HI, I am a REally big fan of David Ellefson. I find the limited edition too expensive for me but the new David Ellefson CB-XV seems like it. Have anyone played it ? Im really looking foward to it.

the JS3V and CBXV are similar in looks only. the JS3 does not have a 1/4sawn neck and has a lighter cedro body with another style pickups/preamp.

the JS3V would be a better choice for the money IMO since to find a REAL Concert-V from the 90's would cost you more for used. ( I have had many, many C/J basses over here in 15 years ).


no offense to the fan-boys but it's the same as someone wanting a Phil Lynott or a SteveHarris sig,if you think a mirror pickguard or a special paint scheme is gonna help you out cool. is there any tonal differences?...nope. but the price dictates the name on the thing and if that is what you are looking for, more power to you.

Marian, I was getting ready to start a topic on this, but since you're such a big Ellefson fan I just thought I'd put it here. Did you see the Custom Jackson he has used recently with the maple fretboard? It really caught my eye. I love maple and ebony fb's and I'm not sure I've ever seen a Jackson bass with a maple board. I can't remember details on it now. I'll have to look it up. I believe it was a "Firebird" type of shape. Very unique and cool looking. If you haven't seen it and are a huge fan, you'll definitely appreciate it.

Here we go! I saw him playing one like this at a Gigantour show on youtube but found one from NAMM this year. Skip to 2:26 if ya don't wanna watch it all. It may be old news to you but I thought I'd share just in case.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OUle5eROUc

ya they are calling it a Kellybird, and it will be available as a neckthru unit costing 4grand like the rest of the DE models probably in 2013-2014. When they start making them in India with the rest of the JS and X series, I might buy one.

Too bad that they won't revive the Firebird and TBX series like they made in the 90's
I'd love to add another TBX to my collection.
I guess they don't want to infringe on Gibsons body any more....lol

Hello I just seen this feed and was wondering if anyone else is experiencing trus rod buzz on there CB-X basses. I know for a fact its not string buzz its rod buzz and was wondering if there is any thing to fix that. Also does anyone know the type of straplocks Ellefson uses on his sig basses?

if the TR is so loose it isnt doing anything you can tighten it a smidge, if it is already set in a position that has it tight on the nut on top but still rattles inside the neck, then your only recourse is to

take it back and exchange it.
you could have a luthier pull the FB off and fix it but that would cost a ton of money and certainly not worth it on a new bass.

I decided to go with a JS3V instead of the CB-XV after much deliberation.

So far I'm really pleased with it.

I certainly doesn't feel like a cheap bass...it has great weight and balance and the finish is killer...went with black because it looks sheer class.

Changed out the strings for SIT Ellefson Signatures which instantly improved the tone even though the originals weren't exactly terrible...just a bit harsh on my girly fingers. The tone is simply wonderful. I have had far more expensive basses than this and I'm still wondering how they can get such a killer instrument for such a low price.

One small consideration (and it is small) is that I'm 6'2" and reaching the G tuner is quite a stretch when you have the bass strapped on and you're stood up.

good for you on finding something you like that don't kill your bank account.
I have not seen enough BAD reviews on the JS series to warrant any concern about them.
The only thing some like about the CBXV is the different hardware /pre/pickups.
I already have a Charvel 5string, and if it ever gets sold off, I'll replace it with a JS and use the extra money for something extra....

I have to laugh though, because by the time that happens they may have yet another run of different 4-5 string basses, or used ones will be less than a couple hundred dollars in great condition.

Hello all, new here, ordered the David Ellefson CBXV 5 Sring yesterday from American Musical and it was delivered today, just played it for a short time tonight but will take it to rehersal this week and put it through the paces, but right off the bat, right out of the box the set up is very playable, the look of ther bass is even better than the picture I saw when I bought it, I choose the David Ellefson CBXV because od thye EMG pick ups and pre-amp, have a couple other basses with the EMG combo and am comfortable, I am primeraly a 4 string player but was looking for another 5 string but didnt want to spend morethan $500.00 on a 5 string since I dont play 5 string much, but I got to say so far, im very happy with my decision and purchas of this bass, have never played a Jackson before and just went on a wim, im a Rickenbacker, Fender, Gibson and Music Man bass kinda guy, but thing I may look into getting a Jasckson 4 string as well, like this bass so far very much and will recomend Jackson basses to others...