Jackson Spectra SBA V Pro Series - Can Jackson One-Up The Ibanez Sound Gear? - LowEndLobster Review

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Jackson Spectra SBA V: www.jacksongui...
Hey everyone! Today we'll be reviewing the Spectra SBA V Pro Series from Jackson Guitars (also named the Spectra SB V). Jackson is looking to take on the Ibanez Soundgear with their latest modern fiver. Featuring a 35" scale neck, neck thru construction, and great sounding import Nordstrand pickups, can the Jackson Spectra SBA V beat Ibanez at their own game? Let's find out!
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[@poltergeist3194]

Not a fan, might as well get an Ibanez and have possibly better quality and resale. Jackson/Charvel should look modernized versions of Precision and Jazz designs ( like the Charvel PJ basses) Offering them with roasted necks, better quality active EQ’s and different pickup manufacturers offerings. Ibanez has the budget boutique bass market cornered.

[@TheBassManimal]

I wholeheartedly agree 👍

[@jamesreynolds4487]

Thanks for having an “Honest” channel

[@delilah9741]

Thanks for the helpful review. I have this basses cheaper cousin the JS3QV, which I got a used. 100% agree about 35in scale is helps the feel of the B string. For a bridge I think it has a re-branded fender high mass bridge. Its the same shape, and dimensions, but it has a different finish and says Jackson. It seems odd that the cheaper bass might have the better bridge.

[@TheBassManimal]

I don't know why they don't just market their classic pointy headstock 80s metal beasts for that niche market and be done with it. As a lifelong Jackson Bass player, I find their releases over the last 5 or so years... embarrassing.

[@LowEndLobster]

Yeah I feel you. Jackson is an established brand with an identity. Ignoring all the history and making a half assed sound gear is not the right direction to go for them considering how well executed some of their other models are.

[@richgsimisker6286]

These newer 'non-pointy' releases are almost certainly keeping the company's doors open in a dwindling market. I presume that they've cut a good high-volume / low-risk / 'stick-a-J-on-it' deal with Cort/whoever, with scope for generous margins. Hard to be niche AND profitable in today's global race-to-the-bottom economy.

[@AkiraSpectrum]

I agree with your conclusion, having played many Ibanez SR500-600 series basses and a handful of these Jackson Spectra Pro Series, the Ibanez SR605/600e is a nicer and more refined instrument overall for less money.

[@flipper2gv]

It sure is one of the bass of all time.

[@ampthebassplayer]

Of all the basses ever made, it's one of them.

[@breadedkat729]

It may be the bass ever.

[@LowEndLobster]

Definitely a bass that was made at a time and perhaps a place

[@GianmarioScotti]

$1k+ bass with such an incredibly crummy bridge? Hard to believe.

[@ralphhenderson7270]

The electronics are really the only benefit of the bass. The body looks like it was inspired by somebody with a shark fetish and is really something left to be desired....And you're right,...it is an Ibanez rip-off.

[@MasterKeySolutions]

Are we just going to ignore neck through vs bolt on and call them the same? Weird take.

[@MarcG7424]

Was wondering if you'd be interested in reviewing the Jackson X Series IV Spectra Bass can't seem to find a review for it anywhere and seeing as it's a 400+ dollar active bass I was wondering how it compared to say the squire contemporary jazz bass in terms of build quality and electronics

[@MegaTerryNutkins]

Jackson managing director on the phone to Cort - "Make us one of those Ibanezes but not quite as good"

[@subliminalspectrum]

It definitely has more in common with the SRs, but, hear me out, the body shape and headstock along with a few other design choices appear to be inspired by the F Bass BN series. I mean, obviously these things exist in different worlds from each other but the inspiration is note worthy.

[@jamcam9]

Huh, I see it now that you mention it.

[@judecarpenter2990]

I believe that Jackson will honestly take heed to your review. They know you're honest Lob

[@kanekanekane5311]

neck is thin as the ibanez sound gear? i had a beatiful ibanez sdgr 900 made in japan and i was forced to sell due to the neck too much thin for my hands ( tendinitis).

[@TheBassManimal]

I really hope Fender/Jackson is listening If they want to make these all rounder Basses for John Citizen go for it, but you cannot just completely disregard the Basses that made Jackson a hit and dominated the era of Metal for a long time. How about in stead of abominations like the horrid "Jacksonbacker" , here's a tip.. Make some X series Basses at the $1500 mark, load them with EMGs, tone capsules, neck through, good hardware, give them the same paint treatment as these Ibanezes and I guarantee!!, you will cut into Warwick, Spector, Schecter and ESPs marketshare and totally become a force to be reckoned with. Or just fall into obscurity to be another legendary brand destroyed by Fender Corp. - Regards, the metal heads of the world with 1500 to spend.

