What is the scale length of the JET JB Travel Bass?

The bass features a 23-inch (584 mm) scale length, which is significantly shorter than the standard 34-inch long scale or even common 30-inch short scale basses.

What woods are used in the construction?

The body is made of roasted poplar, while the neck is crafted from Canadian roasted maple. The fretboard also uses roasted maple for a smooth, stable playing surface.

How many strings does this bass have?

The JET JB Travel Bass is a standard 4-string electric bass guitar.

What pickups are installed in the Olympic White model?

It is equipped with a pair of JB-style single-coil pickups, providing a classic jazz-bass tonal palette.

What is the control layout?

The bass utilizes a simple and intuitive three-knob layout consisting of two individual volume controls and one master tone control.

What type of nut does the JET JB Travel Bass feature?

The instrument comes standard with a bone nut, which is preferred for its durability and contribution to resonance and sustain.

Can the truss rod be adjusted?

Yes, it features a double-action truss rod, allowing for precise adjustments to the neck relief to suit different environments or string gauges.

What string gauge is recommended for this short-scale bass?

It comes strung with .50–.110 gauge strings. The heavier gauge is necessary to maintain proper tension on the 23-inch scale.

What is the fretboard radius?

The fretboard has a 12-inch radius, which provides a modern, flatter feel that facilitates faster lead lines and comfortable playability.

Is this bass suitable for gigging?

Yes, the manufacturer describes it as 'gig-ready,' offering a full-scale sound and professional hardware in a more portable dimensions.

How does the bridge design contribute to performance?

It features a 2-point, 4-saddle bridge. This design allows for individual string intonation and height adjustments while providing solid tuning stability.

What is the typical price of the JET JB Travel Bass?

The typical retail price for this model is approximately £359, positioning it as a high-value option in the travel bass category.

Gear article

JET Guitars JET JB Travel Bass Guitar Olympic White

The JET JB Travel Bass is a compact, four-string short-scale electric bass designed for portability without sacrificing performance. Featuring a 23-inch scale length and a roasted maple neck, it provides a professional-grade feel in a size suited for travel and younger players.

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Background and Design

JET Guitars has established a reputation for offering high-specification features at accessible price points. The JB Travel Bass in Olympic White follows this philosophy by shrinking the traditional 'J-style' bass blueprint into a format suitable for transport. The instrument utilizes roasted woods—a process usually reserved for premium instruments—to enhance stability and resonance while maintaining a lightweight profile through the use of roasted poplar for the body.

Specifications and Construction

The instrument is built around a Canadian roasted maple neck and a matching roasted maple fretboard with a 12-inch radius. This relatively flat radius facilitates fast technical playing. Despite its small stature, it maintains standard hardware reliability with a two-point, four-saddle bridge and a double-action truss rod for precise setup adjustments. The inclusion of a bone nut is a notable feature at this price point, aiding in sustain and tuning stability. The aesthetic is defined by a classic Olympic White finish complemented by a red tortoise-shell pickguard.

Electronics and Sound Character

Equipped with two JB-style single-coil pickups, the guitar follows a traditional control layout consisting of two volume knobs and one master tone knob. This allows players to blend the neck and bridge pickups to find a variety of tones. The factory-fitted .50–.110 gauge strings are selected to compensate for the shorter scale length, ensuring adequate tension and a 'punchy' sonic profile. The instrument is capable of delivering both warm fingerstyle thumps and bright, percussive slap tones.

Market Position and Alternatives

The JET JB Travel Bass sits in a mid-range price bracket for short-scale instruments, approximately £359. While it offers a more portable and premium-wood alternative to full-sized entry-level options like the Gear4Music Chicago or VISIONSTRING series, it remains more affordable than professional-grade short-scales or full-sized staples such as the Fender Player II Jazz Bass or the American Professional II series. It serves as a specialized alternative to the Squier Classic Vibe range for players specifically seeking a sub-30-inch scale length.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the scale length of the JET JB Travel Bass?: The bass features a 23-inch (584 mm) scale length, which is significantly shorter than the standard 34-inch long scale or even common 30-inch short scale basses.
What woods are used in the construction?: The body is made of roasted poplar, while the neck is crafted from Canadian roasted maple. The fretboard also uses roasted maple for a smooth, stable playing surface.
How many strings does this bass have?: The JET JB Travel Bass is a standard 4-string electric bass guitar.
What pickups are installed in the Olympic White model?: It is equipped with a pair of JB-style single-coil pickups, providing a classic jazz-bass tonal palette.
What is the control layout?: The bass utilizes a simple and intuitive three-knob layout consisting of two individual volume controls and one master tone control.
What type of nut does the JET JB Travel Bass feature?: The instrument comes standard with a bone nut, which is preferred for its durability and contribution to resonance and sustain.
Can the truss rod be adjusted?: Yes, it features a double-action truss rod, allowing for precise adjustments to the neck relief to suit different environments or string gauges.
What string gauge is recommended for this short-scale bass?: It comes strung with .50–.110 gauge strings. The heavier gauge is necessary to maintain proper tension on the 23-inch scale.
What is the fretboard radius?: The fretboard has a 12-inch radius, which provides a modern, flatter feel that facilitates faster lead lines and comfortable playability.
Is this bass suitable for gigging?: Yes, the manufacturer describes it as 'gig-ready,' offering a full-scale sound and professional hardware in a more portable dimensions.
How does the bridge design contribute to performance?: It features a 2-point, 4-saddle bridge. This design allows for individual string intonation and height adjustments while providing solid tuning stability.
What is the typical price of the JET JB Travel Bass?: The typical retail price for this model is approximately £359, positioning it as a high-value option in the travel bass category.