Stem JMB4 (English Blog)
Hello, We are Sago NMG Co.. Ltd.
We are pleased to announce the new model from our Stem Brand.
Stem Classic Style JMB4
Called “JazzMaster Bass”, it was designed in the motif of the JazzMaster guitar.
This model features a body design that takes into account balance when the strap is attached and smooth access to the high position, as well as original pickups developed by Sago.
We will explain one by one.
1.What’s Stem brand?
Stem is middle price brand between Seed for student of the instrument and Sago that is custom order.
The Specification is limited, and the wood working is outsourced to our cooperate company in Japan and we can mass-produce with the reasonable price (from JPY275,000.- within Tax).
And in Stem brand, it is possible to choose your favorite color and pickguard as the color order system.
You can create your own unique one with a simple solid color or for an up-charge, with a wrap painting, aged finish, etc..
In the future, we hope you will order the instrument from “Sago” with the idea and imagery of “Seed” & “Stem”.
2.Body shape
What’s the JazzMaster Bass?
The one of the feature point is the body shape.
Like the Jazzmaster, it has a unique asymmetrical form, but the horn is slightly extended so that the head does not fall off when the strap is attached and the position is balanced.
The cutaway is also wide enough to allow for good high position play.
3.To realize the reasonable price
3-1.The same neck shape of Ove
The neck shape is same as our Ove, so no new design costs are incurred and mass production is possible, leading to cost reductions.
The neck of Ove is same as JazzBass that is slim C shape, 34 inch scale, 21 frets and the width of nut is 38mm.
From beginners to advanced players, you can play the JazzMaster Bass with a JazzBass neck shape that every bassist is familiar with.
3-2.Wood Material
Body: Alder 2P
Neck: Hard Maple
Fingerboard: Rosewood
We cut costs by fixing on standard woods for Fender-type instruments and purchasing in large quantities.
We purchase top quality products.
These woods sound straightforward and have enough bass resonance and treble attack necessary for electric bass.
Alder and hard maple are also very flexible in terms of painting and can be easily reproduced in any color!
3-3.Pickups
The Pickups are mounted L(x) Lite JMB4 on the neck and bridge position.
L(x) Lite is mass-produced at our cooperate factory based on a recipe for pickups designed by Sago, resulting in a cost reduction while reproducing the Sago sound.
As with the Precision Bass pickups, the split-coil construction with separate coils for the 4th and 3rd strings and the 2nd and 1st strings, with the coils positioned at an angle to the bass strings, produces a thicker bass sound with an emphasis on the middle.
The only Neck PU can produce a warm sound like a Precision Bass, while the only Bridge PU sounds clear but with more bass than a JazzBass.
And the both tone has the enough attack like JazzBass and fat low sound.
Each pickup is connected in series, and the hum canceling effect works so that when the only Neck PU or Bridge PU are played independently, they do not produce noise like a jazz bass.
And the controls are 2 Volume and 1 tone same as JazzBass.
Originally designed as a JazzMaster Bass pickup by laser-machining the hole-less pickup cover of a guitar JazzMaster in Sago factory, it has been well received due to its slanted pole piece looks and this unique sound.
Please check the sound as under YouTube video.↓
4.Same point of Sago ver.
4−1.Lighter Peg (Tuner)
The tuner is GB528 made in Gotoh same as Sago ver..
This is smaller and lighter than general peg and the accuracy of the turning is high.
We have the confidence of it.
4−2.”Liminlay” for the side position mark
This is a common point of the guitars and basses of Sago and Stem.
We adapt “Liminlay” that is luminous material for the side position mark.
It takes in the illumination light and become luminous on the side position mark when it gets dark.
It assists you to see the position and play precisely in case of the dark situation on stage.
It’s not strong light like LED therefore it’s glad point to be easy to the eyes.
We adapt the blue 2.5mm are for Stem JMB4.
4−3.Adjustment groove for truss rod
A truss rod adjustment groove in the neck pocket of the body allows rod adjustment without removing the neck.
The design is to handle easily for maintenance, so that they can be used for a long time.
5.Color Order
Stem is the color order brand that it is possible to choose your favorite color and the pickguard.
Solid color thin film
Wrap Naked, daring to leave the unevenness of the wrap(with additional charge)
Aged Finish(with additional charge)
You can choose your favorite color.
And Print on the pickguard,
Hardware parts can also be chosen gold or black for a luxurious and chic look.
If you would like a custom color, please let us know your favorite color by object, photo, or reference.
※For computers and smartphones, there is a risk of color discrepancies depending on the display, so please send us a sample of the actual product or print quality as much as possible to increase the reproducibility of the desired color. After specifying the color, we will produce color samples and proceed with the painting after receiving confirmation of the color.
6.After talk
After a long time, we can announce a new model, the Classic Style JMB4, JazzMaster Bass.
While the release of popular artist models as Seed ver. has been prominent in recent years, Stem has introduced a different type of model from Ove in order to make it more affordable for people to get their own unique model, thereby increasing variation in terms of sound as well.
Please try to play Stem JMB4 in exhibition of the guitars Music instruments shop and the playing space in our factory.
