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Average Price: $420

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$200

$601+

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Description

Experience the harmonious blend of acoustic warmth and electric playability with the Fender Kingman Bass SCE. This acoustic-electric bass guitar is designed for musicians who crave the full-bodied resonance of a dreadnought while maintaining the familiar feel of an electric bass. The Kingman Bass SCE is equipped with a Jazz Bass neck, offering electric players a seamless transition to acoustic performance without sacrificing comfort or playability.

Crafted with a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, this bass delivers rich, resonant tones that are perfect for both intimate acoustic settings and amplified gigs. The Kingman Bass SCE is fitted with a Fishman Presys+ preamp system, which provides an impressive array of controls including treble, mid, bass, and volume, allowing you to sculpt your sound with precision. The addition of a built-in tuner ensures you're always in pitch, making this bass a reliable companion for any performance.

Its classic dreadnought body shape and the stylish vintage-inspired "Viking" bridge give the Kingman Bass SCE a distinctive look, while the practical cutaway design offers easy access to upper frets for those high-octane solos and intricate fills. Whether you're strumming unplugged or plugged into a PA, this bass guitar promises to deliver a powerful and versatile sonic experience.

Key Features:

  • Solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides
  • Maple Jazz Bass neck with rosewood fretboard
  • Dreadnought body shape with cutaway
  • Fishman Presys+ preamp system with built-in tuner
  • Vintage-inspired "Viking" bridge and white pearloid block inlays

Product specs

Brand Fender
Model Kingman Bass SCE Acoustic-Electric Bass
Finish Natural
Year 2010s
Made In China
Categories 4-String Basses, Acoustic Bass Guitars
Active / Passive Pickups Passive Pickups
Active Preamp Active Preamp
Body Shape Dreadnought, Single Cutaway
Color Family Tan
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Number of Frets 20
Number of Strings 4-String
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Right / Left Handed Right Handed

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the Fender Kingman Bass SCE?

The Fender Kingman Bass SCE features a slim "C"-shaped Jazz Bass® neck profile, which is designed for comfortable playability and ease of use, especially for those accustomed to electric basses.

Is the Fender Kingman Bass SCE suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Fender Kingman Bass SCE is equipped with a Fishman® preamp, making it suitable for live performances by allowing you to plug into an amplifier or PA system for amplified sound.

What is the scale length of the Fender Kingman Bass SCE?

The Fender Kingman Bass SCE has a short scale length of 30 inches, which provides a comfortable playing experience, particularly for those with smaller hands or those transitioning from electric basses.

How many frets does the Fender Kingman Bass SCE have?

The Fender Kingman Bass SCE features 20 frets, providing a range suitable for most playing styles and musical genres.

Does the Fender Kingman Bass SCE have active or passive pickups?

The Fender Kingman Bass SCE is equipped with passive pickups, complemented by an active preamp for versatile tonal control when amplified.

gearwire

gearwire

Fender Kingman Bass SCE: Hey Good-Lookin' (Video)

Video thumbnail for Fender Kingman Bass SCE: Hey Good-Lookin' (Video) by gearwire

Fender Kingman Bass SCE: Hey Good-Lookin' (Video)

gearwire

gearwire

Video thumbnail for Fender Kingman Acoustic Bass SCE DEMO (VIDEO) by BASS TV

Fender Kingman Acoustic Bass SCE DEMO (VIDEO)

BASS TV

BASS TV

Video thumbnail for Fender Kingman SCE - Acoustic Bass Guitar - Unplugged Demo by Riffs and Gin

Fender Kingman SCE - Acoustic Bass Guitar - Unplugged Demo

Riffs and Gin

Riffs and Gin

Reviews

PROS

  • Jazz Bass neck offers familiar playability for electric bass players

  • Lightweight design enhances comfort during long playing sessions

  • Rich, deep, and warm tones when amplified

  • Comes with a hardshell case featuring a storage compartment

  • Built-in tuner provides convenience for quick tuning

  • Classy block inlays and good quality finish

  • Setup is reliable out of the box with well-dressed frets and good intonation

CONS

  • Neck dive can affect playing technique, especially when standing

  • Quieter unplugged volume compared to other acoustic basses

  • Amplified sound lacks the woody quality of true acoustic tones

  • Electronics are standard, offering no standout features

  • Consumes batteries quickly

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Kingman Bass SCE.

Use cases and applications

  • Acoustic basses excel in genres like surf and beach-based singer-songwriter music, but require amplification for live performances to be effective.

    Source
  • Ideal as a secondary bass for casual play without needing full setup, though it may feel pricey for this use.

    Source
  • Fender Kingman is praised for jazz-like neck feel, making it ideal for acoustic duo gigs.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Switching to flatwound strings significantly improves the tonal quality, especially if the original bronze acoustic strings are unsatisfactory.

    Source
  • Switching to flatwound strings and changing the nut can enhance tonal quality and playability on a Kala U-bass.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners find the Kingman bass offers an unexpectedly high-quality acoustic and pickup sound, comparable to more premium brands with an "acoustic coloration" tone.

    Source
  • Owners highlight the Kingman's specific tone, noting its limited applicability to certain musical situations.

