Bass – Progressive Rock Gear
This list features bass gear selected for progressive rock — a genre known for complexity, dynamic shifts, and expressive playing. Whether you're navigating odd time signatures or building cinematic textures, the gear below supports clarity, articulation, and sonic flexibility.
Recommended Basses for Progressive Rock
Rickenbacker 4003
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The Rickenbacker 4003 is one of the most iconic basses ever made—instantly recognizable for its unique shape, roaring tone, and unmistakable growl. With its dual single-coil pickups and stereo output capabilities, this bass delivers both punch and clarity in any musical setting.
Perfect for players who want vintage attitude, stunning craftsmanship, and a sound that cuts through mixes with authority.
🔑 Key Features
🎸 Neck-through-body maple construction — Exceptional sustain and tone clarity
🎛 Dual Rickenbacker single-coil pickups — Defined attack and rich harmonic overtones
🧠 Rick-O-Sound stereo output — Split your signal for creative routing and tone sculpting
🪵 Rosewood fretboard with triangle inlays — Smooth feel with distinctive vintage aesthetics
🎯 Unique body contour and bridge design — Iconic look and bold, cutting voice
💡 Built in the USA — A pro-level classic trusted by legends across genres
Dingwall Combustion 5
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The Dingwall Combustion 5 delivers power, precision, and clarity with its distinctive fanned-fret design and custom pickups. Known for massive low-end punch and crisp articulation, this bass is engineered for extended range players who need tight B-string definition and studio-ready tone.
Perfect for metal, fusion, funk, or modern gospel players who demand aggressive attack and tonal control with a boutique feel.
🔑 Key Features
🎸 Fanned-fret, multi-scale design — Improves intonation, feel, and low-end clarity
🧠 5-piece maple neck with bolt-on construction — Sturdy and responsive under pressure
🎛 FD3-N pickups with active 3-band EQ — Wide tonal range with deep sculpting capability
🪵 Swamp ash body with quilted maple top — Resonant and visually stunning
🎯 Lightweight and balanced ergonomics — Built for speed, comfort, and long gigs
💡 Designed in Canada, built for performance — Delivers pro tone at a mid-level price
Ibanez SR1405
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If you're looking for boutique-quality tone and feel at a surprisingly accessible price, the Ibanez SR1405 is a standout. It’s loaded with premium appointments, including a sleekly contoured body, high-end electronics, and a neck that practically plays itself.
Ideal for bassists who want precision, comfort, and style—whether you're tracking in the studio or pushing boundaries on stage.
🔑 Key Features
🎸 Nordstrand Big Single pickups — Fat single-coil sound with tons of clarity and growl
🧠 5-piece wenge/bubinga neck — Ultra-stable and smooth for fast, complex playing
🎛 3-band EQ with mid frequency switch — Dial in your tone for any genre
🪵 Mahogany body with figured maple top — Warm, rich tone with elegant looks
🎯 Mono-Rail bridge — Isolated string vibration for improved sustain and clarity
💡 Sleek, lightweight build — Balanced and ergonomic for long sessions without fatigue
Recommended Bass Amplifiers
Mesa/Boogie Subway D-800+
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If you're after clean power, detailed EQ control, and a pro-grade rig that fits in your backpack, the Mesa/Boogie Subway D-800+ delivers. It builds on the original D-800 with expanded tone-shaping options, including a semi-parametric EQ and switchable HPF, all while retaining the powerful 800-watt Class D output.
Perfect for bassists who want surgical control and tonal headroom in a rugged, travel-friendly package.
🔑 Key Features
🔊 800-watt Class D power amp — Lightweight with massive headroom and clean output
🎛 Expanded EQ with 4-band semi-parametric control — Fine-tune your tone to any room
🧠 High-pass filter and voicing control — Shape your low-end and punch with precision
🎯 Aux in and headphone out — Practice silently with pro-level tone
🪵 XLR DI with pre/post switch and ground lift — Studio and stage-ready connectivity
💡 Road-tested reliability — Built by Mesa with durability and tone at the forefront
Markbass Little Mark Vintage
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If you’re looking for warm, old-school tone in a modern, lightweight head, the Markbass Little Mark Vintage is a killer option. It delivers fat lows, smooth mids, and an airy top end—plus a tube preamp that adds analog character to any bass signal.
This amp is perfect for players who want vintage soul and warmth with modern flexibility and clarity in a gig-friendly format.
🔑 Key Features
🔊 500 watts of power @ 4 ohms — Plenty of clean headroom in a portable form
🎛 Tube preamp — Adds rich harmonics and vintage warmth
🧠 4-band EQ with “Old School” filter — Tailor your tone or roll off highs for a classic vibe
🎯 Mute switch and limiter control — Tame dynamics and control your stage sound
🪵 Balanced DI output — Studio- and stage-ready connectivity
💡 Compact and road-tough — Perfect for touring pros and tone lovers alike
Ampeg SVT-7PRO
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If you want powerful Ampeg tone in a rackmountable and lightweight format, the SVT-7PRO delivers serious volume and tonal versatility. With 1,000 watts of power at 4 ohms, a tube-driven preamp, and an onboard 5-position mid selector, it brings pro-level flexibility and warmth to every stage or studio.
