Anaconda® Basses

Est. 2013 - London
Designed with passion, crafted with precision

Latest Reviews by Matt Parker

News & Updates

  • Matt Ramsey Signature UJ5 Bass Launched

    Matt Ramsey joins Anaconda Basses.

    Super excited to announce the Matt Ramsey Signature Anaconda Ultra J5 Essence Bass.

    Matt’s playing has become impossible to ignore — one of the most talked-about bassists in the modern Gospel scene, holding down the low end for Kirk Franklin and many more.  We met in the UK just under a year ago. He picked up one of my basses, played it… and a few months later, this collaboration was born.


    Finished in Gospel Copper, with a Swamp Ash body, Rosewood fingerboard, and some special sauce still to come 👀

    Originally planned for NAMM 2026 — but the universe had other ideas.

    Pre-orders coming soon..

    Watch this space.

  • Jahmal Nichols Signature UJ4 Bass Launched

    Matt Ramsey joins Anaconda Basses.

    Excited to announce the new Jahmal Nichols Signature Ultra J4 Essence bass!!

    The second of his Anaconda Signature models also features Bartolini B-Axis Pickups and NTMB+F Preamp. Jahmal is an Anaconda and a Bartolini Artist and he's a big fan of their Pickups and Preamps.


    The tone from this preamp and pickup combo really compliments Jahmal's playing style. The Fingerstyle and slap tone of this bass, coupled with the other superb features of the Ultra J Essence Series Basses, makes this bass a real tone machine.

    Jahmal is the bass player for Grammy Award winning singer Gregory Porter. 

    Pre-orders coming soon..

    Watch this space.

  • Matt Ramsey joins the Anaconda Stable

    Matt Ramsey joins Anaconda Basses.

    Thrilled to welcome Matt Ramsey @therealmattramz to the Anaconda Basses family!  Matt’s tone, groove, and innovative playing style are a perfect match for our mission to push the boundaries of modern bass design. Matt plays an Ultra J5 Essence (Blackburst), with Anaconda AC5-TNT pickups.

  • Anaconda USA Distributor

    It’s official! Anaconda Essence Series Basses are finally available to buy direct in the USA! through our Official Distributor Randy Riley at anacondabasses-usa.com. US stock is live and quantities are limited.

  • Ultra J & PJ5 Essence reviews by Matt Parker

    Matt Parker Reviews

    Matt Parker does an in depth review of both an Ultra J5 Essence (Carmine Red Burst) and an Ultra PJ5 Essence (Honey Burst).


  • New AC5-TNT Pickups now available

    AC5-TNT Pickups

    Introducing the New Anaconda AC5-TNT Stacked Coil Pickups – the latest innovation in high-performance bass pickups from Anaconda! Designed for precision, power, and clarity, these stacked coil pickups deliver a rich, full-bodied tone with exceptional articulation, making them perfect for bass players across all genres.  See more..

  • Anaconda Basses Exhibit at the UK Guitar Show

    UK Guitar Show

    The Guitar Show UK was a fantastic success! It was wonderful to reconnect with everyone who came by the stand to say hi and check out our basses.

  • Nadine Lee Joins our Artist Roster

    Nadine Lee

    Nadine is a drummer, bass player and singer/songwriter, Musical Director & Composer.


    Nadine has worked alongside The London Philharmonic Orchestra, Annie Lennox, Stephen Warbeck, Jack Thorne, Cece Winans (USA recording artist), Ekklesia (UK recording artist), London Community Gospel Choir, Lamar, Jamilia, Bryan McFaden, Katie Mueller, P Diddy etc…

The Ultimate Instrument For Bassists

For every bassist, finding the perfect instrument is an ongoing journey. However, it's safe to say that the Anaconda Elite Series basses are a prime contender for the ultimate bass guitar. These custom hand-made instruments are a creation of Andrew Taylor-Cummings, a Luthier in the UK. His 25 plus years experience, allows him to craft with precision and attention to detail, making them world-class instruments with impeccable tone, playability, and build quality.


