AC Guitars RetroB 5/34 5-String Bass - 34" Scale - NAMM 2025 Feature
Model: RetroB 5/34
Weight: 9.98 lbs
AC Guitars has built a reputation for crafting extraordinary basses. Handmade by luthier Alan Cringean in Moffat, Scotland, this instrument represents decades of experience and innovation.
RetroB 5/34 Specifications:
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Strings: 5
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Scale Length: 34"
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Construction: Bolt-On
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Top Wood: ART Maple Burl w/ Black Veneer
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Body: American Cherry
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Finish: Clear Satin Lacquer
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Neck: 5-Piece Maple w/ Mahogany Stringers
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Neck Profile: Asymmetrical
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Fingerboard: Acrylic Impregnated Quilted Maple
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Fingerboard Inlays: Top Wood Facedots (Red)
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Side Dots: Luminlay
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Headstock Face: Body Matching w/ Black Veneer
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Headstock Back: Mahogany w/ Black Veneer
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Bridge: ACG/Hipshot 18mm
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Electronics: John East Uni-Pre 4K Plus 4 Way Rotary Switch
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Pickups:
- Neck: ACG FB
- Bridge: ACG BZ1
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BZ1 Rotary Controls:
- 1 - Ceramic Single Coil
- 2 - Ceramic + Alnico in Parallel
- 3 - Ceramic + Alnico in Series
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4 - Alnico
- Gotoh Res-O-Lite GB350 Tuning Machines
- Dunlop Dual Design StrapLok
AC FB Humbucker:
This hum cancelling pickup uses coils which are rotated through 90 degrees with magnets inside them placed against a single blade of steel running the length of the pickup. This gives the advantage of hum cancelling while still maintaining the narrow magnetic aperture of a single coil. The bridge and neck versions have different gauges of wire and number of turns giving added versatility to the sounds you can get from your ACG bass.
The FB Pickups are the first port of call for all ACG custom basses, and represent a more open, high fidelity tone giving a great balance throughout the register of the bass guitar.
AC BZ1 Special Humbucker:
The BZ1 has two single coil pickups in the one case.
The bridge pickup coil is wound with a ceramic magnet my SB model and the neck coil with an alnico magnet my SB70 model. They are used in conjunction with a 4 way rotary selector
Uni-Pre – Passive Mode
- Active/Passive mode is selected via the push-pull toggle switch on the tone control.
- In Passive, the active circuit is bypassed and the signal is passed directly to the jack.
- When active is selected this brings preamp circuit into operation.
Uni-Pre – Active Mode
- Volume Knob sets the output level for both active and passive paths.
- The Blend Knob sets both the active and passive blend mix for the pickups: ACW for bridge pickup alone and CW for the neck pickup alone. A click midway gives and equal mix of both pickups if they are balanced. Internal Gain Trims, 0-12dBs, allow the pickup levels to be adjusted and/or matched.
- Bass Boost/Cut or Boost only – set according to Jumper Link on circuit board. Controls the level of low end content according to the ‘Bass Window’ settings on the on the circuit board, described later. A centre click is included.
- Treble (Pull for Bright)/Cut knob, controls the higher frequency spectrum according to the setting of the internal Treble Shelf Frequency adjustment. Pull for Bright, adds ‘high end sizzle’ sheen. A neutral setting is provided with a centre click.
- Mid controls the level of Mid Boost/Cut at frequencies according to the setting of the Mid Frequency knob. A neutral setting is provided with a centre click on the upper Boost/Cut knob.
- Tone Roll-off, set CW for no effect. Adjust ACW in order to mellow the treble and fully backed off for the ‘darkest’ sound. Push-pull google switch, pull for the Passive Signal path which consists of the Volume, Blend and Passive Tone. Push in the full Active Signal path.
About ART (Acrylic Resin Treated) Woods
The ART Hybrid Maple Burl top is not just visually stunning—it also enhances stability and resonance. For over 20 years, Alan has refined the use of acrylic-impregnated woods, creating highly figured tops that are as visually stunning as they are durable. The ART/Hybrid process, developed in collaboration with the late Larry Davies, results in one-of-a-kind color patterns and textures, making each bass a distinctive work of art.
FretNation is the exclusive USA Dealer for AC Guitars. If this isn't your dream bass, reach out to us and we can work with you on the ACG of your dreams! Please do not hesitate to contact us to ask any questions.
