre Dark Lord, a 35? scale bass built for extra low tuning. From lowest strings to highest, the Dark Lord is tuned F#, B, E, A, which the company says gives it a “diabolic sound character.” The bass’s body is crafted from alder while neck is maple with ekanga veneer stripes....

German luthier Gerald Marleaux has introduced a new model for 2013 named the Votan XS Deluxe. Continuing on the traditionally inspired Votan series, the XS Deluxe features a slim birdseye maple neck and a smaller solid African Dibetou hardwood body. The Votan XS Deluxe is fitted with a pair of Delano JSBC custom single coil pickups and a Marleaux 2-band...

ESP’s Frank Bello LTD Signature line of basses has a new addition. The FB-204 is an entry level model with bolt-on construction and a black satin finish to suit the Anthrax bassist’s style. The FB-204 is built with a basswood body, maple neck, and rosewood fingerboard. The P/J pickup configuration consists of the company’s LTD LDJ and LDP, which are...

Lakland has given their Skyline 44-01 and 55-01 models the Deluxe treatment this year. Sporting four and five strings respectively, the Lakland 44-01 and 55-01 Deluxe Spalt models add to their predecessors with spalted maple tops for visual flair. The models are built with ash bodies, maple necks, and rosewood fingerboards. The 4-string has a 34? scale, while the 5-string...