The Charm of the Hama Okamoto Precision Bass Model

Hello, everyone. This is "Ken @ Bass Player," and I play bass in the Kansai area.

Today, I would like to focus on the bassist Hama Okamoto signature model and share my thoughts on it.

■ Hama Okamoto: A Bassist You Should Know...

First of all, when you think of Hama Okamoto, if you're reading this site, you probably already know, but he is the bassist of OKAMOTO'S and also supports various famous artists, including Gen Hoshino. He is an active bassist on the front lines of the music scene. Additionally, with the fact that he is the son of Masatoshi Hamada from Downtown, his presence has become widely known, not only among bass players and music lovers but also to the general public.

When I think of Hama Okamoto as a bassist, the image of a Precision Bass (Pre-Bass) stands out. While in recent years, he has used Fender Custom Shop Jazz Basses or sometimes Fender's American Professional Series Jazz Basses, what truly represents him is his 1968 Precision Bass.

The unique sound of the Pre-Bass, with its distinct "rough" tone, is perfectly delivered with his impeccable sense of groove. I think it’s something that is truly one-of-a-kind. In a world where Jazz Basses are recognized as the "typical bass sound," the fact that the sound of the Pre-Bass has been featured in many well-known hit songs and heard by many people is, in my opinion, incredibly significant.

■ The First-Generation Hama Okamoto Model

With so many appealing qualities that’s appealing to bassists, the first-generation Hama Okamoto model was created to bring his sound closer to fans. Officially, it's known as the "Fender HAMA OKAMOTO PRECISION BASS '#4'."

FENDER / #4 Hama Okamoto Precision Bass 3-Color Sunburst

This bass is part of the Japanese-made Fender lineup, and its price is around ¥100,000, making it relatively affordable. At first glance, it might seem like just another typical 3-tone sunburst Precision Bass, but the first-generation Hama Okamoto model incorporates several unique features that set it apart from the ordinary Pre-Bass.

The most notable feature is the neck, which is slim like that of a Jazz Bass. Typically, the neck of a Pre-Bass is thicker, which can be a bit tough for beginners. However, this Hama Okamoto model has a neck that is much more playable, offering excellent playability and comfort.

In terms of appearance, the model incorporates Hama Okamoto’s personal tastes, such as "paddle pegs" (the round tuners) and a "bridge cover." While these may seem like small details, if you look closely, you'll see that this bass has characteristics not typically found in a standard Pre-Bass, adding to its charm and individuality.

The body of the bass is made of basswood. At first glance, this might lead some to think, "Is this a budget model?" However, the lightweight nature of basswood makes the bass easy to handle, making it particularly convenient for both home practice and live performances. Personally, I believe this choice is a good one.

Additionally, the bass doesn’t feature any particularly noteworthy pickups. However, if you want to experiment, swapping them out for something like Fender Custom Shop or Seymour Duncan pickups could be an interesting way to customize the sound. (Sound House also offers a wide variety of Pre-Bass pickups.)

When actually playing the bass, it delivers a solid Pre-Bass sound, but the combination of the slimmer neck and basswood body results in a slightly brighter, more cutting tone compared to a typical Pre-Bass. It’s almost as if the sound stands out more. The thinner neck also makes it easier to play phrases that you might not typically attempt on a standard Pre-Bass, which adds an interesting element to the experience.

Initially, this bass was released only in a 3-tone sunburst finish, but later on, the Olympic White model was added, giving buyers the joy of choosing a color. Hama Okamoto himself has been using the white Pre-Bass more frequently in live performances, and I believe this color variation definitely piqued the interest of fans.

This bass is highly recommended not only for beginners but also for those with a bit more experience, especially for those who have primarily played Jazz Bass-style instruments in the past. It’s a model that can appeal to a wide range of players.

■ The New Hama Okamoto Model: "KATANA"

Then, in the summer of 2021, a completely new signature model by Hama Okamoto, the "KATANA," was released.

FENDER / Hama Okamoto Fender Katana Bass Black

This model recreates the Squier-brand "KATANA" used by Hama Okamoto, featuring an asymmetrical V-shaped body and a medium scale, making it a truly distinctive bass. Considering that the first model was a very orthodox bass, this new model is quite an unconventional design.

Additionally, in contrast to the first model, which didn't have particularly unique pickups, the "KATANA" now uses Fender "Pure Vintage '63 Precision Bass" pickups. For gear enthusiasts, pickups are a point of particular focus, so it's very impressive that Fender has included their own high-quality pickups in this model.

When you actually play this bass, the unique shape of the body means that you’ll likely end up playing while standing. However, once you understand that, it becomes incredibly easy to play. If you're accustomed to the long scale of a typical Fender bass, you'll be amazed by how much easier and more comfortable the medium scale is to play and navigate.

On the other hand, thanks to the Fender "Pure Vintage '63 Precision Bass" pickups, the sound doesn’t have that overly treble-heavy impression. Instead, it delivers a surprisingly solid Pre-Bass-like tone. This "KATANA" retains Fender's characteristic sound while also exuding an unconventional individuality. As a result, this Hama Okamoto signature model that could very well transcend being just a regular signature bass, offering something more unique and potentially groundbreaking.

■ To summarize

I recommend both the first-generation model and the second-generation KATANA not only for fans of Hama Okamoto, but also for bass players ranging from beginners to intermediate and advanced players.

While basses with a Jazz Bass-style sound tend to receive a lot of attention, Hama Okamoto has been conveying the appeal of the Precision Bass through his own performances and by releasing signature models. As Okamoto continues to make strides in the music scene, his future endeavors are definitely worth keeping an eye on. I, too, would like to support him while holding his signature model in my hands.

Thank you very much for reading until the end.

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