Aria Pro II JPJ-9

This JPJ keeps the original magnificent pick-ups but now features a Freeway switch that has 2 banks of 3; and a further option for 3 more tones. The toggle has a left and right movement too. Point it towards the headstock and the upper position gives you the traditional Precision pickup. In the middle we have an alternative Precision tone where the two outer-most pick-ups deliver a slightly wider more open tone - it's even punchier. In the lower position we have the bridge pick-up like a Jazz bass. Move the toggle towards the bridge and in the upper position we have both precision pick-ups in series - shoulder barging a Music Man or similar big pole humbucker out of the way. The sound is as huge as you'd expect. In the middle we have both Precision pick-ups in parallel which offers a calmer very mellow open tone. In the lower position we have the alternative Precision pick-up and the bridge pick-up in series to provide a huge growl. There's more: if you pull up the yellow knob, the phase of the alternative Precision pick-up is shifted (not quite reversed) and the series options suddenly take you into new territory. Unless you are rocking a mega-bucks Alembic, Phase reversal on basses gives a very empty 'clacky' sound that can easily get lost in the mix. Not so here, Stevie Wonder's Superstition no longer needs a keys player. There is more variety to chase with the tone controls as they alter the phase relationship without affecting the volume.

The idea here is to take the opportunity to unlock a huge tonal variety and give you traditional tones, powerful tones and some tones of your own. No batteries required, no complex pre-amps, just making the most of a lot of very good pick-ups.

Nice and light (3.9kg; 8lb 10oz), balanced and plenty of fret left, the action is highly adjustable from super slick theatrics to rattle free slap - I have it in the middle so plenty of both can be achieved. The rod has plenty of adjustment and is now fairly flat, but releasing it half a turn will get a decent bow without rattling the top frets.

Lots of useable flexibility from this bass - not just a palette of every tone possible, just a selection of really good ones and a lot more intuitive than rows of mini-switches.