Until The Beatles came along and George Harrison made the electric guitar the most popular instrument in the world, the Piano used to be the best selling instrument. With the rise of the guitar came a massive expansion of guitar brands and guitar styles. There’s a guitar for every level of musician, whether you’re a professional or you’re a beginner, where something like the guitar in our Ibanez IJV50 review would work well for.
Not only did the electric guitar take off but the electric bass guitar overtook the tradition upright bass (double bass) as the mode of delivering the low end. From Paul McCartney and his signature Hofner Bass guitar to Thundercat and his signature Ibanez, the bass guitar is getting its fair share of the spotlight.
The Top-Rated Guitars
Fender P Bass
A legendary instrument with a deep, powerful tone, the P Bass delivers iconic sound and craftsmanship that has defined bass playing for generations.
One of the most signature sounding bass guitars in all of popular music
The tone is deep and powerful and can move music and people
Reasons not to buy
It’s a big and heavy bass. Not ideal for travel and can be too big for kids
Our Verdict
These absolutely deserve their reputation as the King of Basses. My first bass was a 70’s Precision that I got from my Uncle John – a beautiful instrument. But, probably because I was eleven years old, I was a bit overwhelmed by the sheer size of the neck. Now of course, I wish I’d held on to it.
You simply cannot go wrong with a Fender P-Bass. Old ones are sought after, but the American Standard series is just as good in my experience. And you can take satisfaction from knowing that James Jamerson smiles down from heaven every time you thump around.
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Fender Jaco Pastorius Jazz Bass Guitar
With its impeccable craftsmanship, vintage sound, and a sleek design, it’s the ideal choice for any serious bass player seeking professional quality.
If you are looking for the signature fretless jazz bass sound, that Jaco Pastorius made popular, this is it.
Smooth fingerboard for easy playing.
Reasons not to buy
Not everyone like the reverse tuners.
Our Verdict
Jaco Pastorius was a visionary and a master of music, reimagining the role of the bass guitar in music. While bringing a showmanship and star quality to the world of jazz fusion, Pastorius, put the spotlight on the jazz bass while created an unmistakable, signature sound and look with his sunburst fretless jazz bass.
It feels, looks and sounds like the authentic Gibson models that made the Les Paul electric guitar so iconic.
Reasons not to buy
I wish it was the Gibson model and one day I just might be able to afford it, but this is just fine for now…more than fine.
Our Verdict
Epiphone presents the 2017 Les Paul SL, the most affordable 2-pickup Les Paul ever made with a slim lightweight Poplar body with powerful Epiphone Ceramic pickups. Since the beginning of rock’n’roll, the Les Paul has been considered the ultimate electric guitar and Epiphone’s new Les Paul Standard Plain Top electric guitar lives us to the name. If you’re an acoustic fan as well and like another lightweight option, be sure to give our Yamaha FG850 review a read as well.
Adam Chase is an American born multi-instrumentalist and band leader from Baltimore, MD. Adam has toured around the world with various projects as a drummer, percussionist, band leader and music director. As a touring musician, Adam has performed with some of the biggest musicians in the business, opening for Crosby Stills And Nash, Aerosmith, Santana, Kiss, Rusted Root, Dickey Betts, Victor Wooten, Oteil Burbridge, OAR, and many others.