Perfect for players who need huge low-end, tight mids, and vintage grind in a reliable, portable head.
🔑 Key Features
🔊 1,000 watts @ 4 ohms — Plenty of headroom for loud stages or aggressive playing
🎛 Tube-driven preamp (12AX7) — Adds warmth, growl, and Ampeg character
🧠 5-position mid tone selector — Dial in the perfect midrange for any genre
🎯 Built-in compressor and graphic EQ — Shape and control your tone with precision
🪵 Balanced XLR out and effects loop — Ideal for live and studio applications
💡 Rackmountable and road-ready — A lightweight powerhouse built for touring pros
Pedals and Tone Shaping Tools
Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI V2
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If you want massive tone control and amp-like presence in your gig bag, the Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI V2 is a proven essential. With deep EQ shaping, added midrange control, and multiple output options, this pedal delivers punchy, tubey warmth whether you're recording, gigging, or rehearsing.
A top pick for bassists who want flexible tone sculpting and reliable DI performance without lugging around a full rig.
🔑 Key Features
🎸 All-analog SansAmp tube emulation — Adds grit, warmth, and amp-like response
🎛 Expanded EQ with dual mid controls — Shape your tone with surgical precision
🧠 Blend control — Mix your clean and effected signal to taste
🎯 XLR and 1/4" outputs — Go direct to the board, interface, or amp with ease
🪵 Compact and rugged design — Built to handle years of road and studio use
💡 Industry-standard DI box — Trusted by touring pros and session players alike
Darkglass Alpha·Omega
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If you’re after crushing distortion and modern tone control in one elegant package, the Darkglass Alpha·Omega delivers. This dual-engine preamp and drive pedal lets you blend two distinct drive circuits—Alpha for punch and tightness, Omega for raw power and growl—into a single devastating tone.
Perfect for heavy-hitting bassists in metal, prog, and modern rock, or anyone looking to craft a massive wall of sound with clarity and character.
🔑 Key Features
🎸 Alpha and Omega drive engines — Blend two distinct gain styles for unique textures
🎛 Active 3-band EQ — Shape your tone with deep control over low, mid, and high frequencies
🧠 Blend and level knobs — Mix clean and dirty signals with precision
🎯 Parallel output, direct out, and headphone jack — Versatile routing for live, studio, or practice
🪵 Sturdy aluminum enclosure — Road-tough build with sleek design
💡 Signature Darkglass tone — Rich, aggressive, and unmistakably modern
Boss SY-1 Synthesizer Pedal
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If you want to explore synth textures without a keyboard, the Boss SY-1 delivers real-time, polyphonic synth sounds in a classic compact stompbox. No special pickup required—just plug in and unleash basslines, pads, leads, and arpeggios with zero latency.
This is a go-to pedal for adventurous bassists and guitarists looking to add rich, layered tones to their sound without needing deep programming knowledge.
🔑 Key Features
🎹 121 synth sounds onboard — Leads, pads, strings, basses, and sequences
🎛 Intuitive control layout — Dial in blend, tone, and rate with ease
🧠 Polyphonic tracking — Play chords and complex runs without glitching
🎯 Send/return loop — Integrate effects before or after the synth engine
🪵 Compact BOSS enclosure — Built like a tank, fits any pedalboard
💡 No special pickup needed — Works with standard guitar or bass inputs
Recording and Practice Gear
Audient EVO 4 Interface
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If you're starting a home studio or need a portable interface with pro-level sound, the Audient EVO 4 delivers clean preamps, intuitive control, and zero-latency monitoring—all in a compact form. It’s easy enough for beginners, but powerful enough for pros who need a no-fuss recording solution.
A great choice for musicians, content creators, and producers who want plug-and-play reliability with modern features.
🔑 Key Features
🎧 24-bit / 96 kHz audio resolution — Crystal-clear recordings and playback
🎙 Smartgain automatic level setting — Prevents clipping and simplifies setup
🎛 2 EVO mic preamps with 58 dB of gain — Quiet, clean, and transparent input
🎯 Loopback feature — Ideal for streamers, podcasters, and video calls
🪵 USB-C bus-powered — No external power supply needed
💡 Ultra-compact design — Easy to carry and perfect for mobile setups
Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro (250 Ohm)
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If you want honest, spacious sound for mixing, mastering, or critical listening, the DT 990 Pro (250 Ohm) is a studio staple. These open-back headphones offer wide stereo imaging, sparkling highs, and detailed lows—making them a favorite among engineers and tone-focused musicians.
This is a top choice for bassists and producers who want to hear every nuance of their recordings, dial in EQ with confidence, or jam along to tracks with exceptional clarity.
🔑 Key Features
🎧 Open-back design — Wide, natural soundstage ideal for critical listening and mixing
🎛 250 Ohm impedance — Optimized for studio gear and headphone amps
🎚 Detailed highs and balanced lows — Hear every frequency with depth and definition
🧠 Soft velour ear pads — Comfortable for long sessions without ear fatigue
🪵 Rugged, lightweight build — Built to last with classic German engineering
💡 Trusted by professionals — A go-to in studios worldwide for a reason
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