【new】Kikuchi Guitars / Hermes MV5 DLPB 3.91kg #312【GIB Seoul】

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

The first products were all one-of-a-kind custom models, but the Hermes series is a mass-produced model with fixed specifications.

This may be a bit misleading, but the Sadowsky Metroline from the Japan-made era is like the Hermes series, and the TYO is like a custom model.

This design is based on the JB, which is particularly well-known among the many basses designed by Kikuchi.
It has refined his work to date and is more like a modern bass.

The body is made of ash and the fingerboard is made of maple, a classic choice.
There are many chambered bodies in the custom models, but all the Hermes Series models are solid bodies.
Some people may prefer solid bodies. (Personally, I prefer solid bodies.)

The shape is Dinky, not full size.
This is one of the differences from the Three Dots, which the company also makes.

The pickup is a split coil type manufactured by DiMarzio.
This is similar to the one used when Sadowsky Metroline was made in Japan.
Its characteristics are low noise and treble.

Passive pickups for 5-string JBs often do not have the treble of 4-string JBs.
There is no lack of this in this model. It is attractive.

The preamp is a custom type specially designed by EMG for this model.
It has a simple specification that only boosts the bass and treble.
Naturally, it fits perfectly.

When boosting, the peak of the recess in the mid-range is exquisite, and the bass tightens up stylishly.
At the same time, it does not lose its bass-like quality and maintains a beautiful overtone.
It speaks eloquently of the meaning of boosting with a 2-band EQ.

Controls are volume, balancer, tone (preamp bypass with push/pull SW), treble/bass.
This model does not have a control plate to take advantage of the beautiful top material.

Although the string height is low at the time of shipment, it is not as high as a custom model, and the playing feel is very good.

I think it will be comfortable even for those who usually play Fender basses with Fender-like settings.

The precision around the neck, which has been particularly highly praised since long ago, is excellent, and its quality is fully demonstrated.

The neck shape is a little flat and thin.
It also feels like a trendy shape for 5-string JBs in recent years.
One of the factors that creates the difference between 4-string and 5-string is the difference in neck mass.
The neck is thin and thin, and this design makes it feel less like a 5-string bass in a good way.

It is characterized by an extremely fast and speedy playing feel.
And yet it has a sufficient amount of bass, and is finished with a rich overtone and treble sound.

This is a supreme guitar that could only be realized because Mr. Kikuchi makes basses in the modern era.

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)
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
Strings: 4th: D’Addario .045 – .105, 5th: D’Addario .045 – .130T
Case: Original Semi Hardcase
Accessories: Original gig bag
Text: Saga Shunsuke