Damn, talk about hyperbole...Jackson Limited Edition Pro Plus Series Pure Metal Concert Bass

[jd56hawk]

Taking a cue from its 6-string series siblings, this Pro Plus Series Concert Bass CB1A is a no-holds-barred behemoth of bass-crafting ferocity, emerging as a limited-edition axe that joins Jackson’s Pure Metal collection of high-flashpoint single-pickup powerhouses. As soon as the CB1A landed at Sweetwater’s Guitar Shop, its bold attitude was impossible to ignore — from sleek fretboard and body binding to the lone Fishman Fluence Bass Soapbar and gleaming chrome hardware, it blends stripped-down looks with seriously flexible sound. This onyx-hued haymaker marries premium poplar, maple, and ebony tonewoods with a compound-radius fretboard, graphite reinforcements, and a blistering 3-piece neck, collectively empowering you to wield multidimensional degrees of subterranean sonics. With the Jackson Pro Plus Series Pure Metal CB1A bass, an arsenal of aural alchemy awaits.

Forged with a tenacious triptych of tonewoods

Plunging the depths of the Pro Plus Series sonic power is no small feat, and Jackson outfitted the neck-through-body Pure Metal CB1A with a floorboard-breaking foundation to level the low end. The bass’s poplar body anchors your tones in a resonant, full-bodied profile, prized for its straightforward sounds, invigorating low-frequency presence, and a depth that especially enriches mid- and upper-range character. A maple neck endows your tone with a smoldering brilliance that’s teeming with clarity and natural note-separating articulation, ensuring even the most diabolical lows are voiced with distinction. Up top, an ebony fretboard completes this Pure Metal bass’s tonewood triumvirate, with a deliverance of sustain, crystalline presence, and powerful precision, punching through every register.

Fishman Fluence: one pickup, limitless multi-voice malleability

For this Pro Plus Series Pure Metal bass, Jackson’s luthiers devised a deliverance of voltaic sonic-contouring versatility, thanks to the industry-disrupting engineering prowess of Fishman. Mounted at the bridge, an active Fishman Fluence Bass Soapbar pickup unlocks a multidimensional mélange of musicality via Fishman’s state-of-the-art Fluence Core technology. The menacing multi-voice vibrance owes to a dual-bar magnetic circuit, outfitted with a galvanizing Ceramic VIII magnet, with three selectable voices instantly activated by the onboard 3-way mini toggle: Passive, Active, and Single Coil. Across this triptych of tone-crafting configurations, time-tested and cutting-edge sonics are yours to hone, from time-tested and full-bodied to full-range and explosive dynamics to funk-inspired and mid-scooped magic. Furthermore, a dual-concentric Tone knobs supports a 2-band EQ, refinishing trebles and basses with exceptional detail, while the Volume knob’s push-pull function lets you immediately split the coil.

Built to wield sonic sorcery with uncompromising precision

Whether you’re plundering binary breakdowns or foraying into a frenzy of upper-fret fireworks, Jackson designed the Pro Plus Series CB1A to thrive under numerous high-octane arrangements. Its sonorous bridge and neck-through-body build give you enduring sustain and unwavering intonation, while the near-seamless heel and comfort-focused contouring ensure unencumbered access to all 24 frets spanning its 25.5-inch scale. Meanwhile, the fretboard’s 12- to 16-inch compound radius ensures myriad playstyles are supported with speed, control, and precision, flattening as you approach the higher registers yet accommodating numerous playstyles with comfort and satisfying in-hand heft. What’s more, the use of a 3-piece neck doesn’t merely enhance the bass’s harmonic depth; it provides an increased dimensional stability, compared to a single-piece neck. This design means fewer trips to the workbench and more time with the music. However, Jackson’s studio-to-stage support doesn’t stop there. Pairing this design choice with graphite reinforcements adds another degree of stability and reduces weight, mitigating neck-diving tendencies and guaranteeing the sonic endurance needed for road warrior-worthy wonder.

Edited 15 hours ago by jd56hawk

[binky_bass]

So how much are Jackson paying you for this advert? 

[chris_b]

Pointy headstock. . . . no thanks.

[42Hz]

😂  Actually this is quite funny. I think the post adresses how the subtle hints to the qualities of the product are put into words. This is how they do it over there. Just like politicians before an election - anywhere, actually 😏

For what I expect from a product description this is a bit over the top but I am not into heavy metal.

