Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2 - Overview and Best Prices

Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2 Review
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  • 3 Prices - New from $199.99 >
  • From Jackson's 2019 JS series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 4 strings
  • 34"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Maple neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Jackson J-Style Pickup (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Jackson P-Style Pickup (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Dome knobs
  • Jackson Hardtail bridge
  • Bass JS Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast tuners
  • Side-By-Side Comparison
Show Specs
Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2 Specifications
Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2
General
Brand: Jackson
Year: 2019
Configuration: PJ
Strings: 4
Made in: Indonesia
Series: JS
Colors: White, Black, Blue, Brown
Left-Handed Version: No
Body
Type: Solid Body
Body Material: Poplar
Bridge: Jackson Hardtail
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On
Tuners: Jackson Sealed Die-Cast
Fretboard: Laurel
Neck Material: Maple
Decoration: White Dot
Scale Size: 34"
Shape: Bass JS
Frets: 24 Jumbo
Fretboard Radius: 12"
Nut: Plastic
Nut Width: 38.1mm (1.5'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: Jackson J-Style Pickup (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Jackson P-Style Pickup (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 0
Knobs: Dome
Volume Controls: 1
Tone Controls: 2
Hardware
Strap Lock: No
Hardware Color: Black

Our Scores and Tone Evaluation

Playability 78
Sound 77
Build quality 60
Value for money 87
Overall Score 72
Tone Evaluation
  • Heavy Metal
  • Hard Rock
  • Jazz
  • Blues
  • Funk
  • Country
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2
  • Active/Passive Preamp
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

Price Overview

Its average competitor's price is $550, which means that the Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2 is around 64% cheaper than the competition. This takes into account all instruments of the same category in our database with 4 strings and Fixed bridge that are made in Indonesia.

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User Reviews & Feedback

Not all instruments are created equally. That's why it's important to have different opinions. Here's what our users who have played this instrument say. If you've played it before, help others by voting below!

Weight

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Tuning stability

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Neck access to high frets

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Neck profile shape

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Fret edges

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Pickups noise

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Pickups power

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Hand Size Comfortability

After taking into account the neck profile, scale size, fretboard radius, and nut width, we can conclude that the Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2's construction favors people with relatively small hands.

Nevertheless, this comes down in the end to personal preference. Make sure you test this bass—or another one with similar characteristics—before buying.

Big Hands
Small Hands

Beginner Friendliness

The Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2 meets 3 out of our 6 criteria items for beginner friendliness, which means that it's not bad for beginners, but it could be better. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players to get used to.

New Player Friendliness

Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale

Videos

Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2 | Jackson Presents | Jackson Guitars
Jackson JS Series - JS2 Spectra Bass Demo
Jackson JS2 Spectra, Gloss Black sound demo | Gear4music
Jackson Spectra Bass JS2 - Bass Demo
Jackson Spectra JS2 demo
Plug and Play Bundles: Jackson JS2 Bass Guitar
Бас-гитара JACKSON JS2 Spectra (новинка)
Jackson JS Series Concert Bass JS2 | Demo
Jackson Pro & JS Series SBA VS JS3 VS JS2 Bass Review (No Talking)
2022 Jackson X Series Spectra Bass | Jackson Guitars

Playability

Scale Length

Scale length is the distance the strings will span between the bridge and the nut. It can tell you a lot about the overall playability and tone of the instrument. A longer scale length means longer distance between frets, brighter tone and more string tension—which means lower action, but more difficult bending of the strings.

Here's the Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2's 34" scale length compared to other common sizes:

Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2 Scale Length Comparison
Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2's scale length (at the top) compared to other popular sizes

This is considered a long scale bass, and it's the most popular choice for several reasons. Even though it might be more difficult to play than short scale basses due to their increased string tension, their punchier low-end results in a clear and defined bass tone that can cut through in a mix, making them well-suited for genres like rock, metal, and funk.

Neck Profile

Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2 Neck Profile
Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2's neck profile

The neck profile tells you the thickness (neck depth) and shape in cross section. Every difference will completely change the feeling and comfortability of the neck. This is a highly subjective thing, but most players indeed prefer certain types of necks (like Cs and Ds) because they feel nice in most hands.

It has a C type neck. C-shaped necks like this have been the most popular for the last years. The reason is that they feel good in most hands. It's generally a thin neck that doesn't get in your way when playing fast, but that also has enough mass to give your hands a comfortable grip for chords if they aren't too big.

