Electric Guitar and Bass Guitar Manufacturer, Made in the USA by U.S. Masters Guitar Works • Custom Shop Factory Direct Guitars and Basses
High Performance Bass Features
U.S. Masters High Performance Basses include all Magnus Series basses and EP Pro Series basses.
This page highlights the features, measurements and specs of our High Performance basses.
Bass PickupsBass WiringsBass GalleryMagnus BassesEP BassesMasters Design Basses
Below are side profile photos of our 4 string Magnus and 5 string EP. Our 4-Strings (both EP & Magnus) have a 34" scale length and 1.625" nut width while our 5-Strings use a 35" scale and 1.8" nut width. Our fingerboards have a conical radius, the 5-string has an offset conical radius: meaning the fingerboard is higher under the B-string and lower near the G-string. This is much more comfortable for your hand as it cups the fingerboard.
1. Tilt Back Headstock. The headstock is a slight tilt back design to offset string pull. It is also strong with low flex for stable tuning. The tilt gives the strings proper downward tension at the nut, without too much angle so the string is not distorted at the nut. This eliminates the need for string trees. Straight lines to the tuning machines, a strong low flex headstock, and minimal tension allow for stable tuning.

2. Sperzel Tuning Machines. Premium USA made Sperzel locking tuners for precise tuning that holds.

3. Fingerboard. The fingerboard is precisely machined to be very level. This allows for an excellent fretless surface and a fretted surface that requires little fretwork.

4. U.S. Masters Exclusive Contoured Flex Truss Rod.
The U.S. Masters Exclusive Contoured Flex Truss Rod gives the neck smooth adjustment. The adjustment works on an exponential basis so more emphasis is placed on the lower frets.

Easy, Fast Truss Rod Access. Simple Set-up & Care.

5. High Quality Frets. The frets we use are of very high quality metals, precision made for a smooth feel and long life. These frets also have a large tang, the part of the fret that seats into the fingerboard, so the fret seats, and remains solid in the fingerboard.

6. Intonation.
Our machining for fret placement is extremely precise resulting in excellent intonation.

7. Conical Radius Fingerboard.
What is it? A fingerboard has a curvature which fits the curvature of the hand/fingers making it easier to fret notes. As you move your hand toward the nut it is more comfortable to have a heavier curvature. However, as you move up the fingerboard it is more comfortable to have less curvature. Also, less curvature at the upper frets allows for less fret interference when bending notes, which allows for a lower overall action. This cone shaped fingerboard is much more time intensive than a single radius neck, but it yields a more comfortable playing surface with reduced hand tension.

8. The 5-Strings Offset Conical Radius Fingerboard
- What is it? This is the conical radius fingerboard with the high point of the arc moved from the center of the fingerboard towards the low B, under the E string. This makes it easier to reach and play the low B string.

Neck - Precision made. Reduced hand tension. Comfortable. Responsive. Unobstructed access to the 24th fret. Excellent intonation and sound transfer to the body.

9. Compression-Set Neck Joint. The neck joint is not discussed very much. A neck-thru has a good feeling, smooth transition to the body, but wood of the neck is the center of the body, and therefore becomes the heart of the sound. The set-neck or glued in neck joint can also give you a smooth feeling neck joint, but dependent on the style of the instrument can result in a larger extension of the neck joint to make is strong enough causing it to interfere with the upper frets. The typical bolt on is usually loose fitting and does not have a very good transfer of sound from neck to body, but allows for different woods to be used. So, we invented the Compression-Set neck joint. It is very solid, tight fitting, and does not allow neck shift. The neck is compressed into the body with machine screws and steel inserts for maximum sound transfer. The heel joint is very small so you have full upper fret access. And the neck wood does not interfere with the sound of the body. Wins all the way around.

10. Extended Uniform Profile. Because of the neck joint the shape of the neck does not have to thicken as you move towards the upper frets. The feel remains consistent, which we call the extended uniform profile.

11. Neck Finish. The neck and fingerboard are sealed and protected with a urethane based penetrating oil. This finish allows you to feel the "wood" of the neck. The neck will not slow down, or grab, under the friction of playing or the heat of stage lighting, unlike a build finish, such as lacquer, which will soften under minimal heat or friction causing it to grab. The neck stays fast and consistent.

12. U.S. Masters Pro Series Bridge. Quick string change bridge made of
high sound-transfer metals. This bridge is made in the USA.

13. Easy Truss Rod Access.

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U.S. Masters Guitar Works is a product of M-Tec Corp.
2324 Pinehurst Dr. Unit B Middleton, WI 53562
608-836-5505 Fax: 608-836-6530
Toll Free (877) 716-0000 • email: sales@usmasters.com

These products are covered by U.S. Patents Nos. 5,886,272 & 6,051,765