[@froggjm455]

Awesome reviews, tone wise comparing this to your review of the ibanez i do like the jackson better, it has a more modern mid heavy sound compared to the ibanez having a little deeper low end and more buzz. I actually play on the step down jackson x series quilted maple 4 string, and have tried both 4 string jackson pro series and soundgears, the jacksons are probably some of the most comfortable feeling basses I’ve played on. Mine has the himass bridge instead of the single string bridge so I haven’t really played with the intonation much. I can see why it would be tough to deal with.

[@alexskibicki2262]

Awesome review, lobster. These jackson spectra basses sound phenomenal. I’ve tried out a Jackson spectra js3v model 5-string bass in a silver burst finish and they look and sound pretty killer. Especially with overdrive. I was gonna get one. But reviews I’ve read saying that the js3v models gets damaged prevented me from buying one. I don’t if it true or not. Still the silver burst and the new indigo blue finishes on those basses look nice. And despite looking virtually identical to an Ibanez soundgear bass, this bass is not too bad. It’s definitely suited for the rock and metal bassists.

[@zhiguli8]

Can't understand why Jackson decided to use the pointy headstock on their Ricky-esque bass and not this one. Not interested in either, but it seems like this headstock would've gone better with that one. I also with everyone would stop trying to attract with "fancy" wood tops. Just look what the Ibanez BTBs have become. Charge a few bucks less and give us plain tops/finishes or invest in higher grade hardware. No, it might not cost much to put these thin veneers on an instrument, but it's a step that adds to production time.

[@bartsakowski6012]

That 35 inch scale is enough to move me into looking at these over an Ibanez.

[@hephaestusofficial]

I couldn't agree more on the bridge point. I've literally sold basses over that, prime example being my Harley Benton B450. There are better alternatives, why would someone choose this design over any other that's easier to work with?

[@heftyjo2893]

I seriously looked at this bass but the few I found at the local Guitar Centers all had wobbly knobs. The pots were just spinning around in their post holes and one the knob had just fallen off. It has cheap hardware that wasn't assembled with any competence or attention to detail. The Nordstrand picks certainly did sing though. I ended up going with a Sire Marcus Miller M5.

[@tonyaccouche9807]

Hi, Is your m5 a 5 strings? What is the Weight please? Thnx

[@heftyjo2893]

@@tonyaccouche9807 It's the 4 string. Just shy of 9 lbs at 8 lbs 15 oz. Or, a little bit over 4 kilos.

[@tonyaccouche9807]

Thanks

[@daniel0metal]

I have the 4 string version, the Spectra Pro IV, and how do you say, it could be better, but I still love the bass for its weight and tone options. Also, I was able to get it on release date new and with warranty for $650, so for the price, I thought it was an excellent bass. I love your reviews.

[@calvincurry8496]

Hey Lobster. Hope all is well I was in a Small Music Store in Leesburg Fla. And they had a B-Stock Jackson Spectra JSE 5 String. I Bought it for $210. It had 2 Nostrand HB PUPs, 3 Band EQ , 2 two position coil taps Jet Black Satin Finish.No it was not in the Same league as my MTD kingston Mod Z5, Or my Lakland 55 02, Or even My Michael Kelly Element 5R. But I was able to Gig with it and. Pray Tell,it Turned out to be a very good recording Bass, Esp Tuned down a half step. I think the Retail in the GC and Samash was about $450, Is it me? Or does it seem the$ 400 to a $1000 Basses and the $1100 to About $2500 Basses have leaped in Quality over the last 7 years?

[@LowEndLobster]

Very cool. Yes I think quality in the budget basses has definitely shifted for the better

[@Phyoomz]

That "No Custers" shirt is amazing! 🤣🤣

[@MotoGreciaMarios]

