Oktober Raven 12-String Basses / John Gallagher Signature model

A trio of Oktober Raven 12-string basses.

Oktober Raven JG12 12-String Basses

In 2011 Oktober Guitars teamed up with John Gallagher, bassist for the British heavy metal band Raven, to introduce the John Gallagher signature model JG12 12-string basses. These 12’s were designed in close cooperation with Gallagher, and they were available in two finishes, black and metallic red. There were a total of 25 basses of each color produced in South Korea, for a total of 50 basses. One red bass is known to have been destroyed by a shipping company.

The new product announcement for the Raven 12-string bass:

“A new model in our Raven Series of guitars, the John Gallagher Signature 12-string bass (JG12) is the first in our line of JG model basses. John Gallagher is world famous for his searing bass work and soaring vocals in the NWOBHM band Raven, but few know that his now classic bass solos on such songs as “Live at the Inferno’s Rock Until You Drop” were actually performed on a 12 string bass! In fact, the backbone of much of Raven’s material is John laying it down on a 12- or 8-string bass.

The JG12’s unique “lefty-styled righty” shape was designed by John himself, as well as the bridge choice, neck specs and profile. Choosing to “break the chain” of traditional 12-string basses, John wanted a more organic sound from his Signature bass, so the bass is equipped with an Oktober “Hellfire” soap-bar pickup in the bridge position, an Oktober “Brimstone” pickup in the neck position, and an Oktober “P-rimal” in the center position. The bass is wired with a Master volume and 3 way toggle for the bridge and neck pickups, and a master volume for the P-rimal pickup. This ingenious configuration lets you “blend in” the center pickup. Like the bridge pickup but want to add a little low end? Blend in some of the middle pickup. Like the neck position but want to add a little punch? Blend in the middle position! The tonal possibilities are only limited by your imagination.

FIVE piece neck-thru construction, dual truss rods to keep the neck straight (and from twisting!) a maple neck and mahogany body wings leave nothing left to chance. Premium bound ebony fretboard and red Raven “Flash” inlays take the JG12 to the limit. The JG12 is THE ULTIMATE in the 12-string bass field, made to take the rigors of hard live performances. You only need to be bold enough to try!

Standard options include: Hard rock maple neck w/ mahogany body wings. Neck-thru construction. Premium bound ebony fretboard with Raven “Flash” inlays. 22 fret neck. 34” scale. Oktober Hellfire soap-bar pickup (bridge), Oktober Brimstone pickup (neck), and Oktober P-rimal split pickup in center. (NOTE: Bass comes with a 4-saddle bridge as per John’s design, but can be upgraded to an 8-saddle bridge).

Available finishes: Metallic Red, Jet Black”
 

The original production run of JG12 basses was 10 instruments, five black and five red, in order to make sure the basses met Gallagher’s and Oktober’s standards. John Gallagher received the first two of these basses, one red and one black, and both were designated with “JG12: Prototype” written and covered with clear stickers on the back of the headstocks. Since these basses proved satisfactory the remaining 40 basses were built.

The black “Prototype” JG12 bass. The SCX10 sticker covers up the serial number decal.

Most basses do not have any additional stickers or markings.

“#11 of 50” has been added to this bass, indicating it is the first bass of the second production run.

Raven “Flash” lightning bolt inlays.

Single mono output, Volume and Tone controls, and pickup selector switch.

The Raven JG12 12-string bass incorporates a 4-saddle bridge and 12-hole tailpiece.

Oktober Raven Specs

  • Five-piece Maple neck through body construction with Mahogany body wings

  • Long 34” scale, 22 frets, dual truss rods

  • Bound neck with Raven “Flash” lightning bolt style inlays

  • Tune-O-Matic style 4-saddle bridge, generic tuners

  • Overall length 48 3/4”, Weight 12 lbs.

  • Generic pickups, Volume and Tone controls

  • Neck width at nut 50 mm; Neck width at 12th fret 65 mm

  • Headstock angle 13°

  • Made in Korea

All Oktober Raven JG12 12-string basses came with an ostrich skin finish hardshell case.

 

Terry Strudwick on stage with his Raven JG12 12-string bass.

 

Oktober Raven 12-string bass line art.

An 8-string bass in the Raven JG12 style but with block inlays was being custom built by Oktober but problems developed with the clear coat finish peeling off the metallic red paint. To our knowledge this bass was not completed.