marcus bell Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 So I happen to have one of these on its way to me as we speak.. Verdict? Opinion? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynottfan Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 its not a stingray! sorry mate. Great sounding basses, awful pick guard, but you have to cover all them gubbins up some how, but they do play very well, but for me a Geddy Lee would have been a better choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcus bell Posted April 25, 2013 Author Share Posted April 25, 2013 haha dont worry mate ill be getting one soon (a musicman that is)... cant wait til it arrives, im a big miller fan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badboy1984 Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 Is a great bass in my opinion but i'm happy with my jazz so i won't be getting one lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 I always thought they were just cosmetically pimped Jazz Basses with an active circuit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcus bell Posted April 25, 2013 Author Share Posted April 25, 2013 no way!!!! didnt know that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highfox Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 Very noisy active circuit on the one I tried, much prefer my passive USA jazz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingus Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 A lot of them are pretty heavy ( way too heavy for me ) , just like the 1970's ash- bodied Jazz Basses they are based on . Pretty poor preamp , but it does a job I suppose . Very bright and snappy sounding basses . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcus bell Posted April 25, 2013 Author Share Posted April 25, 2013 see how it sounds when it arrives Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 I sold an amp to a guy who owned an MM jazz. It sounded very good while we were checking the amp out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ML94 Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 It's very bright and beefy, the MM sound for sure. Active circuit was crap though because I had it picking up lights etc, when shielded was ggreat The one I had was normal jazz weight and had a nice neck, really smooth and fast. The one you snapped up was the one I was eyeing up ! i want one again ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingus Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 [quote name='marcus bell' timestamp='1366900718' post='2058776'] see how it sounds when it arrives [/quote] If you really like the bass and decide to keep it then John East makes a preamp especially for that Fender MM Jazz Bass with the uniquely- shaped scratchplate thingamyjig that will probably sound tons better than the Fender one . That said , I have heard Marcus Miller play a bog standard off-the - shelf Fender Marcus Miller Jazz Bass rather than his own custom bass and it sounded ... just like Marcus Miller . So much of that sound is in the way that he plays , rather than the gear . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcus bell Posted April 25, 2013 Author Share Posted April 25, 2013 i cant wait to get it now, been learning a few marcus lines this afternoon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Rich Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 Nice basses if a bit pricey these days, hate the scratchplate though, really fugly. Preamp is pretty uninspiring, noisy and thin sounding, you'll sound more like Marcus if you run the bass passive. I run mine through a Sadowsky outboard preamp with Fat Beam strings and it gives the full MM effect. Like the maple / white binding / mother of pearl blocks, although the blocks look a bit murky and not as attractive the original 70s Fender items. They can be a bit heavy but that adds to the mid range honk that gives them their sound, quality seems to be consistently good too. A real players instrument I reckon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iconic Posted April 25, 2013 Share Posted April 25, 2013 wow takes me back to 2009/10....I tried ABA'd one of these and a active Yamaha BB614...the BB614 won hands down for me, the MM had a strange weak sort of pre-amp in a hard to explain way as above, was heavy as a boat anchor as above & seemed to be more, I don't know, a pricey marketing handbag rather a than good solid bass, don't get me wrong, not bad, just far too much money for an OK bass.....& I be honest & say I was soooo wanting the MM to be a great bass as I loved the look of them...this may say more about the quality of the BB614 though I still like the look though...but ditch the pup cover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRockinRoadie Posted April 26, 2013 Share Posted April 26, 2013 I have to disagree with everyont - I've owned a 2000 model for the last 6 years, and it's always going to be 'my bass'. The build quality on mine is top notch, and feels really solid. The simple active circuit works really well for getting that little bit extra out of the already fantastic JB tone. It is a bit heavy, but I use a wide strap and that evens things out. [size=4]The bass just feels really solid and plays like a dream. I've currently settled on using slightly lighter gauge strings, which suits the neck better![/size] [size=4]The pickup cover normally divides [/size]opinion[size=4], but I've left mine on as it adds character and I'm just used to it.[/size] [size=4]I've used mine for everything from pop punk to blues and rock, metal and jazz, so you'll find a suitable sound for whatever you chose to play, when coupled with a good amp choice.[/size] [size=4]I hope you get on as well with yours as I do mine![/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverBlackman Posted April 26, 2013 Share Posted April 26, 2013 I tried one at the gallery a few years ago and thought it was killing for the money. The pre amp in it was far stronger than the ones you find in pre2008 American Deluxe Jazz's IMO to. Good bass and many good players chose them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fender73 Posted April 26, 2013 Share Posted April 26, 2013 Ugly scratchplate, but sound mint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingson Posted April 26, 2013 Share Posted April 26, 2013 Sound great! Most mates of mine who are bass players are using them and I can see why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcus bell Posted April 26, 2013 Author Share Posted April 26, 2013 [quote name='fender73' timestamp='1367004357' post='2060267'] Ugly scratchplate, but sound mint. [/quote] That's my initial thinking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
booboo Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 I've had one of these for a few years. If you are after that MM sound it's brilliant but I'm more into the sound of a passive jazz with alder/ rosewood than the ash and maple combo. If I'm honest I should probably sell it for all the use it gets, but the neck just feels so great I'll probably persevere for a while. on the subject of the ugly pick-guard, the routing itself is pretty neat and it should be possible to get a much smaller custom PG made if you can either live with all the screw holes on the top or afford a fill/refin job. I'm not sure how this would affect resale value though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcus bell Posted April 29, 2013 Author Share Posted April 29, 2013 Just been told its at my house, can't wait to get home and see what it's like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ML94 Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 [quote name='marcus bell' timestamp='1367246869' post='2063095'] Just been told its at my house, can't wait to get home and see what it's like [/quote] You'll love it! I'm saving up for another Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcus bell Posted April 29, 2013 Author Share Posted April 29, 2013 It's here , got it stripped down straight away, boiled the strings, polished the whole thing making it look beautiful! And gave it a test run, instant Marcus tone, going to get some slightly lighter strings as these are ripping my fingers to bits but except that its all good!!!! Pictures to follow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcus bell Posted April 29, 2013 Author Share Posted April 29, 2013 [URL=http://s187.photobucket.com/user/marcusbell/media/603610_557349224310536_1451985703_n_zps683b4d69.jpg.html][IMG]http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x193/marcusbell/603610_557349224310536_1451985703_n_zps683b4d69.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s187.photobucket.com/user/marcusbell/media/229661_557349210977204_777890784_n_zps0eaa9d58.jpg.html][IMG]http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x193/marcusbell/229661_557349210977204_777890784_n_zps0eaa9d58.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s187.photobucket.com/user/marcusbell/media/11807_557349160977209_1061458257_n_zpsed44f35b.jpg.html][IMG]http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x193/marcusbell/11807_557349160977209_1061458257_n_zpsed44f35b.jpg[/IMG][/URL] what dya reckon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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