Academically Thinking...
Before joining Scott's Bass Lessons, Philip was a quintessential part of London's 'Institute of Contemporary Music and Performance’ bass faculty. Not only a senior lecturer, his commissioned course writing enveloped a vast array of academia - ranging from Part Time and Diploma programmes, to Bachelors and Masters Degree materials.
The success and quality of his materials resulted in an international decoration from The Players School of Music, in Florida: awarding him a ‘Certificate of Academic Excellence’ in response to ‘on going dedication and devotion to music’. Scott Devine describes him as "a natural born teacher", Jeff Berlin heralds him as "one of three go-to tutors in Europe".
Academically Thinking...
Before joining Scott's Bass Lessons, Philip was a quintessential part of London's 'Institute of Contemporary Music and Performance’ bass faculty. Not only a senior lecturer, his commissioned course writing enveloped a vast array of academia - ranging from Part Time and Diploma programmes, to Bachelors and Masters Degree materials.
The success and quality of his materials resulted in an international decoration from The Players School of Music, in Florida: awarding him a ‘Certificate of Academic Excellence’ in response to ‘on going dedication and devotion to music’. Scott Devine describes him as "a natural born teacher", Jeff Berlin heralds him as "one of three go-to tutors in Europe".
Academically Thinking...
Before joining Scott's Bass Lessons, Philip was a quintessential part of London's 'Institute of Contemporary Music and Performance’ bass faculty. Not only a senior lecturer, his commissioned course writing enveloped a vast array of academia - ranging from Part Time and Diploma programmes, to Bachelors and Masters Degree materials.
The success and quality of his materials resulted in an international decoration from The Players School of Music, in Florida: awarding him a ‘Certificate of Academic Excellence’ in response to ‘on going dedication and devotion to music’. Scott Devine describes him as "a natural born teacher", Jeff Berlin heralds him as "one of three go-to tutors in Europe".
"Phil Mann is alongside Steve Bailey,
Bruce Getz, John Patitucci and Victor Wooten
as one of my top five instructors on the planet”
Jeff Berlin
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The Philip Mann Signature Series
Overwater Basses first approached Philip with the proposition of designing and manufacturing a signature j-bass in the fall of 2017.
Despite the more recent publicity surrounding their affiliation, Philip's relationship with Chris May and his wonderful team of luthiers actually commenced way back in 2002, whilst preparations were being made for a European tour with fusion guitarist, Tolis Zavaliaris.
Music careers tend to continually demand the evolution of instrumentation - thankfully they also have the tendency to move in fads. This was very much the case in 2002, as while preparations for Greece evolved, an additional run of shows with a Pat Metheny big band conveniently commenced. Both contracts were predominately fretless bookings, so the necessity (and opportunity) for investment prevailed. The proposed list of specifications was met by one of Chris May's innovations, the 'Progress III'.
From then until now, it's been these instruments that have become an intricate part of every chapter of Philip's career; from international bass guitar exhibitions, to an array of touring stages shows, theatre productions and recordings.
"The simplest way to describe my signature model j-bass is to envision it as a 'Progress III' presented in a traditional housing. Everything from the fretboard radius, number of frets, onboard electronics and neck construction have been designed with this instrument in the forefront of my mind".
- Philip Mann
Little did anyone know at the time that the 'Philip Mann Custom J' would become the blueprint for an entire range of basses to be sold worldwide.
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Bass Guitar Magazine advertisement, circ. '17
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Overwater advertisement, circ. '20
Philip Mann Signature Series
The 'PM Signature series is Philip's envision and attempt at refining Leo Fender's timeless and seminal design. This modernisation was featured in Overwater's initial advertisement campaign, published in Bass Guitar Magazine, circ. '17
Flagship Specifications:
Scale Length: 24 fret, 34ins (thru body construction).
Neck: 3 piece Maple quarter sawn, extended bolt-on.
Body: Swamp Ash (natural satin finish).
Top: Figured Ash (matching headstock veneer).
Fretboard: Rosewood, white binding with Abalone block inlays.
Pick-ups: Bartolini Original Dual Coil J (hum cancelling).
Electronics: Bartolini HR-4.6AP/918 (Active/Passive circuit).
Layout: Vol-Blend-Mid (250-800Hz parametric) Bass/Treble stack.
Bridge: Hipshot A-style (18mm spacing).
Tuners: Hipshot Ultra-Lite.
Control Knobs: East Tone ltd - Fender Style.
The concept behind the instrument's construction was simple: attempt to transcend as many Progress III features as possible into a more traditional housing. So, although aesthetic comparisons can be drawn between this and the design of a traditional j-bass, on closer inspection, you'll discover a true wolf in sheep's clothing.
All Philip Mann signature models are 100% customisable, so, despite PMs personal preferences on electronics and hardware, there are naturally a sea of beautiful and stylish variations in circulation - all derived from the original design; 'Foghorn'.
Developing the prototype (aka 'Marvin'), with Overwater's Chris May
For more information please contact: Overwater Basses
www.overwaterbasses.com | +44 (0) 1228 590591