Hi Lobster, in my opinion this bass in not as similar to the Ibanezes as it initially appears. Before I state why, I've got to say that I have experimented with different necks (different woods) on the same bass body and I've got to say that there is significant difference both in tone but also in the response of the instrument, meaning the attack or "snap" of the note. The stiffer neck (Panga-Panga with something I don't remember from Cort B4) gave growlier sound but less snap, the more flexible neck (maple laminate from a Dean Edge 4) gave softer sound but better snap and articulation. In both cases I used the Cort's body (it's got a huge neck pocket) and ensured same string-pickup distance. So, given this, if we count the differences in the construction between our current basses we have: Jackson: Maple laminate and body-through Ibanezes: Jatoba or Panga-Panga laminates and bolt-on So the fundamental system that produces the sound in each bass is very different as maple is at the more flexible end of neck woods scale and jatoba is at the stiffer end of the same scale (Panga-Panga is somewhere in the middle, a bit closer to Jatoba). Jatoba is an impressive wood - it's got somewhat less Janka hardness than Ebony (this is resistance to deformation and damage) but it's got the same stiffness as regards to flexibility (which is what we are interested in here). A Jatoba neck really is The Stick To Swallow heh :). So, they should be very-very different as instruments. The thing is that articulation can only be appreciated in the context of a mix. All basses sound clear as crystal when played on their own, I've found this the hard way. The fact that they look alike and they both sport Nordstrand pickups (and the preamps feature similar configurations) well... yeah, they are similar indeed but those can be swapped out with other stuff. It's the wood that you really "marry" when you buy a bass. These are my 2c anyway. Keep the stuff coming, I always enjoy your reviews very much and I appreciate your honest and unbiased expression of your opinions.

[@joetspaulding]

the Yamaha TRBX also has this basic SR body shape and comes in 4 tiers ranging from $250 to $800

[@LowEndLobster]

Indeed! I really need to check out some models on that lineup

[@joetspaulding]

@@LowEndLobster I think Yamaha has sold a ton of these and people don't realize how many are out there on the used market ( I got my 504 for $150). Also, many just get happily used and never sold but fly off most people's radar, maybe never leaving the bedroom or studio. I would try the higher end as they still come in well under $1000 or the cheapest just to see what it offers compared to a beginner Ibanez SR. while it has a bit of a metal flare, especially in the base metallic colors but they also offer so more conservative/adult finishes that tone down the look a lot. we have a girl who plays in our Hawaann luau with a 174 (base model) in violin burst and it fits right in aesthetically. Also, the almost guitar-sized body makes it a great option for a lightweight guy like myself or a girl.

[@GiammarcoZacheo]

Not bad...not bad! [quote]

[@dourmoose]

If I was thinking about buying a bass styled like that I’d opt for an Ibanez for a few dollars more.

[@hasannurihardy5879]

ibanez sdgr premium wannabe, must be made in a factory in mojokerto

[@ryanwarsh]

I can’t get on board with these. If I wanted another Soundgear, I would get one. Another thing, I love the finish on this bass. The spectra basses have some really nice finish options, and the concert basses have like, 4 colors.

[@hevechvy]

Ticking and cracking and popping sounds horrible.

[@tonycarel1785]

I was slightly considering purchasing this bass, but after your reviews the hardware is a deal breaker for me

[@paulsteezo1772]

Its.....MOD TIME CRUSTACEANS!!!

[@bassplayer1586]

That looks like an ash top to me.

[@LowEndLobster]

I was going to say that the spec sheet says maple, but I know better than to trust a spec sheet from a Fender subsidiary... Eyooo! Ahaha

[@WildWildWeasel]

That bass sounds perfect for playing Nathan East's stuff

[@Bassguitarist1985]

I have the same bridge saddles on my Peavey grind 6. They are an absolute pain to adjust but once they're adjusted they work just fine I agree they're better options out there

[@LowEndLobster]

My cirrus had a similar setup. Swapped in a Hipshot and it was way better

[@Bassguitarist1985]

@@LowEndLobster was it made in USA or Indonesia? I think the Indonesian ones had this type and the USA ones had a different one.

[@ryanwarsh]

@@Bassguitarist1985 I have an Indonesian Cirrus, and it has a gold bridge that looks like a Hipshot, don’t know if it’s actually Hipshot though. Also, I miss my Peavey Grind so much! I tell everyone it was a $500 bass that felt like a $1000 bass.

[@Bassguitarist1985]

@@ryanwarsh it really is!! Its a Peavey Grind 6 NTB. I had a grind/polish done when I bought it for ultra low action, then dropped in a set of EMG 45DCs and BQC System running at 18 volts with a full copper tape shield job. I use D'Addario Pro Steels .130 to .030 super long scale. Incredibly clear like a piano tone!!

[@LowEndLobster]

Mine was USA. I did a vid on it. The 18mm Hipshot was a drop in luckily

[@ELISALILOU1998]

👍😉 Hello, Have you ever done a tutorial on the "Tribe" brand?... Thanks

[@LowEndLobster]

I've done one review. They were ok, but I really wasn't impressed with the overall build quality and lack of transparency in regards to where they're manufactured (Korea, but they make you think they're Swiss made).

[@iamgribs]

Very nice sounding bass.

