Build Quality: | |
Hardware: | |
Electronics: | |
Sound: | |
Value: | |
Average: |
Pros:
- Good Sound
- Single Coil Pickups
Cons:
- Pine Body
- String Buzz
If a craftsman names an instrument after themselves, it means that the craftsman is especially proud of the instrument. It means he or she has put a whole lot of energy and a whole lot of time into making that one instrument just right, just perfect. This is why when a bass guitar for a beginner has been named after the craftsman, you take a close look at it and make sure you are not making a big mistake buying it. Let us talk about one such instrument and see whether it is as good as I make it out to be.
Body Quality
The guitar is designed in a very interesting shape, one that was prevalent across the board once upon a time. Today the design is making more of a comeback, especially among affordable bass guitars. It is easy and comfortable to play and has an interesting shape that a lot of people will be able to appreciate. The full-body single coloring of the instrument adds a little bit of solemn to the feeling of the guitar so that the metalhead in you will be able to enjoy the instrument to the fullest.
The body of the guitar is made out of pine. The official name of the tonewood, as used by the manufacturer, is radiata, though that doesn’t change the fact that the guitar has a pine body. Pine has a lot of qualities that make it not the most optimal tonewood in terms of most guitars. Though still it has some qualities that some people find it interesting. Pine is known to be a little less resonant than most tonewoods. Still it has a nice level of balance in terms of sound. The tonewood is also a little on the soft side, so watch out for dents and scratches.
The neck of the bass guitar is made out of maple, which is a traditional choice that provides a whole lot of good for the guitar. The instrument has a longer lifespan because of the hardwood, which is durable and warp-resistant. The neck is bolted onto the body of the bass guitar, which is not always optimal in bass guitars because of the pressure exerted by the thick strings onto the joint. Though this time around it is not a problem. The fretboard of the guitar is made out of rosewood.
Hardware
The guitar comes with a Flush-mount, low-profile, fully adjustable bridge. This provides the guitar with some nice string stability, as well as a good level of action and flexibility with sound.
The nut of the guitar is made out of a midway synthetic material. This provides the guitar with a nice harmony and a nice resistance to string buzz.
The tuning machine of the guitar is designed to look lovely and work well. Here it does a decent job. While I could enjoy a bit more tuning stability than what the guitar already has, it does not present too much of a problem.
Electronics
The guitar comes with a couple of single-coil pickups, each located at the neck and the bridge of the bass guitar. The single coils do a decent job of picking up a warm, clear sound that is both bright and energetic. Unfortunately, the Tobias TBT and TBR single-coil pickups do not have too good a resistance to string buzz, resulting in some hum escaping into the sound of the instrument. Though the pickups do have a nice long life, so fun times will last a while.
The bass guitar comes with an in-depth control scheme, with two individual volume control knobs and two individual tone control knobs.
Epiphone Toby Bass Sound
The sound of the bass guitar is a little on the bright and fun side of the spectrum. The single coil pickups produce a great level of detail in the bass tones, with the warmth and energy flowing with the sound. The versatility of the sound is rather enjoyable, while the strength of the sound and the speed it can change at is definitely something to have fun with.
Conclusion
This is definitely one of the better beginner bass guitars on the market, currently. Highly recommended if you are looking for one, but don’t want to lose a whole lot of money.
Click here to view more from Best Bass Guitar Under 300.