Body: Alder with maple top
Neck: Maple/mahogany through-the-body
Fingerboard: Ebony, 600mm (23.6”) radius
Frets: 24
Scale length: 864mm (34”)
Pickups: Two Alnico V stack humbuckers
Controls: Master volume, pickup balance, three-band EQ with presetable midrange, mid cut frequency, mid cut on/off
Bridge: Five individual brass saddle/anchors
The BB NE2’s amazing sound capabilities lie with active electronics incorporating an onboard version of Nathan East’s NE-1 parametric equaliser. In addition to a master volume and pickup balancer, the two powerful Alnico V stack humbuckers are controlled by a three-band EQ. Further tonal scope comes from a variable mid cut-off frequency with its own on/off switch.
And what a beautiful yet practical bass the NE2 is. The body’s newly sculpted lines give full access to the two-octave through-neck, whose ebony fingerboard is sumptuously adorned with pearl block markers. The bridge system, meanwhile, comprises individual brass assemblies for each string, enhancing tone and sustain right across the playing spectrum.