Introducing the New Ancoats Bass Range
- Dave
- Jan 2
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 3
A long time coming - worth the wait (I hope)
For years, people have asked when Ancoats Guitars would finally release basses. And for years, my answer was always the same: “When they’re ready.”
I didn’t want to rush the process, and I wasn’t interested in simply scaling up the guitar designs into four-string versions. If we were going to build basses, they needed to sit naturally within the Ancoats range - recognisable, coherent, and true to the brand - while still standing on their own as distinct instruments.
After a long period of design work - weighing up ideas, refining proportions, and thinking carefully about how everything would work in practice - the first generation of Ancoats bass guitars is now ready!
Not Just Copies — A New Family of Instruments
From the start, the goal was clear:
Create basses that resemble the three Ancoats guitar models but aren’t direct clones. They needed their own identity, their own feel.
The result is a set of three unique yet coherent bass designs, each rooted in the character of its guitar counterpart but reshaped with new lines, new carves, and new proportions that make them shine as bass instruments. The silhouettes will feel familiar to Ancoats players - but, well they are now basses.
Each model features a unique combination of German carves (of course), creating a fresh, distinctive look that separates the basses from their guitar counterparts while keeping the same Ancoats DNA.
The designs are intentionally similar, with the main differences coming through in the body shapes. For me, that similarity is what gives the range its coherence and makes the basses feel like a natural extension of the Ancoats lineup rather than a separate project.
And for anyone wondering - this is just the starting point. Further down the line there will be more options, variations, and expanded custom choices as the range develops.
The Heart of the Sound: The B Line Pickup
Every bass in the first release will come equipped with a single, powerful, custom-designed bladed humbucker that I’m calling the B Line. I worked with Leigh at Green Pickups to create something that was;
Punchy
Clear
Full of authority
Equally at home in modern or vintage-leaning settings
For the first release, keeping things simple felt important - it helps keep costs sensible and ensures the basics are absolutely right from the start. As a non-bassist, I’ve taken extra time developing these instruments, and that’s a big part of why they’ve been a long time coming.
Comfortable, Playable Specs
These basses have been designed to feel instantly comfortable for both dedicated bassists and guitarists crossing over. I carried out market research through my socials and built a prototype last year, inviting bass players to spend time with it and share honest feedback - all of which directly informed the final design choices.
Core specs:
32" scale length - a perfect middle ground offering great low-end presence with a more relaxed feel
38mm nut - fast, approachable, and balanced
22 frets - giving more musical range when needed
Roasted maple neck with a rosewood board - stable, smooth, and great-looking
I’m under no illusion that one instrument can suit everyone, but I think these basses strike a balance that will appeal to a broad range of players.
Design Details That Make Them “Ancoats”
Beyond the silhouettes and carve work, the basses feature a handful of unique touches that tie them firmly into the Ancoats world while giving them their own personality.
One of my favourite elements is the custom BASS neck plate - a playful, confident visual cue that signals these are purpose-built instruments, not modified guitars.
And the combination of German carves, edge softening, and subtle shaping across the range gives each bass a bold presence while still remaining cohesive with the guitar models.
Colours, Price & Launch Info
As with our guitars, certain parts of these basses are outsourced to our trusted suppliers, before being painted, assembled, and fully set up in our workshop by Hugh and myself. This approach ensures consistently high quality while keeping the price fair and accessible.
To help keep costs down, these basses will fall under our Stage range, allowing us to offer them at £999 each + p&p, including a case.
All bass models will be available in the full range of Ancoats colours. Just select it from the drop down in the product page.
To kick things off, a limited number of basses will be offered at a massive 25% off using a code you get by joining the mailing list- once they’re gone, the standard pricing applies, so get in quick. This early offer works in a similar way to a small-scale crowdfunder, allowing us to get the initial builds funded and into players’ hands as quickly as possible.
It’s a great opportunity to be among the very first to own an Ancoats bass, at a reduced price, while directly supporting the launch of this new range.
click through below!
Comments