DUVOISIN Standard 5

Mike Brooks gives this Swiss-style five a road test…

LUTHIERS ACCESS GROUP

www.luthiersaccessgroup.com

Duvoisin, who have been producing basses since 2006, fit their instruments with their own pickups and electronics, so they presumably have a tonal character of their own. They also feature some interesting design aspects that, it is claimed, affect the overall tonal performance. This Standard 5 is a finely tailored instrument in a vintage-imbued two-tone sunburst gloss finish: Let’s check it over.

Build Quality

With contouring to the upper front bout and the rear of the body, this Standard 5 sits very well against the player and balances in an easily playable position, but be aware that there is some headstock bias, remedied once placed on a strap. The three-ply tortoiseshell scratchplate adds to the vintage visual already offered by the sunburst coloring, while the timber grain of the ash body stands out nicely against the gloss body finish.