【new】Kikuchi Guitars / Hermes MV5 Black 3.800kg #689【GIB Yokohama】

Kikuchi Guitars is a new high-end brand created by Yoshiyuki Kikuchi (and Okada International), who has earned immense trust from many professional bassists, particularly for his work with Sadowsky.

While the initial products were all one-of-a-kind custom models, the Hermes series, in contrast, can be described as a mass-produced model with fixed specifications.

It might be a slight oversimplification, but the Hermes series is like the Sadowsky Metroline from the Japanese-made era, while the TYO is like the custom model.

Among the many basses designed by Mr. Kikuchi, this design is particularly well-regarded for its JB motif.

It refines his previous work and brings together a more modern bass feel.

The body is made of ash, and the fingerboard is maple—classic choices.

While many custom models feature chambered bodies, all Hermes Series basses are solid-body.

Some people may prefer solid bodies.

The shape is a dinky, not full-size.

This is one of the differences from the Three Dots series, also produced by the same company.

The pickups are split-coil type, manufactured by DiMarzio.

This is similar to the pickups used in Sadowsky Metroline basses during the era when they were made in Japan.

Their distinctive features are their low noise and trebly tone.

Passive pickups for 5-string JB basses often lack the trebly tone of a 4-string JB.

This model doesn't feel lacking in that regard.

The preamp is a custom type specially designed by EMG for this model.

It has a simple specification, boosting only bass and treble.

This fits perfectly, as expected.

The peak of the midrange dip when boosting is exquisite, making the sound stylishly tight.

Yet, it doesn't lose its bass character, and it retains beautiful harmonics.

It eloquently demonstrates the meaning of boosting with a 2-band EQ.

Controls are volume, balancer, tone (push/pull switch bypasses preamp), and treble/bass.

The string height is relatively low at the time of shipment, but not as low as a custom model, and the playability is excellent.

Even those accustomed to playing Fender-style basses with Fender-like settings will likely find it comfortable.

The precision of the neck, which has long been highly praised, is superb, and that quality is fully demonstrated.

The neck shape is slightly flat and thin.

It feels like a shape that is currently trending in 5-string JB basses.

One of the factors that creates the difference between 4-string and 5-string basses is the difference in neck mass.

The neck is thin and slender, and this design makes it feel less like a typical 5-string bass, in a good way.

It features an extremely fast and responsive playing feel.

Yet, it possesses ample bass tones, resulting in a rich, harmonically full, and trebly sound.

This is a supreme instrument that could only be realized by Mr. Kikuchi making basses in the modern era.

Model: 5st
Body: Ash 2-Piece (Solid)
Neck：Maple, Thin Matte Nitro
Fingerboard: Maple
Fingerboard Radius: 12″ (305R)
Nut Material: Tusq
Nut Width: 5st: 46mm
Fret: 22F
Scale：864mm (34″)
Bridge: 5st: Hipshot 19mm Spacing
Tuner: Hipshot License Ultra-Light
Pickups: 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: 5st: D’Addario .045 – .130T
Case：Original Semi Hardcase

Delivered after being adjusted by GIB's craftsmen for easy playability.

Accessories: Semi-hard case, hex wrench, warranty card

Text: Tomoki Hayakawa

Product photos: Tei

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