Model 1 Bass

Incredibly acoustic and detailed with a modern full-bodied tonal range.

Model 1 Classic & Featherweight series 32″ scale basses. Specifications match the equivalent Special, Standard, Deluxe, and Custom Model 1 guitars with regard to woods and appointments.

Highly Detailed
Instruments

All of the Deluxe Series Model 1 basses are highly detailed instruments, featuring a 5 piece laminated* maple set neck with graphite reinforcement.

The modern series Model 1 Basses have an archtop style bridge with an optional piezo pickup.

*Upgrade options for the Stage Standard & Studio Special.

Our In-House "Hot Humbucker"

In a word, the Model 1 is all about versatility. Whether you’re playing the passive model (“A” electronics package) running straight out with volume and tone control (push-pull coil cut) or the high-headroom 18-volt D-TAR Eclipse preamp with Turner Parametric EQ, both options allow for blending of a piezo or second magnetic pickup.

Compare Models

 
Deluxe
Standard
Special
Body Finish
Deluxe
Gloss
Standard
Gloss
Special
Satin
Finish Colors* Upgrade options from custom colors to multi-tone sunbursts etc...
Deluxe
Burgundy, Dark Burgundy, Aged, Red & Natural
Standard
Natural
Special
Natural
Body
Deluxe
Mahogany
Standard
Mahogany
Special
Mahogany
Body Binding
Deluxe
Fully Bound Black, Ivoroid or Tortoise
Standard
Top Bound Black
Special
None
Neck Wood
Deluxe
5 Piece Laminated Maple/Purpleheart
Standard
Select Solid Rock Maple
Special
Select solid Mahogany
Fingerboard
Deluxe
Bound Ipe
Standard
Bound Ipe
Special
Ipe
Back-Strap Overlay
Deluxe
Multi-layered
Standard
None
Special
None
Peghead Binding
Deluxe
Black or White
Standard
Black or White
Special
None
Tuning Machines
Deluxe
Schaller or Gotoh
Standard
Schaller or Gotoh
Special
Planet Waves

Electronics – The Model 1’s have our in-house-made “hot humbucker”, the passive models “A” run just straight out with a volume and tone control with a push-pull coil cut switch on the tone control. Option “B” uses the same pickup but with a high-headroom 18 volt preamp (the D-TAR Eclipse) that has trim potentiometer adjustable gain which allows anywhere from 3 to 12 dB of additional gain and a buffered output. Both options “B” & “C” allow for blending of a piezo pickup “P” suffix or a second magnetic pickup.

*Finishes – The earliest Model 1 guitars and basses from the late 1970s and early ’80s were all finished natural, but they have aged to a warm tan color, so if you are seeking to achieve that early look, you should ask for the tan stain which is done directly on the wood to enhance the natural look of the wood. In more recent years we have done a lot of Model 1s in a deep maroon or dark brown. We have a wider color pallet on the FeatherWeight series where many of the lighter colored woods can en given various forms of sunburst and transluscent stains. Call if you’re interested in custom colors.

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