Bass: Harrier Thunder JB Features: Alder body, Maple neck, Rosewood fingerboard, 21 Frets, 2 Single coil pickups, 2 Volume, 1 Tone, Fixed bridge. Playability: All I can say about this bass is that I set the action and the intonation to Fender’s official specs, and it was spot on. Balance is great and it plays well. Sound: I love the sound of it. It might not cost a lot but it definitely has ...

Bass: Chase Elite BC300 Features: Alder body, Maple neck, Rosewood fingerboard, 24 Frets, 1 Split humbucker, 1 Single pickup, 2 Volume, 1 Tone, Fixed bridge. Playability: Was not able to get the action as low as I’d hoped so was a bit disappointed. Even after shimming the neck I got quite a bit of fret buzz. The balance is ok though. Sound: I’d say that this bass has an acceptable soun...

Bass: Steinberger Spirit XT2 Features: Maple through-neck, Maple wings, Rosewood fingerboard, 24 Frets, 2 Humbuckers, 2 Volume, 1 Tone, Steinberger fixed bridge and headpiece. Playability: Overall, this bass plays beautifully. It has perfect balance, and is ideal for travelling. The fingerboard feels very smooth. After a small adjustment of the saddles I was able to get the action pretty low. Soun...

Guitar: Ibanez SA160 Features: Mahogany body, Maple neck, Rosewood fingerboard, 22 Frets, S-S-H pickup configuration, 1 Volume, 1 Tone, 5 Way switch, Floating non-locking trem. Playability: Balances perfectly, and has a more modern strat-like feel, with a flatter fingerboard radius and easier fret access. Easy to get a nice low action on this guitar. Very fluid and a joy to play. The neck is thick...

Guitar: Ibanez RG470 Features: Basswood body, Maple neck, Rosewood fingerboard, 24 Frets, H-S-H pickup configuration, 1 Volume, 1 Tone, 5 Way switch, Licensed Floyd Rose. Playability: As with most Ibanez guitars, it plays very well indeed. No detectable fret buzz and super low action. The Wizard II neck is super thin for effortless playing. Nice string tension, and good access to the higher frets....

Guitar: Harrier Cirrus ST Features: Basswood body, Maple neck, Sonokelling fingerboard, 22 Frets, 3 single coil pickups, 1 Volume, 2 Tone, 5 Way switch, Vintage 6 screw tremolo. Playability: For a budget guitar it plays quite well. It actually plays better than some other guitars I’ve owned for more than twice the price. I can get a low action with little to no buzzing. Stays in tune fairly ...

Guitar: ESP LTD Viper 50 Features: Agathis body, Maple neck, Rosewood fingerboard, 24 Frets, 2 Humbuckers, 1 Volume, 1 Tone, Fixed bridge. Playability: I have to say I am less than impressed with this guitar. I could not get a low action, and when I tried I got fret buzz everywhere! The neck felt nice and chunky though… Sound: Despite the action issues, this guitar sounds very nice. I think ...

Guitar: Yamaha RGX121S Features: Alder body, Maple neck, Rosewood fingerboard, 22 Frets, H-S-H pickup configuration, 1 Volume, 1 Tone, 5 Way switch, Vintage 6 screw tremolo. Playability: Good balance, good action, and a joy to play! Love the feel of the neck! Fingerboard is fairly flat and doesn’t fret out when you bend notes, but still retains the comfort. Magic! Sound: Excellent tone. I...

Guitar: Westfield E4000 Features: Carved maple top, (unknown body wood), Maple neck, Rosewood fingerboard, 22 Frets, 2 Humbuckers, 2 Volume, 2 Tone, 3 Way switch, Fixed bridge. Playability: If you like short scale guitars, this guitar will be a joy to play! Couldn’t get a really low action without buzz, but I did however manage to get a playable action. Balances pretty nice. Sound: Gotta lov...

Guitar: Epiphone G400TI Tony Iommi Features: Mahogany body and set mahogany neck, Rosewood fingerboard, 24 Frets, 2 Humbuckers, 2 Volume, 2 Tone, 3 Way switch, Fixed bridge. Playability: The 24 3/4” scale gives this guitar a comfortable feel and nice string tension. Good for people with small hands or short fingers. Sound: This guitar has some serious tone! I thank the Gibson Tony Iommi pickups ...