Kikuchi Hermes “MV” & “RV” Series

Neck

Each neck is built from carefully selected tonewood, chosen for its structural integrity and acoustic potential. The necks are crafted from maple. RV models feature rosewood fingerboards, contributing a warmer, more rounded, vintage-leaning response, while MV models use maple fretboards for a brighter, more immediate attack.

The neck is graphite-reinforced for long-term stability and even notes over the entire fingerboard, while a subtly thickened headstock enhances resonance and contributes to a naturally balanced playing feel.

A nut width slightly narrower than a standard J-style design is paired with a neck profile that retains the right amount of substance for strength and sustain, while remaining comfortable and secure in the hand. This combination supports smooth movement across the entire fingerboard, from low positions to the upper register, allowing both classic and modern techniques to feel equally at ease, even on a five-string neck. Because the first position sits approximately one inch closer to the player than on conventional designs, the left hand has less distance to cover. Some players describe it as a 34” bass with the feel of a 33” scale.

The high-hardness nickel frets are selected for their durability and their ability to minimize unwanted mechanical noise. This results in a clean, focused attack and a clear, punchy response. While the instrument offers 22 frets for extended range, careful control of neck relief and a neck joint positioned slightly closer to the bridge preserve a familiar, traditional playing feel.

The action can be set as low as desired. The string height is evenly optimized across all fret positions, ensuring consistency and control regardless of playing style. From a firm pick attack or a slap, to a lighter fingerstyle touch, the instrument responds with clarity, balance, and nuance.

Body

The redesigned body features a more compact, elegant shape that remains comfortable to play both standing and seated. Beyond its modern tonal character and excellent playability, the solid body offers natural resonance and supports a wide range of tonal variations. While lightweight instruments are increasingly popular, our primary focus is on playability, sound, and overall comfort, particularly balance. That said, the instruments are designed to remain relatively light, with typical weights ranging typicaly between 3,500 and 4,200 grams.

RV Model
The RV model features an alder body, paired with a rosewood fingerboard. This combination delivers a warm, enveloping tonal character with a comfortable, supportive low end.

MV Model
The MV model uses an ash body combined with a maple fingerboard. The result is a dry, punchy response with a crisp, clean attack and added clarity.

RV-Ash Model
The RV-Ash model pairs an ash body with a rosewood fingerboard, producing a clear, cohesive tone that balances definition with warmth.

Hardware

Lightweight Hipshot hardware is used throughout the series, keeping overall weight low, supporting balance, and allowing the natural character of the wood to resonate freely.

Pickups

DiMarzio custom hum-canceling pickups deliver an open, full, crisp tone with powerful punch and reduced noise.

Preamp

The instrument features an original preamp developed in collaboration with leading design manufacturers to achieve Kikuchi’s signature tone, with exceptionally low noise and distortion.

This two-band, boost-only preamp delivers clear, natural low and high frequencies across its entire range, while subtly shaping the midrange. The amount of boost can be adjusted with precision, allowing for fine control rather than extremes. When switching between passive and active modes, the circuit is designed to minimize perceptible differences in both volume and tonal character.

Line up

MV4 (4-string Ash/Maple)
RV4 (4-string Alder/Rosewood)
RV4-Ash (4-string Ash/Rosewood)

MV5 (5-string Ash/Maple)
RV5 (5-string Alder/Rosewood)
RV5-Ash (5-string Ash/Rosewood)

Specifications (specifications are subject to change without notice)