Orange O-Bass

After an initial run in 2015 to huge public and critical acclaim, the Orange O Bass is back with some tweaks, both big and small, to cement its position as one of the easiest-playing, most colourful and most versatile bass guitars out there. The best bits of the original O Bass have been retained: there’s the classic single cutaway body shape and the split-coil pickup positioned slightly more neckwards than most other basses, all the better for producing that deep, warm growl. The diverse options for tone are still in place, too: players with a softer touch can be transported to Motown territory, with earthy RnB overtones in abundance, but dig in a little deeper and the O Bass responds with an infectious harmonic grind that recalls the birth of rock ‘n’ roll. Alternatively, roll back the tone knob and revel in clouds of mellow dub and laid-back reggae.

And then come the improvements: immediately obvious is the binding that’s been added all round the instrument to give a premium feel, and the headstock is now coloured black on both the orange and black models for a timeless, classic look. But plenty of innovation lurks beyond the cosmetic, too, helping the O Bass play even better than ever. A body made from west African okoumé wood and a fretboard now made from super-durable purpleheart balances the instrument to perfection whether it’s played stood up or seated, and with the fretwork and neck moulding retooled with playability in mind, jumping around the neck and funky octave swoops have never felt more natural.