Vintage Style. Authentic Tone. Classic Cool.

Inspired by a deep passion for vintage instrument design and informed by the Bass Centre's decades-long communication with professional players and customers throughout the world, a truly iconic design has been re-imagined to blend period accurate looks and a classic sound with a modern, lightweight construction and a super fast, satin finish neck.

With its cool retro features, wide choice of classic colour and pickguard combinations, powerful, authentic tone, flawless finish and expert set-up, the Jive Bass is an affordable, pro-grade instrument with a build quality and performance genuinely regarded by players and music industry pundits as being consistent with instruments twice the price.

The Jive Bass Features

Make Full Contact

The Babicz Full Contact Hardware system is available on all applicable Bass Collection models as either standard issue or as an optional upgrade. As the name implies, this revolutionary new approach to bridge technology ensures full contact between the vibrating string and the body of the instrument, maximising sustain and tonal response. Courtesy of its patented eCam saddle technology, the Babicz design also provides enhanced tuning stability and fully lockable, precision adjustment for string height and intonation.

Get Active with EMG™ Pickups

EMG low impedance pickups are available as a premium upgrade to all Bass Collection Jive models, fully installed and set-up to perfection in the Bass Centre's in-house workshop.

The original EMG active J pickup set retains all the hallmarks of the classic jazz bass sound whilst adding a broader tonal range that will add new dimensions and clarity to your playing. EMGs' low resistance to inductance ratio increases the low end response, while the carefully radiused ceramic bar magnet helps to deliver a tightly focused mid-range with a crisp, lively and dynamic high end response.

Whether you play fretted or fretless, live or in the studio, you'll experience an incredibly full sound, with sweeping harmonic overtones, enhanced punch and super-quiet operation, free of hum and buzz.

YOUR BASS - YOUR WAY

All Bass Collection and British Bass Masters instruments are re-strung and set up prior to despatch by Chris Ward, long serving Bass Centre guitar tech since 1984. Accordingly, you can choose which gauge and type of Elites Strings you prefer and specify personal set-up requirements — please use the "Comments/Requests" field when you check out, or contact the Bass Centre sales team directly.

Freekbass

When Freekbass cruised into town for his master class at the 2014 London Bass Guitar Show, The Bass Centre was pleased hook up the ace, Cincinnati-born funk master with a super-cool Bass Collection "Black 'N' Blocks" Jive Bass to use at his sensational performance. We were even happier when he asked to take the bass home with him to use both live and in the studio!

In his wild musical journey, Freekbass has collaborated with a stellar line-up of artists including Bootsy Collins, DJ Spooky, Phish bassist Mike Gordon, guitarist Buckethead and P-Funk keyboard wiz, Bernie Worrell. 

Alongside pumping out full length LP's and hit instructional DVD's and a packed touring schedule with his own outfit, Freekbass also performs regularly with DJ Logic in Headtronics, livetronica duo FreekBot, the incendiary Dumpstaphunk, and groovy, blues-rock power trio the Kelley Ritchie Band.

Here's the man and his Bass Collection Jive Bass in action on the video for the second single from his 2014 solo release "Everybody's Feelin' Real", the down 'n' dirty, space-funk jam, "Mama's Like A Cowboy". 

Check out his full-on funky discography at the Freekbass Bandcamp store

More Freekbass news and features at his official website

BASS COLLECTION

Jive Bass / Power Bass

Jazzwise Magazine • March 2011

"These brilliant instruments are a steal at this price point... in fact it's hard to think of any bass range that offers so much quality for so little money."

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Jive Bass / Power Bass

Gareth Morgan • Guitar & Bass Magazine • July 2010

"Classy and impressively accurate takes on two classic templates (with) authentic sounds & an excellent level of build quality"

In G&B's annual round-up of the year's most impressive gear, Bass Collection swept the board in the "BEST BASS GUITAR UNDER £1,000" category, with the Jive Bass crowned the winner and the single pickup Power Bass in second place.

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Jive Bass

Dan Veall • Guitar Interactive • December 2013

"The attention to detail is welcome, not only in the feel of the neck profile but also in that this instrument is nicely balanced and surprisingly lightweight. A very good bass for not a lot of money."

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Speakeasy Pro 4

Gareth Morgan • Guitar & Bass Magazine • February 2014

"A well put-together & handsome-looking bass... it’s fair to say that its modern good looks and fine playability make it an instrument that many will be happy to pay a little extra for."

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Speakeasy

Ian Glasper • Bass Guitar Magazine • October 2014

"Exceptionally well built and finished for the price tag – a joy to play... small and perfectly formed, these guitars are easy on both the eye and the ear"

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Bespoke Jive Bass

Joe Hubbard Bass Videos • April 2017

"Lightweight, resonant and extremely versatile... I really love this instrument and I’d recommend it to anybody looking for that classic J-Bass design at a super-affordable price point."

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BRITISH BASS MASTERS

The Guy Pratt Betsy Bass

Mike Brooks • Bass Guitar Magazine • February 2020

"An absolute joy to play... a cool finish, playability and comfort by the bucketload, and a tonal performance that out-boxes many a bass at double the price. The Bass Centre have a winner on their hands."

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The Bruce Thomas Profile Bass

 Joel McIver • Bass Guitar Magazine • January 2016

GEAR OF THE YEAR 2016 — BEST FRETTED BASS UNDER £500
"Bravo, chaps... a wonderful bass that you will not want to stop playing. And all for £495? A great F*nder alternative... Snap one up if you can."

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The Bass Centre Wyman Bass

Gareth Morgan • Guitar & Bass Magazine • September 2011

"An excellent mix of passive tones... if you're looking for a bass that's a little different, the Wyman is a welcome new contender."

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The Bass Centre Wyman Bass

Roger Newell • Guitarist Magazine • December 2012

"Pros: Compact & lightweight, super fat.
 Cons: Provided you like the small proportions, there's nothing to dislike!"

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The Bass Centre Wyman Bass

 Ken Sanders Bass • Guitar Magazine • July 2015

"A great Fender-ish vintage rock 'n' roll tone which will sit perfectly in any blues trio... it continues the company’s tradition for quality basses at affordable prices."

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The Brian May Bass

Roger Newell • Guitarist Magazine • September 2012

"Well styled and nicely built... If you want something off the beaten track this has a great deal to offer... delightful to play, with its own character and sounds - recommended."

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The Brian May Bass

Gareth Morgan • Guitar & Bass Magazine • August 2014

"A fine-looking beast with a heap of '60s flavour which harks back to wilder times. The basic sound is excellent; nice & fat with growling lows & an overall feeling of controlled aggression."

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