Bass Guitars — December '08

Paris MM The piezo-powered Paris basses have long been our most popular bass model, for their unique combination of electric playability and big acoustic-like sound. However, for all the occasions when a more electric tonality is called for, we present the new Paris MM (for magnetic/magnetic). This bass has the same ergonomics and class that have already won over many players, together with an electronics package that covers a lot of sonic territory. The full-range Citron humbuckers and Aguilar preamp are a deadly combination: enormous flexibility, low noise, and outstanding tone and musicality.

Tummy Cut option A newer, more comfortable option has been introduced in this year's Paris basses: the weight-reducing chamber/soundhole is now available with a 'tummy cut' in the back, which contours to the player's body for a close and intimate feel. Add in a radiused top, which slopes away under the right arm, and the bass starts to feel like an extension of the body - balanced and effortless.

Adjustable-height bass bridge As with our nylon-string guitars, our 2008 Paris basses also got a bridge upgrade. The new height-adjustable bridge lets the player fine-tune the action, without having to sand or shim the saddles. This means that the close tolerances we use to guarantee excellent string-to-string balance remain unchanged, but the action can be adjusted at any time. The adjustment is as simple as turning a screw with the supplied 4mm hex key, which is the same tool used to adjust the truss rod and neck bolt - one tool to service the whole instrument!

Acoustic Bass - coming soon!
It's been a few years now since we first talked about building an Acoustic bass guitar, and we're glad to say that the first prototype is likely to appear in early 2009! Based on our Grand 16" body shape, the first one will be a 4-string, non-cutaway, with bridge placement, bracing and body dimensions altered to maximize low-end response and volume.

After years of making solidbody and chambered basses that sound like acoustics, this bass will be our first fully acoustic low-register instrument, and we're all really excited about it. (AndE, Chris, and Martin are all bass players, so that's no surprise - we'll probably be fighting over the prototype!)