Traben Phoenix 4 - Blood Red 4-string Electric Bass Review

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(More customer reviews)So, looking for a lefty bass is always challenging. But when I saw the Traben Phoenix, I thought my prayers were answered - it was a case of immediate lust. However, my lust soon turned to disgust after I received my bass. It arrived looking beautiful, but I immediately discovered that the pot that controls the blending of each pickup was non-functional. Hanser Music, the distributor of Traben, would not allow me to have the bass looked at locally (there is no dealer within several hundred miles) and required me to send it back to them. It took over six weeks for them to repair the bass and get it back to me (requiring my purchase of a back up bass to continue my instruction) - and lo and behold when I finally got it back, there was a terrible hum when I plugged it in. Deciding to eat the cost, rather than have another interminable delay, I took it to a local repair shop where I discovered that the bass was not properly grounded. It cost me $40 to have it repaired. I will note that after a lot of back and forth with Hanser, they did reimburse me the $40. Unfortunately, the story does not end there - soon thereafter, the same pickup pot stopped working. I opened up the bass and discovered a very poorly soldered wire on the pot. I resoldered it myself and since them, the bass works properly.
While my Traben bass does look wonderful and sounds great, no one should have to worry about purchasing a new $600 instrument and having to deal with multiple problems necessitating the expenditure of much time and trouble. Traben manufactures the Phoenix in Korea and it appears that the quality control is very poor both in Korea and here in the US. While Hanser's customer service is very pleasant, it shouldn't have been that hard to check out the bass before both initial shipment to the dealer and before returning a defective product to the consumer. I would not recommend purchasing a Traben bass unless you have a local dealer who is prepared to stand behind the product.

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Fender American Standard Precision Bass 3-Tone Sunburst Maple Fretboard Review

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(More customer reviews)This bass has all the punch and bottom that's been missing from other basses I've played. Delightfully easy to play and significantly lighter than I'd expected. Tuners and truss rod adjustment are extremely smooth and responsive, and the maple neck is fast. Finish is better than one would expect from a production-line instrument. All-in-all, worth every dime.

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Behringer Ultrabass BX1800 Bass Combo 180W (Standard) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have had this combo for about a month now - and am very pleased. I was initially looking at the Ampeg BA115 (a friend has one), but the starting price of $320.00+ (even used) put it just a bit outside what I could reasonably afford. Having had good results from a small 10-watt guitar practice amp from Behringer, I decided on this combo.
The sound is strong and clear, with good control from the EQ - I can get anything from a low rumble to a very snappy and percussive slap. I have not had the chance to really crank the volume - the highest I've gotten was about 6 on the master and 7 on the gain, and the windows in my apartment were starting to rattle.
I have two basses that I have run through the combo - an SX Jazz Bass-style, and a mid-60s Fender MusicMaster short-scale. The SX has a very percussive sound - unless I crank the highs quite a ways down, it gets very sharp attack - great for slap'n'pop. I think that this bass sounds better with the shape control on - it seems to accentuate the "slappy" sound. The MusicMaster, on the other hand, sounds less "slappy" - and more like an older P-Bass - the amp gives it a nice thick bottom end. It can get a little muddy if the gain is too high - but I think that is more because of the short-scale bass than the amp.
I have a Logitech BP80 multi-effects unit, and have tried it both prior to the pre-amp and on the effects loop - either method has good sound.
The only improvement that I think could be made is that the CD input is a dual-RCA connector - common enough for rack-mount stereos, but seldom available in portable CD players - requiring an adapter for many owners. That should be switched to (or supplemented by) an eighth-inch stereo (headphone-style) jack so that the adapter is unnecessary.
Compared to the Ampeg that I was originally looking at, the sound is not quite as sharp and clean, but close. The volume is hard to tell, since I have not really been able to crank it, but I think it will be just a little less. While I think the Ampeg is probably the better amp by a little bit, the price difference of $70.00 makes this the better value, to me.


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Jay Turser Jtb2b Violin Bass Sunburst Review

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(More customer reviews)its a good bass for a copy if you cant aford a hofner this is your next best thing for the money,its got good playability its a decent little bass.

