Marleaux Contra 5 (pre-owned)

Marleaux Contra 5

The Marleaux Contra 5 semi-hollow bass

This is the Contra 5 from Marleaux, out of Germany. It weighs 4.25 kilos, which is pretty fair for a five-string of this size. Furthermore, it’s one of those basses you notice from across the room.

In fact, Marleaux builds the Contra with the same kind of woods you find in fine violins and double basses. As a result, you get a semi-hollow body, a spruce top and an f-hole. In other words, it’s an electric bass with a real acoustic soul.

Body, Neck & Woods

Spruce top on a semi-hollow flamed maple body

First of all, the body is flamed maple, and it’s semi-hollow. On top sits spruce, just like on a violin or a double bass. Therefore, the top vibrates more freely, which means a lot of air and harmonics in the tone. Also, just look at the flame on the back.

Glued-through neck with an ebony fingerboard

Equally important, the neck is 3-piece flamed maple with thin dark veneer stripes. Moreover, it’s glued through the body and carbon reinforced, so it stays stable. In addition, the headstock is matching flamed maple. For me personally, I really like Marleaux’s attention to detail here.

Zero fret, 24 frets and a 34″ scale

The fingerboard is ebony with 24 frets plus a zero fret. As a result, open strings sound just like fretted notes. Likewise, the 12″ to 16″ compound radius feels round at the nut and flatter up high. Finally, the 34″ scale and 46 mm nut feel familiar from the first minute.

Condition

Condition of this Marleaux Contra 5

This is a pre-owned bass, and the matte finish shows a few light marks on the top. However, they’re cosmetic, and you can see them in the photos. Meanwhile, the fingerboard, the frets and the gold hardware look clean.

Of course, we’re happy to send close-up photos or answer questions before you buy. Just reach out.

Electronics, Sound & Feel

Marleaux humbuckers with ebony covers

The Contra 5 has two Marleaux humbuckers with ebony covers. Furthermore, each pickup has its own mini switch for series, parallel or single coil. Consequently, you can go from fat and punchy to open and Jazz-bass-y. Basically, that’s a lot of sounds from two pickups.

Active preamp with passive tone

In addition, the Marleaux active preamp gives you plenty of EQ to shape the sound. Also, there’s a passive tone control, and the jack sits on the side of the body. Therefore, the controls stay out of your way when you play.

Our take on the Marleaux Contra 5

All in all, the Contra 5 has a lot of information in the tone. For example, fingerstyle gets this woody, almost upright quality, while the humbuckers keep it tight on stage. In short, it’s a real piece of luthier work that you’ll want to play every day. So, what’s not to like?