Jackson's electric guitar offerings often take center stage amongst its large product announcements, but we'd be remiss if we didn't bring to your attention its tasty new bass guitars, the Pro Series Spectra Bass, X Series Concert Bass CBXNT DX IV and X Series Spectra Bass.
It's Jackson's 40th anniversary, and the company looks to be celebrating with a bang. Let's dive in and take a closer look at the new bass models.
Pro Series Spectra Bass
(Image credit: Jackson)
The Pro Series Spectra Bass is available in three configurations: the SBP IV, SBP V and SBA V.
The four- and five-string SBP IV and SBP V each feature a unique multi-laminate poplar burl/walnut/maple/walnut/mahogany body, and sell for $899.99 and $999.99, respectively, while the five-string SBA V sports a multi-laminate flatsawn ash/walnut/maple/walnut/mahogany body, and retails at $999.99.
Regarding visual configurations, the SBP IV is available in either Caribbean Blue or Transparent Black Burst, the SBP V comes a Transparent Cherry Burst and the SBA V is available in Blue Burst.
Features present on all Pro Series Spectra Basses include a graphite-reinforced neck, 24-fret, 12”-16” compound radius caramelized jatoba fingerboard with oval dark pearl inlays, Nordstrand single-coil soapbar bridge and neck pickups and a three-band active EQ.
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X Series Concert Bass CBXNT DX IV
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Jackson X Series Concert Bass CBXNT DX IV Absynthe Frost(Image credit: Jackson)
Jackson X Series Concert Bass CBXNT DX IV Gloss Black(Image credit: Jackson)
Jackson X Series Concert Bass CBXNT DX IV Rocket Red(Image credit: Jackson)
Aimed at rock, punk and metal players, the X Series Concert Bass CBXNT DX IV boasts a poplar body, through-body maple neck with graphite reinforcement, scarf joint and gloss color matched back finish and 24-fret 12”-16” compound radius bound laurel fingerboard with pearloid sharkfin inlays.
Its active electronics include Jackson J-style and P-style bridge and neck pickups with controls for volume, three-band EQ and blend. Other features include a string-through-body hardtail bridge and Jackson pointed 4-in-line black headstock.
Available in Absynthe Frost, Gloss Black and Rocket Red finishes, the X Series Concert Bass CBXNT DX IV retails at $649.99.
X Series Spectra Bass
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(Image credit: Jackson)
(Image credit: Jackson)
(Image credit: Jackson)
(Image credit: Jackson)
Available in both SBXQ and SBXP configurations – with quilted maple and poplar burl tops, respectively – the X Series Spectra bass boasts a poplar body with a larger upper horn for balance and playing comfort, graphite-reinforced through-body maple neck and 12 - 16" compound radius, 24-fret laurel fingerboard.
Electronics include dual passive medium-output humbuckers controlled via volume and blend controls, a three-band EQ and two-way toggle switch for pickup coil splitting.
Other features include a HiMass hardtail bridge, unique color matched 2x2 or 3x2 headstock with understated “J” logo and black hardware.
The X Series Spectra Bass is available in both four- and five-string configurations, with two colorways for each. These are Amber Blue Burst and Desert Sand for the former and Transparent Black and Transparent Purple Burst for the latter.
All the basses in Jackson's 2021 reveal are available now. For more information, head over to Jackson.
Sam was Staff Writer at GuitarWorld.com from 2019 to 2023, and also created content for Total Guitar, Guitarist and Guitar Player. He has well over 15 years of guitar playing under his belt, as well as a degree in Music Technology (Mixing and Mastering). He's a metalhead through and through, but has a thorough appreciation for all genres of music. In his spare time, Sam creates point-of-view guitar lesson videos on YouTube under the name Sightline Guitar.
