Jackson David Ellefson bass CBX

[BloodRose]

Anyone played one of these? I played one of the JS3s today and it was pretty nice but the action was really high at the upper registers and looks like it would need a neck shim. Im wondering how the import Ellefsons are compared to the JS3s? The are alder instead of cedro and the pups a EMG instead of Jackson. And the neck is quarter sawn. One of my daughters is dabbling in bass and I wanna hook her up. Im normally not big on sig models, but this only has the truss cover so its not overtly "signature"
I have a line on scratch and dent of the JS3 and a line on a cheap used CBX.
What say you?

 

[JohnJohn]

Re: Jackson David Ellefson bass CBX

If the neck is comfy and the action can be fixed it sounds like a plan.
They look like a variation on standard Jackson basses, which usually play fairly decently.

And if she decides to trade up or just not into bass, the name and the options should give you a good return.

~edit~ BTW, what's your price range ?

I picked up an Ibanex SRA 500 a while ago, (linkage to review on TalkBass) it cost about $500 Cdn new and plays like a dream.
Great attack and no fret buzz on a lowered action, with a good balance between taut and give on the string tension.
Plus it's very responsive to where you position your picking hand and has a very comfortable fast neck.

View attachment 39894

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Jackson David Ellefson bass CBX

Nice Bass! Im really wiped financially so trying to stay below $300. I have an Ibanez 305 that plays like a dream and I got it cheap, but the neck is too wide. Im thinking Jackson cuz of the slim neck and also, maybe dad can play it while she is at school..haha

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Jackson David Ellefson bass CBX

Just a side note: probably doesn't need a neck shim as much as a proper neck adjustment/ setup. Its crazy how much guitars will change in a store even with humidifiers over the course of a month or two. If this is not the case, dont buy that specific one, new stuff (especially today) should not need such a thing.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Jackson David Ellefson bass CBX

I agree Kamanda SD, but this particular one has a ding in it. So I can get it real cheap if it can be adjusted.. Manager said soon as they got it in, they saw some teens running out of the store. Suspicious, they went and looked around and found the Jackson had been dropped and dinged. idiots..

 

[crguti]

Re: Jackson David Ellefson bass CBX

I've got the Jackson Dave Ellefson CBX bass. Here you can see it together with my Jackson Concert XL bass.
The EMG 35HZ are very good sounding pickups and the preamp (which isn't an EMG) is very powerfull. It has a cutting edge tone which is great for playing metal. Although I striclty play metal with this bass, you can get some interesting tones adjusting the pickup's height and playing with the on-board preamp.
But as I said before, this bass is designed for a metal player. If you want a bass for you daughter, I would recommend an Ibanez bass which has more versatiliity tonewise.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Jackson David Ellefson bass CBX

Here is my usual suggestion.

Pre-owned Yamaha Attitude Plus bass guitar, Gotoh 201B bridge, SD/Basslines Pro-Active pickup, Blackouts For Bass 2-band EQ, 40-90 gauge strings.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Jackson David Ellefson bass CBX

I've got the Jackson Dave Ellefson CBX bass. Here you can see it together with my Jackson Concert XL bass.
The EMG 35HZ are very good sounding pickups and the preamp (which isn't an EMG) is very powerfull. It has a cutting edge tone which is great for playing metal. Although I striclty play metal with this bass, you can get some interesting tones adjusting the pickup's height and playing with the on-board preamp.
But as I said before, this bass is designed for a metal player. If you want a bass for you daughter, I would recommend an Ibanez bass which has more versatiliity tonewise.
View attachment 39908

How is it as a player? ever compare it to the JS3? Ive actually played that one.. from what I gather the CBX is much better.

Here is my usual suggestion.

Pre-owned Yamaha Attitude Plus bass guitar, Gotoh 201B bridge, SD/Basslines Pro-Active pickup, Blackouts For Bass 2-band EQ, 40-90 gauge strings.

Ill check ebay. she'd love that color!!

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: Jackson David Ellefson bass CBX

Here is my usual suggestion.

Pre-owned Yamaha Attitude Plus bass guitar, Gotoh 201B bridge, SD/Basslines Pro-Active pickup, Blackouts For Bass 2-band EQ, 40-90 gauge strings.

