Click the images below to see larger versions of each image.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
This bass is the epitome of fine German craftsmanship. Hand crafted during the hey-day of Marleaux innovation and customization (Musik Messe 2002 - when the Marleaux/Pagelli design was first discussed). This is one of the few US Customs ever created for a line of US specific Marleaux basses. This is a one-off customized M Bass prototype equipped with 2 Delano soapbars driven through Marleaux's own Programmable EQ (3 frequency options for each band!!!). The bass has a matching 3 piece curly bubinga top/back/headstock with a 3 peice flamed maple body. A single piece 1/4 sawn maple neck is glued through the body with a custom glueing technique used only by Marleaux on the M Bass model. This fine instrument is capped off with satin gold hard ware and a high gloss polyeurethane finish. This bass is the ultimate in class and function and a collector's item at a SUPER attractive price.
ASKING PRICE = $2,500 (similar basses would cost over 4,000 Euro today)
Builder: Marleaux
Model: MBass Custom (USA Line)
# Strings: 5
Serial Number: 730 (completed 08/02)
Case/Gigbag: Gigbag
Weight: 10.8 lbs
Scale Length: 34"
Neck Shape: oval
Width at Nut: 1 3/4" (45mm)
String Width at Bridge: 3" (76mm)
String-to-string spacing at the bridge: 3/4" (19mm)
Overall Length: 45"
Widest: 13 1/2"
Construction:
Neck: 1-piece 1/4 sawn maple - glued through (custom Marleaux technique) - 0 fret
Fingerboard: pau ferro (with abalone side markers), 24 frets, ... radius.
Body: 3 piece flamed maple with ebony veneer between body and top/bottom
Top: 3 piece quilted spalted bubinga top/bottom/headstock
Finish: poly eurathane (high gloss)
Hardware:
Bridge: custom "Marleaux" ETS Tuningfork, satin gold.
Tuners: Schaller M2000, satin gold.
Knobs: Caps, satin gold.
Strap buttons: Schaller (locking), gold.
Outputs: one 1/4" mono recessed in bottom corner of body with gold plating.
Electronics:
Pickups: 2 Delano Soapbar
Controls: Master Vol, PU Blend, treble (2.5kHz, 4kHz, or 6.5kHz), bass (100Hz, 160Hz, or 250Hz), midrange (400Hz, 700Hz, or 1.2kHz), passive/acitve/program EQ set
Preamp: Marleaux Custom Programmable 3-band active/passive
Overall condition: Very Good (mint with 1 blemish) - the bass is in collector's condition with the exception of some sort of a scratch or dent on the top of the lower horn. It might be a smudge that can be buffed out, I've been too scared to try to really scrub at it.