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Fender Steve Harris P Bass Royal Blue Metallic Maple Fretboard Review

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(More customer reviews)Steve Harris Was my inspiration for wanting to play the bass, This bass is very, very well built, Very heavy and Definitely has that Steve Harris sound. It Is everything I had been looking for...sound wise. Awesome Bass!

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DeArmond Ashbory Bass - Black Fretless Mini Bass with Gigbag Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a serious instrument that sounds like an upright bass or a bass guitar depending on how you set the pickups. It is great with the small size but big tone. Go to YouTube and search for and listen to some of the clips. I love my Ashbory! I love my Fender Jazz 1978 bass but as I get older it gets heavier. Ashbory is great to carry on a plane or camping. Play it through a Crate Taxi battery amp and you are ready to make great music!

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Dean Pace 5 5 String Electric Upright Bass (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)1st. YOU NEED a bass pre amp. The saddles have pizzo pickups and work very well if you use a bass pre amp. This is what will make it open up and sound great: [...]
2. No battery on these current models. One vol knob.
3. My side dots ever off. I fixed it using my dremel, but I really dont care what it looks like (with in reason) as long as it works for me. And works well.
4. The B string is too big to fit correctly in the saddle pickup. Again, I used my dremel to shave a U so it would slightly widen up and accept the larger B string. Otherwise it would never get picked up. Now it works fine.
After having it a month or so... there are a few wishes I have for it.. but, for the price I am ok not having them I guess.
1. I would rather have a much more curves radius per string and expesically at the bridge.
2. Much higher string action. Weird huh? I need to DIG IN on the strings and I can not do it as I would like to. It is much more of a fence play now.
3. Much thicker strings.
Its really like a regular 5 string fret-less bass being held up to look like a electric string bass. I have played it sitting down and it really works well like a electric bass. Makes me think of throwing a strap on it and using it both ways.


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CECILIO CEDB-1DW 3/4 Size ELECTRIC SILENT MAHOGANY METALIC UPRIGHT DOUBLE BASS Review

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(More customer reviews)This bass arrived dinged up with flaking paint exposing the wood. The end pin wobbles and feels like it will snap if weight is applied. Two strings broke when tightening for first tuning. The pickup sounds terrible and the line out jack is a 1/8" headphone size only and it doesn't even fit adapters or the stock cable correctly. The 1/8" to 1/4" cable arrived with no 1/4" end, it was just sheared off like someone took clippers to it. The extendable body rest doesn't lock in place and is shoddy at best. Over all this bass was a complete piece of junk. Buy something else

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Stagg EDB 3/4 H Electric Double Bass in Violin Brown Review

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(More customer reviews)Ever since Bass Player Magazine did an article on this bass in 2008, I've been very curious about it. I've been with my current group for 10 years and decided I was going to take the fretless plunge (I've never so much as held one before). The review in the magazine had a pretty favorable opinion and when I saw that they were $500, I decided to go for it. Right out of the box, the violin brown exceeded my expectations. (Even my wife said, "Wow, that's pretty.") The finish didn't have a single blemish on it. The joints were all very tight and clean. The neck does need a little truss adjustment due to high string height. And there are two spots on the fingerboard where I'm getting some buzzing but my luthier should be able to fix that. The first thing I did was plug my MP3 player and headphones into it. This is going be a VERY often-used feature. My rig stays at the practice space so this feature is crucial. Do remember, this is NOT an acoustic bass. It's barely audible when not plugged in. What it DOES mimic though is a traditional upright. It stands about 6 feet tall with the peg extended and has a "woody" quality to the tone that is very similar to a double bass. Again, this does not sound EXACTLY like a big double bass. This sounds like what it is, an Electric Upright Bass. Glissandos (slides) are really cool and I'm having a blast learning a whole new side to playing bass. The preamp is loud and very clear and will be quite enough to cut through the mix in a pretty loud Rock/Blues group. Going to have to get a stand for it, though. It comes with two body pieces, (the upper one is useless, from what I could tell). I'm even going to get a bass bow and mess around with that. Overall, I've never played an NS E.U.B. to compare the two, but considering the 1-2 thousand dollar price difference, you'd be hard-pressed to convince me that the difference was worth it. I love this bass a lot. The Zon is going to have make a little room now onstage.

