The Mark Bass Gloxy GV4 is a bass guitar that presents itself as a versatile option for bassists looking for a blend of traditional and modern features. At its core, the GV4 boasts a P-style basswood body, known for its light weight and balanced tone, paired with a bolt-on maple neck that contributes to the instrument’s bright tonality and sustain. The maple fingerboard, adorned with block inlays, extends over a 34-inch scale length and houses 20 medium-small frets. It’s worth noting that the absence of a 21st fret might be a point of contention for some players who rely on the extended range.
The GV4’s craftsmanship is highlighted by the careful fret dressing, ensuring a smooth playing experience across the fretboard. Despite this attention to detail, there are a few sharp fret edges that might require smoothing to enhance playability. The 36mm nut width is designed to accommodate a variety of hand sizes, making the instrument accessible to a wide range of players.
Equipped with two Markbass JJ-Style 4 single-coil pickups and a 9V active/passive MB instrument preamp, the GV4 offers a wide sonic palette. The active electronics include a 3-band EQ with dedicated controls for bass, mids, and treble, along with two volume knobs and a master tone control that features a push/pull function for seamless switching between active and passive modes.v The GV4’s hardware consists of a Markbass Vintage Style bridge and F-style machine heads, ensuring stable tuning and accurate intonation.
The GV4 is available in Cream, Surf Green, and Black, with a matching painted portion on the headstock for a cohesive look. The entire instrument is coated with a thin polyurethane lacquer, aimed at preserving its finish while maintaining resonance. Despite its well-balanced design, minimizing headstock dive for comfortable playability, the instrument is not without its imperfections. The inlays on the fingerboard are noted to be less visible than some might prefer, which could affect the ease of navigation for players who rely heavily on inlay markers.
In terms of sound, the combination of the basswood body and maple neck lends a pronounced low-midrange growl to the GV4, effectively transmitted through the JJ pickups. The onboard preamp enhances the instrument’s versatility, allowing for significant tonal adjustments. However, players should exercise caution with the mid control’s boost capability, as it can substantially increase the volume, potentially affecting the balance with other instruments or amplification settings.
Priced at £519 plus VAT, the GV4 offers a compelling value proposition, balancing quality and affordability. However, the instrument’s minor flaws, such as the potential need for fret edge smoothing and the visibility of fingerboard inlays, are aspects that prospective buyers might want to consider.