Thin necks like this make it easier to move your hand across the neck and it helps when playing fast solos, especially if you like to leave your thumb free while playing high on the fretboard. However, thinner necks are also weaker and will need adjustment more often than a thicker neck.

Fretboard Radius

When it comes to fingerboard radius, personal preference will dictate which one is better for you. However, most people seem to agree that a more curved (lower) radius will make it easier to play chords while a less curved (higher) radius is better for soloing and bending.

The Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2 has a 12" fingerboard radius.

Here's an image comparing this fretboard radius to other popular choices:

Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2 Fretboard Radius Comparison with Fender Stratocaster and Gibson Les Paul
Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2's fretboard radius compared to others

This is the same radius that Gibson uses in most of their guitars. When compare to the other popular radius of Fender Stratocasters, you can see that it's a lot flatter. Guitars with this radius are usually made to bring a good balance between single-note and chord playing.

Compound radius fingerboards give the best of both worlds. Unfortunately, the Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2 has the same radius across the board.

Playability compared to main competitors

34'' Scale Length
C Neck Profile
1.5'' Nut Width
12'' Fretboard Radius
34'' Scale Length
C Neck Profile
1.5'' Nut Width
Compound Fretboard Radius
34'' Scale Length
C Neck Profile
1.5'' Nut Width
Compound Fretboard Radius
34'' Scale Length
C Neck Profile
1.5'' Nut Width
Compound Fretboard Radius
34'' Scale Length
C Neck Profile
1.5'' Nut Width
Compound Fretboard Radius

Nut Width

Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2 Nut Width
Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2 Nut Width

The Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2 has a nut width of 38.1mm (1.5''). This is within the most common range of nut widths for a 4-string bass. This is what most players find as a balanced width for both playing chords and single notes across different strings. If you have an "average" hand size, or you're not sure what nut width you'd like, this is a safe bet.

Frets

The Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2 has 24 frets. A lot of people mistakenly believe that having more frets will always be better because it gives you a higher octave. This is certainly an advantage, but there's also a disadvantage to this.

Since the fretboard will be longer, the neck pickup will need to be placed closer to the bridge. And as you may know, the further away the neck pickup is from the bridge, the warmer it sounds. This means you'll have a brighter-sounding neck pickup when using a 24-fret bass, even if you use the same pickup on a 22-fret bass.

It comes with nickel silver frets, so they won't last as long as stainless steel frets. If you use your instrument a lot, you might need to replace the frets after a few years. But this is unlikely as most people change instruments before this happens.

Fret Size

Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2 Fret Size Comparison
Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2's fret size (in orange) compared to other popular sizes

Finally, let's talk about fret size. Some people prefer tall frets because it's easier to press the strings and perform bends since there's less friction against the fretboard. On the other hand, some people like shorter frets because they like to touch the fretboard when playing, or because they got heavy hands and tend to press too much on the string and alter the of the note pitch accidently.

The Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2's frets are Jumbo size. This is a tall fret size that is becoming increasingly popular because it makes it easier to press down the strings cleanly. With this fret size, you won't feel the fretboard when playing, so if you press down too hard, you will get the notes out of pitch. However, this is something you can overcome by getting used to the taller size.

Playability Score

Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 90
Playability 78

Tone

Wood will have little influence in the final tone of an electric guitar or bass. Instead, the hardware, especially the pickups, will be the most important thing to look at. Bur first, let's see the quality of the wood.

Wood

Poplar wood pattern used for guitar building
Poplar Body
Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple Neck
Laurel wood pattern used for guitar building
Laurel Fretboard

Poplar Body: It's similar to Alder in terms of tone as it has a fat low-end with strong mids, but it's a lot cheaper and softer. It's a bit heavier so it's mostly used for tops.

Maple Neck: This is one of the most popular types of wood used in all kinds of guitars. It's heavy, strong and compact, which makes it great for necks. However, it's also used for fretboards, bodies and tops due to its light color, resistance and beautiful patterns. When it comes to tone, it highlights the mid and high frequencies.

Laurel Fretboard: There are many types of Laurel, but East Indian is the most common for guitar building. Its color can vary from dark to light brown with black lines. Many people find its tonality similar to Rosewood, which favors the warmer frequencies.

Pickups

Unfortunately, it doesn't come with pickups from one of the top brands. This doesn't mean you will get bad pickups, but you might want to consider a pickup upgrade after some time.

