This Insanely HIDEOUS Bass Sounds...Awesome?? - Jackson CBXNT DX IV [Demo]

[@patrickhunter]

Love it? Hate it? All I have to say is I'm beyond happy I got a chance to play this monstrosity! Thanks for watching, y'all!

[@cjbrewer3843]

What about it is so ugly to you? I think a different pick guard and bridge would completely change it for the better. But I dig it as is. Got that retro Rick/Fender PJ thing going on that I dig

[@rl-ub9hx]

I think if they offer a version with a more classic headstock it would be a massive seller

[@Metalbass10000]

I'm a fan of the Hipshot version of the Ric Bridge (the Ric original IS crappy), and it does LOOK cool with the cover, though I can't play well with that cover in place. To combine the P and Ric is a reasonable idea, but I don't care for the Jackson headstock on this, either. The color seems to be chosen to enhance the WTF reaction they expected from the design. Sounded ok.

[@catvoncrimson666]

YAY! You tried it!! It was awesome for me!

[@kendobass]

I don`t believe we should appreciate a bass just by looking it, it is more important how the bass makes us feel.

[@ampthebassplayer]

I think we're finally in a spot where musicians aren't so caught up in traditional aesthetics and people are willing to buy weird/crazy/eye-catching instruments over the typical Fenders. I still think the 2x2 Jackson headstock would fit the overall look better, but I appreciate them taking risks with this bass.

[@EgonSpenglersTwinkie]

Agreed about the headstock. I think it's likely a production thing. All of their Fender-like basses have that 4-in-a-row headstock shape. This is likely just the exact same body template they use for all of those, just routed and finished differently. It's a shame, too, because I think they actually have one of the nicer 2x2 headstock shapes out there.

[@brianphunter77]

Or reverse headstock...

[@BJaca-tn3om]

I'd choose this bass especially for the headstock. Finally a pointy one!

[@potatoheadhaoy]

I'm so glad, as a bizarre guitar enthusiast I'm loving that retro Ricky on crack sort of look

[@elpeluca7780]

Don't think so. It's impossible to find an affordable bc rich these days

[@ithemba]

I love this thing. It kinda looks as if some weird 80s Soviet pop metal band you never heard of could have played. It kinda tickles a sweet spot.

[@tjsogmc]

Yes! Soviet era rock/pop look! That's what I was thinking but couldn't put into words.

[@speculative]

Great description!

[@TheAtlantaThrasher]

You know, I'm something of a hideous myself.

[@patrickhunter]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@whoisredsean]

i bet you sound good!

[@shreddiouswt6957]

Me too😊

[@jakenelson4863]

Lol same frfr

[@welteringinblackwell]

I had a chance to play a black one at a Guitar Center, and the setup was surprisingly amazing. It was very fun to play on with overdrive and I’m glad you like it!

[@omegaminus]

Love it, picked one up a couple years ago! Modern, sharply angled bass with aggressive tone, but with a splash of 60s vintage aesthetic, totally my vibe.

[@edbrito-swdev]

The name CBXNT DX IV just rolls. As easy to say as it is to look at that bass. Sounds impressive though!

[@abouc]

Jackson is getting product name ideas from Ibanez

[@hegemonycricket2182]

It's a but-her face bass...

[@smokymountainlegends7797]

Saw one of these in my local GC and, had I had the funds at the time, would've jumped on it. Love the whole FrankenRickPJ vibe. I do wonder though if I'm the only one who thinks it'd look even more badass with a reverse headstock?

[@harleyerickson3654]

I love this bass, planning to get one! I tried a bunch of basses at Guitar Center and this played and felt better than everything else I tried. I like the funky, retro look. I love the green and the Fireburst.

[@timhutchinson8485]

I kinda wish it would make up its mind whether it wants to be a Rickenbacker or an 80s-style PJ.

[@TenFalconsMusic]

To me, it looks like a cross between a Fender Aerodyne and a Rick (body wise). The neck is all Jackson 1985 though.

[@JoeScharnweber]

Just got this bass and it so dope. Plays great. Huge range of tones. Zombie Bass

[@scottstrand1874]

Try playing "She's Not There" by the Zombies, as long as you brought up the subject.

[@RadityoPramAdi]

I would take the preamp out and do 'output for each pickup' kinda wiring..To complete the whole Rick theme.

[@bassnsax]

I didn't care for the look of it initially, but at an angle, that binding HECKIN' POPS!!!

