Speakeasy 5 - Two Tone

UK Price: £745.00 Inc. 20% VAT
Worldwide Price: £620.83

+ Lined Fretless Fingerboard

+ £100.00

Quantity

–+

Availability

In Stock

Description
Specifications
Press Reviews
Customer Reviews

Based on the classic, Japanese built Bass Collection SB310 Series, introduced by Nanyo Boeki and distributed exclusively in the UK by the Bass Centre in the late 1980s and throughout the '90s, the new Speakeasy combines a distinctive, compact body profile with a powerful, modern sound.

"you’re going to have to search long and hard to get a similar bang for such modest buck anywhere else." — Ian Glasper, Bass Guitar Magazine

All the hallmarks of the original Bass Collection design are in place — the unique, heel-less, bolt on neck, 2 octave, unmarked, rosewood fingerboard, a high density bridge design for maximum sustain, and supremely versatile active on-board electronics.

The Speakeasy Features

Body	Original, compact, lightweight Bass Collection SB body contour
Neck	Heel-less, bolt-on, slim profile maple neck
Fingerboard	24 fret rosewood fingerboard
ELECTRONICS	Passive P/J pickups + 2 band active EQ with bass & treble cut/boost
EXTRAS	Premium quality Bass Centre padded gig bag included

YOUR BASS - YOUR WAY

All Bass Collection and British Bass Masters instruments are re-strung and set up prior to despatch by Chris Ward, long serving Bass Centre guitar tech since 1984. Accordingly, you can choose which gauge and type of Elites Strings you prefer and specify personal set-up requirements — please use the "Comments/Requests" field when you check out, or contact the Bass Centre sales team directly.

Go Fretless

In terms of both aesthetics and playability, the Speakeasy lends itself exceptionally well to a fretless configuration and, for a modest premium, the Bass Centre is pleased to be able to offer the option of a lined fretless fingerboard on all models, with the work expertly conducted by our own experienced in-house tech.

The Wapping Years

Throughout the '80s and '90s, The Bass Centre was synonymous with the Bass Collection range, with our Wapping store being the only place in the West to feature the complete range.

The classic line-up of SGC/Nanyo instruments still has a devoted following, with numerous online user groups and forums dedicated to chronicling the development of the brand and the myriad of model variations. Notable users include Muse bass superstar, Chris Wolstenholme, who used a pair of Bass Collection SB300 Series basses, both live and in the studio, during the band's 2000/2001 "Showbiz" era.

Body	Ash
Finish	Gloss polyurethane
Neck	Satin finish 'C' shape 3-piece hard maple neck, with heel-less, bolt-on design
Fingerboard	Ebony, with side dot markers, brass nut and dual action truss rod
Frets	24 x jumbo nickel frets

Pickups	Passive J/J single coil
Controls	2-band 9 volt active EQ with Master volume / Pickup balance / Individual treble & bass cut/boost
MACHINEHEADS	Black GB7 style, die-cast, enclosed gear tuners
Hardware	Black control knobs and strap buttons
Bridge	Black hi-mass, hi-sustain design

Scale Length	34" (864mm)
FINGERBOARD RADIUS	15.75" (400mm)
Neck Width at Nut	46mm (1.81")
Neck Width at 24th Fret	77mm (3.03")
Neck Depth at 1st Fret	21mm (0.83")
Neck Depth at 12th Fret	23mm (0.90")
String Spacing at Bridge	19mm (0.75")

Strings	Bass Centre Elites
INCLUDED EXTRAS	Premium quality Bass Centre padded gig bag with dual handles, cushioned shoulder strap and zip-up accessory pocket
Warranty	All Bass Collection instruments come with a 1 year warranty
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN	World Musical Instruments Co. Ltd., South Korea

BASS COLLECTION

Jive Bass / Power Bass

Jazzwise Magazine • March 2011

"These brilliant instruments are a steal at this price point... in fact it's hard to think of any bass range that offers so much quality for so little money."

Jive Bass / Power Bass

Gareth Morgan • Guitar & Bass Magazine • July 2010

"Classy and impressively accurate takes on two classic templates (with) authentic sounds & an excellent level of build quality"

In G&B's annual round-up of the year's most impressive gear, Bass Collection swept the board in the "BEST BASS GUITAR UNDER £1,000" category, with the Jive Bass crowned the winner and the single pickup Power Bass in second place.

Jive Bass

Dan Veall • Guitar Interactive • December 2013

"The attention to detail is welcome, not only in the feel of the neck profile but also in that this instrument is nicely balanced and surprisingly lightweight. A very good bass for not a lot of money."

Speakeasy Pro 4

Gareth Morgan • Guitar & Bass Magazine • February 2014

"A well put-together & handsome-looking bass... it’s fair to say that its modern good looks and fine playability make it an instrument that many will be happy to pay a little extra for."

Speakeasy

Ian Glasper • Bass Guitar Magazine • October 2014

"Exceptionally well built and finished for the price tag – a joy to play... small and perfectly formed, these guitars are easy on both the eye and the ear"

Bespoke Jive Bass

Joe Hubbard Bass Videos • April 2017

"Lightweight, resonant and extremely versatile... I really love this instrument and I’d recommend it to anybody looking for that classic J-Bass design at a super-affordable price point."

BRITISH BASS MASTERS

The Guy Pratt Betsy Bass

Mike Brooks • Bass Guitar Magazine • February 2020

"An absolute joy to play... a cool finish, playability and comfort by the bucketload, and a tonal performance that out-boxes many a bass at double the price. The Bass Centre have a winner on their hands."

The Bruce Thomas Profile Bass

Joel McIver • Bass Guitar Magazine • January 2016

GEAR OF THE YEAR 2016 — BEST FRETTED BASS UNDER £500
"Bravo, chaps... a wonderful bass that you will not want to stop playing. And all for £495? A great F*nder alternative... Snap one up if you can."

The Bass Centre Wyman Bass

Gareth Morgan • Guitar & Bass Magazine • September 2011

"An excellent mix of passive tones... if you're looking for a bass that's a little different, the Wyman is a welcome new contender."

The Bass Centre Wyman Bass

Roger Newell • Guitarist Magazine • December 2012

"Pros: Compact & lightweight, super fat.
Cons: Provided you like the small proportions, there's nothing to dislike!"

The Bass Centre Wyman Bass

Ken Sanders Bass • Guitar Magazine • July 2015

"A great Fender-ish vintage rock 'n' roll tone which will sit perfectly in any blues trio... it continues the company’s tradition for quality basses at affordable prices."

The Brian May Bass

Roger Newell • Guitarist Magazine • September 2012

"Well styled and nicely built... If you want something off the beaten track this has a great deal to offer... delightful to play, with its own character and sounds - recommended."

The Brian May Bass

Gareth Morgan • Guitar & Bass Magazine • August 2014

"A fine-looking beast with a heap of '60s flavour which harks back to wilder times. The basic sound is excellent; nice & fat with growling lows & an overall feeling of controlled aggression."

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Free Bass Centre Custom Strap

For a limited period, this elegant, practical and super-comfortable 100% vegan custom strap is FREE with every purchase from the Bass Centre's superb Bass Collection range.