Hello! I'm Oda, in charge of Bass!
How's everyone's Golden Week going?
I hear some people can take weekdays off for up to 11 consecutive days, but that's pretty rare, right?
If you're thinking, "My break isn't that long, and traveling is a bit much~," then definitely come to Shin-Okubo!
TCGAKKIWhile you're here, grab some easy Asian cuisine!🍴
Now, in our last article, we introduced MGBass custom models!
Did you catch the demo video?
Actually, we're releasing another video this time!
Please watch it all the way through!
First up, continuing our custom model introductions.
Our first-ever model!! For those thinking "That shape is a bit too out there..."
Africa 5 Strings
This model wasn't available in last year's shipment.
While saying "For those who think 'the shape is a bit too outlandish...'", we went ahead and made it with a super flashy burl top! lol
s the only MGBass in our current lineup with an F-shaped headstock.
I personally chose the lollipop-style tuners, and they look incredibly cute paired with the body's rounded shape.
Here's the honest truth about wood selection.
MGBass offers an insane number of wood combinations (for Africa models: 5 body woods, 8 body tops, 11 neck woods, 18 fingerboards!).
While I wanted to go wild with crazy combinations,we decided on combinations by discussing things like "Let's aim for this kind of sound," "Wouldn't this pair well with that?" and "What suits Japanese players?" with Mr. Tanaka from repairs and myself, the Bass manager.
For this Africa model, though, I personally chose a neck with a purpleheart line because "Japanese makers probably wouldn't do this combo" and "It's such a cute vibe!"
Isn't it adorable??
It's cute, right!!!
(Sorry, I got a bit passionate about just two lines a few centimeters long!)
Also, the only wooden pickup cover in the lineup is worth noting!!
So cool and cute.
And the only 6-string this time!!
Desert 6 strings
This is also a model we've just received for the first time.
The body top is made from two types of wood, which we call a "double top" at MGBass!
It features a curly maple/wenge double top, a mahogany back, and a ziricote fingerboard.
The ziricote fingerboard used on last year's Infinity Ghost 6 looked incredibly cool, so I definitely wanted to use it on this 6-string with its wider fingerboard surface.
Honestly, the finished look turned out way cooler than I imagined!!
While many of the woods used are hardwoods, I think choosing mahogany for the back—the part that most affects the sound—helped achieve that warm tone.
The straightforward sound of the EMG pickups, the warm tone of the Bartolini preamp, and the resonance of the wood all balance together to create a "clear sound that still conveys the warmth of the wood."
This is truly a bass that embodies MGBass's philosophy of "the optimal fusion of wood and electronics"!
Now, please enjoy the performance video!
Bass I, Oda, continue to perform as before.
The Bass I'm using this time is the first one introduced, the Africa 5 Strings!
The guitar is TMG Guitar/DOVER! ← This one is currently very affordable!!!
I crafted the sound to blend seamlessly with the guitar's raw drive tone.
I think I truly captured that Mid-Fi sound—where the bass doesn't float awkwardly but blends into the ensemble while still letting the phrases cut through clearly!
Please give it a listen with headphones or earbuds! (Every bassist's wish, lol)
Here's the video using the MGBass/Extreman headless natural quilted 5 I introduced last time!
We're thrilled when customers in-store say, "I saw your video!" Thank you so much!
Thank you for watching this video all the way through!
See you next time~👋
Oda