Advantages: Great fun
Disadvantages: Very large to store and transport

...My family are all rather musical and we have acquired quite a collection of instruments over the years. For a significant anniversary I decided to buy a double bass. In his younger days my partner had played the electric bass in various bands and had always said one day he would like to have a double bass. Well now he has. ♫ ♫ What is a double bass? ♫ ♫ Well I suppose the short answer is that it looks like a giant violin, although it’s actually descended from an instrument called the viol. It dates as far back as the 16th century and is the largest and lowest sounding instrument in the string family of instruments. The other instruments in this family are the viola, the violin and the cello. No one seems quite certain where the name comes from but one theory suggests it is because the double bass... Read review

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Advantages: Just about everything
Disadvantages: The iniablity to be satisfied with another bass after playing this.

...Rickenbacker began making basses back in the 1950's and since then has been saw as one of the most distinctive looking and sounding electric bass guitars in history. As far as basses go it is the king of sustain aided by through neck construction, making those bottom end notes shake the house. This bass has been used by the best players throughout time, Paul Mccartney of the Beatles and Rodger Waters of Pink Floyd were early users of the rickenbacker. However it has been seen used by many bands throughout the music scene, Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols use dit in the Punk era and it has also been used by bands such as Motorhead and Metallica. One of the most noticeable features of this bass is the double jack output, which eneables you to get the most of the lower (brighter sounding) pickup and the higher (bassier) pickup... Read review

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Advantages: It's SRV!
Disadvantages: Minor thing with the album sleeve, hardly worth mentioning!

...Stevie Ray Vaughan (or SRV as he is often known) was an Austin guitarists/singer/songwriter, releasing only five studio albums before his life was untimely ended in a helicopter crash. With his unique guitar tone and individual style, Stevie is still considered one of the greatest rock-blues guitarist of all time, inspiring young players to this day. Eventually going on to appear on albums for the likes of Davie Bowie and Jackson Browne, 'Texas Flood' was his and his band Double Trouble, (Chris Layton on drums and Tommy Shannon on bass) debut album. Originally released in 1983, here we have a remastered version released in 1999, with some Bonus Tracks thrown in for good measure. A mixture of originals and covers, 'Texas Flood' demonstrated SRV's technical abilities and soulful playing. With both upbeat songs, such as 'Pride... Read review

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Advantages: Great Looking, Smooth Neck, Good Sound.
Disadvantages: No Active Pickups

...I bought this electric bass about a year ago, along with a Fender Rumble amp, as my first proper instrument, and let me say this - I couldn't have been happier with it. First, lets go through some specs. My model is an older style that the one Ibanez now advertise and sell, so mine doesnt have the Phat II EQ Bass Boost control that newer models now come eqipt with. The body is Agathis, which is not a great wood for guitar bodies, but ibanez use it well to get the best out of it. All basses/guitars in this price range use it, as it is the cheapest musical wood. This wood is a relative of true mahogany and gives nearly the same tonal characterists. Warm lows with a fairly strong sustain. The neck is made out of maple, and the finish is just perfect for my tastes. It is very thinly varnished, so you don't get the stickiness... Read review

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Advantages: Price, High Quality, Rigorous Checks at Ibanez
Disadvantages: Let down by pickups (although they can be replaced).

...Features ------------- Taking into consideration its relatively low price, this bass hosts a myriad of features commonly only seen in much more expensive basses. These features include an Agathis body, full scale 22 fret neck, two J-Style pickups with individual volume controls, and a Master Tone control. Durability -------------- Throughout a year of heavy use, this bass it still in near perfect condition despite a right bashing. While inspecting the instrument closely while writing this review, the only marks I can see on the guitar are a few minor scratches on the back of the guitar and a chip on the head of the guitar which was the coincidence of an altercation with a light fitting as I was carrying my bass. :o) Playability -------------- This bass is very easy to play. The neck allows very quick playing whatever... Read review

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Advantages: Value for money, active electronics, easy to play
Disadvantages: only comes in 3 different colours

...If you want a small bass with a punchy sound and active electronics but don't have much cash, the SR300DX is the bass for you! I've had my SR300DX for about two years and in that time it's never let me down even after many times of being dropped, knocked over, bounced about in the back of vans and cars, left in damp rehearsal rooms and gigged. Before the Ibanez I used a Fender Jazz bass. The jazz bass hasn't been touched since I got this bass. The Ibanez feels like a guitar compared to the jazz bass because of its weight and short length but still manages to have 24 frets (2 more than the jazz). The neck is very slim and the frets are low and fat making this an easy bass to play. This bass would suit someone who is small or has small hands. The cutaway gives plenty of access higher up the fingerboard. The fingerboard itself... Read review

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