Kikuchi Guitars is a new high brand by Yoshiyuki Kikuchi (and Ocata International), who has earned the trust of many professional bassists, especially when it comes to Sadowsky's work.
The first products were all one-of-a-kind custom models, whereas the Hermes series is a mass-produced model with fixed specifications.
It may be a bit of a misnomer, but the Sadowsky Metroline of the Japanese-made era is the Hermes series, while the TYO is the custom model.
This design is based on the JB, which has a particularly strong reputation among the many basses designed by Mr. Kikuchi.
It is a refinement of his work to date, and has been put together to look more like a modern bass.
The body is made of alder and the fingerboard is rosewood, a classic choice.
While many custom models have a chambered body, the Hermes Series has a solid body.
Some people prefer a solid body (I personally prefer a solid body). (Personally, I preferred the solid body.)
The shape is dinky, not full-size.
This is one of the differences from the Three Dots that the company produces.
The PU is a split coil type, manufactured by DiMarzio.
This is similar to the Sadowsky Metroline when it was made in Japan.
What makes it unique is that it is low noise and trebly.
The preamp is a custom type designed by EMG especially for this model.
It has a simple specification, boosting bass and treble only.
This is a perfect fit, as it should be.
When boosted, the peak of the mid-range concave is exquisite, and the bass seems to tighten up in a stylish manner.
Yet, it does not lose its bass-like character and retains a beautiful overtone feel.
This is an eloquent example of what boosting with a 2-band EQ can do.
Controls are volume, balancer, tone (preamp bypass with push/pull SW), treble/bass.
The string height at shipping is low, but not as low as a custom model, and its playing comfort is very good.
It is also comfortable for those who normally play Fender-style basses with Fender-like settings.
The precision around the neck, which has always been especially highly regarded, is excellent and its quality is well demonstrated.
The neck shape is a little flat and thin.
It is characterized by an extremely fast speedy playing feel.
Yet, it has a sufficient amount of bass and is finished with a trebly sound rich in overtones.
This is a supreme bass made possible by Mr. Kikuchi's modern bass production.
Model : 4st or 5st
Body : Ash 2-Piece (Solid) or Alder 2-Piece (Solid)
Neck : Maple, Thin Matte Nitro
Fingerboard : Maple or Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius : 12″ (305R) (305R)
Nut Material: Tusq
Nut Width: 4st: 37mm, 5st: 46mm
Fret: 22F
Scale: 864mm (34″)
Bridge: 4st: Hipshot 20mm Spacing, 5st: Hipshot 19mm Spacing
Tuner: Hipshot License Ultra-Light
Pickups: 4st: DiMarzio 4HC in 60's Locations, 5st: DiMarzio 5HC in 60's Locations
Preamp: Kikuchi Guitars Original Preamp
Controls: Master Volume, Pickup Balancer, Passive Roll Off Tone (w/Pull Switch for Preamp Bypass), Treble/Bass Boost Body Finish: Polyester
String: 4st: D'Addario .045 - .105, 5st: D'Addario .045 - .130T
Case: Original Semi Hardcase
Accessories: Original Semi Hardcase
Text: Shunsuke Saga
Inspection : Hosoya
Manufacturer's warranty included
Sold at a special price due to long stock.