I'm after a 24-fret bass with classic styling

[markyboy2106]

Hello all

I'm interested in purchasing a 5-string bass that has 24-frets.

This is not a difficult proposition I hear you say, but there is one condition. I would like it to have the appearance of a traditionally styled fender-style jazz bass. 3-tone sunburst and with mint-green scratchplate.

Where could I find such a beast and more importantly is there a problem with a 24-fret neck that prevents them from being standard (excuse my lack of knowledge here if there is an obvious answer)?

Please help

You're my only hope

[Machines]

How about this ?

Only lacking a pickguard really..

[url="http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product~name~Fender-Jazz-Bass-24-V-(5-String)~ID~5887.asp"]http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product~name~F...ng)~ID~5887.asp[/url]

[markyboy2106]

I had thought about one of these. I had heard a mixed perception of them and wondered whether there were any alternatives. Thanks for getting the ball rolling.

Mark

[bnt]

That Fender looks similar to what Sadowsky does, or [url="http://www.mikelull.com/"]Mike Lull[/url]:

I suppose a purist might object to the change in shape that the extra frets mandate.

[markyboy2106]

To what extent does that added neck length impact on the body shape - I'd never thought of it that way before?

[XB26354]

That Lull is over £2K ;-)
Also consider a Sadowsky Metro M5/R5-24, although it comes with no scratchplate and humbuckers.
The Jazz 5-24 is of course much cheaper but I'm willing to bet the B sounds pretty poor. Sadowskys have a great B-string.

[bubinga5]

When u say traditional i take it you mean Jazz or Precision, I own this bass that has 24 frets ( (in fact that is me playing it,..erm.. without a lead) to answer your question, there i no problem, its just that obviously traditional size j or p wont house 24 frets without extending the neck, so as you will notice on the bass in the photo (as well as the previous Sadowsky) they have shortened the body to allow for this. Notice the short distance from neck pup to fingerboard, as apposed to a normal 20 fret..

I agree there are production issues with this particular instrument, but when you get a good which i believe i did, its worth it, it plays/sounds as good as basses i've played costing twice as much..

I think your going to be hard pushed to find a stock sunburst j/p with a mint green s/plate and 24 frets, unless you go custom

Edited May 13, 2008 by bubinga5

[bnt]

[quote name='markyboy2106' post='197977' date='May 13 2008, 02:10 PM']To what extent does that added neck length impact on the body shape - I'd never thought of it that way before?[/quote]
I'm assuming that you'd want access to those extra 4 frets, if so the cutaway will be longer, and/or the neck sit further out from the body, or other subtle shape changes. I'm not entirely sure, since I'm not one of those purists either!

[markyboy2106]

I think I am now starting to get it. The distance from nut to bridge is relatively standard 34"-35" (is this right). Therefore you can't just go attaching a 24 fret neck to any body shape otherwise you end up in a whole world of pain tuning-wise (this is a eurekea moment for me). Therefore the distance between end of neck and beginning of neck pup makes it difficult to fit a pickguard as the distance is quite small. Hence, most come without pickguards.

What other 24-fretters are around that people have had success with that have maintained that air of classic styling? Custom jobs included...

[The Burpster]

Aaaaahha so now your talking a little less limited......

Also I guess it depends wht you mean by 'classic styling' if you mean Fender shape body and head, your going to struggle unless you go custom.....

[url="http://www.vigierguitars.com/page/fiche_produit.php?id_prod=243"]http://www.vigierguitars.com/page/fiche_pr...php?id_prod=243[/url]

[url="http://www.yamaha-europe.com/yamaha_europe/uk/10_musical_instruments/30_guitars_basses_amps/70_bass_guitars/10_bass_guitars/30_trb_basses/60_TRB1004/index.html"]http://www.yamaha-europe.com/yamaha_europe...1004/index.html[/url]

[url="http://www.cloverbasses.com/index.php?id=9&bass=7"]http://www.cloverbasses.com/index.php?id=9&bass=7[/url]

[url="http://www.status-graphite.com/status/carts3/frames/frame1.htm"]http://www.status-graphite.com/status/cart...ames/frame1.htm[/url]

[url="http://www.ibanez.com/bass/guitar.aspx?m=SRX690EX"]http://www.ibanez.com/bass/guitar.aspx?m=SRX690EX[/url]

[url="http://www.spectorbass.com/NewFiles/euro.html#rebop"]http://www.spectorbass.com/NewFiles/euro.html#rebop[/url]

[bubinga5]

[quote name='markyboy2106' post='198051' date='May 13 2008, 03:42 PM']I think I am now starting to get it. The distance from nut to bridge is relatively standard 34"-35" (is this right). Therefore you can't just go attaching a 24 fret neck to any body shape otherwise you end up in a whole world of pain tuning-wise (this is a eurekea moment for me). Therefore the distance between end of neck and beginning of neck pup makes it difficult to fit a pickguard as the distance is quite small. Hence, most come without pickguards.

What other 24-fretters are around that people have had success with that have maintained that air of classic styling? Custom jobs included...[/quote]
I cant erm...think of any, sub £1000, take a look at John Shuker's custom basses. Im sure he would make you something to your desires. Im sure many people will vouch for his work. Check out his website..

His basses CAN be relatively cheap aswell...for a custom

Edited May 13, 2008 by bubinga5

[markyboy2106]

[quote name='The Burpster' post='198062' date='May 13 2008, 03:55 PM']Aaaaahha so now your talking a little less limited......


