Head to head
Epiphone Viola Bass, Vintage Sunburst vs Jackson X Series Spectra Bass SBXP IV
The verdict
The Jackson X Series Spectra Bass SBXP IV comes out ahead overall — 71 to 66 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone Viola Bass, Vintage Sunburst wins on
- Lower price ($449 vs $600)
Jackson X Series Spectra Bass SBXP IV wins on
- Better playability (75 vs 64)
- Better sound (77 vs 71)
- Better value (75 vs 69)
Scorecard
| Metric | Viola Bass, Vintage Sunburst | X Series Spectra Bass SBXP IV |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 66 | 71 |
| Build | 61 | 61 |
| Playability | 64 | 75 |
| Sound | 71 | 77 |
| Value | 69 | 75 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Viola Bass, Vintage Sunburst | X Series Spectra Bass SBXP IV |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Jackson |
| Type | Bass | Bass |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | — |
| Body wood | Maple | Poplar |
| Neck wood | Maple | Maple |
| Fretboard | Okoume | Laurel |
| Strings | 4 | 4 |
| Frets | 22 | 24 |
| Scale | 30.5" | 34" |
| Pickups | NYR Mini Humbucker / NYT Mini humbucker | Jackson® Medium-Output Humbucking / Jackson® Medium-Output Humbucking |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $449 | $600 |
| Body shape | Viola | Spectra |
| Body Styles | Viola | — |
| Bridge | Compensated Saddle | Jackson® HiMass™ |
| Bridge pickup | NYT Mini humbucker | Jackson® Medium-Output Humbucking |
| Case | Optional | — |
| Control Knobs | Gold Top Hat | Dome-Style |
| Controls | Neck Volume, Bridge Volume, Master Tone | Volume (Push/Pull Selector for Active/Passive Options), Blend, 3-Band EQ (Active Only) |
| Finish | Nickel | Desert Sand |
| Fretboard inlay | Dot | — |
| Fret Count | 22 | — |
| Joint | Glued in | — |
| Model | EBVIVSCH1 | — |
| Mounting Rings | Black | — |
| Neck pickup | NYR Mini Humbucker | Jackson® Medium-Output Humbucking |
| Nut width | 41.91mm / 1.65in | 1.5" (38.1 mm) |
| Output Jack | 1/4" | — |
| Pickup Covers | Nickel | Black |
| Profile | SlimTaper | — |
| Scale length | 774.69mm / 30.5in | 34" (86.36 cm) |
| String gauges | .45, .65, .85, .105 | — |
| Tailpiece | Viola Scroll | — |
| Truss rod | Adjustable | — |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | — |
| Tuners | Premium Tuners | Jackson® Sealed Die-Cast |
| Body Finish | — | Satin |
| Body Top | — | Poplar Burl |
| Commodity Code | — | 9207901000 |
| Construction | — | Neck-Through-Body with Graphite Reinforcement and Scarf Joint |
| Fretboard radius | — | 12"-16" Compound Radius (304.8 mm to 406.4 mm) |
| Fret Size | — | Jumbo |
| Hardware Finish | — | Black |
| Headstock | — | Unique Jackson® 2x2 |
| Headstock Binding | — | White |
| Neck Binding | — | White |
| Neck Finish | — | Satin Color Matched |
| Neck Plate | — | None |
| Nut | — | Black Plastic |
| Orientation | — | Right-Hand |
| Pickguard | — | None |
| Position Inlays | — | White Dot |
| Product Name | — | X Series Spectra Bass SBXP IV, Laurel Fingerboard, Desert Sand |
| Series | — | X |
| Special Electronics | — | 3-Band EQ (Active Only) |
| Strap Buttons | — | Standard |
| String Nut | — | Black Plastic |
| Switching | — | 2-Way Toggle Switch (Pickup Coil Split) |
| Truss Rod Nut | — | Truss Rod Adjustment at Nut |
| Truss Rod Wrench | — | Yes |