MB-2 Koa #1652. This bass features a semi-hollow alder body, with a beautiful curly koa top, with “f” hole. The koa on this bass is over 50 years old, it comes from a very large timber that I acquired many years ago; it is well seasoned and perfect for instrument making. The “f” hole adds only a tiny bit of acoustic volume (maybe 10% or so), but it changes the sound by making the body a little bit more “acoustic” in that it has more chamber volume, and the body is slightly more flexible, with translates to a more acoustic sound. You can also put a condenser mic over the plucking hand/f-hole area and blend it with the direct signal, for a unique and beautiful tone with lots of character, due to the added overtones and finger noises.

The 34” scale neck is made from eastern rock maple, with a light birdseye figure to it, and features a lined rosewood fingerboard. This rosewood is very special also, it is old stock that has been aging 40 years or more before I got it. There are a couple of benefits to aged wood; as seasons come and go (meaning heat and humidity changes) the wood stabilizes over time as it is exposed to these stresses again and again. Secondly, wood seems to vibrate better after going through the aforementioned process. This lined fretless model has maple strips set into what would usually be the fret slots, then they are sanded flush for a silky smooth feel. The shoulders of the fingerboard are well rounded for a bass that feels like it has been played for 20 years already, right out of the box. The headstock has a mahogany overlay, which ties the neck in color wise to the koa body top.

Strings are La Bella 760n, a steel flatwound with a black nylon tape outer winding, for a very smooth feel and warm tone. They are still very punchy sounding due to the steel core, and the nylon tape softens the top end nicely. A custom made form fit case is included, made locally in Los Angeles, California