Fender California Deluxe Kingman Bass CE Mahogany WN Natural

Essential Information About the California Deluxe Kingman Bass CE Mahogany Guitar

• Electro-acoustic bass in Kingman Bass format with a cutaway for easy access to high notes.


• Solid mahogany top + laminated mahogany back and sides, with Scalloped X bracing: deep lows, present mids, and silky highs.


• Fishman CD-1 preamp with built-in tuner and stage controls (Volume, Bass, Treble, Phase).


• Short scale comfort (30" / 762 mm scale length) and Slim "C" neck: smooth playability, precise attack, reduced fatigue.

A Kingman Bass Designed for the Road: The California Deluxe Spirit

Part of the California Deluxe Series, the Kingman Bass CE is the result of a design process matured over more than a decade: offering a reliable, musical instrument ready to keep up with rehearsals, from home writing to amplified performances. Within the range, it stands out with a decidedly modern approach to the acoustic bass: true playing comfort, luthiery focused on projection, and electronics designed for stress-free stage use.

Its visual and ergonomic identity blends the "acoustic instrument" side (rosette, resonant body, X bracing) with elements familiar to electric bass players, notably a Jazz Bass-style headstock. The result: a bass that immediately appeals to electric bass veterans while offering the breath and warmth of an acoustic body.

For Which Bassists and Styles? A Versatile Electro-Acoustic

The California Deluxe Kingman Bass CE targets beginner to intermediate bassists seeking an easy-to-handle bass, as well as experienced musicians looking for a complementary instrument for other contexts: acoustic sessions, unplugged sets, vocal/guitar accompaniment, or composition work.

Its short scale (30" / 762 mm) facilitates wide stretches and encourages relaxed playing, ideal for long rehearsal hours. Style-wise, it feels at home in pop, folk, indie, variety, smooth jazz, and any genre where a round, clear, and organic bass is desired. The cutaway is a real plus if you like incorporating melodic lines, high-register climbs, or expressive phrasing at the top of the neck.

A Mahogany Tone: Warmth, Articulation, and Natural Lows

The core of its sonic personality comes from the combination of a solid mahogany top and laminated mahogany back and sides. Mahogany is known for its warm response centered on the midrange: on an acoustic bass, this translates into notes that "speak" quickly, with a woody grain and natural presence in the mix, without harshness in the highs.

The Scalloped X bracing enhances the top's responsiveness and promotes a more open projection. This results in a deep and resonant low end, yet surprisingly clear and articulate for an acoustic body: practical for maintaining clear definition on eighth-note lines, light ghost notes, or pick playing.

Luthiery and hardware details complete the package: the nut and saddle made of Micarta promote consistent vibrational transfer string-to-string, and the open-gear tuners help maintain stable tuning over time. Finally, the phosphor bronze strings provide the harmonic richness typical of acoustic instruments: precise attack, immediate roundness, and a "full" sound from the first notes.

Plugged in, the Fishman CD-1 electronics are designed to be effective in real conditions: Volume, Bass, and Treble controls to adapt your tone to the room, built-in tuner for quick changes, and phase control useful for reducing certain resonances and better managing playing near stage monitors.

Recommended Compatible Accessories

To preserve the original character, opt for a set of phosphor bronze acoustic bass strings in gauge .045-.100 (same as factory setup). For neck relief adjustments, always have a 4 mm Allen wrench on hand: this is the required size for the Dual-Action truss rod.

Technical specifications

Format	Auditorium	Nbrs of frets	20
Cutaway	Yes	Neck Type	Glued
Strings	Steel	Electroacoustic	Yes
Nbr of strings	4	Color	Natural
Top	Mahogany	Finishing	Glossy
Back&Sides	Mahogany	Hardware	Chromed
Fingerboard	Walnut

Type	Electro-acoustic bass	Neck finish	Satin Urethane
Body style	Orchestra/Auditorium	Profile	Slim "C"
Back	Mahogany	Radius	9.5" / 241 mm
Sides	Mahogany	Inlays	White Dot
Construction	Solid mahogany top with laminated mahogany back and sides	Number of frets	20
Bracing	Scalloped X	Fret size	2 mm / 0.079"
Rosette	Pearloid	Scale length	30" / 762 mm
Soundhole	100 mm / 3.94"	Truss rod	Dual-Action
Binding	Tortoiseshell	Truss rod nut	4 mm Hex
Body finish	Gloss Poly	Nut (material)	Micarta
Headstock	Jazz Bass	Nut width	1.5" / 38.1 mm
Neck material	Mahogany	Headstock nut (material)	Micarta