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Music Man Bongo 4-String Bass with 2 Humbucker Pickups, Black Review

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(More customer reviews)Folks, this is the future of bass guitar - right here and now! There is simply nothing like the MusicMan Bongo.
First, you see it - distinctive and unique with great balance and harmony in its design.
Then you feel it - very well balanced, finely crafted instrument.
Then you hear it - like nothing you've experienced. 18v output will definitely not disappoint you. Extremely versatile full-body tone to die for.
Then you feel it - AGAIN! The Bongo offers endless chest-thumping bass that defies being buried in the mix.
If you are serious about playing bass you should seriously consider a Bongo!

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Steinberger Spirit XT-25 5-String Standard Bass Black Review

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(More customer reviews)this is the one of the best basses in this price range that you can buy. period. great construction and quality. double ball tuning sytstem is awesome. the looks take a little getting used to, but once you do its awesome. the dual emg humbuckers are great. u can get whatever sound u want, from real punchy to mellow tones. the leg rest is kinda useless, and the gig bag provided isnt the best, so if you are going to carry it around i suggest you just use a normal bass gig bag...it works perfectly fine.

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Source Audio Soundblox Pro Multiwave Bass Distortion Effects Pedal Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm giving this 5-stars YET I ended up returning it. In the final analysis, an amazing pedal but it just wasn't a fit for me and my style. That said, many players will find this a welcome addition to their pedalboard for home, gigs and the studio.
Source has given us bass players a truly novel pedal. Well thought out and executed. Quite honestly, it is unlike every other distortion pedal for bass. Really. It has the ability to produce an incredibly wide range of sounds and tones like no other single pedal. Here is my bottom-line...
- Most importantly, know upfront that if you are looking for "traditional" OD, boost and/or fuzz capabilities this pedal doesn't go there. It doesn't replace those pedals.
- It's real strength - and what it excels at - is in producing a very wide-array of synth-like tones. I've NEVER heard anything like it. Truly amazing range. You won't believe what you will hear. Sounds you've never imagined in your wildest dreams. And I might add...Very, VERY funky! Could potentially replace envelope filters and the like that you may be using.
- The ability to seamlessly morph from one sound setting to another (pro model only via an expression pedal) is incredible.
- Pick playing just doesn't do the pedal justice. This is a big one...Sounds much, much better if you are primarily a finger-style or slap player rather than a pick player like me. The pedal really shines and is at its best when you play finger/slap style. Pick playing seems to mute and alter the intended sound dynamics - for me, in a negative way. Not sure why this occurs.
- I've never seen a pedal with so many ways to adjust and fine-tune every setting - especially on the pro model. The settings are very sensitive and you can really tailor every setting to suit you, your bass, your amp and your style - and then save it to one of 6 locations.
- Made just for bass. Their proprietary technology really works as promised. It does an amazing job of handling and not losing any bass tone. You can readily hear each string (individually and in chords) even when highly distorted. Far from the usual undifferentiated, muddy mess of sound that most distortion pedal produce.
All in all, Source offers the bass player a pedal like no other. In a world of me-too products they have broken the mold and the rules. But, you need to determine if the sounds it produces are a fit with your style and musical tastes. Only you can do that. I suggest you go to their site - sourceaudio - and check out their sound sample videos and audios, which are very well-done incidentally.
As always.....YMMV.........

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G&L USA L-2000 Electric Bass (Four String, Satin Hard Rock Maple Neck) Review

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(More customer reviews)
Have owned one for over 13 years. Electronics are 1st rate, lots of Range, Play Jazz, Country or Pop and Slap. Stays in tune very well. The balance is good when standing or sitting. Craftsmanship and Finish are second to None. Frets easy and the sustain is excellent. Good pricing for a Made In California USA instrument.
No problems after 13 years of playing.while the ABS plastic case is good, It will warp if left in direct sun light, even for a few minutes.

