Referred by many as the main workhorse of the Artisan Series, the Artisan C Class has now received new cool colors to really make a presence wherever it is being played. A lighter, more player-friendly Poplar body is used, while the same premium hardware such as the MetalCraft M bridge with versatile string loading system and Bartolini MK-1 pickup set with Markbass MB-1 preamp add superb tone and playability to the new Artisan C5 Deluxe.

Poplar is a fine tonewood that is reminiscent of Alder in sonic character. Full sounding with strong mids and a firm low-end that’s well balanced across the tonal spectrum, Poplar suits a variety of musical genres and playing styles for both electric guitars and basses.

The trademark Bartolini sound is preserved in the MK-1 while providing outstanding sound quality and value. The MK-1 delivers plenty of punchy and warm mids along with transparent and brilliant highs for a superbly balanced sound.

The Markbass MB-1 preamp provides a very natural and transparent boost that does not color the organic nature or resonance of the instrument’s woods. The combination of crystal clarity and natural warmth exudes a passive feel with smooth lows, full-bodied mids, and bell-like highs.

The solid, high-mass MetalCraft M bridge was developed with more focus on ease-of-use and greater tone transfer. Depending on the thickness of the strings, the dual string loading system allows the strings to be loaded either through the body or from the top to find the best optimal string tension, resulting in enhanced sustain, greater playability and focused sound. MetalCraft M has a string spacing of 18mm (0.708”) for the 5-string M5.

The combination of hard maple neck and jatoba fretboard provides tone balance and stability, as well as long sustaining durability.