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Inspired by a deep passion for vintage instrument design and informed by the Bass Centre's decades-long communication with professional players and customers throughout the world, a truly iconic design has been re-imagined to blend period accurate looks and a classic sound with a modern, lightweight construction and a super fast, satin finish neck.
With its cool retro features, wide choice of classic colour and pickguard combinations, powerful, authentic tone, flawless finish and expert set-up, the Jive Bass is an affordable, pro-grade instrument that represents astonishing value for money, with a build quality and performance genuinely regarded by players and music industry pundits as being consistent with instruments twice the price.
Lightweight, balanced body contour with classic colour/pickguard combination
The Babicz Full Contact Hardware system is available on all applicable Bass Collection models as either standard issue or as an optional upgrade. As the name implies, this revolutionary new approach to bridge technology ensures full contact between the vibrating string and the body of the instrument, maximising sustain and tonal response. Courtesy of its patented eCam saddle technology, the Babicz design also provides enhanced tuning stability and fully lockable, precision adjustment for string height and intonation.
EMG low impedance pickups are available as a premium upgrade to all Bass Collection Jive models, fully installed and set-up to perfection in the Bass Centre's in-house workshop.
The original EMG active J pickup set retains all the hallmarks of the classic jazz bass sound whilst adding a broader tonal range that will add new dimensions and clarity to your playing. EMGs' low resistance to inductance ratio increases the low end response, while the carefully radiused ceramic bar magnet helps to deliver a tightly focused mid-range with a crisp, lively and dynamic high end response.
Whether you play fretted or fretless, live or in the studio, you'll experience an incredibly full sound, with sweeping harmonic overtones, enhanced punch and super-quiet operation, free of hum and buzz.
All Bass Collection and British Bass Masters instruments are re-strung and set up prior to despatch by Chris Ward, long serving Bass Centre guitar tech since 1984. Accordingly, you can choose which gauge and type of Elites Strings you prefer and specify personal set-up requirements — please use the "Comments/Requests" field when you check out, or contact the Bass Centre sales team directly.
Huge thanks to long-term Bass Centre collaborator Joe Hubbard for taking time to produce this great video introduction to his very own Bass Collection Bespoke Jive Bass.
To Joe's spec, the stock instrument has been tricked out with black scratchplate and Omega "Badass" style bridge as well as with a pair of Aguilar Super Single pickups and Mike Pope Flex Core electronics installed by long serving Bass Centre technician Chris Ward.
Here, he puts his augmented Jive through its paces, ably demonstrating its effortless playability and broad tonal palette
Joe Hubbard’s professional career spans three decades as an internationally acclaimed educator, author and contemporary jazz fusion recording artist. He has also recorded and performed with a huge and diverse range of musicians including Morrissey Mullen, Denny Laine (Moody Blues, Wings), Gary Numan, Nigel Wright (produce for West Life, X-Factor), Alvin Lee (Ten Years After), George Benson, Everything But the Girl, Mose Allison, Colin Blunstone, Elkie Brooks, Bill Nelson, Ben E. King, Alan Murphy, Dave Weckl, Frank Gambale, Gary Husband and Mose Allison.
CHECK OUT JOE HUBBARD'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL
"These brilliant instruments are a steal at this price point... in fact it's hard to think of any bass range that offers so much quality for so little money."
READ THE FULL REVIEW
"Classy and impressively accurate takes on two classic templates (with) authentic sounds & an excellent level of build quality"
In G&B's annual round-up of the year's most impressive gear, Bass Collection swept the board in the "BEST BASS GUITAR UNDER £1,000" category, with the Jive Bass crowned the winner and the single pickup Power Bass in second place.
"The attention to detail is welcome, not only in the feel of the neck profile but also in that this instrument is nicely balanced and surprisingly lightweight. A very good bass for not a lot of money."
"A well put-together & handsome-looking bass... it’s fair to say that its modern good looks and fine playability make it an instrument that many will be happy to pay a little extra for."
"Exceptionally well built and finished for the price tag – a joy to play... small and perfectly formed, these guitars are easy on both the eye and the ear"
"Lightweight, resonant and extremely versatile... I really love this instrument and I’d recommend it to anybody looking for that classic J-Bass design at a super-affordable price point."
WATCH THE FULL DEMO
"An absolute joy to play... a cool finish, playability and comfort by the bucketload, and a tonal performance that out-boxes many a bass at double the price. The Bass Centre have a winner on their hands."
GEAR OF THE YEAR 2016 — BEST FRETTED BASS UNDER £500"Bravo, chaps... a wonderful bass that you will not want to stop playing. And all for £495? A great F*nder alternative... Snap one up if you can."
"An excellent mix of passive tones... if you're looking for a bass that's a little different, the Wyman is a welcome new contender."
"Pros: Compact & lightweight, super fat. Cons: Provided you like the small proportions, there's nothing to dislike!"
"A great Fender-ish vintage rock 'n' roll tone which will sit perfectly in any blues trio... it continues the company’s tradition for quality basses at affordable prices."
"Well styled and nicely built... If you want something off the beaten track this has a great deal to offer... delightful to play, with its own character and sounds - recommended."
"A fine-looking beast with a heap of '60s flavour which harks back to wilder times. The basic sound is excellent; nice & fat with growling lows & an overall feeling of controlled aggression."
I am a 6-string player, guitar builder + general fettler of a good few years, and I agree with all of Greg's comments below. After many years, I decided it's time to get a bass (and to learn some proper technique).The Jive Bass is well put together with a good set up, nice and comfy straight out of the box. It plays and looks every bit as well, if not better, than instruments costing 3 times the money. It has good action, smooth fret ends and a Full Contact bridge - what more can you ask for?Well I did, and upgraded to the EMG Pickups - nice.Minor point is that the nut edges were left little square and a little sharp, but hey, 5 minutes with masking tape and a file and all is good.Delighted with the bass (+ the strap, gig bag & keyring) and the excellent service from the Bass Centre. So much so that I've just been back again to buy a PJ Bighead pre-amp, another strap, and some more strings!Recommended.Ian (no, I'm not the former Arsenal Man)
Had the bass for a few weeks now, and I have to say it's marvelous. I've owned loads of basses over the years, some really nice ones too, but I have to say this Jive bass is really, really good. Excellent playability, weight, and build, but most of all the sound! It sounds terrific.Very happy with it.Greg SmithUK Pro bassist with Aynsley Lister, John Verity (Argent), Sean Webster Band, Jon Amor,Jack Hutchinson, Laurence Jones Band
For a limited period, this elegant, practical and super-comfortable 100% vegan custom strap is FREE with every purchase from the Bass Centre's superb Bass Collection range.
