Guitar World Verdict
Sleep Token’s meteoric rise to stardom made signature instruments fairly inevitable, but Charvel has taken the brief seriously and created a bass that brings an awful lot to the table. Yes, the looks will be polarising, but the playing experience and sonics will be anything but.
Pros
- +
Absolutely wonderful neck and electrifying playability.
- +
The Fishman pickups are massively versatile and deliver superb tones.
- +
Good value considering the quality of the design and execution.
Cons
- -
If you don’t like Sleep Token, the looks are unlikely to appeal.
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What is it?
If you've been paying any attention at all, you've probably heard of Sleep Token by now. Masked, robed, and still about as anonymous as it’s possible to stay while also being big enough to headline Wembley.
Their music is a curious brew – full of contemporary pop and R&B influence, along with lilting piano and crushing metalcore breakdowns in equal measure.
While a lot of the lore hinges on frontman and creative driving force Vessel, the instrumentalists of Sleep Token (cryptically numbered II, III and IV) are all highly accomplished, and combine to create a massive, theatrical presence on stage.
The band's growing fame, reach, and mystique are all desirable things as far as instrument manufacturers are concerned, and in recent years both bassist III and guitarist IV have begun working with Charvel and Jackson, respectively - historically intertwined metal/shred-focused brands both now owned by Fender.
There's buzz online every time III is spotted with a new custom bass guitar from Charvel; it was only a matter of time before a mass-production version came along. And, as they say, behold – because here it is.
Specs
- Price: $1,599 | £1,399 | €1,649
- Made: Indonesia
- Type: Five-string active multi-scale bass guitar
- Body: Poplar
- Neck: Caramelised maple
- Fingerboard material/radius: Caramelised maple, 12-16” compound radius
- Scale length: Multi-scale, 34.4” to 35.5” (874mm to 902mm)
- Nut/width: Phenolic, 45.72mm
- Frets: 24, jumbo
- Hardware: Black - Charvel Single String bridge, Hipshot Ultralite tuners
- String spacing at bridge: 18mm
- Electrics: Fishman Fluence Bass Soapbar set, red. Volume (pull for coil split), Blend, concentric Bass/Treble, 3-way pickup voicing selector
- Weight: 8.6lb/3.9kg
- Left-handed options: None
- Finishes: Black (as reviewed)
- Case: Charvel Deluxe Bass Gig Bag included
- Contact: Charvel
Build quality
Build quality rating: ★★★★½
The historic gear nerd in me was excited to see that the glossy black, poplar body of the III bass recalls the long-dormant Charvel Model 1 bass shape, similar to other current San Dimas basses but more slab-like, with sharper edges and thicker, rounded horns.
That’s where the nostalgia stops, though.
To cope with Sleep Token's monstrously low tunings, this is a five-string and, significantly, it's Charvel's first ever multi-scale bass. The caramelized maple neck and fretboard are adorned with custom inlays, most notably the large question mark at the 12th fret. That, combined with the bright red Fishman Fluence pickup set, creates a pretty specific look which might be a turn-off for non-Sleep Token fans.
There's little to complain about in terms of build or finishing, however; it's very nicely made, and resonant, with excellent fretwork and neck fit.
The only issue I spotted was a small finish flaw on the edge of the truss rod channel, at the neck heel. That’s one more flaw than you’d want for your $1,599, arguably, but it’s still a nit-pick at best.
Playability
Playability rating: ★★★★★
The fanned frets might be intimidating to newcomers but really, it requires only a few minutes to kick your brain into sync with it
The setup from the box is excellent, with a low action and no hint of fret buzz anywhere. The fanned frets might be intimidating to newcomers but really, it requires only a few minutes to kick your brain into sync with it.
At 34.4” to 35.5”, the fan isn’t as extreme as you’d find on a five-string Dingwall or similar. What also helps no end is the fact that the bass’s neck is absolutely wonderful to play.
As legions of guitarists from the early ‘80s to the present day will tell you, fantastic-feeling necks are a Charvel speciality, and this is no exception.
It’s among the most comfortable five-string necks I’ve ever played, at any price; finished in an immaculate, silky satin and boasting a very slim profile that’s still rounded enough to offer good support, it practically disappears under the hand.
Poplar tends to be a fairly lightweight wood, and indeed the Charvel is a very comfortable weight, with ergonomics that should be a good fit for the majority of players. All the better for throwing around onstage.
Sounds
Sounds rating: ★★★★½
As a number of modern metal bassists will already be able to tell you, the Fishman Fluence Bass Soapbar pickup set is a bit of a game-changer - with a three-way voicing switch and a coil-split, you get a hell of a lot of options before even messing with the pickup blend control.
So despite the very artist-specific looks, this Charvel can give you a large palette of sounds, from a classic, mid-focused soapbar humbucker to a very scooped sound that’s geared towards slap and aggressive pick playing.
This Charvel could be a great studio tool, even if the visuals seek to pigeonhole it as a metal bass
Some of the best sounds are found with the volume knob pulled up, providing a split-coil setting that emulates Jazz Bass pickup spacing. This, combined with a tight overdriven sound and a controlled picking approach, yields some really fantastic, growling metal tones that have a strong bass presence while retaining superb top-end definition (fresh strings are certainly a part of this, remember).
It also means plenty of versatility for cleaner sounds – this Charvel could be a great studio tool, even if the visuals seek to pigeonhole it as a metal bass.
Throughout all my explorations, I barely need to touch the concentric Bass/Treble active EQ, a sign that the fundamental tone does exactly what it should.
Verdict
For all Sleep Token’s popularity, the III Signature bass paints itself into a visual corner. Unless your love for them trumps all other considerations, you might think twice about bringing such an obvious ‘Token’ of your affection onto the stage with your own band.
The Fishman Fluence pickups are every bit as good as the hype would have you believe
What’s beyond argument, though, is that this instrument plays like an absolute dream; the neck engenders such playing comfort that you just fly up and down the fretboard without a care in the world.
Meanwhile, the Fishman Fluence pickups are every bit as good as the hype would have you believe. The aggressive metal tones speak for themselves, but one might not expect the degree of versatility on offer outside of this. Given the mid-range price, it’s a serious feature set and the execution is near flawless. As ‘offerings’ from the Sleep Token camp go, this is one that you should certainly consider.
Guitar World verdict: Sleep Token’s meteoric rise to stardom made signature instruments fairly inevitable, but Charvel has taken the brief seriously and created a bass that brings an awful lot to the table. Yes, the looks are polarizing, but the playing experience and sonics will be anything but.
Test |
Results |
Score |
|---|---|---|
Build quality |
Objectively, there is very little to complain about, especially given the reasonable price. But those Sleep Token aesthetics may well limit its appeal. |
★★★★½ |
Playability |
Even if you’ve never played a multi-scale before, I defy you not to find this bass superbly comfortable to play. The neck is up there with the very best on the current market. |
★★★★★ |
Sounds |
The Fluence pickups are really something – their brilliance for metal playing is one thing, but their versatility is what elevates them to another level. |
★★★★★ |
Overall |
Look beyond the aesthetics and this slick-playing, killer-sounding bass would work for far more players than might be expected. |
★★★★★ |
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