Back to navigation


The Bass That Started It All





This article was


Written By





Our Product Research Team





Get to know them!





Megadeth bassist David Ellefson took the metal world by storm with 1990s Rust in Peace release. While on tour promoting the record, Ellefson found his sound in a custom-built Jackson 5-string ? a brand first. This bass not only served as Ellefson’s core instrument for the following several years on the road, but has formed the foundation for his fleet of signature Jackson basses ever since. The Jackson X Series Signature David Ellefson 30th Anniversary Concert Bass CBX V looks back to the legendary instrument that started it all. Its ergonomic poplar body and radiused-fingerboard maple neck are built for headlining comfort and hyperspeed playing. A pair of aggressively voiced EMG active P/J pickups issue thunderous low end and a defined top that quickly floats to the top of a mix when sweetened with gain. The 30th Anniversary CBX V’s black-on-black finish extend from the tone-maximizing HiMass bridge all the way to the sealed Jackson die-cast tuners. Classic Jackson shark fin inlays, dome-style speed knobs, and Ellefson’s headstock “herbie hancock” add to the David Ellefson 30th Anniversary’s road-ready allure.





Related Videos: David Ellefson X Series 30th Anniversary Concert Bass Guitar - Black


Versatile active EMG P/J pickups





Jackson and Ellefson’s 30th Anniversary Concert Bass CBX V allows you to explore a wide range of tonal combinations, thanks to its versatile active EMG P/J pickups. The P yields hammering mids and thunderous lows ? it’s guaranteed to punch you in the gut. The J growls with tight mids and a well-defined attack. An active 3-band control supplies you with endless tone-sculpting options. You also get a master volume and pickup blend control. Plug this bass into your favorite amp, and prepare yourself for the countdown to extinction.





Compound-radius fingerboard packs ultimate playability





The 30th Anniversary CBX V’s neck and fingerboard are spec’d to meet the demands of the technical player. The graphite-reinforced maple neck is quartersawn to supply a lifetime of rock-solid performance. And Jackson’s neck-through-body construction provides superior sound transmission from hand to hand. The David Ellefson 30th Anniversary’s 12"-16" compound-radius fingerboard is rounder near the nut for holding down the groove. As you head up to the solo range of the instrument, the radius flattens out for easier runs and string bends.





Built with unbeatable Jackson quality





Jackson’s X Series incorporates Jackson’s three-plus decades of instrument-building expertise, and the David Ellefson 30th Anniversary Concert Bass CBX V is no exception. You get resonant tonewoods, high-output electronics, and a fast neck with a silky smooth fingerboard, all at a price that belies its performance. Many players at Sweetwater (and worldwide) are fiercely loyal Jackson bassists. Check out the David Ellefson 30th Anniversary Concert Bass CBX V and discover the Jackson difference for yourself.





Jackson X Series Signature David Ellefson 30th Anniversary Concert Bass CBX V Features:


Celebrates the bass that kickstarted Ellefson and Jackson’s partnership


Poplar body provides solid, balanced tonal base


Classic double-cutaway shape yields effortless upper fret access


EMG PJ Set delivers punch and attitude by the truckload


Active 2-band EQ allows for fast tone sculpting


Graphite-reinforced quartersawn maple neck supplies a lifetime of rock-solid performance


Easy-playing compound-radius laurel fingerboard with 21 jumbo frets


Jackson HiMass bridge delivers a quick attack and robust sustain


Neck-through-body construction maximizes vibration transfer