Fender introduces Kingman acoustic-electric bass
(Dave Molter | Posted 2009-12-17)
Those who hate the chunky necks usually associated with acoustic bass guitars may want to take a gander at Fender's new Kingman Bass SCE, a single-cutaway acoustic-electric bass sporting a stock Jazz Bass neck.
Like its solid-body forefather, the Kingman offers a 34" scale maple neck with the instantly identifiable Fender 4-in-a-row elephant-ear tuning head profile coupled with the 1.5" wide, C shaped Jazz neck, rosewood finger board, white block position markers and white binding. The 20-fret neck is joined with a dreadnought body with a solid spruce top and laminated mahogany back and sides. A cutaway at the 17th fret allows for easy access to high frets.
Electronics feature a Fishman Aero active preamp, Fishman Sonicore pickup and an integrated electronic tuner with LED display and on/off switch. Controls are Volume, Bass, Mid, Treble and a Phase switch and there's a low-battery (9V) indicator light. The body also features multiple bindings, diamond soundhole rosettes, a gold pickguard and a rosewood bridgeplate. Fender has also thoughtfully included a factory-installed front strap button. The rear strap button doubles as a 1/4" jack.
With its thin Jazz Bass neck, the Kingman should be one of the most playable acoustic basses offered in its price range (MSRP $700; Street $500.) Coupled with highly regarded Fishman electronics, the Kingman looks like a winner.
