LowEndLobster's TOP 3 BEST & WORST Basses of 2022! - LowEndLobster Review Retrospective

LIVE STREAM LINK- 3 PM EST: • Top 3 Best/Worst Basse...
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Hey Everyone! Today we have a brief reprieve from MODcember to take a look back and pick our best and worst basses of 2022. We'll also have a subsequent live stream today with AMP, Bully, and Jonny Dibble! Don't miss it!
Gibson Non Reverse Thunderbird Review: • Gibson Non-Reverse Thu...
G&L Placentia JB Review: • G&L Placentia JB - Why...
EBMM Joe Dart II Review: • Music Man Joe Dart II ...
G&L Kiloton Fretless Review: • G&L Kiloton Tribute FR...
Klos Apollo Std. Review: • Klos Apollo Standard B...
Harley Benton JP-45OP Review: • Harley Benton JP-45OP ...
This bass and all my other basses with rounds are strung with SIT Foundation Nickel Plated Stainless Steel 45-105(125) unless otherwise noted. Check them out at sitstrings.com/
Info on my signal chain, setup and more: • FAQ: My Signal Chain, ...
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[@denomdemon]

Placentia huh? But the name is so beautiful. It just rolls off the tongue with a lyrical quality. Maybe next year they'll release an Umbilicus bass.

[@bwj8]

Haha! Placentia is a city in Orange County, California. The placenta is something else altogether different.

[@denomdemon]

@@bwj8 I heard it's a pleasant place to live although it's kinda small. You might outgrow it after nine months.

[@GoonSquadLifeMember]

@@denomdemon OOOOOH, Bada-Bing...Bada-Boom!!

[@michaeljohnson8058]

Or perhaps a multi-outlet power strip named the mucus plug 🧐

[@barackmycat9448]

All I could think of was child birth......

[@pwokaren]

I was surprised that a low budget Bass got first place. But when you think about it,….why not ? Great job Lobster 🦞 I was so happy to see the G&L Kiloton Tribute Series make the top 3 best ! ⭐️👏🏻

[@josephderr1964]

love your reviews! Thanks

[@presentrlb]

Nice to see that one of my two HB basses took the top spot. Mine has the tobacco burst finish, and it's a surprisingly high quality finish, and looks and feels great. I agree it's a great bass all around. My one complaint is the neck pickup placement for slap. Some technique adjustment is necessary for me when plucking the D string, in particular. I definitely plan to hold onto it, and may upgrade components at some point. You must get asked all the time to sell the one you upgraded. That's a super sweet mod.

[@ronaldwilson9525]

Great job as always Lobster

[@irishchuck2145]

WOW ! I'm gobsmacked, a Harley Benton is the #1 for the year, that is incredible, it really shows just how far they've come. Great vid. Thanks

[@bassimprovjams3772]

Great choices! I agree I think Harley Benton slayed the budget basses this year! I don’t remember your G&L fretless review ima have to go back to that, it’s a shame they made your best and worst list looking forward to the stream!

[@SmallHoleInTheForest]

Forgot to mention that the Placentia gets extra (awful) credit for having the dumbest and most questionable name for an instrument. I went with your rec. on a Squier Paranormal, which was spot on, I got a killer deal on one and love it. Going to have to try the Harley Benton next.

[@peekaboo4390]

As you might know by now I love your channel for the basses and kitties. Keep up the great work. I like your choices here and like the fact that you do not " bass snob" by mentioning Harley Benton or other budget brands compared to the old tried and trusted big boys in the bass world.

[@markfichman3303]

Great to hear about the replacement necks from KLOS. Still kicking myself for not picking up one of those Status necks.

[@helloitsme9081]

I'd like to see a group discussion with BTK, Jonny, and AMP regarding favorite and least favorite signature basses.

[@alexskibicki2262]

Cool list, lobster. 😎🎸 I do dig the kloss bass and the Harley Benton bass. The kloss bass looks nice and seems to have some unique features. I’ve never seen a neck like that before. As for the Harley Benton bass, that bass sounds great. Makes me think of a Yamaha bb bass.

