Moses, Inc. - KP-4
Reviewer: Hiroshi Hasebe
Primary Use: Improvised music
Amplifier Used: Fender BXR 100, Trace Elliot, Gallien-Krüger, or whatever rigs around
- Vintage: 1999
- Number of Strings: 4
- Double bass strings compatible
- Bowable: Yes
- Thumb Reference: E♭
- Balance While Playing:
(6/10) - Transportability: (10/10)
At the first sight, the KP upright looks like a stick or a paddle, but actually it has an excellent neck similar to that of a traditional double bass (neck & fingerboard contours, simulated thumbstop, etc.). The fingerboard is about 32.3" long (a bit shorter than that of a traditional instrument), and it feels slightly flatter. Other good points include: beautiful neck & fingerboard construction; excellent string balance; no dead spots; a detachable tailpiece/endpin assembly for greater portability. If you get used to it, I believe the KP-4 bass can be bowed and plucked almost like an acoustic upright. So it can be used for any music that doesn't impose strict dress code requirements. :-)
Prior to purchasing this bass (from Bass Central, CA - a great shop, thanks to bassist-shop owner Beaver Felton), I tried a 5-string version in a Tokyo shop. The Moses proprietary air-coupled sensor (ACS) transducer system was good enough, so I opted not to have the optional EMG/NS Design magnetic pickups for mine. The KP family do provide their own tonal warmth. Just don't expect to get an acoustic sound.
This KP-4 came with a padded gig bag (with an internal bow case) and extra thumbscrews. The string length is 42". By the way, Moses does only two production runs per year (or so I was told).
To summarise, the KP bass is a work-of-art. Spend a few years with the bass, get used to it somehow, and then you'll love it. (I do!)
Image #1: (Click to expand)
KP-4 on the optional Ludwig stand: The bass can also be purchased/played without the stand.
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KP-4 tailpiece and endpin assemblies (rear view): Rubber endpin caps purchased separately :-)
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KP-4 headstock: Replacement strings Moses sent me were custom La Bellas, gauge unknown.
Edit annotation Text copyright © Hiroshi Hasebe.
