Shopping for guitars basses gear gets tricky because the choices here solve very different problems: shaping distortion, amplifying an upright bass, controlling an acoustic signal, or buying a full electric guitar. The right pick depends less on a universal "best" and more on where your signal chain needs help.
Quick take
- Best for adding distortion character: Pro Co Sound FATRAT Distortion Pedal with Selectable MOSFET Clipping and Thic, because it centers on selectable RAT/MOSFET clipping and a FAT selection.
- Best for upright bass signal capture: K&K Sound Bass Master Pro Pickup System, because it combines a Double Big Twin bridge transducer, Bass Max wing transducer, and two-channel preamp.
- Best for acoustic tone shaping and DI duties: Fishman PRO-PLT-301 Platinum Stage Acoustic Guitar EQ/DI + 9V Power Supply, because it includes EQ/DI functions, boost control, and power supply language in the title.
- Best when you need the instrument itself: ESP LTD MH-1000 Electric Guitar Quilted Black Ocean Finish w/ Fishman Fluence, because it is the only full guitar in the group and includes a mahogany body, ebony fretboard, and Fishman Fluence wording.
Listed price comparison
| Product | Listed price | Price position |
|---|---|---|
| Pro Co Sound FATRAT Distortion Pedal with Selectable MOSFET Clipping and Thic | USD 115.95 | |
| Fishman PRO-PLT-301 Platinum Stage Acoustic Guitar EQ/DI + 9V Power Supply | USD 201.95 | |
| K&K Sound Bass Master Pro Pickup System (Does not Include bridge | USD 455.00 | |
| ESP LTD MH-1000 Electric Guitar Quilted Black Ocean Finish w/ Fishman Fluence | USD 1,099.95 |
The spread runs from $115.95 to $1,099.95, so the lowest-priced item is about 89% below the highest-priced item. That gap makes sense because the group mixes compact signal tools with a complete electric guitar.
Decision matrix
| If your main goal is... | Start with... | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Add a distortion voice to an existing guitar or bass setup | Pro Co Sound FATRAT Distortion Pedal with Selectable MOSFET Clipping and Thic | It is specifically a distortion pedal with selectable stock RAT or MOSFET clipping circuits and a FAT selection. |
| Amplify an upright bass with blended pickup sources | K&K Sound Bass Master Pro Pickup System (Does not Include bridge | It combines bridge and wing transducers with a two-channel preamp and outside volume controls. |
| Shape an acoustic instrument signal before a DI output | Fishman PRO-PLT-301 Platinum Stage Acoustic Guitar EQ/DI + 9V Power Supply | It is an equalizer with 4-band tone control, sweepable mid, low-cut filter, phase switch, and balanced D.I. language. |
| Buy a right-handed solidbody electric guitar | ESP LTD MH-1000 Electric Guitar Quilted Black Ocean Finish w/ Fishman Fluence | It is a used right-handed LTD MH-1000 with solid body, mahogany body material, ebony fretboard, and a 2025 model year. |
Concise product notes
Pro Co Sound FATRAT Distortion Pedal with Selectable MOSFET Clipping and Thic
This is the most focused pick for players who already have an instrument and want a dedicated distortion unit. The FATRAT model is described around selectable stock RAT or MOSFET clipping circuits, plus a FAT selection for a thicker tone, so it is aimed at changing drive character rather than solving amplification or pickup needs. It also mentions operation from nine to 18 volts of DC power and a socketed op-amp for chip changes. The limitation is its condition: it is marked Open box, and it is a pedal only, not a preamp/DI, pickup system, or guitar.
K&K Sound Bass Master Pro Pickup System (Does not Include bridge
The K&K Sound Bass Master Pro is the specialist choice for upright bass players who want a combination pickup system rather than a single-purpose pedal. It includes a Double Big Twin bridge transducer, Bass Max wing transducer, and a specially designed two-channel preamp with separate volume controls. The active design and black color are also listed, and the pickup type is piezo. Its limitation is right in the title: "Does not Include bridge," so shoppers should view it as a pickup/preamp system rather than a bridge-inclusive package or a general electric guitar accessory.
Fishman PRO-PLT-301 Platinum Stage Acoustic Guitar EQ/DI + 9V Power Supply
The Fishman Platinum Stage is the most practical match for acoustic players who want tone shaping and a D.I. style output in one unit. It is listed as an equalizer and described with a Class-A preamp, 4-band tone control, sweepable mid, low frequency filter, phase control, volume boost, and balanced D.I. output. The title also includes a 9V power supply, which makes the bundle more specific than a standalone EQ name. Its limitation is that it is not a pickup and not a full instrument; it works as a signal-control device around an existing setup.
ESP LTD MH-1000 Electric Guitar Quilted Black Ocean Finish w/ Fishman Fluence
The ESP LTD MH-1000 is the only complete guitar here, so it belongs on the shortlist when the need is an instrument rather than a signal-chain add-on. The attributes point to a used, right-handed, solidbody electric guitar with a mahogany body, ebony fretboard, Black Ocean body color, LTD MH-1000 model name, and 2025 model year. The description adds neck-thru construction, 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, Floyd Rose 1000SE bridge, Grover tuners, and Fishman Fluence Modern Humbuckers. The limitation is cost position and condition: it is the highest-priced item in the comparison and marked used.
How to choose among them
Start by separating instrument purchase from signal-chain purchase. If you need a guitar, the ESP LTD MH-1000 is the only item that actually fills that role. The other three are tools for instruments you already own or plan to pair them with.
Next, decide whether your problem is tone creation, tone capture, or tone control. The Pro Co Sound FATRAT creates a distortion voice through clipping options and the FAT selection. The K&K Sound Bass Master Pro captures upright bass sound through multiple transducers and blends them through a two-channel preamp. The Fishman Platinum Stage controls an acoustic signal with EQ, phase, boost, and balanced D.I. features.
Condition may also matter. The Fishman and K&K products are marked new, while the Pro Co Sound pedal is open box and the ESP LTD guitar is used. That does not make one automatically better than another, but it does change how a shopper may weigh condition against role and price.
Finally, consider how much of your rig the purchase should affect. A distortion pedal can be added to an existing pedalboard with a narrow purpose. An EQ/DI can sit closer to the center of an acoustic performance setup. An upright bass pickup system affects the instrument's amplified voice at the source. A full electric guitar changes the entire playing platform.
Final recommendation
For most shoppers, the cleanest decision is role-based. Choose the Pro Co Sound FATRAT Distortion Pedal if the concrete need is distortion with selectable RAT/MOSFET clipping and a FAT selection. Choose the Fishman PRO-PLT-301 Platinum Stage Acoustic Guitar EQ/DI if acoustic tone shaping, sweepable mid control, phase control, boost, and balanced D.I. features are the priority. Choose the K&K Sound Bass Master Pro Pickup System if the target is upright bass pickup blending through an active two-channel preamp. Choose the ESP LTD MH-1000 Electric Guitar if you want the full right-handed solidbody instrument with Black Ocean finish, mahogany body, ebony fretboard, and Fishman Fluence wording.
If price is the deciding factor, the comparison is wide: the FATRAT sits at the bottom of the range, while the ESP LTD MH-1000 sits at the top. If function is the deciding factor, do not cross-shop them as substitutes; each one solves a different guitars basses problem.