Kikuchi Guitars Hermes Series MV5 PASSIVE -Trans White- 【NEW】[GSB019] 2026

We have received the passive version of the "RV-5"—a 5-string Jazz Bass model from the Hermes Series—crafted by Yoshiyuki Kikuchi, one of Japan's premier master builders.

Yoshiyuki Kikuchi is a legendary luthier who helped lay the foundations of the modern bass guitar scene in Japan.

After launching the domestic high-end bass brand "ATELIER Z" in 1990 and making a massive impact on the industry, he traveled to the United States on his own.

He learned techniques and philosophy directly from Roger Sadowsky at the Sadowsky Guitars NYC workshop.

Upon returning to Japan, he oversaw the development and production of lines such as "Sadowsky Tokyo" and "Sadowsky TYO" at Okada International,

cementing a reputation for the highest level of quality in the country.

In 2023—marking the 30th anniversary of his career—Kikuchi launched "Kikuchi Guitars," a brand bearing his own name.

Drawing on the pinnacle of his long career and vast practical expertise,

he continues to pursue the creation of instruments designed for real-world performance that fully meet the trust players place in them.

Now, the long-awaited passive RV-5 has arrived as part of the "Hermes Series,"

created to bring Kikuchi's masterful craftsmanship and philosophy to an even wider range of players.

As a passive model crafted by Kikuchi, it generated high expectations across the industry from the moment it was announced;

however, the actual instrument we received demonstrates a level of perfection that far exceeds those expectations.

The standout feature of this instrument is the newly developed "Original Custom J" pickup.

Custom-designed to realize the "ideal passive sound" Kikuchi has pursued for years,

this pickup fully draws out the resonance of the instrument's body—a result of Kikuchi Guitars' exceptionally precise woodworking and assembly. At the heart of the instrument lies a pickup built upon Alnico 5 magnets—a specification that immediately reassures seasoned players. It is the fruit of immense trial and error, involving dozens of prototype iterations and rigorous testing to achieve perfect optimization.

When Mr. Kikuchi visited our shop recently, he explained the details of these pickups, and I was truly amazed by the secrets behind their manufacturing process.

They demonstrate meticulous attention to detail in every aspect—even the magnetization process; rather than simply charging the magnets to full capacity, they intentionally degauss them to reduce the magnetic strength to an ideal level, reflecting a highly nuanced approach to design.

(To be honest, it is an incredibly laborious process.)

Factors such as wire tension and the number of windings are precisely calculated. For instance, because the wire cannot be wound correctly using a standard bobbin, they developed a custom bobbin specifically for this purpose. It is this accumulation of subtle design choices—details not immediately visible to the eye—that produces such a superb sound.

While delivering overwhelming clarity and a lightning-fast attack, the instrument sacrifices none of the inherent warmth and rich harmonic content characteristic of a passive bass.

"It is a passive bass, yet it possesses a thick, solid core tone that ensures it never gets lost in a modern ensemble mix."

The instrument features exquisite tuning that reflects Mr. Kikuchi’s deep understanding of professional performance environments.

Beyond its perfection as a pure passive instrument, it pairs exceptionally well with external preamps and effects pedals.

It offers the flexibility to expand the signal chain to suit a player's preferences,

effectively becoming the ultimate "versatile passive 5-string JB-style bass" that meets the high demands of bassists across all genres.

It retains the same uncompromising specifications and outstanding playability as ever. The 12-inch (305R) fingerboard radius reflects the techniques and insights Mr. Kikuchi has cultivated over the years,

maintaining his unwavering philosophy regarding low-action setups.

The placement of the string retainer has been carefully considered to effectively prevent string buzz.

For hardware, highly reliable Hipshot components are used for both the bridge and tuners.

The 5-string bridge ensures a 19mm string spacing, while the Hipshot Licensed Ultra-Light tuners

prevent neck dive and achieve excellent weight balance.

Its manageable weight of approximately 3.93kg is another appealing feature.

This instrument embodies the entire history and craftsmanship of master builder Mr. Yoshiyuki Kikuchi—a bass truly ready for immediate professional use.

Staff members who play it in the shop are consistently impressed, often exclaiming, "This is incredible."

We invite you to take this opportunity to experience its superb tone and precision firsthand.

SPECIFICATIONS

Body: Ash 2-Piece (Solid)

Neck: Maple, Thin Matte Nitro

Fingerboard: Maple

Fingerboard Radius: 12″ (305R)

Nut Material: Tusq

Nut Width: 5-string: 46mm

Frets: DHP24H, 22F

Scale: 864mm (34″)

Body Finish: Poly

Hardware Color: Chrome

Bridge: 5-string: Hipshot 19mm Spacing

Tuners: Hipshot Licensed Ultra-Light

Pickups: Original Custom J

Controls: Volume (Neck), Volume (Bridge), Tone

Strings: 5-string: D’Addario Nickel .045 – .130T

Weight: Approx. 3.99kg

Includes Original Semi-Hard Case

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