Choosing Magnetic Bass Pickups

Last month we looked at magnetic bass pickups—their shapes and basic functionality . This was an overview of historical pickups and how they’ve evolved over time. Our next step is to consider some guidelines that will help you when shopping for a new pickup, if you’re interested in experimenting with sound.

So where should you start?

Hofner Contemporary Series 500/5 President Bass -- Review

Hofner Contemporary Series 500/5 President Bass 

Although Hofner has been making guitars since the 1930s, the company will always be best known as the one who made instruments played by the Beatles.

For some this conjures up images of the Club 40 or President guitars played by Lennon and Harrison, but most – especially members of the Bass Players Union – instantly think of the little Violin bass that Paul McCartney bought in a Hamburg music shop sometime around May of 1961. 

Yamaha TRBX504 Bass -- Review

Yamaha TRBX504 Bass

Yamaha's reputation for making great basses continues with the TRBX504. Another well-crafted instrument, it makes use of a solid mahogany body with significant chamfering to the top, which aids both playing comfort and weight. The five-piece maple/ mahogany laminate neck is ultra-smooth to the touch and has Jazz-like proportions with a slim 38mm nut and offset pearl dot inlays.

Fodera Unveils Anthony Jackson Presentation II Bass

Fodera Unveils Anthony Jackson Presentation II Bass

Last year, Fodera teased the public with pictures of an interesting prototype hybrid bass they were developing. The company has now unveiled the result: the Fodera Anthony Jackson Presentation II Bass.

Tech 21 Bass Boost Chorus Pedal -- Review

Tech 21 Bass Boost Chorus Pedal 

Many bassists of varied music styles have found a use for chorus in their arsenal. That “underwater” tone can be heard in everything from ’70s fusion to ’80s New Wave, ’90s grunge, and modern rock. In a market full of chorus pedals, Tech 21 offers a versatile option with the Bass Boost Chorus, which provides the tones of classic chorus effects while solving some the issues that often arise when applying chorus to bass frequencies.

Hagstrom Viking Bass Guitar -- Review

Hagstrom Viking Bass Guitar 

We’ve been hearing a familiar story in guitar and bass manufacturing lately: A company enjoys success for a decade or two, and then changing economic climates and world influences force it to close its doors. Fast-forward 30 years, and scores of brands are coming back with “new” old instrument lines.

ESP LTD Vintage-204 Bass -- Review

ESP LTD Vintage-204 Bass

From its humble beginnings as a supplier for custom replacement parts, ESP is one of a handful of guitar companies that has paid just as much attention to bassists as guitarists. While most modern players associate their name with heavy rock and metal, ESP has always had an eye and appreciation for vintage flair (check out their Navigator series from the late ’70s and early ’80s to find some stunning examples).

Yamaha 1024X Bass -- Review

Yamaha 1024X Bass

BB1024X has employed a 3-piece body structure with which its bridge is placed on the center piece in order to translate the maximum amount of string vibration to the body. 

Instead of simply gluing wood pieces, we insert a Maple plate, called "Spline", into a slot on its joint sections.