SIMS Enfield Lionheart Standard Air 4 and 5

A newly-designed Enfield Lionheart, they said... Do we want to take a look? Of course we do, says Mike Brooks

- Mike Brooks

Ever since Enfield’s Cannon bass range was unveiled at the end of 2008, the Enfield range has undergone various developments in terms of features, aesthetics and the odd nip and tuck here and there. The ever-genial luthier Martin Sims has sent us these new ‘leaner and cleaner’ instruments for our perusal—so what sets them apart?

Build Quality

These new Air-branded models are constructed from lightweight mahogany in color gloss finishes, the pickguard has been removed for a ‘sleeker’ visual and a Glockenklang two-band preamp with four controls and side-mounted jack socket has been utilized as standard. The curvaceous body sits comfortably against the player, and contouring front and rear improve the way the body hangs for the player, while the lower cutaway on both basses offers unhindered access to the upper frets. The four-string model hangs a little better due to the reduced lumber mass, and despite both models displaying some headstock bias, both sit perfectly once placed on a strap.