Combat Mega System Bass, made in Japan around 2010, mahogany finish. Combat Guitars are a Tokyo based custom workshop, making instruments from scratch by hand to an exceptional standard. They're not cheap: they start at ¥250000 for a semi-custom basic model, but a full custom job like this with deluxe hardware, an exotic top and active electronics would set you back something like ¥400000, which is close to A$5k byt the time you land it here. The workmanship is impeccable: everything is exactly in it's place and you can feel the love that's gone into it. The top is a piece of highly figured quilted sycamore, stained to a rich mahogany to match the back and neck. It's a beautiful piece, the swirling detail and depth is quite stunning. The rest of the body is a two piece, centre joined pice of rich ribboned mahogany. Plenty of wood species get called 'mahogany', but this is the good stuff, it's obvious from the grain pattern. The neck is a slim in the back, wide at the nut style shape, carved from top notch walnut and capped with a dark ebony board. It's an intuitive shape and there's enough string spacing to accurately hit a lot of notes fast without without being too wide; it feels fantastic. At 4.3kg it's on the lighter side for a mahogany 5 string bass, plus the weight balance between neck and body is perfect. The tone on board is huge. The parametic EQ and passive/active switch mean you can dial in a whole bunch of variations on the theme, but the main ingredients are sublime: tight, punchy lows, rich and gooey midrange and an eloquent sweetness on top. There's a warmth on deck that permeates any setting you find, it's just always full, thick and satisfying. These come up used in Australia approximately never, so if you're after a proper luxury 35" custom 5-string for what is objectively a bargain, you may as well go Mega, right?

Model: Combat Mega System Bass V 
Made: Tokyo Japan, 2010 approx (estimate, so serial on this)
Serial: none
Finish: mahogany stain top, natural satin back/neck/headstock 
Body: mahogany, flamed sycamore top
Neck: walnut, ebony board, 12" radius, 35" scale, wide/thin style profile
Weight:  4.305kg
Mods: 
Pickups: Combat passive single coil x2, active preamp (controls: volume neck, volume bridge. parametric frequency, boost/cut, 3-way toggle for passive/active/passive blender)
Accessories: basic gig bag

Cosmetic Condition Notes: The headstock has a scuff on the end and a dimple of the back near the neck joint. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and glossing from play on the back only. The back has a few minor dents in the elbow area and on the bottom edge near the cavity cover, as well as a few light surface scratches near the neck joint and some widespread light glossing from contact. The sides have minor dimples around the whole body, no major marks. The front has no major marks, just some rub wear on the elbow area and some standard play wear on the horns.
Overall: very good condition (8/10)

Playing Condition Notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 45/130 Rotosound strings. Note: strings changed after the photos taken.
Fret Life: 8/10, minor wear only