Citron AE5 Swallow Custom 2014 Dark brown

For you consideration is this 2014 Citron AE5 Swallow Custom hand made by Harvey Citron in Woodstock New York. A rare bird indeed. I am the original owner. Custom ordered to my specifications.

Features:
- Back and sides of the body made from one piece of Honduran mahogany with a cedar top (as opposed to the standard Sitka spruce top).
- Mahogany / Rosewood / Mahogany three piece neck with a Madagascar ebony fretboard.
- Combo top (top loading and through body stringing option).
- 2 magnetic hand wound Citron hum-buckers.
- Custom 34” scale neck with 17.5mm spacing.
- Black hardware.
-Spare bone bridge saddles and bone nut for converting it from E-C to B-G.

I purposely haven’t listed all the standard specs and details as there are many. If you have any questions or need clarification please get in touch. For a full list of specs for the AE5 Swallow please visit the Citron website. The specs listed above are the optional extras which I specified when ordering which added to the cost of the instrument. An instrument with these specs ordered in 2022 will cost at least $11,000USD according to Harvey. Given the cost of ordering a brand new bass and the scarcity of these instruments in the second hand market I feel that the price I am asking is more than fair. I am always happy to discuss.

The custom options on this bass make it much more appealing and usable in a wider variety of applications and player types than the standard Steve swallow specs:

- 34” scale as opposed to standard 36” scale makes this bass much friendly to a wide variety of players and styles.

- Combo top allows for loading the strings through the top of the bridge (like a fender bass” and this allows for experimentation with string types etc. I have enjoyed using flatwounds and tapewounds as well as all kinds of round strings on this bass - all of which would not be possible with the standard string through body only option as the strings are specially made by Labella at 42” to fit through the 4 inch body.

- 17.5’mm spacing is very comfortable for both fingers type and pick style. The standard Steve Swallow spacing is incredibly tight and makes finger style playing almost impossible.

- 2 Citron Humbuckers. The AE5 comes with Harvey’s proprietary Piezo system but not magnetic style pickups. The addition of these pickups adds many more tonal options and makes this instrument much more versatile than the Steve Swallow piezo only spec.

Included with sale are spare saddles and nut for conversion to low B instead of high C. I used the bass with a low B for about 2 years. Amazing either way.

Please note:
The bass currently has a Glockenklang 3 band preamp instead of the EMG preamp Harvey uses. The original preamp will of course be included so that the bass can be restored to its original spec. I’ve owned this bass for 8 years and know it very well. I’m happy to discuss why I chose to switch preamps with prospective buyers.

The sound of this bass is round, deep and clear. Truly unique.

The bass comes with a Glen Cronkhite premium gig bag.

I had two spare sets of custom Labella strings which can only be ordered through Harvey as labella make them specifically for him and Steve Swallow. I just strung the bass with one and the other set will be included.

I have a selection of used flatwounds and tapewounds by Labella and Thomastik which I can include in the sale.

The condition is excellent for a bass that is 8 years old and has been played a lot (by me). The bass plays like a dream. It is a dream bass, one that’s been played and cared for by a musician for 8 years.

The bass is located in Melbourne Australia. You are not buying from a shop or business. I am a musician and do not buy and sell instruments for a living. I insist on the bass being shipped fully insured with tracking. Shipping to is to be covered entirely by the buyer. I have priced the bass conservatively knowing that the buyer will have shipping and taxes on top. If I lived in Japan or the USA I would sell for a higher price.

The bass will be packed VERY securely. I have no intention of letting this bass get damaged in any way.

I have offered very detailed photos and description of the condition of this instrument (and will happily discuss ever detail with a prospective buyer) so will not accept returns or refunds. The instrument is sold as is. All sales final. No returns.

I will only accept payment in form of direct transfer to my Australian bank account.

Please get in touch for shipping quotes.
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