[@quickwashtheraccoon7601]

So cool. Can you make a tierlist with all the basses so far ? I would easily watch 3 hours of this topic .

[@LucasJRice]

All of the basses.

[@quickwashtheraccoon7601]

@@LucasJRice all of them . None one left .

[@ConstantineIsslamow]

Thanks for your review. Harley Benton has really stepped up their game.

[@subparnaturedocumentary]

thank you for this! my child is looking into learning bass and i have been doing some looking i looked into harely bentons because of this and think i found a winner!

[@bmajs]

I just got the HB JP-45OP and I love it! Some string height adjustment when I got it and now just really fun and easy to play.

[@Matt-ig4yk]

mine gets delievered today. Any other considerations or advice??? I am very excited

[@bmajs]

@@Matt-ig4yk Not from me, just enjoy! What "color" did you get?

[@thesnapperkeeper]

Great list Lobster

[@JoeHeisler]

I personally loved the Dart II, mine was super light which is a big plus for me (it’s lighter than some of my guitars) and I really liked the tone. I don’t own as many basses as you but I have tried a bunch of basses at a high end bass shop near me so I have some experience. I even sold my 2000s G&L L-2000. Maybe I got lucky here? If you want an active bass you might be disappointed I guess but you just have to compensate on the amp or DI since they’re doing the amplification and eq shaping.

[@richardmerriam7044]

I've owned a lot of basses during the past 50+ years. Last year, I bought a Squier Classic Vibe Mustang Bass. Perfect!!

[@barackmycat9448]

I bought the `60`s PBass and it was so nice I got the `50`s also. Both are winners if you don`t mind adjusting bridge and neck. It`s easy though.

[@justinkline1294]

100% agree that the HB JP-45OP is the best bass of 2022. I actually sold just yesterday the Aria Pro II Detroit of which this JP is a near 1-1 copy. The HB is just instantly and noticeably a nicer feeling instrument. Like the best I've ever played?! I think so. No way I'm modding mine. If it ain't broke, then don't break it. But thanks for introducing me to my new #1 instrument all the same, Mr. Lobster.

[@braddietzmusic2429]

A great feature! Next year could you extend this best/worst review? No 5-string basses were best/worst. But I’m sure out of available basses there were the best/worst 5-strings of the available 5-strings, even if none of them made your best/worst basses list.

[@jugglerj0e]

WoW! I had No idea Status closed. Thats really sad. I loved hearing Mark King play their basses with Level 42. Nice list too

[@LowEndLobster]

Yeah, HUGE bummer. I have 3 status necks that I am always going to hold onto now!

[@joshuas1509]

The things that we waiting for, thankss

[@giantrobot95]

Great vid! Don't know why G&L would put that out when the rest of their import line is one of the best.

[@brazenhead262]

When I was shopping for a fretless, 24 frets was one of my requirements otherwise I totally would have gone for the Kiloton. The big MFD humbuckers pair so well with the fretless sound

[@AaronKoskelainenBass]

Yes! The Epihone 60’s Thunderbird is amazing! Only great thunderbird in production at the moment i think.

[@Pabloignacioalvarez]

Nice! I got myself a JJ-55OP Great bass i’m putting nordstrand pickups in it

[@LowEndLobster]

Awesome! Happy modding!

[@adamswing6115]

Really happy seeing really cheap options sounding wonderful nowadays, my Ibanez 6 string was like 350 bucks and it sounds and plays like a fucking dream

[@greedygringoprospecting6941]

got me a gibson multi tool adjusted my lpb-2 and need to adjust my eb5. ,new strings. have a good day.

[@dfougere7998]

Have you ever reviewed a Schecter SLS Elite 4 or a PRS Kingfisher or Kestrel, out of all my basses these are my favourite especially my Schecter ,I really enjoy your reviews and would like your thoughts on these, keep the videos coming and thank you

[@riogrande163]

It'll be the next ice age before Gibson stops using that awful 3-point bridge. We should count our blessings that Hipshot exists!

[@davelock3166]

Great choices.

[@element-dh9dx]

It was hard to get a good 200$ bass in 1989. The fact HB sells one now, pretty significant. This looks better than my first bass a Yamaha I payed $250 for that in like 1991.

