Hagstrom - Nekromant 4 Black

The Hagstrom Nekromant 4 Black is a 4-string electric guitar designed for bassists who are drawn to powerful sounds, precise lines and instruments with real presence. Its asymmetrical single-cutaway mahogany body gives it a dark and distinctive look, with a design intended to offer the musician plenty of freedom of movement along the neck.

The 34" scale length retains the familiar features of a modern bass, whilst the neck thickness – 19 mm at the first fret and 20.5 mm at the twelfth – ensures a slim and comfortable grip. The Resinator fingerboard adds a clear response to the notes and contributes to their definition, with 20 Medium Jumbo frets and a 15" radius.

The Nekromant 4 really comes into its own when you start shaping your sound. Its two Gehenna soap-bar humbuckers are designed to deliver an expressive response across the entire range, with plenty of punch for powerful riffs and enough clarity to bring out the melodic lines.

The 3-band preamp then lets you sculpt your tone with cut/boost controls for bass, midrange and treble, preamp gain and the blend between the two pickups. The active/passive mode adds another way to approach the instrument: you can opt for a more processed, electronically shaped sound or revert to a more understated approach.

When playing, this configuration allows plenty of scope for changes in register and dynamics. A setting with a heavy bass response will suit thick lines and riffs that need to fill the lower end of the spectrum, whilst more precise work in the midrange and treble can bring out the attack for fast or more melodic passages.

The Hagstrom Custom CNC brass bridge, fitted with individual roller saddles, allows for precise intonation adjustment and efficient transmission of vibrations. With its 22:1 ratio Hagstrom tuners, H-Expander and two strap buttons, the Nekromant 4 Black is a bass designed to transition from heavy, energetic playing to more nuanced lines without losing its identity.