Manchester Bass Lounge | Lowering the tone …

Sadowsky Metro MV5 (Vintage Series)

Hey, if you don’t fancy the Black one we do them in all colours! …Another unplayed beauty in ‘as new’ condition. Specification/description is as the Black MV5.

Fender Roger Waters Signature Precision

Virtually unused Roger Waters P-Bass with black-on-black colour scheme identical to that used by the ex-Floyd Bassist. Seymour Duncan basslines SPB-3 Quarter Pounder split single coil pickup. ‘Old school’ P-Bass neck (unlike the modern slimmed down ones) identical to the one on Waters own P-Bass. Gloss finish Maple fingerboard with 20 medium jumbo frets and brass nut ... [more]

Warwick Corvette PS Standard

Very clean example of this now-classic bass which is no longer built in Germany (Now assembled in Korea and called the Pro-Series Corvette). Nicely figured swamp ash body, 3 piece Ovangkol neck with Wenge fingerboard and 24 jumbo bell-brass frets. 2 x MEC ‘J’ type pickups which, combined with the tone woods, deliver that typical Warwick ‘dark growl’. 2 piece Warwick chrome bridge, Warwick chrome tuners, knobs and straplocks. New RRP is £1520.

Overwater Progress Deluxe 6

Stunning handbuilt thru-neck 6 string bass. 5 piece maple/wenge neck, rosewood fingerboard with 26 frets. 35” scale, 54mm width at nut. Black Overwater hardware, twin Overwater soap bar pickups with active 3 EQ electronics. Controls are Volume, Pickup pan and 3 EQ’s (bass, mid, treble). Body-matched veneered headstock. Very versatile tonally with crystal clear note definition. A real pro-quality instrument which would now retail at over 3 grand.

Warwick Corvette Standard

Passive German Warwick handbuilt from a combination of sumptuous tonewoods – solid 2 piece Bubinga Pommele body, 3 piece bolt-on Ovangkol neck and Wenge fingerboard with 24 jumbo Bellbrass frets. 2 MEC pickups which deliver fat, growly Jazz bass sounds. 2 piece chrome Warwick bridge, tuners and straplocks. These are great basses for slapping and the Korean-built Pro-series Corvettes now retail at just under £1,000. The RRP of the German-built models is over £1,500.

Musicman Sterling

The smaller bodied, lightweight sibling of the Stingray – but with a few differences. The Sterling sports a slimmer, narrower neck, smaller headstock, has a different preamp to the ‘Ray, uses “phantom coil” pickup technology and has 22 frets as opposed to 21. Traditional MM chrome plated bridge & Schaller tuners. Maple neck and fingerboard with assymetrical 5 bolt neck plate. 3-way coil selection switch and 3 band active EQ with separate bass/mid/treble controls ... [more]

Overwater Inspiration ‘Blonde’ Special Edition 4

The very first Special edition Inspiration out of Carlisle…. We had the pick of around a dozen tops! Sumptuous looking, sounding and playing Bass. Gorgeous flame maple top on swamp ash body, 3 piece maple neck with maple fingerboard…

Fender ’78 USA Precision

Haven’t been in the control cavity but otherwise appears to be all-original and serial number confirms it as a 1978 model. Original Fender stock pickups come with the bass which has been retro-fitted with Bartolini split single coils. Body lacquer has some crazing which is common on many of these vintage Fenders. Lovely neck and relatively light fretwear. A good honest late 70’s P-bass.

Fender-60-Anniversary-Precision-slideshow

Fender 60th Anniversary Precision

One of our rare ‘new’ basses, this is a P-bass ‘greatest hits’ in that it has the best of the Precision from the various eras from the overall looks of an early ‘50s P-bass but with the later (’57 on) headstock shape. All in all, a great synthesis of the best of the old and the best of the new plus those great P-bass sounds that have launched a million hits!

