Basses

After replacing the American Standard Series with the American Professional Series in 2016, Fender has unveiled its next generation of instruments. The American Professional II Series builds upon the range through several years of player input.

Traveler Guitar has unveiled a new line of acoustic instruments. The Redlands Concert Series range, which is named after the company’s hometown in California, includes a bass that features a miniature 23.25-inch scale for maximum portability.

Billy Sheehan’s signature Attitude Bass is getting a special 30th Anniversary model this year. The limited-edition model will celebrate its origins by incorporating elements of the bassists’s original customizations to his bass dubbed “The Wife.”

Ernie Ball Music Man unveiled their September 2020 releases in the Ball Family Reserve Collection, including a version of the Bongo 5HH that features a Honduran mahogany body in a Satin Honey Burst finish.

Lakland has expanded its Skyline series of basses with the Skyline 55-OS and 44-OS. The new instruments are versions of their 44 and 55 models with offset body shapes and a few different specs.

Eastwood Guitars is launching a new tribute bass to bring back a design from the ’60s. The Eko Rocket IV Tribute was first reintroduced by Eastwood in 2006 and will be coming back next year.

Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones has had a signature line of basses from Manson Guitar Works for several years, but the range is getting an upgrade in the coming year. Here’s the 2021 edition of JPJ’s artist series.

Fodera has unveiled a new bass in its Standard series. Although it’s built-in batches like the rest of the line, the “Joey Standard Special” has a personal touch from their team.

PHD Bass Guitars has unveiled a new model to their lineup called the ELB, or Ergonomic Lightweight Bass. The instrument was designed by luthier Parizad Hatcher to include several unique features that benefit playability as well as health.

Dean Guitars has released a redesigned version of their Edge bass in the Select series. The Edge Select Burled Poplar Satin Natural bass is built with a mahogany body, figured poplar burl top, and a walnut center.

Ernie Ball Music Man has unveiled a new model in their Artist Series with the John Myung Bongo 6 HH. The Dream Theater bassist collaborated with the company on his new signature axe to make it his own.

Sandberg Guitars has updated its Electra series of basses for 2020 with a hardware upgrade and a new color option. The line includes the VS and TT models, each of which is four-string basses.