The Marē 5 Masterbuilt is the upper limit of what Belforti builds — a five-string bass conceived without compromise, where every specification is chosen for maximum musical and visual impact. It is not a configured instrument. It is a built one.
The ash body is topped with a tamo ash cap of exceptional figuring — its wild, swirling grain patterns reading almost like a topographical map across the surface of the instrument. Under a clear gloss coat, the natural cream and amber tones of the tamo shift and move with the light, making this one of the most visually striking tops available in boutique lutherie. A maple neck and rosewood fretboard complete a classic, proven pairing — warm, fast, and immediately familiar under the hands. Rounded block inlays set into the rosewood add a refined visual detail that anchors the instrument's premium positioning without overstating it.
Electronics are handled entirely by Aguilar — AJ5 HOT pickups feeding into an OBP-3 three-band preamp. The pairing is deliberate: the HOT pickups push harder and wider than a standard passive design, and the OBP-3 gives the player surgical control over the full frequency spectrum. Bass, mid, and treble controls respond with the transparency and musicality that Aguilar is known for — shaping tone rather than imposing it.
The Marē 5 Masterbuilt is a commission instrument. The result of a single conversation between a player and a luthier, built once, built right.
The Marē 5 Masterbuilt is the upper limit of what Belforti builds — a five-string bass conceived without compromise, where every specification is chosen for maximum musical and visual impact. It is not a configured instrument. It is a built one.
The ash body is topped with a tamo ash cap of exceptional figuring — its wild, swirling grain patterns reading almost like a topographical map across the surface of the instrument. Under a clear gloss coat, the natural cream and amber tones of the tamo shift and move with the light, making this one of the most visually striking tops available in boutique lutherie. A maple neck and rosewood fretboard complete a classic, proven pairing — warm, fast, and immediately familiar under the hands. Rounded block inlays set into the rosewood add a refined visual detail that anchors the instrument's premium positioning without overstating it.
Electronics are handled entirely by Aguilar — AJ5 HOT pickups feeding into an OBP-3 three-band preamp. The pairing is deliberate: the HOT pickups push harder and wider than a standard passive design, and the OBP-3 gives the player surgical control over the full frequency spectrum. Bass, mid, and treble controls respond with the transparency and musicality that Aguilar is known for — shaping tone rather than imposing it.
The Marē 5 Masterbuilt is a commission instrument. The result of a single conversation between a player and a luthier, built once, built right.
European Ash combines lively resonance with excellent structural reliability, making it a versatile tonewood for electric instruments. Known for its clear attack and balanced frequency response, it delivers articulate highs, defined mids, and a tight, responsive low end. Its pronounced grain patterns also add natural visual depth, giving the wood a distinctive organic character while supporting strong vibration transfer and long-term stability.
Tamo ash — Japanese ash — produces some of the most dramatic figuring found in any tonewood. Its defining characteristic is a dense, turbulent grain pattern that swirls and folds across the surface in tight, unpredictable formations, creating a visual effect closer to abstract art than conventional wood figure. No two tamo tops share the same pattern, and highly figured pieces are considered among the most sought-after cap materials in boutique instrument building. Tonally, it contributes the brightness and definition characteristic of ash family woods — clear, present, and well-articulated across the full frequency range.
The AJ5 HOT is Aguilar's high-output take on the classic J-style pickup format, voiced specifically for five-string instruments. Wound hotter than a standard passive design, it delivers a stronger fundamental, a more pronounced midrange presence, and a fuller low-B response than conventional J pickups — without sacrificing the clarity and note separation the format is known for. It pairs naturally with active preamps, responding to EQ shaping with precision and musical transparency.
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Aguilar OBP3
TheAguilar OBP-3is a high-performance3-band active preampdesigned to deliverpowerful, flexible tone shapingwith ultra-low noise and crystal-clear signal clarity. Known for itsmusical EQ responseandhigh headroom, it allows bassists to sculpt their sound with precision, from deep, punchy lows to crisp, defined highs.
