The Long Trail Mag
Vermont-based DeMars Guitars announces the evolution of their innovative Long Trail line of US-made chambered solid-body electric bass guitars.
Company head Dan DeMars explains: “The Long Trail Mag electric bass guitars were developed in response to bassists who really loved our initial line of Long Trail chambered solid-body acoustic/electric basses. They asked why we didn’t make electric basses — it was a great question! We put in a lot of thought and had numerous discussions with bassists (of all playing styles), instrument techs, producers, component and amp manufacturers and retailers. We ended up designing and producing a line of distinctive electric basses that are built with the finest materials and components yet deliver a variety of tones simply unattainable with vintage/classic instruments.
The Long Trail Mag electric bass guitars have chambered solid-bodies of basswood, mahogany or alder, with an optional flame maple top. The neck attachment design is central to the sonic character of all DeMars instruments. “Most ‘bolt-on’ guitar necks aren’t bolt-on at all”, says DeMars, “but rather a relatively archaic ‘woodscrew-straight-into-neck-heel’ design. Our 3-piece quartersawn rock maple necks are attached to the body by four aircraft-grade black oxide hex-head bolts that mesh into precision-threaded brass inserts epoxied into the neck heel.” The result: structural rigidity, more sustain and optimal tonal delivery.
The Long Trail Mags sport two passive pickups (“soapbar” style at the bridge, J-style at the neck) by Bartolini, Basslines or EMG that are located on either side of the distinctive bass-clef soundhole. Additionally, all Long Trail Mag basses can be equipped with GraphTech® Ghost™ bridge saddles to deliver acoustic timbres through a “smart” stereo output jack. The combination of magnetic and piezo pickups provides the bassist a myriad of tonal possibilities, from a deep yet clear low B-string growl to a bright funky spank.
Available with fretted rosewood, fretted maple or fretless ebony fingerboards, as a 34″ scale 4-string or 35″ scale 5-string, the Long Trail Mag bass guitars have MSRPs of $3800 (4-string) and $4000 (5-string).
SPECIFICATIONS (subject to change)
Length: 43.8”; 45.5” for 5-string
Width: 14”
Thickness: 2”
Weight: 6.8 lbs; 7.3 lbs for 5-string
Scale length: 34”; 35” for 5-string
Nut width: 1.75”; 1.81” for 5-string
Nut material: TUSQ
Tuners: Hipshot compact bass tuners (gold finish standard)
Truss rod: 2-way, adjustable; graphite rod neck inserts
Materials
Body: Basswood (opaque black finish); optional mahogany (clear finish)
Neck: 3-piece rock maple with integrated headstock
Fingerboard: Fretted rosewood or maple; fretless ebony; radius: 10” (4-string), 16” (5-string)
Tops: Alder (opaque finshes), AAAAA flame maple (translucent finishes)
Edge binding: Black, white or cream with b/w/b border, contrasting edge purfling around top
List Prices, effective January 1, 2022: $4400 (4-string), $4600 (5-string)
Every Long Trail Mag Bass Guitar comes with a top quality lightweight padded “Single Electric Bass” case by MONO Cases and a transferable 3-year warranty.
Upgrades include:
- Bookmatched koa top $400
- Piezo bridge saddles* $200
- Translucent finish** $200
- Gold or black hardware $100
- Anvil-style road case $100
* with onboard GraphTech Ghost preamp
** over figured maple top