After an initial run in 2015 to huge public and critical acclaim, the Orange O Bass is back with some tweaks, both big and small, to cement its position as one of the easiest-playing, most colourful and most versatile bass guitars out there. The best bits of the original O Bass have been retained: there’s the classic single cutaway body shape and the split-coil pickup positioned slightly more neckwards than most other basses, all the better for producing that deep, warm growl. The diverse options for tone are still in place, too: players with a softer touch can be transported to Motown territory, with earthy RnB overtones in abundance, but dig in a little deeper and the O Bass responds with an infectious harmonic grind that recalls the birth of rock ‘n’ roll. Alternatively, roll back the tone knob and revel in clouds of mellow dub and laid-back reggae.

And then come the improvements: immediately obvious is the binding that’s been added all round the instrument to give a premium feel, and the headstock is now coloured black on both the orange and black models for a timeless, classic look. But plenty of innovation lurks beyond the cosmetic, too, helping the O Bass play even better than ever. A body made from west African okoumé wood and a fretboard now made from super-durable purpleheart balances the instrument to perfection whether it’s played stood up or seated, and with the fretwork and neck moulding retooled with playability in mind, jumping around the neck and funky octave swoops have never felt more natural.

The O Bass started out with far more personality, adaptability and good looks than is strictly fair to the competition. With its 2022 makeover, the Orange O Bass just got even better.

Designed in-house
Designed in the heart of London’s West End by Orange Technical Director and lead designer Adrian Emsley, the O Bass was inspired by Emsley’s deep love and knowledge of classic gear as well as his time spent working with bass players in 1990s Los Angeles. Emsley wanted something lightweight, long-scale, and with a classic tone, and so made his dream bass accordingly.

Custom pickup positioning
After witnessing the results of a bass-player friend hand-modding his own bass while living in LA in the early 90s, Emsley realised what difference an unorthodox pickup positioning made to the tone. The O Bass replicates that modification, giving the instrument real growl, with a fatter high register to boot.