Acacia Custom 4-String

Acacia Custom four string fretless bass, made in 1994, purchased in 1998 by me after it had been a demo bass for four years.

It is a neck-through design and the neck is laminated in nine layers, from core to wing like this: Mahogany, Maple, Rosewood, Maple, Wenge. The Mahogany core is tapered towards the head, the Maple layers are quite thin, and the Wenge wings are the biggest (widest) pieces.
The body is Mahogany at the core, and it has a layer of Lacewood on the top and bottom; as well as a thin layer of Rosewood in between the core and the top.
The fingerboard is Massacar Ebony.

This wood combination works very well on this fretless bass. I do not know what the finish of the bass is called, but it is the kind that has to be oiled once a year with gun stock oil. I really like this finish, it is as if the wood is untouched; it is just a little more shiny than it would be without any finish, and that shinyness brings out the texture of the wood in a beautiful way. The lacewood top is slightly bumpy, and it shows in how the light is reflected in it. The Wenge is a bit porous, and that also shows in the way the light is redlected on it. And it feels good to the touch as well: one can feel the texture of the different woods. Nice. I like this finish.

Now, the pickups and electronics of my bass are quite simple: Two EMG DC35 pickups, each with a volume control, and one master tone control. The pickups are active, and powered by two nine volt batteries. I like the way they sound, and I have never felt the need for any EQ controls at all. My Eden amp has a very nice semi-parametric EQ, but I always set it flat, and my bass sounds excellent. I get all the tonal variations I need by changing the balance between the two pickups, and occationally turning down the highs with the tone control on the bass.

The bridge on my bass is of Kahler make, I like that as well. It is very sturdy and solid. The disadvantage of this bridge model is that one needs to remove the string to adjust the bridge. But I never needed to adjust it anyway.

I think I would describe the sound of my bass as Round and Punchy, It has a strong fundamental, and it sounds sweet and plesant from the deepest note to the highest note. That is important to me. Harmonics ring out loud and clear, which is also important to me.

I find the sound palette of this instrument to be well suited to all styles of music that I play, and I would imagine it to do well also in contexts that I haven't tested it in yet. I have never used it in a professional recording situation. I play mostly live music.

When I bought it, the bass was set up pretty much exactly the way I still keep it, except that I lowered the neck pickup a little bit.

Construction quality was and is virtually flawless.

This instrument has withstood live playing for five years, and I would be willing to bet that it will last another fifty. I constantly gig with it without a backup instrument. Never had any problems with it, except for battery failure (which in the end is my own fault).

The finish is, as mentioned earlier, of the kind that needs to be re-oiled once a year. It is quite a thin finish, which is something I like; but it has never become damaged or scratched. The instrument has recieved a number of smaller bumps on its back near the bottom end: I usually put the instrument cable around the bottom strap lock, and the heavy Neutrik jack plug often crashes into the back side of the bass as I drop it in between the strap and the back of the bass. These bumps aren't visible unless you look closely at how the light reflects off the back of the bass. So even if this kind of finish does not protect the wood as well as other harder, thicker finishes; the bumps and scratches that the wood recieves doesn't show much.

I'll give it a 9 though, because ideally I would have an instrument that is completely and utterly maintenance free.

Matt has given up instrument making and gotten himself a life, so he doesn't make more of these beautiful instruments. But he still helps us (owners) whenever we should need it. He was quite helpful with sending me the proper oil for the yearly re-finishing, and also when I wanted to install a de-tuner on my e-string. So, my impression so far is a very good one.

I have been playing the bass guitar for about eight years now. I have played this Acacia bass almost exclusively for the last fife years. If I'd loose this instrument, I'd probably quit playing, or beg/bribe Matt to build me a new one. I love everything about this instrument. I hate the fact that I can't have Matt build me a six-string bass, and that it's nearly impossible to score a second-hand Acacia. (If you have an Acacia six-string fretted bass that you'd sell, contact me!!!!)

When I bought this bass, I chose it because it was half price - demo used. I live in Norway and had no chance to try it, so I just bought it. No regrets.

You may see pictures of this bass at:
http://hallgeir.no/bass/acacia/

First, I want to prelude this review by sayinfg I am NOT submitting this as a "blow smoke joke" review. This is a good honest review reflected from 16 years of playing with various brands, and 4 years on in-store experience.

This bass is made by luthier Matt Freidman in Pennsylvania. It was made in 1995. It is a 24 fret 34" scale base that is features neck through the body 4 string bass. It is 1.5" wide at the nut and has a decidedly thinner than jazz feel all the way up and down the neck (like a Fender Performer or old Vox) The body is "spoon shaped" ala high-end Spectors, and so it the headstock to match.

Neck material consist of a 9 ply laminate using wenge as the main wood type, with maple, mahogony used as well as another wood (perhaps ebony). The body is mahogony sandwiched between 2 layers of AAAA Quilted maple with a Ken Smith "new" body style (like a j-bass only wider) . The rear body cavity cover is in matched wood from the original body peice. From the neck to the bridge pick-up there is carved from the body (actually the wenge laminate in the neck)the thumbrest. Finish appears to be a hand rubbed oil.

The headstock is a 2+2 design in a "flying v" type design and uses what appears to be schaller type sealed tuners

Electronics consist of 2 EMG humbuckers (not sure of model), with a EMG pre-amp with is of V/V/T configuration.

Finally, this bass has an Kahler bridge that enables you to adjust the string width to your liking.

This bass is EXTREMELY light.

Overall features are nothing but the finest! The only thing I may change is the pre-amp (probably to an East U-Retro), and that is because I like a lot of tonal control at the bass.

This bass over a lot of varied tone as is (although I like more EQ). I can get everything from funky slap to sub-sonic rumble. Pups are quite through my Demeter pre-amp, QSC amp, amp Bag-End Speakers

I traded for this (a martin HD-28) bass used and have owned it for about 3 months now. The fit and finish is truely superb- worthy of the artisan the luthier is! This is wood at it's best!

I have played live twice with about 30 practice and thus far no complaints at all. Hardware is solid (I had my doubts about the bridge whgen I first saw it) and has warrented no adjustments or tightening as of yet

Mr. Freidman has actually responded personally to my inquiries about this bass. He has been articulate and kind and has even said he would do the install for the East Pre-amp.

I have a Demeter HBP-1 pre-amp, QSC 2402 amp, Bag End Speakers (2x10 and 1X18) with a Furman PL-plus and Korg Strobe tuner in my rack.

I would buy another if stolen- this bass is defately a keeper for life. I am think of ordering a second one from Acacia with different woods. The custom model is just that- made to your specifications.

lots of love went into this bass, and mr. Freidman continues the art of luthier in the tradition of Alembic and Leo Fender. i realize that I have given this bass a higher overall rating than the individual section, but there is truth in "the whole being greater tahn the sum of the parts" in this bass