the ART of BASS Traditions are a good place to start. We just choose not to stay there. Our years of experience and the desire for perfection drive our unending fine tuning and deve- lopment of our bass models. We constantly get feedback from our customers, who are professional bassists and bass enthusiasts all over the world, and we use that feedback as inspiration in our quest to build the perfect bass. We build instruments that are ergonomic because the playing experience needs to be comfortable. We build basses that resonate deeply, with clear voices and tremen- dous sustain because the player’s voice deserves to be heard. We build basses with low action and impeccable playability because the player needs to be able to execute their intentions without resistance. We’ve built more than 1800 custom instruments, and each of their happy owners can attest to our commitment to excellence. We know that highclass wood is the key to a great bass. We have a passion for coll- ecting and building with rare and fascinating woods. Marleaux Bass Guitars takes great care in the proper storage, drying and treatment of these woods to ensure their unique sonic characteristics. We then tailor each bass to the needs of the customer by using the exact piece of wood for every aspect of its construction. We make bassists’ dreams come true! In every phase of the construction of a bass, we allow time to achieve for the best results. We handle the woods carefully and treat them with the great sensibilities of an artisan and craftsman. This is how music instruments that allow a feel for detail are made. Thanks to all Marleaux users pictured in this catalogue. Sincerely yours, Gerald Marleaux From playing bass to building basses – we build handcrafted bass guitars of the finest quality handmade in Germany! Etienne Mbappe (John McLaughlin, Bill Evans, Santana ...) Samy Saemann (Freedom Call, Saemann Combo ...) Jimmy Earl (Stanley Clarke, Chick Corea, Frank Gambale, Robben Ford ...) Emanuel Stanley (Chris Farlowe, Köln Big Band, Manu Dibango ...) Ariane Cap (Cirque du Soleil, Muriel Anderson, Tempesc ...) Neil Simpson (Status Quo, Kim Wilde, Roy Wood ...) Anthony Wellington (Victor Wooten Band ...) David Raymond (Craig Adams, Lanika Revander, Ron Hadley ...) Danny Miranda (Queen, Blue Öyster Cult ...) Philip Schardt (Eisblume, Marion Raven, Die Resonanz ...) Michael Ende (Letzte Instanz, Anna Katharina, Orange Blue, Nürnberger Symphoniker ...) Ruben Rubio (Chenoa, Carls Benavent, Java Conde ...) Kevin Walker (Justin Timberlake, Kanye West, Prince ...) Lars Lehmann (Uli Jon Roth, U.F.O., Roachford, Marla Glen, Konstantin Wecker, Mousse T., Pee Wee Ellis ...) Heiko Jung (Panzerballett, Martin Grubinger, Klaus Doldinger´s Passport ...) Jürgen Attig (Felix de Luxe, Dennis Chambers, Bireli Lagrene, Lions King Hamburg ...) Goran Vujic (Lafee, © Photos: Archive Marleaux, Siegfried Baramsky (Goran Vujic), Caroline Kleweke (Jürgen Attig), Holm Pajung (Michael Ende), Russel Hollinshead (Neil Simpson), Tue Nam Ton (Ariane Cap) Ton Nam Tue Hollinshead (Neil Simpson), (Michael Ende), Russel Attig), Holm Pajung (Jürgen Kleweke Caroline Vujic), (Goran Marleaux, Siegfried Baramsky © Photos: Archive Ricky Garcia, Phishbacher New York Electric Trio ...) images, please contact us. of any the uncredited the photographer are you believe If you effortEvery of the images in this catalogue to determine copyright provenance. has been made to locate the original photographers Consat Signature L u x u r i o u s . Transparent . Transcendent Photo: Ralf Göldner Photo: Ralf © Nicole Krier-Badila (Session & studio bass player …) This Consat is our most luxurious Construction/Wood: bass. The Consat Signature is built 4, 5 and 6 string models from the finest materials available Birdseye Maple/Wenge laminated neck anywhere. Every Consat Signature is Neck-thru construction or 6 point bolt-on just that, the Signature Bass of its owner, Matching headstock built with exacting attention to the buyer’s Ebony fingerboard with ebony or specifications and designed to fulfill the birdseye maple fretboard and mother bassist’s dreams. Every Consat Signature is a of pearl inlays and binding truly unique instrument built to the desires Two piece body with custom-selected burl of the customer, including choice of body wood tops woods, top woods, electronics and Custom wooden electronics cavity covers custom finishes. All components are custom-manufactured for Marleaux Electronics: Bass Guitars, and finished with Marleaux ProgramAble 3 band EQ the finest precision. Flawless Custom pickups from Delano playability and light handling are Hardware: guaranteed. The multifaceted Marleaux Custom bridge by ETS in black, sound is taken to the next level gold, chrome, satin gold or satin chrome thanks to the innovative Marleaux Schaller tuners ProgramAble electronics. From driving bass to crystal clear highs – Finish: the bass will resonate evenly and accurately across Custom high gloss clear the