Custom Order Momose MJ2/PH Purpleheart Neck Transparent Red Burner Ash Made in Japan Jazz Bass MIJ

Momose MJ2/PH Custom – Burner Red Ash with Purpleheart

Professor’s Notes

Likely one of a kind, this custom order Momose MJ2 is all about the details, both obvious and subtle. A prime example of why we are head over heels for Deviser’s made in Japan instruments, the care and attention to detail is unmistakable over every inch of this instrument. Excellent playing experience and outstanding tone in a distinctly modern homage to the classic passive jazz bass. Next level stuff from Momose.

Specifications

Weight: 9.7 lbs

Accessories: Momose Gig bag

Nut width: 1.48 in

12th fret width: 2.20 in

1st fret depth: 0.81 in

12th fret depth: 0.91 in

Neck profile: C

Body: Ash

Neck: Purpleheart

Fingerboard: Purpleheart

Scale: 34 inch (864mm)

Frets: 21

Nut: Oiled Bone

Nut width: 1.5 in (38 mm)     

Fingerboard Radius:7.25 in

Bridge: Badass 2

Tuners: GOTOH GB11WC

Controls: Neck Vol, Bridge Vol, Tone

Pickup: Momose VJ-1 x2

Country of manufacture: Japan

Serial Number: 11976

Condition

This bass is in Excellent overall condition with minimal signs of use. There is a very shallow dent on the front of the lower bout near the bridge (pictured). There are some shallow marks on the rear of the lower bout (pictured). There are fine scratches and general minor signs of use on the pickguard and across the surface of the body. There are no noticeable signs the electronics were modified. The frets show minimal signs of wear. There are no signs of warping or waviness in the neck. The truss rod is very smooth and in good working order with plenty of adjustment left in both directions.

This bass has received a thorough multi-point inspection and was professionally set up with DR Sunbeam 45-105 roundwound strings, medium action, optimally adjusted relief, accurate intonation up and down the neck and pickup height set. A very nice Momose semi-hard case is included.

Overview

The MJ2/PH is a custom order version of Momose’s already outstanding MJ2-STD J-style bass. As we’ve come to expect from Momose and sister brand Bacchus’ instruments made at Deviser’s Aska factory, the MJ2/PH features premium, well cured wood for both body and neck seamlessly melded together into a cohesive whole. A subtle burner finish has been applied to the ash body, elegantly highlighting the striking figuring of the grain. Unusual for Momose, this custom order bass features a gloss polyurethane finish which accentuates the flawlessly applied transparent red finish and well-matched transparent red pickguard. The Momose neck plate has been recessed level with the surface of the body creating a smooth surface.

As eye catching as the body of this bass may be, the 34-inch scale all-purpleheart neck might be the star of the show. The masterfully shaped C-profile neck harkens many of our favorite vintage favorites with perfectly cut and polished 1.5-inch wide oiled bone nut, a comfortably slim depth and moderate taper that will keep you playing your favorite grooves and runs all night without fatigue (see measurements above). Amazingly, the 7.25-inch radius fretboard with white pearl dots is bound with purpleheart to hide the nut and fret ends, creating a minimalist look and seamless finish. The binding is so perfectly executed the seam with the neck is almost invisible.  21 Jescar® FW9676-NS frets show off impeccable fretwork as is standard for Momose instruments. High quality hardware is used throughout with Gotoh GB11WC lightweight tuners and Badass 2 bridge.

Electronics and Tone

Keeping in line with its retro-modern aesthetic, electronics in the MJ2/PH are passive, with traditional J-bass control layout of neck pickup volume, bridge pickup volume and master tone control. Momose’s outstanding VJ-1 pickups are paired with a Vitamin Q oiled paper capacitor. The MJ2/PH produces a decidedly refined and upscale vintage-voiced J-bass tone appropriate for a build of this quality.  The ash body helps maintain bass punch and definition as well as treble clarity, while the midrange remains full of growl and complexity thanks to the purpleheart neck and quality electronics. Full, round low end without mud is abundant from the neck pickup, while the bridge pickup brings focus and definition without a hint of harsh top end.