Edited 14 hours ago by 42Hz

[LeftyJ]

Tell me they're a Fender brand without telling me they're a Fender Brand.

 

"Well, their latest product is called the Limited Edition Pro Plus Series Pure Metal..."

 

Got it. 

 

I also love how the marketing department suddenly forgets it's a bass in the last paragraph, and quotes a 25.5" scale instead of 34". 

Edited 13 hours ago by LeftyJ

[TrevorR]

That’s the write up on the Sweetwater page in the US. They really have gone to town on what (for me at least) is an overpriced, “meh” bass at best. Even Jackson’s own webpage text (while its a bit groan-worthy) isn’t half as cringy! https://uk.jacksonguitars.com/products/pro-plus-limited-edition-pure-metal-concert-bass-cb1a?variant=43871163645986

[Cato]

It's a nice enough looking intrument, I'm sure it sounds decent too.

 

Absolutely nothing outstanding or even particularly 'metal' about it though, just seems to be another black P shaped bass. Click on any guitar shop webiste and there will likely be multiple 'stealth' looking instruments with similar specs from various manufacturers. 

Edited 10 hours ago by Cato

[LeftyJ]

27 minutes ago, TrevorR said:

That’s the write up on the Sweetwater page in the US. They ChatGPT really have gone to town 

Oh, that makes sense. FTFY. There's no way a store that large writes such an epic saga for every product they sell 

[zbd1960]

Interesting word salad. Do they even know what words like 'triptych' actually mean? 

[Stofferson]

6 hours ago, jd56hawk said:

24 frets spanning its 25.5-inch scale

Looks like AI spurted out the guitar size here, either that or its one of those Uke basses

[jd56hawk]

I've seen some very funny writeups from Japanese sellers before, but this one takes the cake.

Not a Jackson fan, only one or two worse headstocks made, not much of a Fender fan, either but the binding is pickup is nice.

[velvetkevorkian]

As a noted pointy headstock appreciator I'm here for it. 

[fretmeister]

I like the bass. Nice clean look.

 

The text is hilarious!

[Bassassin]

I think if I wanted a pointyhead 80s hair-metal bass, I'd find a real pointyhead 80s hair-metal bass. It wouldn't be £1400, it would almost certainly be MIJ, not Indonesian, and it would probably have one of those amazing multicoloured crackle finishes.

 

That said, I didn't want one back when they were current & I certainly don't want one now. Not sure who the target market for stuff like this is in 2025, tbh.

[Ed_S]

If I was still gigging 4s I'd definitely have one of those. Not because of that advertising copy, mind.

 

Seems odd to target the metal market and not offer a 5, but it saves me from myself.

[Sibob]

15 minutes ago, Ed_S said:

If I was still gigging 4s I'd definitely have one of those. Not because of that advertising copy, mind.

 

Seems odd to target the metal market and not offer a 5, but it saves me from myself.

I think much of the metal market are interested in low-tuned 4 strings at the moment. Certainly that’s where I’m at with that side of things.

 

Si

[gjones]

I once bought a Jackson because I saw a guy playing it onstage and it sounded excellent.

 

It was for sale, so I bought it.

 

It played really nicely and had a great neck.

 

But I just couldn't get on with that pointy headstock and it had to go.

 

....I'm so shallow.

[Ed_S]

3 minutes ago, Sibob said:

I think much of the metal market are interested in low-tuned 4 strings at the moment. Certainly that’s where I’m at with that side of things.

 

Si

 

Hmmm.. fair! It all seems to be about fan-fret, headless 5 or 6 strings round these parts when I'm out and about at gigs.

 

Maybe if they'd given this one a 35" scale and set it up BEAD out of the box it might have added something. At least two paragraphs of AI word soup, if nothing else!

[Sibob]

1 minute ago, Ed_S said:

 

Hmmm.. fair! It all seems to be about fan-fret, headless 5 or 6 strings round these parts when I'm out and about at gigs.

 

Maybe if they'd given this one a 35" scale and set it up BEAD out of the box it might have added something. At least two paragraphs of AI word soup, if nothing else!

Totally agree, very poor marketing and AI slop.

Yeah my 4 string LTD is 35” and currently tuned happily to drop A.

 

Si