De Gier Soulmate Classic 5 Espresso Brown Relic

When you first lay eyes on the De Gier Soulmate Classic 5 Relic, it’s like being transported to a different era. The relic finish looks authentic—not overdone, but just the right amount of wear to give it that “played-in” vibe. It has the mojo of an old-school precision bass but with a 5-string modern twist. If you’re into instruments that feel like they’ve already got stories to tell, this one speaks volumes right out of the case.

The craftsmanship on the Soulmate 5 is where De Gier really flexes its expertise. The bass is hand-built, using carefully selected tonewoods. This Soulmate 5 has an alder paired with a maple neck for that punchy and clear resonance we all crave. De Gier’s neck profiles are famously comfortable; it’s fast but still gives you something to hold onto, which is key for those extended sessions.

When you combine a rosewood fretboard with an alder body and a maple neck, you’re creating a classic tonal cocktail that has been a cornerstone of bass design for decades. Each wood brings its own unique qualities to the table, and together, they form a well-balanced sound that works for a wide range of styles and genres.

Alder is known for being a tonally balanced wood. It doesn’t have any extreme spikes in any particular frequency range, making it a great neutral base for your tone. Alder offers a solid, punchy low end without being overly boomy, and the mids are rich and present, which helps the bass cut through in a mix. The highs are clear and articulate but not harsh, so your tone stays smooth and well-rounded.

Low-end: Punchy and defined, not overly boomy.

Midrange: Slightly pronounced, which is great for a bass that needs to be heard clearly in the mix.

Highs: Clean and smooth, without too much bite.

The alder body sets the stage for an overall balanced sound, providing the framework for the warmth of the rosewood fretboard and the brightness of the maple neck.

Maple necks are known for their bright and snappy tone. Maple is a dense, hard wood, which means it transfers string vibration efficiently, giving you more sustain and a fast attack. When you play a bass with a maple neck, you’ll notice that notes tend to have more bite and definition, especially in the upper frequencies.

Attack: Fast and snappy.

Clarity: High-end clarity, giving you a bright, punchy response.

Sustain: Maple’s density helps with sustain, keeping notes ringing out longer.

With a maple neck, you get a crisp, defined sound, especially in the higher frequencies, which balances out the naturally warmer tones of the rosewood fretboard. The maple also ensures that the bass feels responsive, giving you that “immediate” attack when you pluck the strings.

Now, when you bring the rosewood fretboard into this equation, you add a layer of warmth and richness to the mix. Rosewood naturally tames some of the brightness from the maple neck, rounding off the sharp edges in the upper frequencies and bringing more depth to the low mids. This results in a sound that is warm, full, and balanced but still retains the clarity and articulation from the maple.

Warmth: Rosewood softens the attack a bit, giving you a more rounded, mellow tone.

Depth: It emphasizes the low-mids, adding a richness to the sound that complements the alder body.

Articulation: The highs are still present, but they have a smoother, less aggressive character compared to an all-maple setup.

The combination of these three woods—alder body, maple neck, and rosewood fretboard—is a classic formula for a reason.

Low-end: The alder body provides a solid, punchy foundation, while the rosewood fretboard adds warmth and depth. Together, they give you a bass tone that’s full and rich in the low end without getting too boomy. The lows feel controlled but satisfying, making this combination perfect for styles like funk, rock, or jazz where a solid low-end presence is key.

Mids: This is where this combo really shines. Alder’s natural midrange emphasis, combined with the warmth of rosewood, creates a rich, present midrange that’s perfect for cutting through the mix. The maple neck adds just enough clarity to keep those mids articulate, so whether you’re playing fingerstyle grooves or slapping, every note is clear and punchy.

Highs: The maple neck keeps the highs clear and crisp, while the rosewood fretboard smooths them out, making sure they’re not too harsh. You’ll still get plenty of articulation and snap from your playing, but it won’t be brittle or overly bright. This is ideal for players who want clarity in their tone but don’t want the highs to dominate.