[@mattschwartzstein3159]

My son wants to upgrade his Ibanez with this. At first I thought he was nuts but after a few minutes the look really grew on me. Contemporary Rick. Dig it.

[@availablelight999]

I love the flatter neck radius..for me, this bass plays and sounds very beautiful. Its unique look grows on you.

[@xanderdaniels8284]

I played one in guitar center a while ago, as much as I wanted to hate it, I actually liked how it played and sounded quite a bit.

[@skooterbrah]

I have a CBXNT IV in army green, and I absolutely love it. It is ugly as hell, but in a good way. Basically, it is the same as this bass, which leads me to believe that it will be a monster!

[@BaBaBaBenny]

I know what you mean about the pickguard, I think Ric's have really thick single ply pickguards so copies tend to follow suit, I had a retrovibe ricky copy for a while and you could use the pickguard as a finger ramp....

[@kudokudami16]

I love this bass

[@253dycewcnd9]

Im glad you finally had a chance to get down on a Jackson. I own a Jackson cbxnt4 (mine has individual volume knobs for each pickup) all in all it comes down to personal preference. I fell in love with the whole look, and the playability was insane!!!! Definitely geared towards rock/metal. Thanks for holding it down for us low end rydaz!

[@toddmcmakin]

I realize this video is over a year old now, but I thought I would give my limited review of the bass. First off, I am not a professional bass player and I do not gig. I currently own three basses: A Fender American P/J, a Musicman single pickup active bass, and a UBass. I like having variety. I write and record my own music and I like to have variety to match my various songs. I had some credit at Guitar Center and had planned to pick up a dedicated Squire 40th Anniversary P-Bass, which was on sale. On a whim, I decided to give the Jackson bass a try and was quite surprised to find that it really hit a niche sound for me that I wasn't getting with the other basses. This bass was on sale for $380 and I really didn't have an issue with the color (this is the red - really more orange one). To my untrained ears, this bass has a tighter sound than my other basses and really takes well to flat picking. Anyway, I am a happy buyer and I think it will fit into the nitch that I want it for, which is surf and surf rock. It's comfortable to play, sounds good, and appears well built. I think it is well worth what I paid for it and it certainly is different from the basses I already own.

[@ricohgill6523]

I'm a guitar player so therefore not an authority on basses, but I think this guy could make basically any bass sound decent.

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

In fact, when I first saw the CBX, it reminded me of two things at once. The first thing was those Chinese-made Rickenbacker imitators that have been cropping up since before I became a student on the 90s. The other thing I was reminded of was my first bass guitar from 1996, an Epiphone P-bass copy. Everything about it looked identical to the real McCoy, only it was fitted with the Gibson fang headstock. That is something I tend to see in my minds eye whenever I see a standard style guitar or bass assembled with that headstock shape, the like of which Jackson and a few other manufacturers kind of emulated from Gibson.

[@hansabass]

This bass def got a huge MPD, but sounds FAB! 😀

[@bassincinerator]

It’s going to be a collectors bass soon, I own the guitar center exclusive fire glow finish 😬

[@JOTG2000]

I had to google it, looks awesome. Nice purchase.

[@rats_and_lilies]

Honestly, I genuinely love the green. I really want one

[@grantkoeller8911]

The color is totally killer!!!! I love it!

[@earlbrackett6508]

I'm fallin' in love with this bass...

[@rafafontanez6961]

I found one of these on the Amazon warehouse for $400 and it said that was in very good condition. So long story short the bass arrived in a huge box with literally no protection no bubbles wrapped just loose inside the box and I was there is no way this bass survived this. I was wrong the bass did has some damage to the head stock but the neck was fine with a little paint crack by the joint and like a piece of wood from the headstock it was in the box so I glue the thing after I set it up and play it I just couldn't part with it. Is now one of my favorite and I own a few basses. And to the guy at Amazon that shipped the bass thank you for been a big piece of shi...t

[@scottsguitarlessonsblacksa9648]

I bought one in black after playing it, sounds great! Plays great too

[@se7ente3n]

this bass is gorgeous what are you guys talking about

[@ChrisHopkinsBass]

If I get one (and I’m debating it) I would definitely fit EMGs. Have a J in the bridge and one of the Steinberger humbuckers at the neck

[@hegemonycricket2182]

Quarter pounders would be mean

[@higgledypiggledycubledy8899]

To me this honestly looks ten times better than a Jazz Bass

[@gabefunnychuff4592]

This yeah

[@KaneLoya]

Now theese days it's almost imposible to get new and fresh ideas but i really think this bass does that in terms of stetics but gets an extra job in specifics so i think it's totaly worth it, by the way awesome color to get a look at!!!!

