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Photos too small? Click on photos, screenshots and diagrams in articles to open a Larger View gallery. January 2010
Other recent issues: | Suzuki Groundbeat & FreestyleElectric bassesPublished in PM February 2008  Printer-friendly versionReviews : Guitar: Bass Think Suzuki and you don't immediately think of guitars, but they have in fact been producing instruments since the 1950s. To find out whether this manufacturer may have been unjustifiably overlooked, Performing Musician put two of their bass models to the test.  While the name is well known in the motorcycling world and you may have heard of the Suzuki Method for classical instruments, probably the only other notable point about this newcomer is the fact that they produce the delightfully eccentric 'Q chord'. However, Suzuki seem to be one of those companies that produce quality instruments without fuss and fanfare, and quietly get on with the business of supplying extremely playable, no frills instruments. On occasion, a player will find that Suzuki axes are just as good as big-name makes that cost many times more, as has been pointed out in American magazines. This month, I'm looking at two of their basses, which just may change your mind about the name. Suzuki's bass models comprise the Groundbeat and Freestyle models — just plain and honest to goodness Precision and Jazz copies. At first sight, there's nothing ground-breaking or exciting going on here, and there's nothing wrong with this approach, based as it is on classic and timeless design. Now, while you can get any number of P & J clones from makers, it's the thought and care that have gone into the Suzuki line that set them apart from others. Let's see why Precision instrument  The GB and FS basses have much in common. Each model has an alder body married to a hard maple neck with the usual four-bolt fixing plate, 21-fret rosewood fingerboard, white ABS scratchplate and Fender-style tuners and string tree on the headstock. In essence, the GB and FS are exact copies of the Fender Deluxe Precision and Jazz models, including also a fully height-adjustable bridge saddle for each string. The GB has the customary split pickup, with single volume and tone controls, while the FS uses twin single-coil pickups with twin volume and single tone controls. Both models are available in black or classic sunburst finishes, are strung with D'Aquisto strings as standard, and come complete with gig bag, strap and an instrument lead. In use  Both basses are finished to a very high standard. Everything is as it should be, with no poor workmanship in the body, hardware or electronics. Everything works smoothly, and the controls are even and secure in operation. The balance on both basses is identical to Fender — a little on the neck-heavy side, but not overly so — while the overall feel is just right for Fender fans. The neck profile is excellent and, if memory serves, I'm guessing that it may be a little smaller than original Fenders. Either way, it makes for a comfortable hand shape when playing. The instrument setup is a little higher than I personally prefer, but fine for most players, while the use of D'Aquisto strings makes playing straight out of the box a pleasure. I should point out that some budget instruments I've played in recent years are fine in themselves, but are let down by awful strings — that's definitely not the case here. One good point is how the woods resonate when playing acoustically. Here, the resonances complement each other, and as a result, there are no dead spots on the neck of either bass. The sound from these basses is exactly what you would expect. The Groundbeat produces a piano-like growl when the tone control is wound up, while shutting down the top end adds depth and warmth. I've heard it said elsewhere that Fender passive basses can be limited in tone (which is a rather subjective opinion, as what suits one person might not suit another), but the PB-10 has a good tonal range of warm and usable sounds that's very appealing, whether played with a pick or fingers. The Freestyle is even more flexible, as you would expect from a twin pickup model, with tones ranging from an aggressive snarl when wound fully up to a woody bass tone at the other extreme. Altering the pickup balance can change the tone subtly again, giving that trademark Jaco sound that's much loved by players everywhere — Jaco's sound was achieved by using the back pickup only, and lots of bass end on the amp. In fact, the Freestyle would probably make a superb fretless model if you were courageous enough to remove the frets yourself (as Jaco did) or get it done for you. If Suzuki ever decide to offer a fretless version, it should be just what you're looking for. Conclusion These are fine instruments that offer exactly what any bassist could want in a Fender copy. Superbly built and finished with an excellent range of sounds, these are true players' instruments, which may well surprise and delight anyone who previously dismissed Suzuki as a serious make. Their quiet and unassuming approach means that Suzuki are one of the best kept secrets when it comes to guitars and basses. 0  Published in PM February 2008  | Suzuki Groundbeat & Freestyle £229 Excellent build quality and seamless performance from these basses provides great value for money. If you're not worried about the name on the headstock, you need look no further for a Fender copy. You'll probably attract raised eyebrows from other musos!
Tech Spec Freestyle Maple neck, alder body (black and sunburst). 21-fret rosewood fingerboard. White ABS pickguard. Fully adjustable bridge. Twin pickups, two volume, one tone. 34-inch (860mm) scale. D'Aquisto strings fitted as standard. Soft gig bag, strap and instrument lead included. Tech Spec Groundbeat Maple neck, alder body (black and sunburst). 21-fret rosewood fingerboard. White ABS pickguard. Fully adjustable bridge. Split-coil pickup, one volume, one tone. 34-inch (860mm) scale. D'Aquisto strings fitted as standard. Soft gig bag, strap and instrument lead included. |
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