entire fingerboard. If you have a sound in your Options: head, this bass will deliver it to your ears. Bottom Line – As long as it is legal, we can do it. Rare, select tonewoods including our special stash of aged wood that is partially over 200 years old! Fretless, lined fretless available Left-handed models Other pickup configurations Consat Custom Innovative . Charismatic . E x o t i c Debra Killings (Mo´ Nique Late Night Show, TLC, Out-Kast, Monica ...) © Photo: Darnel Williams Williams © Photo: Darnel This is the definitive Marleaux Construction/Wood: bass. The customer’s wishes 4, 5 and 6 string models define the look and sound of the Maple/wenge neck with 24 fret ebony Consat Custom. From exotic wood fingerboard combinations to various construction 6 point bold on or neck-thru construction methods, the end result is a singularly Matching headstock beautiful instrument, unique to its owner. Two piece body with custom top Experienced players continually praise the Electronic and battery cavity covers made Consat Custom’s sustain and balanced from solid wood attack, noting the well-defined tones in every position on the fingerboard. Electronics: Meticulous attention to detail and Marleaux 3 band active/passive EQ the highest quality craftsmanship 2 humbucker pickups from Delano ensure you receive a bass that plays perfectly and produces Hardware: the exact tones you have been Custom Marleaux bridge by ETS in black, searching for. gold, chrome, satin gold or satin chrome Schaller tuners and strap locks Finish: Satin Options: Custom body wood combinations Custom fingerboard woods Fretless Inlays Lefthanded Other custom options available B e t r a C u s t o m H e a d l e s s . P e e r l e s s . M a t c h l e s s This Marleaux headless bass Construction/Wood: is built to the customer’s 4, 5 and 6 string models specs. No two Betra Customs Headless maple/wenge neck are exactly the same. You can Neck-thru or 6 point bolt-on neck choose from a staggering array Ebony 24 fret fingerboard of exotic woods, construction tech- Two piece body with custom wood top niques and options. Well, you have to Wood battery and electronics cavity covers keep it headless, or else we’d need to come up with another name! As with Electronics: other Marleaux custom basses, all Marleaux 3 band active/passive EQ the components on a Betra 2 humbucker pickups from Delano Custom are specially manu- Hardware: factured for Marleaux Bass Custom Marleaux bridge with integrated Guitars. Craftsmanship, tuners playability and tone are Schaller strap locks of the highest caliber. The result is an outstanding Finish: quick, brilliant tone with Satin great attack. The Betra Options: Custom is renowned for its Body and topwoods of choice tremendous sustain and ability Maple, rosewood or other fingerboard to cut through a mix. Fretless Lefthanded Other options available soprano N o t . A . T o y Marleaux Soprano user: Victor Wooten (Bela Fleck and the Flecktones …) © Photo: Marleaux archive Seriously fun. Passionately playful. This is most definitely NOT your kid’s bass. Construction/Wood: This boutique bass sports a short 22.5 inch scale, yet its radiant tone can be 22.5 inch/57 cm scale (Tuned one compared to a grand piano string. The Consat Soprano nimbly responds to the octave higher than standard) players touch and produces focused and punchy tones with beautifully rich, 5 piece maple/wenge neck ringing sustain. Small in size, huge in tone. Our most travel friendly bass! 6 point bolt-on Matching headstock 24 fret rosewoodf ingerboard 2 piece body with custom top Wood electronics cavity cover Electronics: Passive Tone control Single humbucker from Delano Stacked volume/tone knob Hardware: Custom Marleaux bridge by ETS Schaller tuners in black, gold, chrome, satin chrome or satin gold Strap locks Finish: satin Deluxe P o w e r f u l . D e t a i l e d . D e f i n e d JayTee (Candie Dulfer, Mike Stern, Jan Akkermann …) © Photo: Hansjörg Hörseljau © Photo: Hansjörg The Votan Deluxe from Construction/Wood: Marleaux Bass Guitars is our One piece birdseye maple neck version of an iron fist in a 4 and 5 string models velvet glove. Based on our Rock-solid 6 bolt neck joint Votan model, the Votan Deluxe 22 fret rosewood or birdseye maple offers all of the Votan’s per- fingerboard formance and playability while Highly resonant, lightweight, solid letting the player dress it up for African Dibetou hardwood body when friends come over! Exotic with rare veneer top wood tops, exclusive finishes and other custom details Electronics: produce a bass with proven Marleaux 2-band EQ with passive DNA ... and some extra tone control genetic engineering to 2 Delano Votan custom oval pickups make it your personal 2 Pickup split switches (Single Coil/ creation. Humbucking: Parallel/Serial) Hardware: Custom chrome or black Marleaux bridge by ETS Schaller tuners and strap locks Finish: Satin finish in custom translucent colors Options: pickguard, high gloss finish P o w e r f u l .