[@WalterDiamond]

Well done! With a G&L in the Top 3 to boot. Happy new year! (weeks away, but yeah) EDIT: Forgot about that awful Placentia! Abort! Abort!

[@randomserb761]

That Kiloton fretless just looks great, you might even say dynamite 🙃

[@TheBassfresh]

would love to see you review the new fender international color 70's P and J basses

[@pCeLobster]

Who on earth thought "placentia" was a good name for anything??

[@TenFalconsMusic]

Can't take my eyes off your Ernie Ball Stingray HH. Undoubtedly one of the top 5 all time greatest. 🤘😁👍

[@billholder1330]

Hadn't seen the G&L fretless that looks sweet!

[@Nicky_Boy]

I might buy one of those Harley Bentons. Thank you dude!

[@user-ds5km3mt6j]

Thanks for your review. Harley Benton has really stepped up their game.. Thanks for your review. Harley Benton has really stepped up their game..

[@TommyTheHat]

I certainly assumed that HB was top 3 material, not at all surprised to see it nab the number 1 spot 👍

[@aminahmed2220]

What a great video

[@MrSparks54]

No surprise to me the G&L Kiloton Tribute, I love my 2 G&L basses. Now if Santa will send a Klos fiber carbon bass. Thanks Lobster

[@bmac1205]

Whoa Nelly! The Crustacean dumps on Gibson, EBMM and G & L! Wow! Amazing how HB stacks up, not just here, but on every bass they make.👍

[@leighcoulson2148]

Yeah would agree from what I've seen (virtually). I got the same Harley Benton after seeing your (and other reviews) and can't argue with your choice for top bass.

[@justinkline1294]

Dude, isn't the JP-45OP like ridiculously good? I like it so much that sometimes I think I may just be trippin. But I quickly sold the actual Aria Pro II Detroit which this HB straight copies, but does it quite a bit nicer.

[@myjagi]

@@justinkline1294... Could you explain in more detail, what you like more about the HB over the Aria Detroit?

[@justinkline1294]

@@myjagi Sure. I think that the roasted maple slab (not veneer) fretboard on the HB looks nicer than rosewood of the Aria (although Aria's also slab, so if rw's yr thing . . . ). And I have the blue/tortoise combo for the body on the HB. My favorite color. Honestly, I at first bought the HB without really knowing about the Aria based on its looks alone. Had to have it. But most importantly, it's the instant "premium" feel of the HB in my hands. Best fretwork out of the box that I have ever encountered (noticeably). Aria had worst fret sprout (first time I've had to use a metal file on frets in 10+ years). And the HB is almost perfectly balanced to play sitting down (which I mostly do in front of my computer). The Aria has mad neck-dive, comparatively. It is very headstock-heavy due to the chunky traditional tuners used vs. the much lighter, sleeker HB tuning hardware. Both sound pretty good, but I like the crispness of the maple board on the HB. The Aria is deeper, darker. May just be personal preference here. But, bottom line, the Aria feels like it's the $200 bass. While the HB is among the nicest basses that I have ever played out of the box. It's crazy that the only differences (confirmed) between the two instruments are the respective fretboards, the headstock configuration and tuners. Because, again, in my experience they just feel very different. The HB is definitely my current #1 player (of like a dozen basses that I own). But it's just one man's opinion.

[@Snibborwocky]

Seems that Harley Benton is absolutely knocking it out of the park this year with their basses. The MV-4JB Gotoh is getting rave reviews as well.

[@LowEndLobster]

Uhhh no one is getting paid by Harley Benton or Thomann lol

[@LowEndLobster]

Also... Why would anyone care about the resale value of a 200 dollar Harley Benton or a 3-400 dollar Squier? Squier makes stuff in china too. Not sure if you are a troll or painfully misinformed.