These are passive pickups, so you can expect a rounder sound and a moderade level of output.

Preamp

The preamp is an electronic circuit that serves as an intermediary between the bass's pickups and the amplifier. Its primary function is to boost and shape the bass's raw signal before it reaches the amplifier. This allows for greater control over the bass's tone, volume, and other sound characteristics. Preamps often include tone controls, equalization settings, and sometimes even onboard effects, enabling bassists to tailor their sound to their preferences and the musical context.

This bass has a Active/Passive preamp. This means it combines both passive and active electronics in one instrument. This versatile setup allows the player to switch between passive and active modes, providing a wide range of tonal options. In passive mode, the bass relies on traditional passive pickups and tone controls for a warm and organic sound. In active mode, the onboard preamp circuit is engaged, offering enhanced EQ shaping capabilities and sometimes a signal boost. This flexibility caters to a broader spectrum of musical styles and playing preferences, as it allows the bassist to switch between the classic, vintage tone of passive operation and the more versatile and finely tuned active mode, all within the same instrument.

The Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2's configuration is PJ. It offers a versatile tonal range by combining the warm, punchy sound of a Precision-style (P-style) pickup with the brighter, more articulate tones of a Jazz-style (J-style) pickup. This makes it a great choice for those seeking tonal flexibility.

More with the same pickups

24 Frets
Fixed Bridge
Jackson J-Style Pickup Bridge Pickup
Jackson P-Style Pickup Neck Pickup
24 Frets
Fixed Bridge
Jackson J-Style Pickup Bridge Pickup
Jackson P-Style Pickup Neck Pickup
24 Frets
Fixed Bridge
Jackson J-Style Pickup Bridge Pickup
Jackson P-Style Pickup Neck Pickup
24 Frets
Fixed Bridge
Jackson J-Style Pickup Bridge Pickup
Jackson P-Style Pickup Neck Pickup
22 Frets
Fixed Bridge
Jackson J-Style Pickup Bridge Pickup
Jackson P-Style Pickup Neck Pickup

Versatility

Unfortunately, it doesn't come with more options for coil split or coil tapping. This makes it less versatile than some competitors.

What music genre is it good for?

As a 4 strings, Solid Body bass with PJ configuration and Passive pickups, we'd recommend it for genres like Heavy Metal or similar. However, you can use almost any bass for any genre. This is just the typical type of music for this particular one.

Sound Score

Pickups 60
Sustain 80
Versatility 92
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 77

Build Quality

Country of Origin

Knowing where the instrument is produced is a good way to know how well it's built. Some manufacturing countries are known for having higher quality standards. For example, most expensive instruments are made in the US or Japan, but there are some exceptionally great countries—like South Korea—that are building a good reputation.

The Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2 is made in Indonesia. Many people prefer the quality of an Indonesian guitar over a Chinese. Respectable brands like Epiphone, Ibanez and Schecter are building in this country because of the great quality and lower price. Some people like to compare them to the ones built in Japan during the 80s, when Japanese guitar makers made a name for themselves.

Bridge

Jackson Hardtail: The advantage of fixed bridges is that they don't require any kind of set-up. This makes it extremely easy when changing strings because you don't need to adjust anything besides tuning the guitar. Also, the fact that the bridge is directly attached to the body will help to increase sustain. The disadvantage is the lack of versatility since you can't create the same vibrato effects as with tremolo bridges.

Nut Material

Another important thing to analyze is the nut material, as it's one of the most important aspects that can affect the sound and playability of your bass. A well-cut nut will make sure it stays in tune and will make it more comfortable to play.

In this case, the Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2 has a Plastic nut. This is a low-quality nut that you might want to consider upgrading soon. Bone and TUSQ nuts are the best for guitars with a fixed or simple tremolo bridge.

Neck Joint

The neck joint is the part where the neck of the bass meets the body. There are three main techniques to attach both parts together: Set-In, Bolt-On and Neck-Through. The latter two provide different advantages, although neck-throughs are the most expensive.

This bass has a Bolt-On neck joint. Even though this type of neck was looked down upon for a long time, nowadays bolt-on necks are well built and provide just as much sustain as any other join method. First of all, it's cheap to make because it consists of simply 4 bolts that attach the neck to the body. And you can travel with the guitar more easily, swap out the neck if you damage it, or upgrade to a more comfortable neck later on.

Build Quality Score

Quality of materials 41
Features 75
Quality Control 65
Build Quality 60