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Line 6 Low Down LD150 Amp Review

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(More customer reviews)Upon reading reviews on Musicians Friend and some other sites I purchased the Lowdown 150 in December 2008. Out of the box, it sounded great though some of the presets are definitely lacking. The Smart Fx Envelope Filter is absolutely unusable though the Chorus effect is pretty decent. The amp simulators are okay. Rock preset is pretty sweet I gotta say.
I am a working musician and need to make sure that my gear is reliable and this amp has fallen short on small gigs, rehearsals and as a practice amp no less. The sound/volume seems to diminish the longer you play. For some reason the amp will change presets all on its own. Which has cost me a few dirty looks.. Thanks Line 6!
At this time there is some problem with the amp. It shuts down after being on for about 10 minutes as it heats up. (I take great care of my gear... never dropped or knocked around).
The only thing I have found this amp remotely useful for was practicing with the mp3/cd input, which many other amps come with. Aside from that, I wouldn't recommend this amp to my worst enemy! The warranty is up and I have a forty five pound paper weight in my practice space. The wiring schematics aren't available to the end user. So far the amp has been taken to a Line 6 repair shop and I still have the same problem. I'm taking it back again. Buyer Beware! The bells and whistles are mediocre at best and the amp itself has been nothing but a headache. Line 6 really needs to work on their bass line for amps. Look into buying another brand.

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Finally, timeless rock tone in an affordable combo! LowDown LD150 is part of a family line of bass amps from Line 6 and that delivers an incredible array of�dialed-in, stage-perfected bass tones with 5 killer bass amp models and effects that cover everything from funk to modern or classic rock and beyond.LowDown offers incredible sonic flexibility with a modeled vintage studio compressor, and critical bass-specific effects like Bass Synth, Chorus, Envelope Follower and Octaver.Plus, the oversized high-speed power amp has incredible articulation and low-end punch that's ideal for live or studio work.Features also include: 4 programmable channel memories (36 with a FBV Shortboard), headphone out, line in, and a studio quality XLR direct out with Line 6's exclusive Bass POD amp and cab modeling that's the go to for studio direct recording.At last, there is a bass amp that gives you great tone, performance, and flexibility all at an unbelievable price. �

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Sterling by Music Man RAY34-BK Bass (4 String, Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)hm..i'm very surprised with sound of bass and it does produce many different tone. and i'm very satisfied with this bass. sound almost identical to the original musicman stringray and i'm very happy with this purchase


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Samick AB2 - Natural 4-string Regency Acoustic Bass with Case Review

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(More customer reviews)I have been taking lessons for the last 3 months. At 58 years old I doubt if I'll make it on the road. I can say this is a great guitar. The tones are deep, rich and clean. It also is a very player friendly guitar. Stings are very easy to connect with the frets. I found and bought it used but it appears to be in mint condition. I would highly recommend it to either the beginner or to the master. I like it very much.
As I stated I have only taken 3 months of lessons so consideration has to be taken when you check on out. Thanks and have a great day.

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Squier by Fender Classic Vibe Precision Bass 60's, Sonic Blue Review

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(More customer reviews)Stunned, awesome, and the greatest bass purchase I have ever made. I've owned many in 40 years of playing. I have a VM Jazz for three years now and loved it til
I picked this thing up. I guess I got lucky because this item right out of the box, came in ready to play condition and is beyond cool and sounds just like the P basses of old. Available for 350 everywhere on the planet I walked into Best Buy and saw it labeled for 270 dollars. The model on the wall had been beat up by countless players so I asked if there was one in the box. There was! I opened and inspected right there and Voila I bought it! I just played it on my first gig last night and boy o boy oboy......Bandaroake never sounded better.....now the VM is the backup and the looks from the band guys were wow....you paid how much? they couldn't believe it....not one defect on this one....PLUG and Play.....Motown songs never sounded better! I would give it a six star rating if I could....

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