Built exclusively for bassists, the Valeton Dapper Bass multi-effect unit lays all of the essential tools and effects at your feet, kitting you out with everything you need to rehearse, gig and even record - all in one go. The Dapper lines up five different sections: a chorus, an octaver, a Q-filter with some added fuzz, a compressor combined with a booster and, lastly, a complete bass amp section where your foundation sound can be fully sculpted via detailed three-band EQ controls as well as volume and gain controls.The Valeton Dapper Bass: Super-Compact, Super-FlexibleOver in the Octave section, you can mix your dry bass sound with two different octaves to really pack out the low-end and make the ground shake. In the aptly named Dirty Q section, the Sens control pot can be tweaked to set the filter response to your playing dynamics and, as soon you flip the Fuzz toggle switch, your sound is immediately given a thick coat of spiky distortion. The modulation depth of the built-in chorus can be adjusted to taste while, over in the Boost Comp section, you can set both the gain and the compression level as preferred. Thinking of everything, this Valeton creation can be neatly teamed up with the rest of your pedal collection via the fitted effects loop and, to support professional rigs, even comes fitted with a balanced XLR output and a handy Thru output.

The Ibanez Bass Workshop EHB1500 boasts a carefully considered combination of high-quality parts, turning this model into stand-out headless bass on multiple levels. Carved out of lightweight African mahogany, the comfortably chambered-and-contoured body is especially ergonomic and fully supports long playing sessions. It comes topped with a gorgeous poplar burl top and has been bolted to a 9-piece panga-panga/walnut neck for rich, balanced sound.The Ibanez EHB1500: Modern Sound, Versatility and Playing ComfortThe Nordstrand Big-Split pickups and extensive active tone controls allow you to steer the solid core sound in any preferred direction, while the MR5HS bridge fitted with custom headpieces ensures accurate tuning and intonation. Throw in the luminescent side dots, the Schaller S-Locks strap locks, removable finger ramp and the graphite rod-reinforced neck, and you've got an all-modern headless bass that's basically got it all.

If you're not afraid of innovation, then the Ibanez Bass Workshop EHB1506MS six-string headless bass is nothing short of a stone-cold treat. Expect maximum versatility, outstanding sound and unrivalled playability, all courtesy of a chambered body built from hand-selected, lightweight African mahogany, ergonomic body shaping, and the natural feel of an EHB4 neck. This bass simply boasts extreme comfort and, since this is a multi-scale model, things just keep getting better. The more-accurate multi-scale length doesn't just guarantee pure intonation along the entire fretboard but ensures optimal balance across all six strings. All polished off with a nine-piece panga panga and walnut neck and topped with a slice of figured poplar burl, you're also getting a uniquely rich foundation sound.The Ibanez Bass Workshop EHB1506MS: Modern Foundation, Natural PowerThe organic tone of the build is translated by a pair of Nordstrand Big-Split Custom pickups that have been teamed up with super-flexible active tone controls to deliver powerful yet natural amplified sound. Hit the EQ bypass switch and gain passive tone control in the mere blink of an eye. This is a headless bass, so everything is tuned and intonated via the high-precision MR5HS bridge and, since the headstock and machine heads have simply been removed, the weight and balance of this Bass Workshop model is beautifully optimised. To finish, Ibanez include a matching gig bag.

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.