[@davidsolinski2988]

You can hear that Megadeth tone all over that bass

[@Hndsmstrngr1]

In the very beginning before the Distortion was added it had a bit of that Rickenbacker Hollow sounding mid-range. Overall pretty good tone good bottom and high-end usually with Distortion bass guitars with turn into mud mush this was not bad for that kind of stuff. I have not found many 24 fret basses that let you reach the last four notes very well. I have one that's really great do the last fret and that is an Alembic Spyder 4

[@CHJbassOfficial]

Looks sooooo much better with that chrome pickup cover removed...

[@tylerdurden1221]

Think you’re buggin’ my man. Saw a red one at guitar center and looked great. Sounds great with your playing

[@roportnoy1]

Please, if possible, record a review of the Jackson CBXNT DT 5 strings. It seems to me that the 5-string version is very different from the 4-string version in several aspects. For example, the body (especially the white color seems to have a different thickness), pickups (model and reverse p).

[@mantrasonica]

"when a Ric and a Precision love each other very much....."

[@ReignCharger]

I'd be in LOVE with this thing if the headstock was upside down

[@manx2121]

Not gonna lie, I like it, finish is awesome. Sweet Against Me! shirt too!

[@foljs5858]

"Insanely HIDEOUS" in what planet? This bass looks great

[@stinky_nut_blast]

In black or red, yes, but green is at least it needs getting used to.

[@TheTruth70777]

If Jackson Guitars manage to 2l 2r machine heads setup with a smaller matching headstock, I think it will be a bomb

[@auriterrify]

I have two Jackson basses, and i love them!

[@auriterrify]

A JS-40 from the 90's and a Concert JS2

[@UncommonSense.]

Loving that tone I have to say

[@kudokudami16]

Beautiful

[@nickopeters]

When I see a green bass, all I can think of is "get it away from me--!" Other than that, yeah, that sharply pointed headstock seems to clash a little bit with the curvy body. I think that that pointy triangular headstock is an aesthetic analog for the choppy sound which is all attack, which you called dry, so that shape kind of fits the way it sounds.

[@jotun725]

In some ways, this reminds me of an A-10 Warthog. Kinda ugly, but amazing at it's mission. I'm interested most in the neck, as otherwise I can't see why I would pick it over an actual PJ.

[@hegemonycricket2182]

Fast neck....shredder

[@dave1986R]

I love Jackson guitars, but their basses, not so much! The first time I saw this I thought it was really weird because of the Rickenbacker-style pick guard and hardware. I called it the Jackenbacker at the time 😄. But you’re right, it does sound good. But I would definitely choose this one over any other Jackson bass.

[@joshbeer414]

I agree the headstock throws the whole thing off for me. It’s kind of weird anyway and the shark fin inlays I could do without. Sounds good though

[@gregwasserman2635]

It's a Jack on the Bacher! If they made by green lefty, I'd get one!

[@toddmenard5525]

This is like the Wagon Queen Family Truckster of basses

[@BubbaBass_Official]

I'm actually wanting one of these bad boys so badly...

[@Alchemyrecordingstudioatl]

If it had a 2X2 headstock, I would absolutely love it. I hate Jackson’s headstock and I think it looks missed placed on this bass

[@felipebentopereira]

Esse baixo é lindo, pra mim o único defeito é ele ser ativo!!

[@Danisiah1]

Totalmente de acuerdo

[@juanjberriosconcepcion1387]

Sounds great!

[@Snaily]

She's not exactly a looker but when you get to know her you'll have a whale of a time.

[@hegemonycricket2182]

But-her face bass

[@nealm2562]

It's pretty cool. I could do without the pickup cover tho.

[@BoyVeriyorumGel]

Nice against me! Shirt dude

[@lostinpa-dadenduro7555]

Block inlays would have gone a long way to improving the aesthetic.

[@j.c1574]

I saw this bass online and was like “ Wtf is this ugly thing?! It looks awesome!”