[url="http://www.yamaha-europe.com/yamaha_europe/uk/10_musical_instruments/30_guitars_basses_amps/70_bass_guitars/10_bass_guitars/30_trb_basses/60_TRB1004/index.html"]http://www.yamaha-europe.com/yamaha_europe...1004/index.html[/url]

[url="http://www.cloverbasses.com/index.php?id=9&bass=7"]http://www.cloverbasses.com/index.php?id=9&bass=7[/url]

[url="http://www.status-graphite.com/status/carts3/frames/frame1.htm"]http://www.status-graphite.com/status/cart...ames/frame1.htm[/url]

[url="http://www.ibanez.com/bass/guitar.aspx?m=SRX690EX"]http://www.ibanez.com/bass/guitar.aspx?m=SRX690EX[/url][/quote]

damn it...I feel I'm being lured to the dark side...

[The Burpster]

[quote name='markyboy2106' post='198067' date='May 13 2008, 04:05 PM']damn it...I feel I'm being lured to the dark side...[/quote]

Luke, I am your Father.....

Come with me to the Dark side.......

Together we will rule the universe father and son.....

[markyboy2106]

Just to qualify the Dark Side statement I have never considered getting a bass that does not conform to the old P or J appearance. The more I look through the build diaries and bass porn the more I find the prospect of a custom or boutique bass more appealing. I suppose i am reaching an age now where a wider spectrum of opportunities should be considered, beyond just Fender and MM. Keep the suggestions coming.

(please note I have discontinued Star Wars role play against my better judgement and for the preservation of my last remaining iota of non-geekiness)

[BigRedX]

How about a Bacchus?

[url="http://deviser.co.jp/bacchus/2007/04/16-122103.html"]Twenty Four Alder Custom[/url] or
[url="http://deviser.co.jp/bacchus/2007/04/15-122933.html"]Twenty Four Ash Custom[/url]

Around £1000 new (plus shipping and import) although if you're prepared to wait you should be able to get one for around half that used from Ishibashi.

[andy67]

defo +1 for the yamaha trb 5 option.

[url="http://www.bebo.com/PhotoAlbumBig.jsp?MemberId=3831740361&PhotoAlbumId=7063649222&PhotoId=7063653376"]http://www.bebo.com/PhotoAlbumBig.jsp?Memb...toId=7063653376[/url]

[josh3184]

if the price is putting you off custom, you could always get just a custom neck made and get it fitted to a body shape that conforms to your tastes, might save you a bit of dough

[Gwilym]

a Trace Elliott T-Bass might be of interest? [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=18856&hl=trace"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=18856&hl=trace[/url]

[bnt]

Another possibility available to you is to build your own, using Warmoth parts. They do Fender-shaped "Deluxe 5" [url="http://www.warmoth.com/bass/bodies/deluxe5.cfm"]bodies[/url] and [url="http://www.warmoth.com/bass/necks/necks.cfm?fuseaction=includes_deluxe5"]necks[/url]. Normally 22-frets, but with 24 as a custom option. One potential problem I see, however, is that the longer fretboard might make it impossible to adjust the truss rod?

Edited May 13, 2008 by bnt

[bass_ferret]

Only a four banger but you get the idea. Look at old gits Shuker P5 as well.

[markyboy2106]

[quote name='BigRedX' post='198109' date='May 13 2008, 04:50 PM']How about a Bacchus?

[url="http://deviser.co.jp/bacchus/2007/04/16-122103.html"]Twenty Four Alder Custom[/url] or
[url="http://deviser.co.jp/bacchus/2007/04/15-122933.html"]Twenty Four Ash Custom[/url]

Around £1000 new (plus shipping and import) although if you're prepared to wait you should be able to get one for around half that used from Ishibashi.[/quote]

I'd never heard of a Baccchus until now. What's their story? They look great...

[markyboy2106]

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='198391' date='May 13 2008, 11:47 PM']Only a four banger but you get the idea. Look at old gits Shuker P5 as well.
[/quote]


What's the going rate for a GB bass? No pricing on their website - looks great by the way. Their standard range looks quite appealing!

[pete.young]

Jim Reed is a guitar assembler based in Italy - he makes a 5-string Fender-shape with a sort-of 24 fret neck - the fingerboard extends over the end of the neck in a kind-of curve (truss rod adjustment is done at the head end).

I have a 4-string Jazz which I bought as a cheap beater. It has a really nice neck on it and Kent Armstrong pickups, so it sounds decent. There are two problems: the neck pocket is a worse fit than the panels on a Range Rover, and the curved bit over the fingerboard is pain - I keep meaning to saw mine off!

[url="http://www.jimreed.it/eng/index.php"]http://www.jimreed.it/eng/index.php[/url]

Good luck finding a UK dealer though. I think there's a guy who sells them on Ebay

[BigRedX]

[quote name='markyboy2106' post='198392' date='May 13 2008, 11:48 PM']I'd never heard of a Baccchus until now. What's their story? They look great...[/quote]

Have a look at [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=335462"]this thread on the TB forum[/url] for lots of information and Bacchus pics.

[bass_ferret]

[quote name='markyboy2106' post='198398' date='May 14 2008, 12:00 AM']What's the going rate for a GB bass? No pricing on their website - looks great by the way. Their standard range looks quite appealing![/quote]
Used to be £1500 upwards. May have gone up since cos its been that for years.