RetroGlide

The RetroGlide KingBass was recently developed to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Level 42.

Four prototype models were developed prior to the last tour . This is the culmination of many months work and
Mark King used it, along with his various other KingBasses, through-out the tour.

The construction of the RetroGlide is unique, even by Status standards: At the heart of the bass is a graphite through-neck, set into an alder body with a maple cap. The graphite on the neck is just as rigid and stable as all our necks but has an additional "woven chrome" layer wrapped onto the outer face In similar fashion, the body has a "woven chrome" shell vacuum bonded to the front face. This layer not only makes the body more rigid but adds a unique, 3-dimensional quality to the surface. The back of the body has deep black lacquer.

Custom-wound, chrome humbuckers are fitted. These are made here at the Status workshop and match all the hardware on the bass. Their narrow width means that the only the custom 16.5mm string spacing is available. (A standard 19mm string spacing is possible but only with regular Status soap-bar pickups). The active EQ has all the features found on the KingBass Artist and Standard models : Master volume and pickup blend controls Active treble and bass controls with centre 'flat' detent Variable frequency midrange control with cut/flat/boost switch 18 volt battery supply with quick access flip-up battery boxes All Status custom options are available : Front and side LED's white LED's are the custom option chosen by Mark King but red, green, blue and amber are also available. The "BendWell" is also a custom option with the ball-bearing top-nut. Click on the links below for more photographs. RetroGlide - Front View RetroGlide - Back View RetroGlide - Front Body View   RetroGlide - Back Body View RetroGlide - Front Controls View RetroGlide - Front Top View RetroGlide - Pickup Detail View RetroGlide - Side Top View   RetroGlide - Side Back View RetroGlide - Woven Chrome Detail RetroGlide - LED's and BendWell RetroGlide - BendWell