Momose MJ2-STD/NJ Jazz Bass style, two-tone sunburst, made in Japan 2009. Momose instruments are some of Japan's finest offerings, they're absolutely magical. They're named after master luthier Yasuo Momose, the same brain behind the Bacchus, Deviser and Headway brands. Momose is the limited-run, high-end Custom Shop style offering from the Deviser umbrella, so they're not cheap, but they represent outstanding quality. What does that mean, exactly? Well, firstly, it's completely handmade. All the luthiers at the workshop trained under Yasuo himself. Shunning the usual mass produced CNC routing methods etc allows the luthiers to pay closer attention to the individual nuances of each piece of wood, so they can select nothing but the best timber for each instrument and maximise the potential by working with it's subtleties and nuances. There's some incredible details to notice: the Madagascar rosewood fingerboard is bound with 1mm of rosewood, cleaning up the edges both visually and kinaesthetically. The neck plate is angled and recessed into the body, so you can reach the top frets without straining you hand. The maple in the neck is quater-sawn and features some beautiful subtle flame figuring, which looks and feels amazing. The Momose website lists this model as a two-piece ash body, but this being an older example it seems to be a single piece of ash... holy moly. It's lightweight in the hands but perfectly balanced. Even before you plug it in, you can hear the remarkable tone as soon you hit a note. Momose make their own pickups, which are very good too. Plugged in, you get a huge, rounded low end with a weighty fundamental note, balanced with a midrange that's complex and nuanced but extremely punchy and a vocal, sweet treble. To a light touch it's tuneful and articulate, but as you dig in and play harder a satisfying fullness comes back to encourage you along. The finish is all class too, there's a bit of natural play wear but largely the slick sunburst looks classy. Don't take my word for it, play it and see!

Model: Momose MJ2-STD/NJ
Made: Japan, Aska workshop, 2009 (serial 1594)
Finish: two tone sunburst, nitro topcoat, 3-ply cream guard
Body: ash, 1-piece
Weight: 3.790kg
Neck: maple, quarter-sawn with subtle flame, Madagascar rosewood board bound with rosewood, 12" radius, 34" scale
Mods: none
Pickups: Momose VJ-1 passive single coil x2
Case: Momose tweed hard case, excellent quality and condition

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some minor marks on the end and bottom edges, no major marks. The neck has minor dimples on the back as well as some glossing from play, no major marks. The back has widespread light surface scratches, light scuffs and dimples as well as a patch of rub wear near the middle of the body, no major marks. The sides have some minor dimples on the horns as well as some minor scuffs from the jack area around to the elbow area, no major marks. The front has some minor dimples near the control plate and around the bridge, as well as little dents and scuffs in the elbow area, some notable scuffing from play up from the neck pickup area and some standard play wear on the guard and top horn. Overall: very good condition (7.5/10)

Playing condition notes: action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. The frets have minor wear only, 9/10 for fret life left. Set up with fresh 45/105 Moonshiners strings.