Gordon-Smith Gryphon (LH)

This Obeche bodied Gryphon is particularly light. These production models incorporate the refinements made after road-testing the prototypes. High contour arched ergonomic body loaded with G-S’s own handbuilt pickups that can be run as humbuckers, single-coils or a combination of both which make it so much more versatile than most of its competitors….high output passive basses are, we believe, the way to go ... [more]

Overwater by Tanglewood TO4A Trd Aspiration Artist

‘Off the peg’ Active Overwater Bass built by Tanglewood, designed by Overwater and incorporating OW electronics and hardware throughout. 3 piece maple neck, Rosewood fingerboard and 24 frets. Gotoh style mini-machines and OW hi-mass modern bridge. Active 2 band OW preamp, OW MM/J-set pickups. Controls are Volume(pull bright), Pan, Bass and Treble. The photos do not do the colour or visible woodgrain justice ... [more]

Fender ’73 Precision

Very clean, well looked after early ‘70’s P-Bass which plays and sounds spot on. The bass is all original and has the over-long bridge intonation screw to the G-string which, along with the serial number, verifies its year of manufacture. Has relatively little wear to the frets and fingerboard and feels just right in every respect.

Gordon-Smith Gryphon

The first prototype of this brand new bass model that we have developed with those very nice people at Gordon-Smith. The production models will cost you around £400 more. High contour lightweight body with arched/splayed back for extra comfort. One piece bolt-on maple neck with 20 medium jumbo frets and the famous G-S brass nut. Raked headstock carries Schaller open-gear tuners, bridge is by Gotoh ... [more]

Cort GB99B

Classic Jazz- type bass which is a dream to play. 2 Mightymite jazz pickups with a volume knob for each plus a master tone control. Has a very substantial bridge with through-body stringing option. Maple fingerboard has early’70’s Jazz style inlays and edge binding. Lightweight Hipshot licenced tuners. This model offers very nice passive Jazz tones but is now discontinued. A lot of Bass for the money.

Ibanez ATK 200

Delivers 3 distinctive bass sounds to fit any genre or playing style with the flick of a switch. Very good for huge Rock sounds. Features the original Ibanez CAP Double Humbucking pickup which houses 2 Humbucking coils in one unit. Ash body, 3 piece maple neck, rosewood ‘board with medium frets. 3 band active EQ. ATK, according to Ibanez, stands for ‘Attack’ tells you quite a bit about its output levels and sonic capabilities!

G&L L-1500

Leo famously stated that G&L instruments were the finest he ever built and he may be right. This is an imported model and, with the single magnetic field design humbucking pickup, is a logical progression of the MM Stingray (also designed by Leo). Can be played in active or passive modes and also in/out of phase offering a wide variety of powerful tones. Has the patented G&L saddle lock bridge and top notch hardware all round. Comes with certificate signed by Leo’s wife Phyllis.

Warwick / Jazz hybrid 5

Something a bit different to say the least but a very nice bass in its own right, brought together from quality ‘ingredients’. Neck is from a 2000 Warwick Corvette $$ 5-string (Ovangkol with Wenge ‘board and 24 medium jumbo bell brass frets), body is a USA (not Fender) Swamp Ash piece with lovely figuring in the timber. 2 x Kent Armstrong soapbar pups, Warwick 2 piece chrome bridge, tuners and straplocks ... [more]

158-Overwater-Custom-Classic-J-slideshow

Overwater Custom Classic Series J – 5

Virtually unplayed custom-built instrument which pretty much represents the pinnacle of bass building. Cost circa £3,300 in Dec 2012. Beautifully figured swamp ash body with sumptuous quilted maple top and matching headstock. 35” scale Birdseye maple neck and fingerboard (satin finish) bearing shell block position inlays and 21 medium frets. 2 x OW J style noiseless pickups and 3 EQ John East retro preamp with passive bypass option ... [more]

Schecter Diamond Series 004

Active bass with bound body and fingerboard, shape has RIC pretensions which we like! Twin soapbar humbucking pups, good quality hardware, brass nut and pearloid fingerboard inlays all confirm Schecter as one of the major players in the crowded and competitive mid-price market.

