Honey Bourbon Orford 5-String

The Orford

Unlike any other short-scale bass on the market, Master Craftsman Guitars’ basses have a patent pending string pathway and strategic coring that ensures incredible tone, sustain, and a firm string tension that would be expected of a long-scale high-end bass. Our approach with the Orford design was to ensure perfect ergonomics and balance, provide full access to the 24th fret, and give the player a soft, contoured, double cutaway shape that would feel great whether trying one out for the first time or after sweating through a 5 hour marathon studio session or late night gig. The Orford comes standard with fully passive electronics, switchable custom wound coil-tapped humbucking pickups, and a nifty stand-up feature integrated into the precision machined aluminum tailpiece. It is the relaxed sibling of the Agness, and is a charming companion at any venue.

Free yourself to enjoy playing and creating with a more manageable bass that works with you and not against you.

Additional Orford specs

IMAGES: Orford 5 string bass shown is in Honey Bourbon Sunburst option, with headstock top binding. The back of this custom bass is alder, top is quilted spalted maple from our local forests. Instrument weight is 7.7 lbs

Orford Features

The Orford standard electronics include a coil tap switch (series/parallel/single) and volume control for each pickup and a master tone for quick and familiar adjustments. Bridge hardware and headstock tip are custom made in our shop in polished aluminum, and the tuners & knobs are chrome.

Our pickups are custom made for us by MJ’s in Canada, and we locate the pole pieces directly under the most resonant harmonics of each string.  This placement brings forth the richest blend of string harmonics so you can dial in your tone, whether using our full passive electronics or our Noll 4-band preamp active setup with piezo saddles (optional on the Orford).  The pickups are close together and form a nice thumb rest in the playing area. NOTE: Players desiring optional pickup placement for popping technique please advise us during your consultation with our master luthier, who will cover all aspects of your instrument before beginning your build.

Instruments are finished with catalyzed paint systems, or our optional oil & wax finish. Models with color staining go through a multi-step stain & coloring process, then are finished with catalyzed clearcoat in satin or gloss, depending on the order. 

Standard Orford Specifications

Custom options (contact us before ordering) 

• Custom inlay
• Unique fingerboard materials (based on availability)
• Fret size custom order options
• Graphtech Tusq™ Nut material
• Custom pickup output options
• Body back & top wood custom options (based on availability)
• Custom paint colors