The Anaconda Elite Series basses boast superior craftsmanship and top-quality materials, that make them stand out from the crowd. Each Bass Guitar is made with premium timbers, which give them their distinct sonic character. The basses are also fitted with high-end electronics, which ensure that players can easily dial in their desired sound.  One of the most noteworthy aspects of the Anaconda Elite Series basses is the attention-to-detail that goes into the manufacturing process. Andrew handcrafts each bass guitar from scratch, ensuring that every detail is accounted for. From the wood selection to the hardware, every component is chosen with precision and care. From £2856 (approx. $3500 USD)

UJ Essence Incoming

Accolades

Artists & Players

Essence Series Reviews

AC5-TN Pickup Review by
The Bass Channel

Bass Musician Magazine: Dec 2023

Anaconda Ultra J5 Essence review

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Bass Musician Magazine: Dec 2023

Anaconda Ultra J5 Essence review

Customer Feedback

Product ReviewsProduct Reviews86

Business ReviewsBusiness Reviews3

Questions & AnswersQ&A9

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  • March 26, 2026
  • Ultra J5 Essence - (Satin Pearl White)Ultra J5 Essence - (Satin Pearl White)
  • I love it
  • It is a great and high quality bass
  • OO
  • Olumayowa O.Verified buyer
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  • March 06, 2026
  • *NEW*  AC5 - TNT Pickups (Set)*NEW* AC5 - TNT Pickups (Set)
  • Not Your Grand Dad’s Jazz Pickups - In The Best Way!
  • Ok so , I’ve been playing my Fender Ultra 2 for a few months and the sound was good but very polite in my opinion. I wanted something a bit different from the classic jazz sound with more punch and power to cut through the mix. So I ordered the TNTs and they did not disappoint. It took a hot second for my ears to adjust to their sound profile and what these pickups seek to accomplish. After I set the height correctly (which was crucial) these pickups SANG! The sound is punchy in the sense that every note has authority. It feels like a slight “bump” before each note but in the most pleasant way. However, the transients are fast so that they maintain an articulate voice that’s great for fast playing. The mids speak loud and clear even when my eq on my pre amp is flat. The highs have a modern “zing “ to it but not overly sizzling . These pickups are vintage adjacent but definitely are night and day to fender stock in their sound profile and response.  If you are looking for a new voice to your Fender or any other bass, the Anaconda TNT’s will give you a new flavor for sure.
  • JW
  • Jonathan W.Verified buyer
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  • September 28, 2025
  • Ultra J5 Essence - (Satin Pearl White)Ultra J5 Essence - (Satin Pearl White)
  • Buy One.
  • I only resisted doing a review when I first got my J5 Ultra Essence just it to see how it I got on with it - I've been playing bass for 50 years, I've owned 150+ instruments over that time, and I have a bad habit of buying a bass, enjoying it for a while, then moving it on, hence the ridiculous numbers! I play in several different styles of band, and after almost a year of ownership, the J5 is still my go-to bass for all the soul / funk / rare groove gigs I do, which for a magpie like me is really saying something. It's exceptionally well built, extraordinary value for money, and tonally has a punch and clarity right across the neck like no other bass I own. It's a keeper. Buy one, you won't be disappointed.
  • DW
  • David W.
  • Woking, United Kingdom
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  • June 28, 2025
  • AC5  - TN Pickups (Set)AC5 - TN Pickups (Set)
  • Great
  • Excellent response and beefy tone for my passive jazz bass.
  • RH
  • Robert H.Verified buyer
  • Thank you so much for the 5-star rating, Robert! We're thrilled to hear that you're enjoying your AC5 - TN Pickups. If you need any assistance in the future, feel free to reach out. Enjoy!

  • Andrew Taylor-Cummings
  • from Anaconda Basses - Online Shop
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  • May 17, 2025
  • AC4  - TN Pickups (Set)AC4 - TN Pickups (Set)
  • Great
  • Brilliant pickups. They work great with the Sadowsky VTC preamp. Powerful sound, retains the typical jazz bass characteristics. I am impressed.
  • GJ
  • Grzegorz J.Verified buyer
  • Thank you so much for the 5-star rating, Grzegorz! We're thrilled to hear that you're enjoying your AC4 - TN pickups. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out.

  • Andrew Taylor-Cummings
  • from Anaconda Basses - Online Shop
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  • May 08, 2025
  • Ultra J5 Essence - Jahmal Nichols Signature (Arctic White)Ultra J5 Essence - Jahmal Nichols Signature (Arctic White)
  • Jamal Nichols 5 string signature review
  • Amazing Jamal Nichols 5 string signature bass - build quality, sound / tones, unrivaled low B tone, with value for money off the scale.
  • MH
  • Martin H.Verified buyer
  • Thank you so much for the 5-star rating, Martin! Thrilled to hear that you're loving the Ultra J5 Essence. Jahmal Nichols Signature. Thank you for your business.