Gordon-Smith Gryphon

Classic colour bass sporting the distinctive high contour, arched body for maximum playing comfort. One piece maple neck with 21 medium 'hard Dutch' frets (hard, wear-resistant alloy) and brass nut. This is a high output passive bass loaded with 2 G-S Gryphon Humbuckers (entirely built and handwound by G-S) that can be run in humbucking or single coil mode or a combination of both. The bass delivers some big but very clear, articulate sounds that stand it apart from the majority of passive basses. Hardware is top quality Gotoh (bridge) and Schaller (tuners and strap buttons) ... [more]

Overwater Twin Neck Custom 5

Very rare beast indeed built circa 20 years ago as a custom order. Has 2 5 string necks (one fretless). Further details to be added pending discussion with Overwater.

Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass Special

Apart from the back of the bass, the condition is otherwise mint. The owner, for some inexplicable reason, decided that the back should have a satin/non-high gloss finish! The bass is otherwise perfect in every respect and plays and sounds really well. Active Bass with a Precision and a Jazz pickup and a slim, fast-action neck with rosewood fretboard with 20 medium Jumbo frets. Vintage style chrome bridge and tuners ... [more]

Gordon-Smith Gryphon

The very first production Gryphon incorporating changes resulting from the extensive road-testing of the prototypes. High contour arched body for improved ergonomics. Loaded with hand-built/hand-wound G-S pickups that can be run in humbucking mode, single coil mode or a mixture of the 2. We think that high output passive basses are the way to go ... [more]

G&L Tribute L-2500

The final chapter in the Fender trilogy ... G&L Basses. Generic Fender bodyshape coupled with distinctive 3+2 batwing headstock. Clear lacquered Ash body, one piece rock maple bolt-on neck with rosewood fingerboard sporting 21 medium frets. High output active bass that can also be run passive. 2 Fullerton (USA) made G&L magnetic field humbucking pups, 3 EQ ... [more]

G&L Tribute L-2000

Classic looking bass with the iconic G&L ‘Batwing’ headstock profile. 2 Fullerton-made G&L magnetic field design humbucking pickups, G&L Tri-Tone active/passive electronics and 3 mini-toggle switches (3-way pickup selector, Series/parallel selector and preamp control for active/passive mode selection plus high frequency boost). G&L patented saddlelock bridge for enhanced sustain and G&L open gear Tuners ... [more]

Tokai Rockinbetter RG4003

Worthy homage to the iconic and uber-cool RIC 4003 but with a slim, fast neck more like the earlier 4001 model. The spec level is very unusual for an instrument at this price point:- solid maple body with chequered edge binding, thro’-neck construction and raked 2 + 2 headstock. 3 piece Maple thro’-neck with bound rosewood fretboard sporting 22 medium-jumbo frets and the correct triangular pearloid position markers. Controls are 2 x volume, 2 x tone and a 3-way pickup selector toggle ... [more]

Warwick Corvette Standard Passive

Very clean example of this now classic bass. 3 piece solid ash body, Ovangkol bolt-on neck and Wenge fingerboard with 24 bell-brass jumbo frets. 2 x MEC ‘J’ pickups, Warwick 2 piece chrome bridge and tuners, Schaller straplocks. The necks on these basses vary in profile quite a bit and this is one of the fuller ‘D’ shape profiles which is very comfortable to play. Tonally a little brighter than the Bubinga bodied version.

