Jackson

collapse expand iconDescription

The Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS23, a versatile 4-string bass with an offset poplar body and bolt-on maple neck. The brand-new body shape provides perfect balance and comfort for hours of playing. A 12" radius bound laurel fingerboard with 24 frets sits atop the maple neck, which has a scarf joint design and speed neck contour.

Powerful Pickups Deliver a Range of Tones

The Spectra Bass JS23 provides a sound as unique as the bassist playing it. A Jackson J-style bridge pickup and P-style neck pickup deliver everything from punchy growls to lucid tones. The pickups can be blended and shaped using the volume control, blend control and bass boost control. A push/pull selector on the volume control engages or bypasses the active circuit for the bass boost, so you'll never lose sound to a dead battery.

Rock-Solid Bridge Provides Sustain and Stability

A Jackson HiMass bridge provides rock-solid stability, improved sustain, and a bold tone. The bridge works with the poplar body and maple neck to produce a resonant, full sound with rich harmonics.

Unique Styling and High Playability

The Spectra Bass JS23 has a unique offset body shape and a Jackson 2x2 headstock for distinctive style. A 34" scale length, 12" radius fingerboard, and speed neck contour provide a fast, comfortable playing feel for any technique. The bass comes in red stain or walnut stain with black hardware for an eye-catching appearance.

Highly Affordable Versatility

Highly affordable yet packed with professional features, the Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS23 provides exceptional value for bassists of all levels. This versatile 4-string bass produces a range of tones for any musical style.

Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS23 Red Stain
Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS23 Red Stain
Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS23 Red Stain

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • 34" scale length, 4-string bass
  • Poplar body
  • Bolt-on maple neck with graphite reinforcement and scarf joint
  • 12" radius bound laurel fingerboard with 24 frets and white dot inlays
  • J-style bridge pickup, P-style neck pickup
  • Volume control (with push/pull selector to bypass active circuit), blend control and bass boost control (active only) Jackson HiMass bridge
  • Jackson sealed die-cast tuners
  • Unique Jackson 2x2 headstock
  • Available in red stain or walnut stain with black hardware
  • Case sold separately
warning

WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), which is known to the State of California to cause cancer, and to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

collapse expand iconSpecs

Neck
  • Shape: Slim
  • Wood: Maple
  • Neck joint: Bolt-on
  • Scale length: 34"
  • Truss rod: Dual-action
  • Finish: Satin
Pickups
  • Neck: P-style neck pickup
  • Bridge: J-style bridge pickup
  • Control layout: Master volume, blend, active bass boost
  • Special electronics: Active/passive mode
Fretboard
  • Material: Laurel
  • Radius: 12"
  • Fret size: Medium
  • Number of frets: 24
  • Inlays: Dot
  • Nut material/width: Plastic, 1.5" (38 mm)
Body
  • Body type: Solidbody single cutaway
  • Body wood: Poplar
  • Top wood: Poplar
  • Body finish: Satin
Hardware
  • Bridge/tailpiece: Individual saddle
  • Tuning machines: Die-cast
  • Color: Black
Other
  • Number of strings: 4
  • Case: Sold separately
  • Country of origin: Indonesia

collapse expand iconWarranty

Limited lifetime warranty against defects for guitars purchased after 1/1/2000.
One year parts and labor warranty for guitars purchased before 1/1/2000.

Featured Articles

collapse expand iconReviews

4.68

19 Reviews

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Most Liked Positive Review

4

Lightweight and comfortable bass

I got the Walnut stain color and coupled with the black hardware and white binding make for a really good looking instrument. Comfortably shaped body and a narrow neck (with a little bit of chunk to it) makes it pretty easy to play. It balances well on the lap with just a hint of neck dive but none at all with a strap. Hardware all seems solid and the bridge is a neat looking high mass type (it's got tons of sustain). The pickups are strong and clean sounding and you could play most any type of music with it. My only gripe with this bass is the controls - you get volume, pick up blend, and a battery powered bass boost control instead of a simple tone control, so you'll have to use your amp's EQ instead. For what it's worth, you do get a passive mode switch where pulling up on the volume control bypasses this boost feature. Also, the battery is inconveniently located in the control cavity (not good if you're in a hurry). However I bought this bass solely for the looks and light weight. I mod my basses a lot and and may swap the boost for a tone control someday. Overall, a nice bass for someone starting out. Jackson is not a household name for bass guitars but check them out!

