The Jackson X Series Spectra IV is a brilliantly affordable bass guitar that offers the broadly adaptable sound needed to operate in any style. The neck-through nyatoh body of this gig-ready four-string features a long upper horn that doesn't just look cool, but distributes the weight evenly for a balanced feel with none of that unwanted neck dive. Reinforced Neck and Compound Fretboard Radius To make sure that the maple neck remains stable at all times, Jackson has shot it through with a graphite rod but also opted for a scarf joint for extra sustain and extra stability at the headstock. The laurel fretboard, meanwhile, has been given a compound radius which means it feels flatter as you make your way down to the twenty-fourth jumbo fret, allowing for comfortable chord-work and fast solos alike. Adaptable Sound, Coil-Split Switch and 3-Band Active EQThe SBX IV Spectra Bass owes its extreme sonic versatility to a pair of Medium-Output humbuckers teamed up with a 3-band active EQ, a push/pull volume pot for switching between active and passive sound, a two-way pickup coil split switch for toggling the single-coil voicings, and a Blend control for mixing the output of the active circuit with the output of the pickups. By giving you the option to switch to passive sound, this smart and flexible set-up ensures that you can keep slinging licks even if the battery dies in the middle of a gig.

The Jackson X Series Spectra IV is a brilliantly affordable bass guitar that offers the broadly adaptable sound needed to operate in any style. The neck-through nyatoh body of this gig-ready four-string features a long upper horn that doesn't just look cool, but distributes the weight evenly for a balanced feel with none of that unwanted neck dive. Reinforced Neck and Compound Fretboard Radius To make sure that the maple neck remains stable at all times, Jackson has shot it through with a graphite rod but also opted for a scarf joint for extra sustain and extra stability at the headstock. The laurel fretboard, meanwhile, has been given a compound radius which means it feels flatter as you make your way down to the twenty-fourth jumbo fret, allowing for comfortable chord-work and fast solos alike. Adaptable Sound, Coil-Split Switch and 3-Band Active EQThe SBX IV Spectra Bass owes its extreme sonic versatility to a pair of Medium-Output humbuckers teamed up with a 3-band active EQ, a push/pull volume pot for switching between active and passive sound, a two-way pickup coil split switch for toggling the single-coil voicings, and a Blend control for mixing the output of the active circuit with the output of the pickups. By giving you the option to switch to passive sound, this smart and flexible set-up ensures that you can keep slinging licks even if the battery dies in the middle of a gig.

Sculpt your bass sound in great detail with the Source Audio ZIO Analog Bass Preamp/DI and enjoy naturally overdriven sound packed out with ample punch and grit. This quality pedal works exceptionally well in combination with an amplifier but can just as easily serve as a standalone preamp/DI. Shaped with the help of high-quality Burr-Brown op-amps, the rich, dynamic output is backed up by more than enough headroom and is perfect for warm-and-punchy, vintage-style sound. Clean Up Muddy Frequencies With The Focus Control The fitted Bass and Focus controls help deepen your sound without muddying the lows. The Focus knob essentially functions like a high-pass filter for eliminating unwanted frequencies, while the Treble control does the opposite and boosts the high frequencies. Simply find the sweetspot and you're left with a supple attack and perfectly balanced sound. Natural Drive Thanks to Grit and Scoop SwitchesSource Audio has mounted a Grit switch so you can instantly turn on the magical effect of the 'breakup' that happens when a vintage amplifier is pushed to the edge to produce a natural overdrive. This not only gives your sound a dirty edge, but results in a fierier response. The ZIO also sets you up with a Scoop switch, which simulates the EQ curve of the 'Pultec trick' that studio engineers would pull off back in the '50s to boost the mid-range frequencies without muddying the sound. Here, it basically functions like a natural-sounding high-pass filter that you can flip on as needed.

Long before he was famous, bassist Frank Bello (Anthrax) bought his first Tech 21 SansAmp at a music shop on 48th Street in Manhattan's historic Music Row. Fast forward to the present and here's his own Street Driver 48 Signature SansAmp. Outfitted with a full set of potent controls, this flexible effect pedal supports Bello's bass performance as well as his backing vocals.The Street Driver 48: SansAmp Tube Amplifier Emulation TechnologyWhile Frank Bello is known for his fast, tight and melodious metal riffs, he insisted that his signature pedal should accommodate bassists from other styles too, including rock and R&B. The fully analogue and widely acclaimed SansAmp Tube Amplifier Emulation technology supports every scenario, from live gigs to studio sessions, and can be connected directly to an amp, audio interface or PA mixer.

More and more bassists are coming around to the snug playability and comfort of short-scale models, and here, they're treated to the 30 inch scale length of the Sterling by Music Man RAYSS4. The tighter distance between the nut and saddles lends a tighter and lighter feel in your hands, brings the frets closer together and lowers the string tension, making this model ideal for bassists with a lighter frame or a shorter reach, or for guitarists making the step over to a four-string bass. The Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAYSS4 Short Scale: Adaptable SoundThe solid mahogany body of the Sterling RAYSS4 bass has been bound to a maple neck via a six-bolt joint for maximum stability, while a single, newly designed neodymium humbucker has been mounted at the bridge and, via the three-way switch, can be placed in parallel, series, or split for a single-coil response and a surprisingly wide tonal range. The control section also kits you out with a push/push volume pot that can be popped out to activate a sweet volume boost and, while the layout is simple - even classic, this tight bass gives you everything you need for the rehearsal room, stage, or studio.

The Markbass Mini CMD 121 P V sets the bar high when it comes to lightweight and practical bass combos. Besides front-mounted controls and ports, this choice amp features a 4-band EQ section complete with an Old School filter and a 3-way preset selector switch that toggles between Flat, Scooped and Footswitch Mode. This plucky 1x12 combo can be hooked up to an external speaker cabinet as needed and weighs just over 12kg, making it remarkably easy to get around.

Featuring a thinline body without a sound hole to eliminate the risk of feedback, the Sire Marcus Miller GB5 4 electro-acoustic bass guitar literally gives you the best of both worlds. While not as loud as a full-size acoustic bass, this lightweight, chambered model features a solid spruce soundboard for an extra rich-and-resonant foundation sound, with the mahogany back and sides adding just the right amount of warmth.The Marcus Miller GB5 4: Edgeless FretboardThe bolt-on, 3-piece mahogany neck is seriously stable and combines with a C-profile and an edgeless rosewood fretboard for maximum playing comfort. The sound of the steel strings is picked up by a piezo pickup before being sent to the specially-developed Vividx-B preamp, which kits you out with a 3-band equaliser and a phase switch for extensive tone-shaping options.