[@ryanwarsh]

I tried one at Guitar Center recently. The build quality didn’t seem that great. There’s also no telling how much it’s been used and abused since it was out on display. But to me, it felt like a $700 bass that should be sold for $250

[@lucy-tg3sy]

Sweetwater has never sent me candy with my orders smh

[@ryangunwitch-black]

My chick has the green one and I want the black one. This bass rulz.

[@MarcAndreLevesque]

It is absolutely hideous :) But from your demo it seem to sound very good, kinda 1/3 p-bass 1/3 jazz bass and 1/3 Rick, as if you get all those and none at the same time. I like it!

[@grantkoeller8911]

Looks way better with pickup chrome cover!!!!!

[@JonesHess]

That headstock is a defined deal breaker for me

[@dazxmedia]

I love how it looks, of course it's ugly, SO ARE RICKS!

[@chrismemphis8062]

$499 on clearance at Guitar center. took all my willpower to pass on it.....

[@Skully144]

I’m buying this thing, naming it Frankenstein and no one can fucking stop me! It’s so hideous that it somehow looks cool……kinda like Frankenstein.

[@strawberrymins]

Now I need to buy it it’s like me 😂

[@dubswarner]

I love everything about it, except that headstock.

[@rwl0323]

Interestingly enough, it looks like the pickups have been placed in "Ric" positions...

[@zibbezabba2491]

Among my bass collection of very desirable basses including a couple of FendersI have an old Charvel P bass which sounds better than any of them in the studio.

[@edenite]

So its just a PJ?

[@airworthy777]

If Geddy Lee pick this bass...

[@jaex9617]

It ain't easy being green.

[@Peepeestorm]

Yeah, the bridge on my 4003 is arguably one of the worst bridges ever put on a bass. I took me like 2 hours to get it properly set up. Rickenbacker recently started shipping new 4003s with an updated bridge which is miles ahead of the old bridge.

[@izzysteel3562]

Sour Candy apple green

[@KnapfordMaster98]

Personally I love how this bass looks. Especially in fireburst. I think the explosion of hate when it was announced was extremely exaggerated.

[@Gazdatronik]

It looks a lot less jarring than an actual 4001. Maybe the McEnbacker is not weird enough.

[@LowEndLobster]

I'll say it before and I'll say it again- this Jackson succeeds where the Charvel San Dimas failed. Great video!

[@hegemonycricket2182]

Interesting! What's up with the San Dimas, I've been curious about it

[@ronbarzilai5705]

@@hegemonycricket2182 Subpar preamp and shoddy electrical shielding job.

[@davidrichard2098]

San dimas is bad for sure. But its the preamp, you did, once you change it it rocks, the playability is good

[@hegemonycricket2182]

@@ronbarzilai5705 thank you for telling me that. That's really unfortunate for a 1000 bucks...good looking axe too

[@hegemonycricket2182]

@@ronbarzilai5705 I'm looking at the ESP LTD GB4, do you have an opinion about it?

[@leroyatleroys]

Hideous? I actually found it to be one of the most gorgeous production line bass guitars that I have seen in a while. Also happen to love the sound and feel. I'm not crazy about the headstock but the rest of the bass makes up for it.

[@InfiniteRhombus]

you're out of your fucking mind

[@leroyatleroys]

@Tampaterry54 Taste is subjective. Personally, I don't really believe that any guitar is truly ugly. Many are made for different purposes. Some are made to be strictly performance, some are meant to be crazy and or a novelty, others are meant to look elegant, etc. I am not a big fan of basic "traditional"looking guitars like a Stratocaster or Les Paul. They don't look bad and I have even owned a few in those shapes. But I always liked the vibes of Rickenbacker. This gives the character of Rickenbacker while providing the practicality of P-bass guitars. Great balanced pickup set up and the colors are reasonably noticeable. Again, aside from the headstock, I wish there were more basses with these kinds of features.

[@InfiniteRhombus]

@@leroyatleroys oh my god dude fucking words, learn how to comment without typing 4 paragraphs.

[@leroyatleroys]

@@InfiniteRhombus I'm not going to dumb down my grammar for someone who can't muster anything meaningful to say beyond "you're out of your fucking mind". How about you grow up, pay attention in school, and stop expecting everyone else to dumb themselves down so that you don't feel inadequate.

[@zsoltbocsi7546]

best looking bass in ages.

[@davedelirious2180]

The "never judge a book by it's cover" bass.