Dang, I like that.

How much do they usually go for?

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Jackson David Ellefson bass CBX

I've got an Ellefson 5-string as well, and a 1990s Concert V (5-string). The necks are identical. The Ellefson is a tad lighter, but easy to play. The bridge is set with narrow string spacing at the bridge, which I really like.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Jackson David Ellefson bass CBX

double post

 

[crguti]

Re: Jackson David Ellefson bass CBX

How is it as a player? ever compare it to the JS3? Ive actually played that one.. from what I gather the CBX is much better.

I've never played a JS3.
The CBX is light weight, bright sounding and has great balance. The neck is fast and easy to play. However it has that power output that make it an incredible metal bass. I would suggest to get something more standard like a passive PJ bass, because I doubt you can get a nice Jamiroquai's tone out of this bass... if you know what I mean.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Jackson David Ellefson bass CBX

Here is my usual suggestion.

Pre-owned Yamaha Attitude Plus bass guitar, Gotoh 201B bridge, SD/Basslines Pro-Active pickup, Blackouts For Bass 2-band EQ, 40-90 gauge strings.

Ill check ebay. she'd love that color!!

Dang, I like that. How much do they usually go for?

I am in the UK. Hence, the prices I paid will not necessarily equate to what you find in the USA.

The pre-owned bass guitar should set you back no more than 175USD. The bridge, EQ and pickup are readily available by mail order. IMO, the pickup is worth seeking pre-owned. The EQ should be bought new. It needs to be the stacked knob version to fit in the control cavity.

This last point is important. On the Attitude Plus, the control cavity is a rhomboid shape. There is just enough room to accept two pots, the jack socket and a PP3. A SD/Basslines STC-2 EQ kit will not fit.

The alternative route to sonic versatility is the old Active EQ "switch" series P pickup and simple MV, MT controls.

I chose to install the Gotoh bridge for reasons of on-strap balance as much as for any theoretical improvement to tone or sustain.

For young and/or female bassists, the neck dimensions could be a problem. The width at the nut is a compromise between Precision and Jazz spacings. The profile is far rounder than the full-on Attitude Limited II signature model.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Jackson David Ellefson bass CBX

HMMM.. The Yamaha could be a problem then.. This is for a 13 year old girl. too bad about the pups on the Jackson, sound perfect aside from being a metal guitar. I may go with it for the neck tho if its comfy and fast. If she really stays with it and progresses and needs something more subtle, I can change her out then. If not, I can enjoy it or turn it over.

Crguti, I wish I could find an older Jackson like yours or a Charvel Model series. Those would be comfy, well made and more versitile.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Jackson David Ellefson bass CBX

HMMM.. The Yamaha could be a problem then.. This is for a 13 year old girl. too bad about the pups on the Jackson, sound perfect aside from being a metal guitar. I may go with it for the neck tho if its comfy and fast. If she really stays with it and progresses and needs something more subtle, I can change her out then. If not, I can enjoy it or turn it over.

Crguti, I wish I could find an older Jackson like yours or a Charvel Model series. Those would be comfy, well made and more versitile.

I have one of those, Its even in a girlie color. Though the pickups are a bit lacking but would be fine to learn on

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Jackson David Ellefson bass CBX

HMMM.. The Yamaha could be a problem then. This is for a 13 year old girl.

The only real test is to lay hands on the neck of whatever bass you are considering. It is surprising how much somebody would be willing to compromise if the price is low enough. Earlier, I gave a top end figure of 175USD. The lower end could be nearer 75USD if the present owner does not appreciate what they've got.

Having said all that, how can anything compete with a pink Charvel? It has Girlie Rocker written all over it. Suit you, sir!

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Jackson David Ellefson bass CBX

love that charvel! thats what I have in mind too. Not really my color, but I almost bought a model 6 in that color a year to too ago. Ive always wanted a 6 and this one was mint condition. Im secure enough in my masculinity that I could play a pink guitar. (My dream 6 is that black cherry color they came in) I just didnt get the $ in time

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Jackson David Ellefson bass CBX

Fender MusicMaster bass was a short-scale with a Jazz-style neck.

Then there was the Jackson JJ bass, also a shorty. They don't come up often, but no one wants them so they go cheap.