Davison Full Size Electric Bass Starter Pack Review – Basic, Cheap and Cheerful

Body And Neck:
Hardware:
Sound:
Value:

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Our chart on the best bass guitars for beginners is full of basses varying in price, but all providing a good foundation on which to learn this awesome instrument. Today’s focus is on the ultra-affordable Davison Electric Bass Starter Pack, which gives great convenience but is admittedly as basic as basic gets. No frills, no fuss… no good? Let’s find out…

The Bass

First off, the bass in this pack doesn’t look bad – it just looks basic. There’s nothing there that shouldn’t be, just a standard double-cutaway body shape that comfortable to hold whether standing or sitting. It’s made out of solid wood and finished in a high gloss black paintjob. No nonsense.

There’s a maple neck which is bolted on – just like any good bass from bigger brands such as Fender – and features a full 22 frets. The fit and finish of this mass-produced model is acceptable, but it won’t surprise anyone to know it feels in need of a string change and a good setup out of the box, with a few rough fret edges and a little buzz here and there.

As for hardware, the electronics are simple but solid, with a single split-coil pickup in the middle, controlled by master volume and master tone controls. This keeps things simple for the beginner, while offering a clear tone for practice. Elsewhere you’ll find a set of chrome tuners and a fixed bridge for decent tuning stability.

The Amp and Extras

If you thought the bass was basic, welcome to the rest of the pack! In all seriousness, yes – it is elementary, but it also does the job required. The lead plugs in, the strap attaches, and the bag stores the bass. These are very convenient, although you’ll be wanting to upgrade them as soon as you can.

This is a similar sentiment for the 30-watt amp, which is very small and quite quiet. In fact, it doesn’t do justice to the bass in this pack. Still, it’s functional, has volume and tone controls, and gives your bass a voice straight from the box, which is all that’s needed for players just starting out.

Conclusion

If you are an experienced player or just one who has been playing for more than a year, this starter pack probably isn’t worth your time. Not because it’s bad, but because it is so basic. However, the value for money and convenience it offers a complete beginner is fantastic and – if you’ve never picked up a bass before and are on a budget – it’s hard to go wrong with this set.

For more info about the Davison Full Size Electric Bass Starter Pack, click here.
For more Beginner Bass Guitar you might like, click here.