In the realm of musical instruments, the fusion of traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation often yields exceptional results. The Fender Limited Edition Suona Jazz Bass is a prime example of this synergy. Drawing inspiration from the legendary luthier Antonius Stradivarius and his meticulous selection of European spruce from Italy’s Fiemme Valley, Fender crafts a bass that pays homage to classical string instrument aesthetics while incorporating contemporary design elements.
The Suona Jazz Bass overview
The Suona Jazz Bass is a bridge between the past and the present. Fender’s decision to use wood from the same Fiemme Valley that supplied Stradivarius underscores a deep reverence for the history of musical instrument craftsmanship. The name ‘Suona,’ derived from the Italian for ‘it sounds,’ is a nod to the “Bosco che Suona” or “the Sounding Forest,” highlighting the instrument’s rich acoustic heritage.
Design and craftmanship details
The Suona Jazz Bass stands out with its semi-hollow ash body, a design choice that not only pays tribute to the Thinline style but also ensures a lightweight, comfortable playing experience. The intricate internal carving, visible through the f-hole, speaks volumes about Fender’s attention to detail and dedication to sound quality. This bass marks a first for Fender USA with its Thinline bass design, setting a new standard in the company’s illustrious history.
The combination of a spruce top with an ash body creates a harmonious balance of tones, enhanced further by the ebony fingerboard. This choice of materials not only honors the tradition of string instruments but also contributes to the bass’s distinct sound character. The modern “C” shaped neck, coupled with a compound radius fingerboard, ensures playability that caters to both modern bassists and traditionalists.
Visual and sound features
The visual appeal of the Suona Jazz Bass is undeniable. The gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish, in a traditional violin burst, complements the black binding beautifully, creating an instrument that is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the ear. The roasted flame maple neck, finished in satin nitrocellulose lacquer, adds to the bass’s visual allure while providing a smooth, comfortable playing surface.
Playing experience
Weighing in at a mere 8.2lbs, the Suona Jazz Bass offers an effortless playing experience, gracefully resting on the musician’s shoulders with perfect balance. Despite its Thinline semi-acoustic design, which introduces a contour solely on the back, the absence of a front contour, common in solid-body Jazz Basses, is hardly noticeable given the instrument’s slender profile. This exceptional bass stands out not just for its build quality, which rivals that of Custom Shop models, but for its emphasis on style, superior craftsmanship, and the pure, fundamental sounds it produces. It welcomes those familiar with the standard passive Jazz Bass, providing a sense of homecoming with its familiar feel and sound.The Suona Jazz Bass distinguishes itself with a sound that is warm, full-bodied, and impeccably smooth, maintaining clarity across all pickup configurations. The bridge pickup delivers a crisp edge, while the neck pickup provides depth and richness without overwhelming the mix. Remarkably quiet for an instrument with single-coil pickups, this bass suits those who prefer the nuanced tones of single-coils in their Jazz Basses. The neck’s modern “C” profile, combined with a satin finish and compound radius, ensures a playing experience that is as comfortable as it is enjoyable.
Its voice excels in jazz ballads, where its smooth, nuanced tone complements the emotional depth of the pieces, while the spruce top adds an acoustic quality that enriches the overall sound. This subtle acoustic element enhances the bass’s electric nature, adding a layer of warmth and resonance that is both distinctive and engaging, making the Suona Jazz Bass a standout instrument in any musical ensemble.
Attention to detail
From the custom-designed Suona Jazz Bass single-coil pickups to the HiMass™ Vintage bridge, every component of the Suona Jazz Bass has been thoughtfully selected and meticulously crafted. The pickups, designed specifically for this model, offer a tonal richness that perfectly complements the unique wood combination. The attention to detail extends to the hardware, with the classic Jazz Bass style knobs and the custom Suona neck plate adding the finishing touches to this exceptional instrument.
