Kikuchi Hermes “70” Series

The “70″ Series features a full-size body, a 20-fret neck, and traditional ’70s pickup placement: elements that work together to define its distinctive tonal character.

This model follows classic 1970’s specifications throughout, delivering a rich, solid low end alongside crisp, extended highs. Dual volume controls allow independent adjustment of each pickup, offering a wide and expressive range of tonal variations.

Neck

Each neck is crafted from carefully selected tonewood, chosen for its structural integrity and acoustic potential, then reinforced for long-term stability and an even response across the entire fingerboard. A subtly thickened headstock further enhances resonance, contributing to a balanced, lively playing feel. Built on this foundation, the 20-fret design delivers a crisp, punchy response with excellent articulation and snap, making it particularly well suited to slap and other dynamic playing styles.

The M70 series features a 10” fingerboard radius on 4-string models and a slightly flatter 12” radius on 5-string versions. The 10” radius provides a familiar, traditional feel with natural control, while the 12” radius offers a more even playing surface that supports low, consistent action and enhanced clarity across the extended range. Together, these specifications strike a careful balance between comfort, precision, and modern playability.

A nut slightly narrower than a standard J-style design is paired with a neck profile that offers reassuring substance without sacrificing comfort. The result is effortless movement across the entire fingerboard, allowing both classic and modern techniques to feel equally natural: even on the 5-string models. 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.

Extra high-hardness nickel frets are chosen for their exceptional durability and their ability to reduce unwanted mechanical noise, resulting in a clean attack and a focused, articulate tone.

The action can be set remarkably low, with string height optimized across every fret position for exceptional consistency and control. Whether playing with a firm pick attack, an expressive slap technique, or a light fingerstyle touch, the instrument responds with clarity, balance, warmth, and nuance.

Body

The full-size body is designed to handle strong, dynamic input while delivering a commanding tonal presence. It produces the rich, authoritative low end and natural wood resonance that a full-size form naturally supports.
The body is crafted from ash, whose dry, punchy character blends seamlessly with the depth and projection inherent to the full-size design.

Pickups

The bridge pickup follows the traditional 1970s placement, positioned slightly closer to the bridge, expanding the tonal range of the instrument. The neck pickup delivers a deep, warm foundation, while the bridge pickup adds a tighter, more focused and punchy character with excellent definition. Blending both pickups results in a full, rich sound, combining dynamic lows with clear, sparkling highs.

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 refined tonal 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.

A classic dual-volume control layout is used instead of a pickup balance control. This supports a slightly more open sound and allows precise, independent adjustment of each pickup, offering a wide and nuanced range of blended tones. Paired with the preamp, this configuration maintains a direct and predictable response to volume adjustments, ensuring subtle changes translate clearly and consistently in both passive and active operation.

Line up

M70-4 (4-string Ash/Maple)
M70-5 (5-string Ash/Maple)