    Source
  • Owners with setups report enhanced playability, making the Kingman preferable over other acoustics for regular practice.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Some users find the Kingman slightly overpriced and suggest exploring secondhand options to save money.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Action can be significantly improved by shaving down the bridge, transforming playability to match electric basses.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Taylor GS Mini Bass, despite its short scale, offers impressive sound quality with custom D’Addario strings, defying typical short scale limitations.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Fender Kingman’s pickup and built-in tuner provide reliable amplification and easy tuning during performances.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Fender Kingman SCE Acoustic/Electric 4-String Bass Review - Bass Musician Magazine, The Face of Bass

bassmusicianmagazine.com

The Fender Kingman Bass SCE impresses with its stellar playability and striking design. Its jazz-profile neck and electric bass feel make it a joy to play, while its dreadnought body ensures rich, resonant tones both unplugged and amplified. The solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides offer excellent stability, and the compensated bone saddle ensures precise intonation. While some may find its acoustic body slightly bulky, the Kingman manages to maintain a sleek feel, ideal for those transitioning from electric basses. Overall, it's a versatile and appealing choice for acoustic-electric enthusiasts.

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 8 Ratings

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angelo_martinez

Quite a nice bass guitar

What can I say about this bass that you probably haven't already heard? It's an acoustic-electric bass guitar made by Fender which has some unique qualities to it. The elephant in the room is that it has an electric bass neck, specifically a jazz bass neck, as opposed to a regular acoustic style. This is why I picked up the Kingman, and why I continue to play it after months of owning it. Aside from that, it feels extremely comfortable to play, owing to to its overall light weight and familiar feeling fret board. The one gripe most people will have with the bass is the neck dives that comes with it. Though this personally hasn't been an issue for me as I play a lot of neck-heavy basses, be warned; you will have a tendency to lean into the guitar which can negatively affect your technique. The electronics in the bass are nothing special, we have a fishman pickup with a 3-band EQ and tuner. I find that when plugged in, the Kingman loses the woody quality that you get when playing acoustically. It's not a bad sound, it just sounds like an electric bass that's been processed to sound like an acoustic bass as opposed to what you might expect an acoustic bass to actually sound like while plugged into an amp. In conclusion however, I can safely say this is a fantastic bass for any bass player looking to add an acoustic to their collection. The only thing keeping me from giving it a perfect score is the aforementioned neck dive and somewhat lacking sound when plugged in. Otherwise, it's a solid instrument with no major drawbacks and I would highly recommend it.

igor_skendzic

great bang for the buck!

Jazzlike neck, somewhat quiet acousticaly, yet amazing through amp.

alli3rk

fun little gem

I found it on crag list has a good sound plunged in and fine unplugged. Eats batteries fast though.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Flea uses Fender Kingman Bass SCE

Flea

Bassist

Red Hot Chili Peppers

...
Verified via YouTube

In this Video we can see Flea playing the "Fender Kingman Bass SCE". At 5:22 he asked Josh if he should play acoustic or electric, and descided to play the acoustic at 5:35. The RHCP played the show for the "Silverlake Conservatory of Music" annual benefit gala.

See how Mike Dirnt uses Fender Kingman Bass SCE

Mike Dirnt

Singer, Guitarist

Green Day

...
Verified via Instagram

In an Instagram post dated September 21, 2017, Mike Dirnt is shown playing a Fender Kingman Bass SCE.

See how Mark Hoppus uses Fender Kingman Bass SCE

Mark Hoppus

Singer, Bassist

Blink-182

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, Hoppus is visible playing Fender Kingman Bass SCE.

See how Jacob Collier uses Fender Kingman Bass SCE

Jacob Collier

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

Seen throughout the video, hanging on the wall to the right of the door. Obviously a Fender acoustic bass, the pickguard shows that this has to be the Kingman SCE.

See how Michael Shuman uses Fender Kingman Bass SCE

Michael Shuman

Singer, Guitarist

Queens of the Stone Age

...
Verified via YouTube

Utiliza el bajo Fender Kingman Bass SCE en el concierto grabado Septiembre 3, 2018 en MONA (Museum of Old and New Art).

See how Matt Freeman uses Fender Kingman Bass SCE

Matt Freeman

Bassist

Rancid

...
Verified via Uberproaudio

Matt Freeman is noted for using the Fender Kingman Bass SCE, as detailed in the "Rancid - Matt Freeman Bass Rig Gear and Equipment" article on Uberproaudio.

See how Alex James uses Fender Kingman Bass SCE

Alex James

Bassist

Blur

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, Alex James can be seen playing a Fender Kingman Bass SCE in a Blur's live performance at The Chris Evans Breakfast Show (BBC Radio 2).

See how Charles Berthoud uses Fender Kingman Bass SCE

Charles Berthoud

Bassist

...
Verified via YouTube

You Can See The Bass At 0:32 In This Video

See how Riker Lynch uses Fender Kingman Bass SCE

Riker Lynch

Singer, Bassist

R5

...
Verified via YouTube

Riker plays a Fender Kingman SCE Acoustic Bass throughout this video.

See how Ian Grushka uses Fender Kingman Bass SCE

Ian Grushka

Bassist

New Found Glory

...
Verified via YouTube

for this acoustic preformance of my friends over you, Ian can be seen using a fender kingman acoustic bass

See how Peter Denton uses Fender Kingman Bass SCE

Peter Denton

Bassist

The Kooks

...
Verified via Bing

In this picture you can see Peter playing a Fender Kingman Bass SCE on stage

See how Chris Cain uses Fender Kingman Bass SCE

Chris Cain

Bassist

Bad Wolves

...
Verified via Twitter

When Chris is asked, "Chris, what's that acoustic bass you have? It sounds sweet."

We Are Scientists reply on Twitter, "That's a @Fender Kingman acoustic bass — it sounds sweet indeed!"

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender Kingman Bass SCE, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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