[@mishakildager]

Not sure if you have done a video on the Tagima line of basses. I acquired a 73 jazz style bass from them earlier this year for $250. I have used it for studio sessions, gigs and lessons. It is a monster for that price point

[@khaisarmiento2143]

Hope u make a review about Toby Deluxe Bass.. 😊

[@ramshaar2597]

Each word= gold agree with you 🙂👍☕️🎼

[@TheFaustianMan]

I was craving some low end

[@delucajohn2000]

When you sent your Joe Dart II bass back to Ernie Ball, did they fix the issue? I have one with the exact same issue so I am curious if I should reach out the them as well. I want to love this bass so much really cannot gel with it from the super low output to the very different tone it has.

[@vom_id]

you should try zeline bass, it's beautiful and very good sounding

[@sicilianmammalian]

My favorite bass from 2022 was the player series jazz I picked up on Black Friday

[@Sumbibebe]

Worst of next year’s basses ha, ha, ha, ha!!!!! I love it because it kept my attention up. Great countdown👍🏾

[@craighenshaw4487]

Hi lobster. Are you worried about the direction G&L are taking? I have seen more and more about build issues and poor service yet towards the end of last year it was a different story. Everyone agreed they were fantastic. What do you think?

[@cavetroll666]

cant wait to get a DIngwal D-Roc Standard 5

[@KimSE4]

I think the marketing team at G&L will be answering some tough questions about the naming of the Placencia...

[@RichBriere]

Well Done my Friend! I don't get the Fun Factor of the Duarte....... Now give me a Bongo and Life becomes Bassilicious in a Hurry! :)

[@RoadKing-ky2bs]

Lobster 🦞: Maybe the Plecentia should have been rebranded to the Placebo 🤔🤷‍♂️😄 I really can't comment on any of them because I've never played any of them. I trust your reviews, though! On a side note: will you review the new Fender American Vintage 2 1966 Jazz bass that Bully just got? I am curious about your take....I just bought that same one Bully got (same color too). Until we groove again 😉👋

[@willistaylor4077]

Lob, What would your favorite: 1. Budget 2. Mid-price 3. Professional Active 5-String Basses be, if that's okay to ask ?

[@ProdByMarsh]

Does this include for production as well or just for live playing? The people need a break down!

[@caljerm]

Worst basses of 2023? LOL. Are those so bad that we are confident that nothing in the next 12 months can possibly dethrone them? 😉

[@McFly-guitars-n-stuff]

Remember that these are bass's that he has reviewed. There could be even worse ones out there.

[@frankheisler6088]

Nsming a bass "Placentia" should have been a sign...My goodness!

[@flipper2gv]

Wait a second! Status are done for?

[@Nate_P]

Thought the sire u5 would make the top 3 list. 5 claw rating after all.

[@Mr3DBob]

It seems the best cost less. I'm a big Harley Benton fan, but I have more basses than I have time to play, so no HB for me. The Joe Dart looks good; pity it doesn't work well.

[@primovictorian]

I'm no music man player, but the low number of knobs seems cool for simplicity sake. However, you kinda need a bit more tone control.

[@ChaelaThompson]

Have you ever played a yamaha Billy Sheehan bass? You have used the p bass pickup a bit, so we know youd enjoy that aspect of the bass, but I've never heard the neck humbucker demod by someone not trying to mimic Billy

[@LowEndLobster]

Not yet, I would love to though!

[@EckhardRotte]

I would love to see you checking out the Epiphone Embassy instead of another boring Thunderbird test.

[@LowEndLobster]

I already reviewed it. Was going to mod but the pickups are slightly smaller than Gibson sized.

[@EckhardRotte]

@@LowEndLobster okay & thanks, I‘ll watch out for it

[@mandalorthedeaf1237]

Oh wow, a harley benton on the top! But I think that's a great message. If you pay over a 1000 bucks for an instrument you want it to feel and play and sound like it. And if you can get this for much less, it deserves the top spot.

[@AmishParadice]

Honestly I was kind of surprised the Gretsch model wasn't your worst of the year, but still a very interesting list.

[@LowEndLobster]

I tried to cover basses that came out for 2022. That Junior Jet has been around for a while, and I am not going to give that bass any other mentions in any videos.

[@AmishParadice]

@@LowEndLobster Ah I guess that makes sense, didn't think about that.

