MJ24-704MV/R

Introduction

Momose’s “Modern Virtuoso series” pays homage to the history of traditional electric guitars and basses while incorporating modern specifications demanded by today’s artists.

The term “Virtuoso” in the series name refers to a master or expert in the arts, particularly music. While such words may conjure an image of grandiosity, in today’s world, where anyone can freely express and share themselves across diverse platforms like social media and video-sharing sites, everyone has the potential to become a performer worthy of being called a “master.”

Crafted by the skilled artisans of Aska Workshop, who have steadily honed their techniques and experience while witnessing the passage of time, we present instruments that seamlessly integrate into the modern music scene.

Vintage-inspired 24-fret design

Generally, 24-fret basses tend to have a different sound character than vintage-style basses with fewer frets due to their construction. However, the theme we set for developing this “MJ24” was to create a 24-fret bass with a vintage feel and sound. To extend the range to 24 frets while preserving the look and tonal character of 20- or 21-fret basses, we developed a new body shape from the ground up, meticulously examining every design detail.

The body edges feature rounded chamfers, preserving a traditional aesthetic despite the inherently slim 24F construction.

On the other hand, we’ve implemented modifications like contouring the back of the neck joint and cutting notches in the horn section to enhance playability in the higher fret ranges, achieving a balance between aesthetics and performance. The notches on the back of the horn allow the left hand to move freely when fretting the lower strings in the higher positions, improving playability.

Large-Neck Joint with a wider bonding area

Standard 24-fret basses often feature a wider cutaway opening, resulting in a smaller joint area between the body and neck. This construction tends to produce a slightly thinner core sound compared to 20-fret or 21-fret basses. This model employs a “large joint” design that increases the joint area, achieving a moderately thick tone with a character closer to that of a traditional JB-style bass.

Part placement focused on “not changing anything”

The pickup, various control knobs, bridge, and strap pin positions are configured to closely match the layout found on traditional 20-fret basses and 21-fret basses. This allows players accustomed to the traditional style to switch over smoothly and without discomfort.

Straight-grained neck

The neck is crafted from exceptionally rare, carefully selected straight-grained hard maple, a highly prized material for bass necks. It offers superior resistance to warping and provides long-lasting stability, ensuring years of reliable playability.

Momose quality, meticulously crafted down to the finest detail

Like the “MJ” in the Momose Original series, it features meticulously crafted details such as wood binding made from the same material as the fingerboard and an embedded neck joint plate. We invite you to pick it up and experience the craftsmanship for yourself.

The binding around the fingerboard is made from the same wood as the fingerboard itself, preventing issues such as fret burrs caused by drying.

We perform a recessed finish to ensure no step is created between the neck plate and the body.

A recess cut into the body end for truss rod adjustment. The large opening allows for smooth rod adjustment. Of course, there’s no need to remove the neck.

The Momose brand’s new concept, the “Modern Virtuoso” logo, is placed on the headstock top.

Comments from Momose craftsmen who played a central role in the development of the MJ24

▲ Aska Co., Ltd. Yasumasa Kajita
“The development of this model started with me wanting a bass with a 24-fret configuration and wondering if such a concept would be achievable without any compromises. The most important thing we kept in mind during development was to maintain the traditional bass style. That’s why we decided to maintain all part placements the same as in the 20- and 21-fret models. We worked hard to expand the design to 24-frets while maintaining the sound and playability of a traditional 20-fret and 21-fret bass. A typical 24-fret bass tends to have a smaller neck joint area due to its structure, which seems to affect the sound more than we would initially expect. In order to overcome this point, we designed a wide joint area and aimed for a thick and solid tone. In addition, the outer circumference of the body has been deliberately rounded, and fine adjustments have been made to retain the lovable “dullness” of the old-fashioned basses. You may not notice it at first glance, but it’s actually a point that I paid a lot of attention to. The 24-fret bass often sports a bush joint, but the neck plate also helps the sound character get closer to a traditional bass. The 24-fret bass, especially the 5-string model, generally has a strong image of a modern sound that emphasizes bass in an active circuit, but this model is passive because it has the theme of expanding the range while maintaining a traditional feel. Please give them a try if you have the chance! “

-New Specifications Following the Renewal-

Mojotone® Classic Jazz Bass

We selected Mojotone, a hand-wired pickup manufacturer based in North Carolina, USA. Utilizing Alnico 5 magnets and fiber-core bobbins, each pickup undergoes precise tuning to maintain balanced volume and tonal characteristics between the rear and front pickups.

The bridge pickup position differs between the alder-bodied 604 and the ash-bodied 704. On the latter, featuring a 70s-style specification, the bridge pickup is positioned approximately 1 cm closer to the bridge, producing a more trebly sound. (※Pickup positioning remains unchanged from the pre-renewal model)

Turbo Switch

Features a “Turbo Switch” that boosts the tone pot to deliver a powerful, thick tone. Despite its passive circuitry, it expands tonal possibilities, enhancing the player’s expressiveness and creativity.

Luminlay phosphorescent material side dots

All models feature Luminlay photoluminescent material for side position markers, which stores light and emits it in darkness. This specification is highly valued in darker or more dimly lit live houses and concert halls, and enjoys strong support from professional musicians. It reduces the risk of losing sight of your position in the dark.

Puretone® Audio jack

All models feature Puretone® jacks, renowned for their secure hold and low noise. Unlike conventional audio jacks with separate hot and cold terminals, these incorporate two hot and two cold terminals each, firmly gripping the plug from both sides. Resistant to loosening even with long-term use, they deliver stable performance to support your playing.

GOTOH® GBU510C-12 Machine heads

The GOTOH® GBU510C-12, featuring a compact size and stylish look, is adopted as the base model tuning machine heads. GOTOH®’s precision construction and a 20:1 gear ratio ensure stable tuning.

Frets

Features Jescar® FW55090NS (※9662NS) medium jumbo frets with a height of 1.4mm and a width of 2.28mm.

Centralab® Oil Capacitor

With the development of the new pickups, we also reevaluated the capacitor. From numerous candidates, we selected Centralab’s oil-filled capacitor based on its compatibility with the sound profile of the pickups. It offers excellent responsiveness to the player’s nuances and a bright, forward-projecting sound, creating the new Momose tone.

Fingerboard designed for diverse playing styles

Featuring a 310R radius fingerboard, which is flatter than the vintage style. This allows for lower string action than ever before, making it easier to tackle technical playing that demands fast fretting.

How to distinguish from past models

Previous Momose models featured only the “MADE IN JAPAN” label, but the renewed models from 2026 onward adopted a new design incorporating the “Aska Quality” logo on top of it.