MB-2 #1653, 5 String Koa Fretted. This Mb-2 features a semi-hollow alder body, with a beautiful and lightly flamed koa top, made from 50+ year old stock. This is a “drop top” style with a generous arm contour on the body.

The 34” scale neck is made from 5 pieces of wood; 3 rock maple pieces, with two thinner rosewood strips. Since every piece of wood has it’s own (different) resonant frequency, using multiple pieces helps to create an even sound sound throughout the range. In addition, no two pieces of wood will move the same way when exposed to humidity or high temperatures, so again this design creates a more physically stable neck. The fingerboard is made from aged Indian rosewood, with very small mandolin sized frets. These are nickel-silver frets, so they are a softer warmer sound (as opposed to larger steel bass frets with have much more mass, but a brighter tone). The La Bella 760n strings have a steel nylon core, with a black nylon outer wrap. This design gives a great punchy sound, with a very warm top end, plus the nylon outer wrap protects the small frets from wearing. This bass is 34” scale, so the overall tone is a bit more round with a touch more midrange, compared to the usual 35” scale used for this model.

Overall, a very rare and unique piece.

A custom made G&G case fits the bass like a hand in a glove, and is locally made in Los Angeles, California