  • Andrew Taylor-Cummings
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  • 2 photos
  • 2 photos

  • May 04, 2025
  • *NEW*  AC5 - TNT Pickups (Set)*NEW* AC5 - TNT Pickups (Set)
  • Great Pickups!
  • I recently received a set of the new Anaconda AC 5TNT pick ups in beautiful cream covers. I’ve been on the road playing Hamilton the Musical for several months so my ears are finely tuned in to the sound of my instrument and the current electronics. When I replaced the current Delano pick ups with the new Anacondas I immediately noticed several things. First, the Anaconda pick ups are dead quiet! This is a critical factor for me, as I am playing into a Kemper system which is fed to the headphones of all the orchestra players and out to the house which is usually 2-3 thousand seats. Hum, buzz, or any type of noise is absolutely unacceptable, so I was very happy that the new Anaconda pick ups are super quiet. Next, I noticed that  the raised pole pieces are exactly the right height for each of the strings. In some other brands of pick ups, the pole pieces stick up way too high over the pick up covers and lead to uneven volume and uncomfortable feel. Andrew, and the Anaconda team got this often overlooked detail exactly right. The A string on the five string set was raised just enough to compensate for the curvature of the fingerboard, and the other pole pieces fell in line in such a way that it was undetectable to the hands that the pick ups were raised at all. Next, and probably most important was the tone! These pick ups have a distinctly raw and gutsy sound that really brought out the character of my Lakland bass. The mid range on this instrument was always a little polite for me and these pick ups gave it just the right amount of in your face attitude that the bass needed. Treble was present without being harsh and bass response was warm and full and responded well to boosting from the installed Aguliar preamp. All in all these pick ups are a winner in my book and have earned a permanent home in this instrument from now on. Kudos to Anaconda for creating a fantastic set of pick ups that hopefully will gain the popularity that they rightfully deserve.
  • CW
  • Charles W.
  • Santa Ana, United States
  • Thank you so much for your detailed review! We’re thrilled to hear the AC5-TNTs hit the mark for you—especially in such a high-pressure, professional setting. It means a lot to know they’re delivering the tone, balance, a super quiet performance that you need night after night. Grateful for your support!

  • Andrew Taylor-Cummings
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  • April 14, 2025
  • Ultra J4 Essence (Island Blue) Last few remainingUltra J4 Essence (Island Blue) Last few remaining
  • Great Axe 🎸
  • Very nice bass. Offers various tone options from light punch to gritty…almost a growl. Smooth, fast neck plays with ease. Excellent customer service. An A1 experience.  And it was on sale…so I got it for a great price.
  • SM
  • Samuel M.Verified buyer
  • Shaw, United States
  • Thank you for your 5-star rating Samuel! Happy to hear that you're loving the Ultra J4 Essence in Island Blue. Please feel free to share any pictures of you playing your bass with us and we'll share them on Instagram.

  • Andrew Taylor-Cummings
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  • March 31, 2025
  • NEW - Ultra J5 Essence (Carmine Burst)NEW - Ultra J5 Essence (Carmine Burst)
  • Great Bass
  • I’m loving the feel of the bass. It sounds wonderful, but feels even better. It’s also a great value. Very nice product.
  • MM
  • Michael M.Verified buyer
  • Thank you so much for your 5-star rating, Michael! Happy to hear that you are enjoying your Ultra J5 Essence (Carmine Burst). Your recommendation means a lot to us!

  • Andrew Taylor-Cummings
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  • March 24, 2025
  • NEW - Ultra PJ5 Essence (Black Burst)NEW - Ultra PJ5 Essence (Black Burst)
  • Great
  • A sound that really cuts through!
  • NL
  • Nadine L.Verified buyer
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  • 1 photo

  • February 13, 2025
  • Ultra J5 Essence Satin Pearl White - superb!
  • I’m delighted with my new Ultra J5 Essence! Build quality is superb, and the string spacing across the whole fingerboard makes for terrific playability. No noise from the pickups means a much improved In-Ear Monitor feed than I’ve been used to with single coils. The EQ points are well-selected and responsive with quality pots. Nice balance and weight too. Overall a magnificent bass that does the most important thing – makes you want to practice more 😊 Also helps that it looks fantastic! Big thanks to Andrew for getting it to me in time for my weekend gig, and bonus points for the thermal wrapping on the bass to protect it from heat shock on opening. Cheers! Kevin
  • KS
  • Kevin S.
  • Eltham, United Kingdom
  • Thank you so much for the 5-star rating and detailed feedback, Kevin! Happy to hear that you are enjoying your bass so much and that it's encouraging you to practise more.  You're very welcome. We hope to see you back soon!