Sandberg California TT Jazz

We can’t say enough good things about Sandberg basses – top notch handbuilt instruments with elite quality electronics which deliver fabulous active or passive sounds. This model is effectively a modern reinterpretation of a 75 Fender Jazz but with so much more in our opinion. Gloss lacquered maple neck with satin lacquered maple fingerboard (shallow radius), 22 medium jumbo frets . This feels like a Jazz neck but with slightly more wood in it than a Fender ... [more]

Overwater by Tanglewood Contemporary Jazz Bass

One of the new ‘off the peg’ Overwaters built by Tanglewood, designed by Overwater and incorporating Overwater hardware and electronics. Maple fingerboard with pearl block inlays on 1-piece bolt-on maple neck . Overwater Soapbar pickups with active 2 band EQ. Deluxe Jazz style machine heads and Overwater hi-mass chrome bridge for added sustain. Looks and sounds the part, with the great playability that Overwaters are renowned for.

Spector Euro 5 LX (Europe Series)

Dynamic tonal range matched with outstanding balance and design, this Spector can be heard in just about every genre of music. Original Spector curved/arched body with a 3-piece maple, graphite reinforced, through-neck. Rosewood fingerboard with Spector Crown Mother of Pearl inlays. 35 inch scale length with 24 frets. 2 Active single/dual coil switchable EMG pickups (40CS – TW’s) and Spector ‘TonePump’ circuit ... [more]

Manchester Bass Lounge is the north of England's specialist bass guitar retailer and consultant offering an extensive selection of new and pre-owned instruments

drew-bass-mag-portrait MBL stocks a wide range of brands and is an appointed Dealer for Overwater Basses, Gordon-Smith Basses and Markbass amplification and there will be further announcements in due course about other ‘new instrument’ brands exclusively from UKbass builders.

Our bass gallery (The ‘Lounge’) has big comfy sofas, great coffee and 70+ basses at any time to drool over, plug-in and play – it’s all done on a personal appointment basis so you have our undivided attention for the duration of your visit which is as long as you need it to be.

Because we don’t operate like a traditional ‘high street shop’ (outdated concept!) we have sufficient flexibility to get out on the road whether that be delivering or picking up basses or providing a local ‘pick up and drop off’ service between the Bass Lounge and the transport hubs in Manchester City Centre for customers who are coming to us by bus or train.

Take your time to browse through the site and get a feel for the range and quality of the instruments we offer. Bass brands appear in alphabetical order in 4,5 and 6 string categories or simply type in the make/model in the search box.

We love talking basses and post regular news items and updates on this page and on Facebook. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have – simply call Drew or ping us an email for a quick reply.

Our service and commitment to connecting players to basses is unrivalled.

Manchester Bass Lounge… Lowering the tone, raising expectations!

Manchester Bass Lounge | Lowering the tone …

Sadowsky Metro MV5 (Vintage Series)

Fender Roger Waters Signature Precision

Warwick Corvette PS Standard

Overwater Progress Deluxe 6

Warwick Corvette Standard

Musicman Sterling

Overwater Inspiration ‘Blonde’ Special Edition 4

Fender ’78 USA Precision

Fender 60th Anniversary Precision

Gordon-Smith Gryphon (LH)

Overwater by Tanglewood TO4A Trd Aspiration Artist

Fender ’73 Precision

Gordon-Smith Gryphon

Cort GB99B

Ibanez ATK 200

G&L L-1500

Warwick / Jazz hybrid 5

Overwater Custom Classic Series J – 5

Schecter Diamond Series 004

Gordon-Smith Gryphon

Overwater Twin Neck Custom 5

Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass Special

Gordon-Smith Gryphon

G&L Tribute L-2500

G&L Tribute L-2000

Tokai Rockinbetter RG4003

Warwick Corvette Standard Passive

Sandberg California TT Jazz

Overwater by Tanglewood Contemporary Jazz Bass

Spector Euro 5 LX (Europe Series)

Manchester Bass Lounge is the north of England's specialist bass guitar retailer and consultant offering an extensive selection of new and pre-owned instruments

Search our stock

New in!

MBL News

Contact us

Visit us on Facebook!