Fichter basses - Fichter with Highlander pickup
Reviewer: Vincent Meelberg
Amplifier Used: Glockenklang Bass Art Amp, Glockenklang Acoustic Art Box
- Vintage: 2001
- Number of Strings: 4
- Double bass strings compatible
- Thumb Reference: E♭
- Playable Seated: Yes
- Balance While Playing:
(8/10)
A beautiful designed bass, with a sound that resembles an excellently amplified acoustic bass, but with a sound that is quite unique and has more punch than an acoustic db. It plays like a dream, as long as you are used to playing upright bass. The neck and fingerboard are actually better than the one on my acoustic.
I especially like the fact that it has no onboard controls or anything; it is just the wood, the pickup and the class-A preamp (and your fingers!) that make the sound. I play this bass at rock, pop and jazz gigs and virtually everyone likes the sound (and the looks) of my Fichter. The sound mixes very well with electric and acoustic instruments. I don't play bass guitar anymore, when someone asks me for an electric gig, I take my Fichter. The same for 'acoustic' jazz gigs; I think my Fichter sounds better than most amplified acoustic dbs. Purists may disagree, but I am not dogmatic (a bad quality for a musician, anyway).
My bass cannot be bowed, but Sigi Jaeger (the master builder, he also makes Human Base bass guitars -see http://www.humanbase.de ) also makes a version that has an other pickup and can be bowed. The pizz sound of this version is not as powerful, though.
All in all, my Fichter is a very versatile instrument with a unique sound and a real personality. If you look for an EUB that can be used in almost al sorts of music (except when bowing is required), then check this bass out. You won't be disappointed.
Text copyright © Vincent Meelberg.
