OutToPlayJazz Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 For those of you who didn't catch this on the "Get your Status-Graphite basses out" thread, here's the new 30th Anniversary L42 bass... Here we have the first official pictures of the Level 42 30th Anniversary KingBass & a description from the official Status website... In celebration of the 30th Anniversary of Level 42 making great music and in collaboration with Mark King we have developed a special version of the now classic KingBass. Each custom-made instrument will be supplied with an individually numbered certificate signed by both Mark King and Rob Green. The original KingBass was designed and first introduced 10 years ago. Mark suggested the combination of the original, smaller body combined with the Mk-II J pickups and classic Status EQ. His 4-string models retain the custom 16.5mm string spacing and 32" scale "BendWell" options preferred by Mark. The 30th Anniversary KingBass is available as both four and five string models and includes many custom options : > Custom 16.5mm string spacing > Headless woven graphite neck with custom 32" scale and 'BendWell' > Custom 2010 hum-cancelling J type pickups > 3-band EQ with variable frequency midrange > Custom front and side LED's featuring new back-lit stars > Graphite through-neck set into body below the front facing wood > Book-matched birds eye or flamed maple facing veneer > Two stunning colour options : Cherry-amber or Vintage-amber sunburst > Custom gold hardware designed by Rob Green and custom made for Status Graphite # The 30th Anniversary model only has the wood and LED options are as pictured below. These will have exactly the same specifications, colours, EQ and set-up as Mark's basses. Birds eye maple facing veneer Vintage-amber sunburst Mahogany back Custom 'star' LED's on front face of fingerboard Blue LED's on 3, 5, 7, 9, 15, 17, 19, 21st frets Two blue LED's on the 24th fret Two red LED's on the 12th fret Red side LED's Custom 30th Anniversary logo in BendWell Gold hardware Flamed maple facing veneer Cherry-amber sunburst Mahogany back Custom 'star' LED's on front face of fingerboard Green LED's on 3, 5, 7, 9, 15, 17, 19, 21st frets Two green LED's on the 24th fret Two red LED's on the 12th fret Red side LED's Custom 30th Anniversary logo in BendWell Gold hardware The custom 32" scale BendWell is fitted as standard. It has a silver logo stating : "Level 42, 30th Anniversary, 1980 - 2010". The headless "top-nut" is designed to use double-ball strings but you can also fit regular single-ball strings using the locking screws supplied with the bass. Mark's bass has his name back-lit with red LED's on the 12th fret. Custom production models will have two star shaped markers on the 12th fret as standard. Blue and red LED's are featured on the birds eye maple / vintage sunburst model Green and red LED's are featured on the flamed maple / vintage sunburst model Mark has two 30th Anniversary basses : This model has a flame maple facing veneer over a mahogany back. The faux, natural binding accentuates the cherry - amber sunburst. Green and red LED's are fitted. Mark's other 30th Anniversary model has a birds eye maple veneer over a mahogany back with a vintage - amber sunburst. Gold hardware is fitted as standard. Star shaped front LED's back-lit with blue LED's. A dual-action truss-rod is fitted. This allows a perfect set-up to suit your personal preference and playing style. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted June 11, 2010 Author Share Posted June 11, 2010 Cont'd... The 30th Anniversary J pickups are a completely new 2010 design. Clarity and dynamics are preserved while being fully screened and hum-cancelling. An active EQ is fitted which has treble and bass, cut / boost controls. It also has a variable frequency midrange control with a boost / flat / cut switch. An 18 volt battery supply is fitted to allow for full dynamics and maximum headroom. The woven graphite through-neck is set into the body then the facing wood is vacuum pressed on. This is a more difficult and time consuming design but allows the wood to be seen across the full face of the body. All hardware is custom made to our own design exclusively for Status Graphite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Stunning bass, and as a L42 fan I'd love to own one, but you'd have to have some bottle to pull that out at a gig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Wow how much does that thing cost? It doesn't do anything for me though, which is good because its one of those basses that should only be owned by someone who can really play Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Academy Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Pretty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Very, very bling, but also very nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted June 11, 2010 Author Share Posted June 11, 2010 [quote name='Rayman' post='864557' date='Jun 11 2010, 06:33 PM']Stunning bass, and as a L42 fan I'd love to own one, but you'd have to have some bottle to pull that out at a gig.[/quote] Depends on what kind of gigs you do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Thats a serious statement of a bass! I can only imagine perfection from Status, but I can never see myself with a headless bass....I love headstocks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 cherry burst needs chrome covers on the pickups... Love these though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Burpster Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Sorry but just way too much bling for me. Looks like the Mr.T of the bass world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fender73 Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Too much on one bass for me (i loved my own Kingbass) - great for a one off, but not as a production bass...and that Mark King LED is hideous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted June 11, 2010 Author Share Posted June 11, 2010 [quote name='fender73' post='864747' date='Jun 11 2010, 10:13 PM']Too much on one bass for me (i loved my own Kingbass) - great for a one off, but not as a production bass...and that Mark King LED is hideous.[/quote] If you read the text, you'll find out that the "MARK KING" is only on Mark's personal basses. Production models will have two red star LED's at the 12th. As for "bling", you can switch LED's off, you know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 I don't like Mark King or Headless basses. It is hideously tacky but for some reason I really like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fender73 Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 (edited) [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='864748' date='Jun 11 2010, 10:17 PM']If you read the text, you'll find out that the "MARK KING" is only on Mark's personal basses. Production models will have two red star LED's at the 12th. As for "bling", you can switch LED's off, you know [/quote] Text was fully read and understood. Still not to my taste...and that Mark King led IS hideous, whoever the bass belongs to!. LED's are an expensive option to switch off...! Not status bashing at all, i'm a fan, but this one is not to my taste Peace and Love Graeme Edited June 11, 2010 by fender73 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funkypenguin Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 I'm somewhat surprised he's gone back to the MK 1 kingbass for the anniversary model, given how he was singing the praises of the MK2. Lovely bass nevertheless! looking forward to seeing it in action at the manchester show in october Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7string Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Personally, I expected a little more from the thread title. A few lights and a figured top as a special isn't all that. Just feel a bit non-plussed by it... Thought the Retroglide bass looked better than this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacker Posted June 12, 2010 Share Posted June 12, 2010 [quote name='fender73' post='864747' date='Jun 11 2010, 10:13 PM']...and that Mark King LED is hideous.[/quote] + 1 to that! A 'Kinglay', like the hideous 'Stinglay'. I really disapprove of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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