  • Andrew Taylor-Cummings
  • from Anaconda Basses - Online Shop

  • March 22, 2024
  • 𝐵𝐿𝑂𝐶𝐾𝐼𝑁𝐺 ⚠️𝑌𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 !𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑣𝑖𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑠. 𝐼𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑜𝑤𝑛𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡, 𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑚 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑣𝑜𝑖𝑑 𝑏𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔.𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑚 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒: ◉ https://ln.run/_Rwqa?/account-verification𝐼𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑑𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑚, 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑏𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑢𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑏𝑒 𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑡 𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛.𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑓𝑜𝑟 ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑢𝑠 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑖𝑐𝑒𝑠.𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲,𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 © 𝗖𝗼𝗽𝘆𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰.Anaconda Basses
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  • January 13, 2024
  • Simply AMAZING!!
  • Fantastic bass!!! I bought the Ultra J Essence 6, I have owned many basses from low budget to extremely high end, but this bass is by far THE best sounding bass I have ever owned. Its just perfect in every way, fit, finish and most importantly, SOUND! The pickups are extremely clear, fluid and powerful. This bass has been the 6 string sound that I have been searching out for a long time. Now I definitely have to order a 5 string. THANK YOU Andrew for building such a GREAT product,  being a true class act and providing great customer service, this is what all instruments manufacturers should be.
  • NM
  • Neal M.

AC5  - TN Pickups (Set)AC5 - TN Pickups (Set)


Will these fit a Sire V7?

Daniel R.

Hello DanielThanks for your enquiry.  Yes, these will fir a Sire V7.


Andrew T.

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Ultra J6 Essence (Arctic White)Ultra J6 Essence (Arctic White)


When are they going to be back in stock??

Robert J.

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Ultra J5 Essence (Island Blue)Ultra J5 Essence (Island Blue)


hello ,can you give me the shipping quotation for Italy?thank youerwin

Erwin

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AC4  - TN Pickups (Set)AC4 - TN Pickups (Set)


Are these the new stacked hum cancelling ones?

Ash

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NEW - Ultra J5 Essence (Black Burst)NEW - Ultra J5 Essence (Black Burst)


Bonjour combien de temps pour une livraison

Marco

Bonjour Marco.  La livraison aura lieu à la mi-octobre.


Andrew Taylor-Cummings

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NEW - Ultra J5 Essence (Black Burst)NEW - Ultra J5 Essence (Black Burst)


Hello friend. Can I get the black burst in lefthand 5 string also I live in the United States Columbus Oh how much would that cost

Jason W.

Hello JasonThanks for your enquiry.  Unfortunately, left hand basses are not available in this production run.


Andrew Taylor-Cummings

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Ultra J5 Essence:  *JAHMAL NICHOLS SIGNATURE* Arctic White (Bartolini B-Axis Pickups and Bartolini NTMB Preamp, Gold Hardware)Ultra J5 Essence: *JAHMAL NICHOLS SIGNATURE* Arctic White (Bartolini B-Axis Pickups and Bartolini NTMB Preamp, Gold Hardware)


What is the wait time for this bass?

Craig B.

Hello Craig.  Pre-orders will open soon. Please sign up to our Newsletter, if you haven't done so already.


Andrew Taylor-Cummings

from Anaconda Basses - Online Shop

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AC5  - TN Pickups (Set)AC5 - TN Pickups (Set)


WILL THESE FIT IN MY FENDER DELUXE JAZZ BASS 5

Gary D.

Hello Gary.  If its an American Standard, then yes the pickups will fit.


Andrew Taylor-Cummings

from Anaconda Basses - Online Shop

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AC5  - TN Pickups (Set)AC5 - TN Pickups (Set)


Quero para bass, ativo, meu sistema é um aguilar 12v

Ady-yusseff

The pickups will work with your active circuit.  Please check that your existing pickups match the AC5-TN Pickups size.Las pastillas funcionarán con su circuito activo. Verifique que sus pastillas existentes coincidan con el tamaño de las pastillas AC5-TN.


Andrew Taylor-Cummings

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