De Gier Bebop 5 Gunmetal Grey

When you first lay eyes on the De Gier Bebop it has the mojo of an old-school Jazz 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 Bebop 5 is where De Gier really flexes its expertise. The bass is hand-built, using carefully selected tonewoods. This Bebop 5 has an alder paired with a roasted 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.

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.

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.

When you pair a bubinga fretboard with an alder body and a maple neck, you get a tonewood combo that leans into clarity, punch, and articulation. Bubinga adds a bright, snappy top end and tight lows, giving each note definition and presence. Combined with the balanced warmth of alder and the stiffness of maple, this setup delivers a responsive, well-rounded tone that cuts through the mix—perfect for players who want precision without sacrificing musicality

Plugging this bass in, you quickly realize it’s more than just good looks.  The Bebop 5 deliver a fantastic dynamic range. You get that classic ’60s Jazz Bass growl in the bridge position, but with modern clarity that cuts through in any mix. The low B string is a standout—tight, punchy, and not muddy at all.

The Bebop 5 feels lightweight but still carries enough weight for sustain and presence in the tone. This is crucial when you’re on stage or in the studio, where clarity and punch are non-negotiable.

This bass plays like butter. The string spacing is wide enough for slap players to dig in, but tight enough for fingerstyle or fast runs. De Gier clearly took care to make this a versatile player’s bass. The action is typically set low, but not so low that you lose dynamics—it’s perfect for both finesse and heavy-handed techniques.

The Bebop 5 shines in the low-mids, which gives it that warm, punchy presence. Mids are articulate and not overly scooped, and the highs are crisp without being harsh. One of the reasons for that are the Fralin Jazz 5 Single-coils

The Fralin Jazz 5 Single-Coil pickups are for players who demand that classic Jazz Bass sound but need the versatility and extra low-end from a 5-string. If you’ve ever played a bass with Fralins, you know they don’t mess around when it comes to tone. These pickups are all about giving you that vintage, articulate sound with just the right amount of modern edge—perfect for players who want clarity and punch across all five strings. You can dial in everything from a fat, round Motown-style tone to a more aggressive slap tone in the higher register. Lindy Fralin is known for winding pickups the old-fashioned way—by hand, with a meticulous eye for detail.

The single coil pickups are from Lollar and are built around Alnico 5 magnets, giving them that punchy, articulate top end and a tight low end that stays focused—ideal for players who want clarity without sacrificing warmth.

The neck pickup sits around 7.6kΩ, while the bridge is a touch hotter at 8.5kΩ, adding a bit more grit and presence when you dig in. Both are wax-potted to keep things noise-free on stage or in the studio, and they’re carefully wound to bring out the natural character of your bass without coloring your tone too much.

If you’re after that classic J-bass growl with a little extra finesse and balance, these are a serious upgrade

For tone geeks: With the tone rolled off, you get a deep, warm thump perfect for R&B or jazz gigs. Crank it up, and you’re in funk/rock territory with plenty of bite and articulation.

The De Gier Bebop 5 is an instrument that perfectly blends vintage aesthetics with modern performance. It’s a bass that not only looks like it’s been gigged for years but plays like a top-tier modern instrument. Whether you’re looking for that retro vibe with five-string versatility or a high-quality, road-ready bass that sounds as good as it looks, the Bebop 5 is a fantastic choice.

If you’re into the combination of vintage style with modern reliability and playability, the Bebop 5 should be high on your list. It’s a premium instrument, but it justifies its price with incredible build quality, attention to detail, and superb sound.

The Fatboost is an active, yet subtle bass boost designed to maintain the original passive sound as closely as possible. Activated by a switch, it delivers up to 12dB of low-frequency boost (typically set to 4dB by default). The circuit is ultra-low noise, making your passive tone feel instantly more powerful and fuller. In the off position, the system is true bypass, providing a 100% passive sound. You can also fine-tune the boost level to your preference via a trimmer pot located at the back.