{"product_id":"mcgrath-thumper-black-sands-passive-short-scale","title":"McGrath Thumper J-Style Short-Scale Bass - Black Sands - Passive","description":"\u003ch2\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Black Sands Thumper is the deliberately simpler counterpoint to the active Thunderhorse models. It is a passive 30-inch short-scale J-style bass with a mahogany body, roasted flame maple neck and fingerboard, and two Nordstrand Big Split pickups. Rather than adding an active preamp, McGrath builds extra performance function into a familiar Volume \/ Volume \/ Tone format.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy Players Choose This\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eShort-scale players often choose the format for comfort, quicker reach and a different fundamental feel, but they do not necessarily want a stripped-down instrument. The Thumper keeps the 30-inch scale while adding professional hardware, stainless steel frets and two Nordstrand split-coil pickups. Volume 1 can act as a kill switch for instant muting, while the second-volume routing can place the pickups in series for a substantially bigger output and thicker combined sound.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Points\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e30-inch short-scale J-style bass\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSignature Black Sands finish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMahogany body with roasted flame maple neck and fingerboard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo Nordstrand Big Split pickups\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFully passive Volume \/ Volume \/ Tone control layout\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDedicated kill-switch function on Volume 1\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeries-routing function for a higher-output combined pickup sound\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMedium jumbo stainless steel frets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBadass high-mass bridge and lightweight nickel tuners\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApproximately 8.2 lb\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMcGrath ProTec hybrid case included\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eThe Player's Point of View\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom a player's standpoint, this is the easiest McGrath in the group to understand at first touch. There is no battery, no active EQ and no selector system to learn. What makes it different is that the familiar controls have performance tricks built into them. A quick kill function is useful onstage, and the series option gives the player a more aggressive combined pickup voice without adding another preamp or pedal.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBuilt for the Culture\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBuilt for the culture here means recognizing that not every professional player wants a long-scale active bass. The Thumper gives short-scale and passive-bass players a boutique option with stainless frets, reinforced construction, serious pickups and stage-useful switching while keeping the basic interaction immediate.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy TCU Recommends This\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTCU recommends the Black Sands Thumper because it solves a different problem from the Thunderhorse. It is compact in scale and simple in signal path, but not basic in execution. The kill-switch and series-routing functions add real performance value without compromising the appeal of a passive bass.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Specs\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModel:\u003c\/strong\u003e J-Style Thumper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Black Sands\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBody:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mahogany\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNeck:\u003c\/strong\u003e Roasted Flame Maple with carbon fiber reinforcement\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFingerboard:\u003c\/strong\u003e Roasted Flame Maple, 12-inch radius\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrets:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium Jumbo Stainless Steel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNut Width:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.5-inch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScale Length:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30-inch short scale\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8.2 lb\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePickups:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nordstrand Big Split x2\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePickup Configuration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dual Big Split\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eElectronics:\u003c\/strong\u003e Passive Volume \/ Volume \/ Tone; Volume 1 kill-switch function; Volume 2 series-routing function\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eControl Layout:\u003c\/strong\u003e Volume 1 with Kill Switch, Volume 2 with Series Routing, Tone\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBridge:\u003c\/strong\u003e Badass High-Mass, nickel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTuners:\u003c\/strong\u003e Badass Lightweight, nickel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardware:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nickel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePickguard:\u003c\/strong\u003e Black\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStrings:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not specified by manufacturer on source page\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIncluded Case:\u003c\/strong\u003e McGrath ProTec Hybrid Case\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brand New\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Black Sands Thumper is a premium passive short-scale bass with enough extra function to separate it from a conventional J-style design. It is a particularly strong fit for players who value comfort, direct passive tone, punchy Nordstrand pickups and simple stage-ready controls.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"McGrath","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52563444760856,"sku":"TCU-MCG-TMP-BS","price":2320.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0977\/0339\/5608\/files\/blacksandjuly222026thumbcopy.jpg?v=1787605268","url":"https:\/\/www.tonecultureunited.com\/products\/mcgrath-thumper-black-sands-passive-short-scale","provider":"Tone Culture United","version":"1.0","type":"link"}