[@bassmasta9117]

I have both David Ellefson jackson basses (CBX IV in quicksilver & CBXM) and they are my favorite basses. The amount of tone control paired with the EMG pickups is just a step above all the other basses I've played, especially when recording or playing along with music.

[@L3Gutierrez]

The bridge on this is somewhat superior to previous Rickenbacker bridges. Hipshot makes an aftermarket bridge and this is basically that with Jackson branding

[@TenFalconsMusic]

Ricks have the worst bridge in music history, that's for sure.

[@charleswidmore5458]

I was thinking it looked familiar. Love the colour, like the shark inlay for the markers, not crazy about the head and the pick guard looks like it was designed by a retarded AI. To be sure every bass shouldn't look exactly the same and the sound is pretty impressive.

[@ynzsbstn]

Would it fit in a real Rickenbacker?

[@drdoom8793]

@@ynzsbstn Hipshot’s bridge is made to be a direct replacement to the stock Rick bridge. No clue about these jackson bridges

[@thrashnburnbass5250]

I absolutely love the look of this bass and am so stoked people are finally doing reviews on it! Killer review as always man, more into it than ever after seeing this now.

[@mitchfindergeneral]

In a weird way, I almost love how ugly it is. You'll definitely get looks playing this thing.

[@hegemonycricket2182]

I think a black pickguard would make it look a hell of alot better...on the green and black models for sure

[@foljs5858]

In what fucking sense it's "ugly"? Because it doesn't look like a P-bass or a Musicman?

[@Brakk087]

Jackson concerts are scenic as hell, and this one suonds really good, i definitely want to try one someday. What about doing a video of the Ellefson 30th signature that came out in 2020, i can't see any reviews of it on youtube..

[@cjbrewer3843]

I think it looks cool 🤷‍♂️

[@TheeeJenius]

same!

[@tjsogmc]

Science cannot measure the tiny amount of time it would take me to pull money out of my pocket and buy that bass if it was a left hand model.. That thing is ugly nasty in looks and sound in all the right ways. 10/10

[@patricknapier8902]

As a fellow lefty, I've felt that pain many times! Not this time, but many OTHER times! haha! Here's hoping Jackson change their mind and you can get one!

[@snoopersmokio]

Apparently jackson is working on somesort of Left handed bass, according to David Ellefson a year and a half ago

[@spurioustransients]

I'd consider it if I was ever again in the market for a 34" scale bass (I mainly play shortscale following shoulder/neck injuries). Quite a nice price too.

[@mannishboy1]

I thought this is a short-scale. 🤔

[@jeffjones9448]

@@mannishboy1 The Jackson Minion is their short scale. It looks similar and is a P/J configuration but no pic guard and slightly different body shape. Very inexpensive also. I've heard a lot if positive comments about it and Low End Lobster and I believe our friend here have reviewed it.

[@spurioustransients]

@@mannishboy1 The specs I saw said 34"

[@revlewisrees9880]

If I was going to shell out £600 on one of these it would have to be the Absynthe Frost version!!

[@apreciemos]

I'd say the only problem with that specific bass is its color. That model looks great in both black and red man.

[@tofu4770]

I understand where you're coming from but, I'm absolutely in love with this color.

[@doktorfellatio438]

I got a gut feeling this is to appeal to doom/stoner types. The green is awesome imo.

[@centralnysasquatch37dogman69]

Green is best

[@iamgribs]

Not crazy about the green. The black one looks dope

[@1thess523]

I would pick this bass over a Dingwall, that's a hideous looking bass in my opinion

[@johnkeenan9495]

Looking like their trying to model their bass on the Rickenbacker look

[@cmasonrun1000]

The green color is so awesom I would buy it just for that. Sounds like what you thinjk a Ric should sould like. No longer the Jackson Take-it-backers.

[@nsturge11]

I almost threw up when you slapped that thing lol. Seriously though, it sounds pretty good. Thanks for the demo!

[@jeffjones9448]

I've heard a lot of positive comments about Jackson instruments in general but I've yet to play one however I am ordering a Jackson guitar from Sweetwater of course. I can't say enough positive things about Sweetwater, they are outstanding!

[@lilmelvin11]

Yep, I was talking to a sales rep awhile back, asking a lot of questions about a Bass I wanted to get. I said "you know a lot". He said "We go thru months of training before they let us take calls". Yes!

[@hegemonycricket2182]

Truth

[@razielkain5458]

You son of a bass, you actually did it!