“I'm beginning to think that this is the most comfortable bass I have ever played.”
When Sir Tom Jones needs a bass player for his latest Ages & Stages tour, not just any bass player will do. He needs someone with experience, mastery of their craft, and reliability that Jones, the band, and the fans can count on every single night. It's a short list, but one name stands out: Dave Bronze.
Twice voted “UK’s Best Bass Player” by the readers of Blueprint magazine, Bronze has a career that most musicians envy. For almost 40 years, Bronze has performed and collaborated with legends like Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Roger Daltrey, Bo Diddley, Duane Eddy, Ray Davies, the Art of Noise, Belinda Carlisle, Bryan Ferry, Jeff Lynne, Robin Trower, and Eric Clapton. This is the track record and experience required to be the bass player for Sir Tom Jones.
But what does it take to be the “go-to” bass for Tom Jones's bass player?
It takes the Cort GB-Modern 4.
The GB-Modern 4 is a surprisingly lightweight bass designed for improved comfort and playability. J-Bass enthusiasts find that the GB-Modern bridges the gap between classic and contemporary, combining the best of both worlds in an attractive build with excellent tone. We took a clever approach in designing a 34-inch scale body that reduces weight and player fatigue without carving out large sections of wood. The result is a maple body core paired with lightweight paulownia wings.
On top, there’s a gorgeous poplar burl, with an average weight of 7.7 lbs. (3.5 kgs). The FCH (Full Contact Hardware) bridge by Babicz® offers increased dynamic range, improved sustain, and pitch stability. Its double saddle housing lock feature ensures that string action and intonation adjustments stay secure, even when removing strings. The nut width of the GB-Modern 4 measures 1 ½ inches. At the headstock, Hipshot® Ultralite Tuners, with a 20:1 tuning ratio and aluminum string posts and mounting nuts, further reduce weight and improve tuning accuracy. A Nordstrand® Big Single Pickup Set paired with the MarkBass® MB Instrument Pre preamp system is ground control for all things tone. This ultra-compact circuit with tone controls is designed not only to enhance frequencies but also to give a unique, rich response when you boost or cut them, delivering anything a bass player desires.
A statement from Mr. Bronze about the “GB-Modern 4”:
“I’m beginning to think that this is the most comfortable bass I have ever played. In particular, the finish and shape of the neck are truly exceptional! It is also extremely stable tuning-wise and holds true no matter how aggressive I get with it. It feels like I’ve been playing this bass for years!”
