Description
Review of the Silvertone LB11 Bass Guitar Package
The Silvertone LB11 is a four string electric bass sold as a complete starter package alongside a BAXs practice amplifier, a digital tuner, an instructional DVD, a gig bag and the usual small accessories. It is a full 34 inch scale instrument in a Liquid Black finish, so it is a standard size bass rather than a short scale one. The package is aimed at a first time bass player who wants everything needed to start in a single purchase.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Full 34 inch scale, the standard measurement for an electric bass, so strings, setup guidance and technique advice all transfer directly to other instruments.
- Complete package: the amplifier, cable, tuner, strap, picks, spare strings and bag are all listed as included.
- BAXs amplifier with a 4 band EQ, which is more tone shaping control than most beginner bass amps in a package offer.
- Limited lifetime warranty on the guitar, stated directly in the listing.
Cons
- The specification table lists the string material as nylon, which is unusual for an electric bass and does not match how a magnetic pickup works. This entry looks like a listing error, so a buyer should not rely on it.
- The wood description is inconsistent. The body is listed as engineered wood, the back as basswood, and the top as rosewood and maple, which do not describe a single coherent construction.
- The pickup configuration is listed only as combination, without stating how many pickups there are or what type, so the tonal range cannot be predicted from the data.
- A 10 watt amplifier is a practice tool only. It will not keep up with a drummer, so anyone planning to join a band will outgrow it quickly.
Detailed Product Description
The scale length is 34 inches. This is the number that matters most on a bass. A 34 inch scale is the long standing standard, which means the string tension, the fret spacing and the string sets are the same as those on the majority of basses in use. It also means the reach to the first fret is long, so smaller players sometimes prefer a 30 inch short scale instead. The trade offs are set out in the guide to short scale versus full scale bass.
The bridge is an adjustable type. On a bass this matters more than it does on a guitar, because bass strings are thick and heavy and a factory setup rarely leaves the action where a player wants it. Being able to raise or lower individual saddles and to set intonation is the difference between an instrument that stays playable and one that fights back.
The amplifier is a BAXs model rated at 10 watts RMS with a 6.5 inch speaker and a four band equaliser. Four bands of EQ means separate control over roughly the low, low mid, high mid and treble ranges, which is genuinely useful on a bass because so much of a bass tone lives in the mids. RMS is the continuous power rating rather than a peak figure, so 10 watts RMS is an honest measure of a small practice amplifier.
What Comes with the Product
- The Revolver LB11 four string bass guitar in Liquid Black
- A BAXs bass amplifier, 10 watts RMS, 6.5 inch speaker, 4 band EQ
- A digital tuner
- An instructional DVD
- A set of strings
- A strap
- Picks
- A cable
- A gig bag
Who It Suits
This package suits a first time bass player, especially a teenager or adult of average height who can handle a full size instrument, and anyone who prefers a single purchase over researching an amplifier and cable separately. The included tuner and DVD make it a reasonable choice for someone learning without a teacher.
It suits less well a younger child or a player with a short reach, since a 34 inch scale puts the first fret a long way from the body. It also suits less well anyone who already owns a bass amplifier, who would be paying for hardware they do not need. Players intending to rehearse with a drummer should plan on a larger amplifier from the start. For comparison, the Stedman Pro beginner bass kit and the Davison full size bass package are built around the same idea with slightly larger amplifiers, while the Ibanez GSR200JB is a bare bass for someone who wants to choose their own amplifier. The full selection sits in the bass guitars section and in the wider full guitar review index.
How to Maintain
Wipe the strings down after every session. Bass strings are expensive to replace and their working life is governed almost entirely by how much sweat and skin oil is left sitting on them.
Check the neck relief every few months. Bass necks carry far more string tension than guitar necks and move more with the seasons. A bass that has developed a heavy buzz around the fifth fret, or an action that has crept high, usually needs a small truss rod adjustment rather than new strings.
For the amplifier, keep it unplugged when not in use and coil the cable loosely rather than winding it tightly around the handle. A crushed cable core is the usual cause of crackling and dropouts.
Tips and Recommendations
Set the amplifier EQ flat before adjusting anything. Four bands is enough control to make a bass sound bad quickly, and starting from neutral makes it obvious which band is actually causing a problem.
Use the tuner every session. Bass strings are thick and beginners often cannot hear that they are slightly flat, which trains the ear onto the wrong pitches.
Warranty & Support Information
The listing states that the guitar is backed by a limited lifetime warranty. The terms, the claim process and whether that cover extends to the amplifier and accessories are not detailed in the listing data, so a buyer should confirm the scope with the seller before relying on it.
Product FAQ
How many strings does the bass have?
Four, which is the standard configuration for an electric bass.
What is the scale length?
34 inches, the standard long scale measurement.
Is an amplifier included?
Yes. A BAXs bass amplifier rated at 10 watts RMS with a 6.5 inch speaker and a four band EQ, along with the cable to connect to it.
Is there a warranty?
The listing states a limited lifetime warranty on the guitar.
