Unlike many builders you see on the Destroy All Guitars website, all guitars from Longbottom are strictly MADE TO ORDER, built by hand, and are fully custom to your specifications. This is one of the areas where Destroy All Guitars shines - because of our decades of experience guiding folks to their dream guitar we are the perfect go-between to manage your custom build. The lead time on full custom builds is usually 15-20 weeks - this is from receipt of first deposit through to completion.
All Longbottom builds utilize the following:
- Hand picked, premium woods for both the neck and body, special woods can be sourced too
- Pickups from Sunbear, Radioshop, Bare Knuckle (or pickups of your choice)
- CTS pots, P.I.O caps, Switchcraft electronics
- Gotoh, Wudtone, Callaham or Wilkinson hardware
- Your choice of fretboard radius 7.5”, 9.5” or 12”
- Color choices from one of England’s best bodywork and finishing workshops
- All guitars are finished in a traditional spec nitrocellulose lacquer that ages over time to give a natural patina of vintage checking and true vintage wear, hard wearing modern polyurethane finishes are also available on request
- All full custom builds come with a Hiscox hard case included in the price
Popular Upgrades:
- Roasted maple neck: $45
- Sunburst or multicolour finish: $115
- Candy finish: $215
- Callaham trem upgrade: $130
- Body binding: from $115
- Compound radius fretboard - $130
The model described below should be considered a possible starting point for your Longbottom guitar. When you're ready to discuss and order your instrument - CALL US TO ORDER.
The Quattro is the first original bass design in the Karl Longbottom Guitars range. Drawing inspiration from other Longbottom models, key design elements are incorporated into a bass instrument that balances classic appeal with modern refinement.
With a 34” scale length, the Quattro follows the standard for four-string basses, ensuring proper tension on the low E string so that notes ring out clearly across the fretboard. As with all Karl Longbottom instruments, meticulous attention to detail is evident in every aspect of its build. The slightly offset body shape, along with a belly cut and arm carve, provides exceptional comfort whether playing seated or standing. The sculpted horns allow easy access to all frets, expanding the instrument’s playability. The neck shape is carefully designed for effortless transitions between low and high registers, making both single-note runs and chord work a breeze. The Quattro blends elements of both P-style and J-style basses, offering a feel that suits a wide range of players and hand sizes. A rolled fretboard and roomier lower cutaway enhance the playing experience.
Using a threaded bolt construction instead of traditional screws ensures a more precise and secure neck fit, delivering resonance comparable to a glued-in neck while maintaining the convenience of a bolt-on system.
Tonewoods & Construction
Karl Longbottom Guitars is known for crafting lightweight instruments, and the Quattro is no exception. The body is made from swamp ash, a wood prized for its balance of weight, resonance, and sustain. Often described as having a sweet, balanced tone with slightly scooped mids, swamp ash provides an excellent foundation for the pickups to shine. However, as with all natural materials, variations in weight and tone occur, influenced by factors like climate and growth conditions. The best way to experience the Quattro’s sonic character is to play one in person and let your ears decide.
Electronics & Pickup Configuration
The Quattro features a unique combination of the Sunbear “Split P” and ‘51 Bucker pickups, paired with an innovative switching system. Each pickup has independent volume and tone controls, providing near-limitless tonal flexibility. Tappable pots allow for coil splitting and phase reversal, unlocking a vast range of sonic possibilities. Longbottom uses the best hardware to make sure that your bass is always at its best. The small details add up and that's why Longbottom uses Paper In Oil Caps, CTS pots and Switchcraft jack and control switch.
- Body: swamp ash, high-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer
- Neck: flame maple, oil or lacquer finish
- Measurements: 34.0” scale length. 22mm at 1st fret, 24.5mm at 12th fret, 38.1mm width bone nut
- Fretboard: Indian rosewood, 7.25, 9.5 or 12” radius options available, medium jumbo fret wire, mother of pearl dot inlays
- Construction: threaded bolt construction for a tighter, more resonant fit, offering improved sustain
- Hardware: Gotoh vintage split post tuners, Gotoh bridge
- Pickups: Sunbear Split P & ‘51 Bucker
- Electronics: CTS tappable pots, Paper-In-Oil caps, Switchcraft jack
- Includes: Hiscox hard case