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

3

Entry level bass guitar with a few nice features

I purchased this bass to have kicking around the music room. I chose it for affordability and a few nice features not typically fond on guitars in this price range.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Jamming15
  2. Practicing15
  3. Recording11
  4. Rock Concerts5
  5. Small Venues4
Cons
  1. Fret Buzz4
  2. Longevity is questionable.1
  3. Bass boost doesn't add much to the sound.1
  4. Neck a little chunky1
  5. Some buzzing on the neck pickups1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced10
  2. Novice9
Pros
  1. Good Feel16
  2. Good Tone16
  3. Fun To Play15
  4. Good Pick Up11
  5. Solid Electronics10
  • Jackson spectra bass flat red JS23

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted4 months ago

    byGeno

    fromFairlawn Ohio

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    This bass is excellent sound and has a terrific neck the pickups punch that sound out. Outstanding all the way

  • Decent bass

    5

    submitted6 months ago

    byChuck

    fromBrowns Mills NJ

    I picked up this bass in walnut to start playing again after 35 years due to switching to vocals. Once I adjusted the neck, changed pickups to EMG's, went with DR Black Beauties, the bass sounds really good. I will be adding more basses to my arsenal eventually but Jackson has never let me down.

  • GREAT BASS, GREAT FOR BEGINNERS OR ADVANCED PLAYERS

    5

    submitted6 months ago

    byMatt

    fromFresno, CA

    I keep reading how it's a great "Beginner Bass" and the guy at guitar center said the same thing when I bought it and suggested i buy a bass more designed for advanced players, but I knew better, been playing bass for 21 years now and I knew in seconds this bass is awesome, loving it!

  • This is above expectations

    4

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted8 months ago

    byDavid

    fromBeacon Ny

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    I had never considered the Jackson brand but I was sold on a similar looking instrument. I tried this one and I liked the way it felt and it seemed to have a good clear sound. It is a budget bass but seemed to be solidly built and was on sale. As a beginner bassist I appreciate the straight-forward simplicity of this instrument but also appreciate its capability. My primary purpose is song-writing and casual use not performance, but I do appreciate flexibility as my needs change.

  • I would likely buy this product again

    4

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted8 months ago

    byDavid

    fromBeacon NY

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    This is a budget bass that is good for songwriting and for learning basic bass playing. The tone and quality are surprisingly good for the price point. I was unfamiliar with the Jackson brand but found this model to be similar to an Ibanez bass that I like though not the same.

  • Worth the money

    4

    submitteda year ago

    byEthan

    fromCharlotte North Carolina

    I've been using it to practice and eventually I'll take it to a live show but it's a good bass. The neck is pretty thick which can cause the area where your thumb is to crank but it sounds very good the price, it's a good beginner bass but the thick neck may be an issue for people

collapse expand iconQ&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • asked byBjmoore

    fromParma, OH

    Does this bass handle B standard tuning well?

    Does this bass handle B standard tuning well?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    No. I don't think it would do well below 'D'
  • asked byMilford Mike

    fromMilford, MA

    Does the preamp require a battery to work?

    Does the preamp require a battery to work?

    Open Reply - Beau
    This bass has active pickups, so a 9 volt battery is required.
  • asked byFUNKOBAHL

    fromWaukee,IA

    What is the total length of the guitar

    What is the total length of the guitar

    Open Reply - Beau
    Approximately 37".
  • asked byDani

    fromundisclosed

    What's the weight on this bass?

    What's the weight on this bass?

    Open Reply - Beau
    13 Pounds.
  • asked byFUNKOBAHL

    fromWaukee,IA

    What is the total length

    What is the total length

    Open Reply - Thomas
    About 44"
  • asked byERIK

    fromThomaston, CT

    I purchased a Jackson JS23 Bass from Guitar Center that did not include any tools.  What tool do I need to adjust the string height on the saddles.  None of the hex keys I own for other instruments fits.

    I purchased a Jackson JS23 Bass from Guitar Center that did not include any tools. What tool do I need to adjust the string height on the saddles. None of the hex keys I own for other instruments fits.

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    Please contact a Customer Service Agent for trouble shooting inquiries
  • asked byDwayne

    fromMesa, Az.

    Can I get this bass guitar in left hand? 116273426 or 116273418?

    Can I get this bass guitar in left hand? 116273426 or 116273418?

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    Please contact a Sales Agent for Special Order Placement
  • asked byHector

    fromundisclosed

    Are the pickups passive or active pickups? I'm a little confused about the active bypass feature.

    Are the pickups passive or active pickups? I'm a little confused about the active bypass feature.

    Open Reply - Thomas
    The pups are passive, they don't run through the pre-amp. The EQ controls do run through the pre-amp, the EQ is what is active. The bypass feature allows you to bypass the pre-amp and run passive. Active and passive sound different. You may prefer one over the other.