While many companies build copies of the same-old same-old, Strandberg pushes the boundaries of electric instruments. Founded by Ola Strandberg, this Swedish guitarmaker has garnered a strong reputation for a unique approach to guitar manufacturing, focusing on enhanced playability, comfort, and aesthetics.
The Boden series is Strandberg's flagship line. The Boden Original 5 is constructed of a Swamp Ash body with a Flame Maple top and a Roasted Maple neck. Its lightweight, headless design provides exceptional comfort, ergonomics, and playability. The multi-scale 5-string neck may seem unusual at first, but as you get a feel for it, playing becomes effortless. The Boden Original 5 has Strandberg's patented EndurNeck neck profile, which is like nothing you've tried before. Unlike a round profile, the flat edges of the EndurNeck allow your thumb to remain relaxed. It's thick, too, based around the idea that your hand is stronger when gripping something thick than when gripping something thin.
For electronics, the Boden Original 5 is oufitted with two Nordstrand Zen Blade soapbar-size noiseless single-coil pickups, which are customized to match the radius of the fretboard. It has an active 3-Band Preamp that allows the player to tailor the sound with detailed precision over a very broad sonic range.
This Boden Original 5 was made in 2019. It has been played, and it shows some minor signs of play and use. The worst are some scuffs on the back by the treble cutaway (see photos). Strandbergs are designed to be comfortable to play for hours at a time, and there aren't many 5-string basses as manageable and easy to play than the Boden Original 5. This one weighs in at 6 lbs 6.3 oz, and it balances perfectly on a strap. The body is perfectly contoured, and in your hands, this Strandberg feels like it was made with the utmost precision. It's an impressive, forward-thinking design that will push your music into new territory. It includes its original gig bag.