[@Buckers2202]

Do you think this is worth buying as a cheaper option to an Ibanez SR bass? This is currently on offer in the UK for £679 whereas the Premium Ibanez with similar specs cannot be bought for over a grand. The lack of tone control in passive, and the bridge put me off but the tone of the pick ups, ergonomics and lowish price keep me considering it

[@miguelgarcia2715]

At first I thought as well that Jackson was competing with this bass with the Ibanez SR605, but now I think that they tryed to get closer to BTB846, or even the BTB 20th anniversary edition, which also have Nordstrand instead of the classic Barts. What do you think?

[@BenD_Bass]

Hey Lobster, can you review a Cnz Audio mini jazz bass? Its sub 200$ and Im thinking of getting onem Theres not many reviews on it though, but the ones I did find were all good. The colors are all cool too lol

[@Mezziah777]

The top on the bass is Ash, with thin layers of walnut and maple beneath. Sorry to hear about the quality issues, but if the wood is ok put together and it sounds good I guess you can swap out the hardware and electronics (though one shouldn't have to at this price point) I love the brand, and have several Jacksons at home, but their QC and bang for your buck hasn't been very good for a decade.

[@markyurick4137]

Nice review. I think Dev Leopards bass player plays a Jackson bass, and it looks really good. Can't buy one though? Seems like a missed opportunity. Not crazy about this model, but the entry level spectra basses are pretty good for the money.

[@medusabass1667]

I own the cherry poplar version of this bass, I had my luthier go over it for me so I haven't had any issues with wobbly knobs or anything, but after hearing other's comments about the bridge, I am considering replacing it with a better one. Do you have any suggestions?

[@Zekla]

I really digged that neck pickup with mid boost. Gnarly and meaty at the same time! A little noisy perhaps, but what the hay, who really cares about noise when playing live?

[@steffomca762]

For some reason some of these spectra models are made with a poplar body. Hell no, i'll never waste 500+ euros on a poplar body.

[@jml19221]

Jackson trying to put out Ricks and Ibanez copies. Do they call these the knock-off series? Great demo!!

[@paulvanwal4875]

A very good Review, thanks. Not Bad at all , a new bridge and reduce the price ? Pickups good Sound.

[@sjeffy5137]

I have NEVER liked Jackson basses, never been a fan of the looks or the playability

[@stancobb8131]

Well done and thanks ACTUALLY playing the bass! Some don’t and I don’t want unboxing videos lol

[@mattcheckleybass]

Very similar to my assessment in store. Not as good as an Ibanez and nothing to really pull you over either. Jackson need to try harder.

[@texasjeff7166]

Yah it definitely looks like a Ibanez

[@luisenriquegordillofelix3854]

Cort -tec factory cort ibanez Jackson

[@Bassguitarist1985]

No audio?

[@LowEndLobster]

That's odd. It's working on my end. Try refreshing.

[@Bassguitarist1985]

@@LowEndLobster that worked! Had to close youtube clear the cache. Whoo!

[@markt4815]

Ash

[@deview123]

Have you ever done a review on the Warwick corvette rock bass?

[@mixc8]

@LowEnd have you ever reviewed a bass made by Tom Clement? Excellent basses

[@jesseparrish9198]

Wow those pickups make that bass. Not really fan of the look of it though.

[@deonhiggins2357]

I been looking looking at bass for about 2 years 🤔🤔thanks welcome back 🙏🏾

[@ramshaar2597]

Good looking over bright sound hard 2 play strange and blue

[@BenD_Bass]

You should review one of Airline Map Tone. Those things are neat looking

[@michelecrescenzo6547]

The bridge is the same as the schecter stiletto at first glance although I think schecter's is better

[@VHToff0li]

Lobster you have to try a sx spb62. It might be the best budget p bass out there, even better than harley benton 's.

[@kevmac1230]

Jackson really makes some nice looking basses. They have a metal identity that's stuck through the years,undeservedly or not.The shortcomings you point out make the review on the money.A Sound gear bass is a better choice.

[@shiraga0516]

I wonder if this was manufactured in the same factory as Ibanez.

[@chillpillology]

so who are both ibanez and fender targeting these single coil active basses to?

[@tigerscott2966]

Coping is a sincere form of flattery.

[@mark6302]

I have an X series I wish I got an Ibanez instead

[@JordanHudsonMusic]

any plans to look at the 4 string

[@TheDarkKnight73]

Nice but not a Jackson fan

[@willistaylor4077]

Looking good, Lob. 🎵🎵❤️❤️🎸🎸

[@PorchBass]

Not the most character coming through. To me it just sounds like any other freshly strung decent modern 5. Tis no big Al

[@paulsteezo1772]

6th!

[@heavymetalhalloween]

I respect your opinion .if you don't like it send it my way 🦞