FM Guitars bolsters its double-fretboard bass lineup with relic’d, vintage-inspired Classic range
New 8- and 10-string offerings aim to put the brand's innovative approach to guitar design in a more traditional-looking package
In 2020, tapping sorcerer Felix Martin debuted his own guitar company, FM Guitars, which specializes in forward-thinking 12, 14 and 16-string, dual-fretboard electric guitars that aim to push the boundaries of what’s possible on a ‘board.
Now, after introducing a few refreshes to its lineup – which now includes eight- and 10-string bass guitars – FM Guitars has debuted its all-new Classic family of basses.
Containing eight- and 10-string iterations, the company’s Classic models aim to repackage its innovative approach to guitar design in a more traditional-looking aesthetic, offering relic'd finishes and more conventionally styled body shapes.
According to Martin, the new offerings take inspiration from classic bass guitar models – evidenced from the traditional colorways and light aging utilized on the upper bout of each bass – though also aim to deliver a healthy dosage of the brand’s unique design styles.
At their core, each model boasts PJ-style pickups designed by Martin himself, stainless steel frets and Ernie Ball bass strings, as well as either a basswood, mahogany or alder body, and an ebony or jatoba fretboard.
If desired, however, the configurable Classic Basses can also come equipped with a variety of additional top woods, a multi-scale fretboard layout and a wealth of pickup alternatives, including Fishman and EMG.
Of the brand’s latest collection, Martin offers: “The FM basses are a type of bass that is extremely new and with a whole new musical horizon to explore. I wanted to keep developing this concept further and came up with this new line of classic basses.”
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According to the company’s website, pricing for the eight- and 10-string basses starts from $1,850 and $1,950, respectively, and can be custom built entirely to an individual’s desired spec sheet.
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Other flexible features include a choice of a quilted, flame, spalted or burl maple top, a satin or gloss finish, and a chambered or non-chambered body.
Get more information over at FM Guitars.
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Matt is a Senior Staff Writer, writing for Guitar World, Guitarist and Total Guitar. He has a Masters in the guitar, a degree in history, and has spent the last 16 years playing everything from blues and jazz to indie and pop. When he’s not combining his passion for writing and music during his day job, Matt records for a number of UK-based bands and songwriters as a session musician.
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