De Gier Soulmate Classic 4 2-Tone Burst Relic

De Gier basses have carved out a niche in the boutique bass world by blending vintage inspiration with modern innovation. It all began in the early 1990s when Dutch luthier Sander De Gier, a bassist himself, sought to build instruments that could satisfy the demands of working musicians. Frustrated with the lack of basses that balanced classic tone with cutting-edge playability, De Gier started his journey by handcrafting his own instruments.

From day one, De Gier’s mission was clear: make basses that feel like they’ve been around for decades, but play and sound like they’re from tomorrow. His approach is rooted in deep respect for the iconic designs of the past—think the unmistakable tone of a ’60s Jazz Bass—but with improvements to suit modern players.

When comparing the standard Soulmate to the Soulmate Classic, the Classic leans further into that unmistakable, authentic P-bass growl. While the standard Soulmate is a versatile workhorse, the Classic is all about delivering the pure vintage character that purists crave. Add in the fatter—yet still comfortable—neck, and this might just be the bass you’ve been searching for.

The differences between the Soulmate Classic and the standard Soulmate lie in the details. The Classic features a steel bridge instead of brass, heavy steel tuners over lightweight aluminum, no carbon rods in the neck, and a thin veneer fingerboard rather than a 6mm slab board. A thin nitro finish, handpicked pots and tone cap, the most vintage-voiced pickups, lightweight body wood, and era-correct aesthetics (while still embracing De Gier’s signature flowing curves) all contribute to its distinct personality.Each of these elements plays a role in shaping the tone and feel.

Visually, the Soulmate Classic nails the vintage vibe with a mildly aged finish, featuring subtle wear on the paint and hardware, plus an oil-finished neck for that smooth, broken-in feel. Every aspect—tone, looks, feel, and handling—comes together in a holistic design that feels like a true extension of the player.

One of the standout features is the compound radius veneer fingerboard. This ultra-thin fingerboard allows for a bit more maple in the neck, sitting sonically between an all-maple neck and a maple/rosewood combination—just like vintage basses. But De Gier takes it a step further. The compound radius design merges vintage tone with modern playability, giving you both classic character and precise setup options.

This Soulmate Classic 4 comes with Fralin Split-Coil P pickup, a modern classic in its own right. Wound by hand with Alnico V magnets and vintage-correct 42-gauge Formvar wire, it captures the warmth and roundness of an early ‘60s Precision Bass, but with none of the single-coil buzz.

This is a hum-cancelling pickup, but you wouldn’t know it by ear. It’s just as open and touch-sensitive as the best vintage units—no compression, no sterility, just tone.
It’s wax-potted for stability, built on vintage-style fiber bobbins, and wired with classic cloth push-back leads.

Tonally, you’re getting a full, focused, and musical low end. A rich, forward, and expressive mid. A clear treble without harshness, sitting perfectly in the mix.

With a vintage-output wind (11kΩ), the Fralin gives you everything you want from a great P—whether you’re going full Jamerson with flats or looking for that dry, melodic presence with rounds and a pick.