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Gear Reviews - Page 2

Gear Review: Ibanez BTB33 Bass

Gear Review: Ibanez BTB33 Bass

Today we’re checking out the Ibanez BTB33. Ibanez has been making great instruments for decades now, and has been a mainstay for musicians in all styles. No news there. This bass is unique for it’s particular purpose, which is for the bassist that likes to solo, comp chords and be on the front line. This bass comes set up as...

Gear Review: Accuracy Basses Matisse Deluxe 5-String

Gear Review: Accuracy Basses Matisse Deluxe 5-String

Like any craft, the art of building basses takes finesse and attention to detail. Each contour is carefully considered and carved into the bass as a painter would add a stroke to his painting, so it’s only fitting that Accuracy Basses named their doublecut model the Matisse Deluxe after the French artist. Accuracy is a small bass building company based...

Gear Review: Gruv Gear GigBlade Bass Gig Bag

Gear Review: Gruv Gear GigBlade Bass Gig Bag

Every once in a while a product comes along that totally reimagines a piece of gear that most of us take for granted. In the world of gig bags, that product is the Gruv Gear GigBlade. The main idea behind the GigBlade is economy of space and weight distribution. Most gig bags have backpack straps for carrying on your back,...

Bass Review: Fender American Standard Dimension Bass IV HH

Bass Review: Fender American Standard Dimension Bass IV HH

Fender took a leap last year by introducing a new model apart from their genre-defining Precision and Jazz basses. The Dimension Bass started as a model in their Modern Player Series before branching into their Deluxe and American Deluxe series. But now the double humbucker model has been cemented into the brand’s lineup with an American Standard version. We got...

Gear Review: Cort Jeff Berlin Signature RITHIMIC Bass

Gear Review: Cort Jeff Berlin Signature RITHIMIC Bass

Okay, bass lovin’ people, how about a bass that strives to be… plain? Well not completely plain, but just a basic, good bass. Kind of refreshing since most new basses to hit the market usually make strides to separate themselves from the herd, and then ask us to believe it, then buy it at a premium. Not saying that Cort...

Gear Review: Ibanez SRF700 Portamento Fretless Bass

Gear Review: Ibanez SRF700 Portamento Fretless Bass

Up for a review is the Ibanez SRF700 Portamento, a 4-string fretless from the company’s new Bass Workshop series. The bass is fitted with some nice features for a bass under a thousand bucks, namely piezo pickups imbedded in the bridge and integrated with Bartolini active pickups. The bonus here is that the piezos actually sound great and not harsh....

Gear Review: Ibanez BTB1406E 6-String Bass

Gear Review: Ibanez BTB1406E 6-String Bass

Ibanez’s foray into the boutique bass domain is off to strong start. The only thing missing is the extra $1,000.00 you didn’t have to spend to enjoy all of the features this six string bass delivers. Most online retailers are offering this bass for sale in the $1,500.00 price range, which is not the price point for basses with this...

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Gear Review: Rybski Sean O’Bryan Smith Deluxe Signature Bass

Gear Review: Rybski Sean O’Bryan Smith Deluxe Signature Bass

Rybski’s Sean O’Bryan Smith Deluxe Signature Bass is a truly rare custom bass. Rare in the sense that most custom basses have some element of “stock” to them, where as this bass is a signature model with features to fit a particular player’s needs and the builders unique touches that comprise his own inspiration and designs. I could immediately feel...

Review: Cort T54 and Curbow 52 Basses

Review: Cort T54 and Curbow 52 Basses

This review will cover two Cort basses, the T54, and the Curbow 52. These basses are not the Cort basses of years past you may remember when you went shopping for one of your early basses. For an entry level intermediate basses, I was truly impressed with the features, fit and finish, and the sound. It has been many a...

Gear Review: Kinal SK5-B Bass Guitar

Gear Review: Kinal SK5-B Bass Guitar

It’s bass guitar review time once again, and this time we’re checking out the SK5-B made by Michael Kinal of Kinal Guitars. Please bear with the theoretical extrapolations in this review. It might seem like a long review here, but the information will come in handy for you when you start to compare basses, giving you some basis to work...

Gear Review: Tech 21 Bass Boost Fuzz Pedal

Gear Review: Tech 21 Bass Boost Fuzz Pedal

Tech 21 has a long history with bassists, and that history is growing even larger with the inclusion of bass-friendly versions of the Boost Series pedals. Offering an extra 21 dB of clean boost at your disposal, the line is characterized by analog circuitry that takes classic tones and attempts to improve them. The Bass Boost Fuzz takes aim at...

Gear Review: Vigier Arpege IV Bass

Gear Review: Vigier Arpege IV Bass

In 1978, Patrice Vigier set out to become an independent luthier of guitars and basses, and Vigier Guitars was born. Thirty-four years later, the Vigier is still going strong. We got our hands on the company’s Arpege IV bass, and took it for a test drive. The Arpege IV is a lovely sounding four string bass and will easily handle...