Jackson JS3Vor CB-XV?

[Yogen]

After looking at a lot of websites and some stores trying to find my next bass (that I can afford), I narrowed my choices to these 2.
Thank you for your time!

I thought the CB-XV was better because it's more expensive and it has EMG HZ pups (I know they are emg's entry level pickups, but I saw some Spectors that come with them, so they can't be bad), but then I read here and in another forum that the JS3V is better and it sounds more aggressive than the CB-XV (I want aggressive). I'm not sure what to believe, and on youtube they're always played on top of the line amps, so they both sound really good.

These are the specs for each one:

JS3V: 24 frets, Jackson "high output" pickups, indian cedro body, maple neck.

Cb-XV: 21 frets, EMG HZ pickups, alder body, quartersawn maple neck, David Ellefson (Megadeth) signature series (I'm sure it's a big influence on the price).


Ps: just thought about this, buy the JS3V and then upgrade pickups?

 

[amimbari]

I have enough 80's and 90's Charvels and Jacksons. EMG/OEM pickups, even my old P/J CMG sounds the same at the speaker cab.. my preamp makes them all sound the same so I would be thinking more on the lines of "do I want a 24 fret neck, and a cheaper price", or not. The JS has a Jackson preamp in it, the CB has a EMG preamp in it. they do sound different from the bass to the amp plain, but I don't play like that. It goes thru my pedal effects chain so even my crummy playing Series10 plywood basses sound similar with a few tweeks on the knobs.

 

[Yogen]

Any ideas on which would have a more aggressive tone?

 

[amimbari]

I suppose the easiest way would be with your amp and you playing both thru it. Ya I know that's a pain in the *** to buy then return. I just can't say with honesty which would sound better. Same with you buying a "whatever" brand bass and using your setup.