[@LithiumJack]

Harley Benton is absolutely killing it at the moment - would love to see you take a look at their new mustang-like bass in the "MV-4MSB" which looks amazing, but I can't help but question the decision not to include some kind of pickup selection in a 2 pickup bass?! Still, it's amazing that we can have access to such a great selection of (overall) excellent instruments for such a low price of entry.

[@matthewwinne]

Is that Harley Benton the same as the Aria Detroit? Looks identical.

[@donhall-aquitania1025]

Harley Benton #1 and a US-made Ernie Ball bass in the worst category seems surreal. G&L in both categories is also funny.

[@JC19676]

Lobster, the biggest shock is that there are no Fenders or Squirts on this list?! They have misses as you well know. More of them than most people care to admit. I'm happy that Harley Benton and ,G & L got a great mentions. However shocked when Music Man and G & L got bad marks. Big fan of MM and G & L,what a shame! I have several Thunder birds and I think Epiphone none needs to do a version of The Non Reverse Thunderbird. Their Embassy and Vintage Thunderbirds have been well made.

[@timothyday8193]

Thank you for sharing this message with us who are looking for a good bass and not get ripped off

[@mark6302]

whats up with gibson and finishes?

[@DMSProduktions]

That Gibbo bass was SAD! Esp for THAT sort of money! Bass on Dale! \m/

[@edwin.declerck]

at 3:50 -> Worst for 2022 or 2023?

[@anhthinguyenphan5882]

Can you try the SWING from Korea?

[@trappenweisseguy27]

The Joe Dart model has pickup routes that would be fitting for a cheap Aliexpress job 🥴.

[@dansoch3622]

Fretless bass has frets ?

[@bmac1205]

That Kiloton has my vote! Saaaaaahhhhhh-WWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@corn1078]

G&L bro.. just do yourself a favor and get a Fender.. I do have a bias since i started with a squier p bass then since transitioned into a fender jazz which i love. personally they're easier for a mainly guitar player to pick up. Imo

[@billholder1330]

Wow G&L "scores" in both categories! :D

[@Peter-Alexander]

Great video! I was wondering what your all time top 3 would be if money would not be an issue. Because you mentioned for the HB it still sounds like a 500 dollar bass....

[@victorbauguess8237]

you know I don't like the non reverse thunderbird at all I think the neck pickup tone sucks but the bridge pickup and both pickups together are great tonally

[@eugene_ok]

1000th like!

[@randomserb761]

Heybcle's patented Virtual Coin Flipping Device to the rescue!

[@MichaelAsh-sd7hw]

I have seen several reviews and comments (on line) regarding the Gibson Non-Reverse Thunderbird, and and yet to hear *anything* positive about that bass. If Gibson isn't willing to do better than this, why don't they simply stop making basses..?

[@pauldavis6356]

How did we go from 2022 to 2023? (@3:50)🤔

[@azrikamaluddin8121]

Cool like your cat..

[@jeffcollins7443]

2022 or 2023? Were we in a time warp going back and forth?

[@LowEndLobster]

Time is an illusion

[@GoonSquadLifeMember]

Well, we bassists sometimes have problems counting 😋.

[@juaccoo]

It evens seems Joe Dart is using the original Joe Dart in his latest live performances

[@sjeffy5137]

4:02 ooof that bass is getting slammed over and over again on these lists, can’t say I’m mad tho lmao

[@nigel900]

PLACENTIA?! PLACENTIA?! Well… hell, I suppose they could have named it the Vajyner…

[@Feesh6]

I will never understand how Harley Benton makes such amazing basses for as stupidly cheap as they are I bought a j bass from them for 140$ including shipping and it plays better then a squire it’s crazy

[@kelalamusic9258]

I had an idea you would pick the G&L Placentia as the worst bass of 2022 based on the recent review that you did. Wow! A Harley Benton taking 1st place for the best bass. It just shows that a manufacturer can do a decent job making a low budget instrument. Well done Harley Benton, and well done Mr Lobster!

[@travatron4000]

Lobster still got me GASing for that HB JP..... 100% on the worst list too.

[@raineveeraine]

i genuinely try to pinch the button but it just won't work on phone