Adamovic Basses The Light 5 Custom Burled Poplar

Adamovic The Light 5 Custom Burled Poplar

The Adamovic The Light 5 Custom

This is The Light 5 from Adamovic, out of Haarlem in the Netherlands. Moreover, it’s one we configured ourselves, so this Adamovic The Light 5 Custom is built to our spec.

A working bass from Adamovic

The Light is based on the design of Adamovic’s flagship, the Halo. However, it’s made to be lighter and more versatile. In fact, Adamovic uses hand-picked lightweight woods. This one weighs 3.9 kilos, which is comfortable for a 5-string.

In short, it’s a bass you can bring to a fingerstyle session and a slap gig on the same day. Also, we went for a regular 34″ scale and 18.5 mm spacing, so it feels familiar from the first note.

Body, Neck & Woods

Swamp ash and burled poplar

The body is hand-picked lightweight swamp ash. In general, ash is quick and articulate, which is why it suits slap and fast playing so well. Next, on top sits a hardened burled poplar facing, with a black veneer line in between. Also, the headstock is faced in the same burl.

Moreover, the back is hand-carved with Adamovic’s X-ergo shaping, so the body hugs you and balances without a fight. Finally, the catalyzed oil finish feels like wood under your arm.

Neck and katalox fingerboard

The neck is five pieces of ash, guariuba and maple, made from Adamovic’s own aged, straight-grained blanks. As a result, it’s stiff and stable. In addition, there’s a 2-way truss rod and an angled headstock with a volute.

The fingerboard is katalox. According to Adamovic, it’s their hardest and densest wood, even harder than ebony. Therefore the sound is clear but warm, with a fast response.

Furthermore, the board is rounded, and the frets are dressed inside the edges, so the neck feels played-in from day one. Besides, the edge markers glow in the dark, which helps on a dark stage.

34″ scale and 24 frets

This Adamovic The Light 5 Custom has a 34″ scale and 24 frets. Consequently, the low B gets the tension it needs to stay tight. Likewise, 18.5 mm at the bridge leaves room for slap and pop without feeling crowded.

Electronics, Sound & Feel

Bassbars with katalox covers

The pickups are a pair of Adamovic Bassbars, with covers in katalox to match the fingerboard. Additionally, each pickup has its own 3-way selector for parallel, single coil or series. In addition, the switching works in both active and passive mode.

Basically, parallel is the clean, hum-free middle ground. Meanwhile, single coil gives you a more open, vintage bite. Series, on the other hand, is fatter and louder with more midrange. As a result, together with the blend knob, that’s nine sounds before you touch the EQ.

Glockenklang 3-band preamp

Then there’s the preamp, a Glockenklang 3-band EQ. For example, pull the mids back for a modern scooped slap sound. On the other hand, push them, and the bass cuts through the band.

The five knobs are volume, balance, bass, mid and treble. Basically, the bass works around 40 Hz, the mid around 550 Hz and the treble way up at 18 kHz. Furthermore, the black aluminium knobs with white indicators show you where every control sits at a glance.

Hardware and what’s in the case

Next, the bridge is a Hipshot A-style, adjustable three ways. Moreover, Hipshot Ultralite tuners keep the headstock light, and security locks keep the strap in place. Finally, it comes with a hard case, warranty, tools and a certificate.

Who is the Adamovic The Light 5 for?

All in all, this is for the player who has tried the big names and wants something handmade, comfortable and flexible in sound. In fact, we really dig this one. If you want to compare, have a look at all our basses. So, what’s not to like?