Annoying Twit Posted March 11, 2014 Posted March 11, 2014 [quote name='isteen' timestamp='1394555268' post='2392638'] I have only one question: Can I get a fretless version? [/quote] If it's a cheap fretless bass you want, rather than a preference for the colours and fretboard wood of the J&D, this has been much discussed here recently. http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_jb_40fl_sb.htm?sid=bedc89f09a36d4dccbbec7ee8f3dc96a Quote
Polo35 Posted April 10, 2014 Posted April 10, 2014 I've just bought one of these from Digital Village in Romford only a few weeks after buying a Gretsch Jet Bass Junior from there. Quote
Annoying Twit Posted April 12, 2014 Posted April 12, 2014 (edited) [quote name='Polo35' timestamp='1397114360' post='2420684'] I've just bought one of these from Digital Village in Romford only a few weeks after buying a Gretsch Jet Bass Junior from there. [/quote] I kept on reading to see your review, but didn't find one Welcome to the forum. Edited April 12, 2014 by Annoying Twit Quote
mcnach Posted April 12, 2014 Posted April 12, 2014 ... and how long has it been now? I still haven't changed the strings. They get better as they get older! So, those of you who removed them because they hated them... I'd happily give you a beer token or two for yours One thing I'm doing is change the pickups. I do like their sound, and I was reluctant to replace them, but they are a bit too "coarse" (hard to describe sounds, eh?). I get beautiful fingerstyle sounds, but when I alternate with slap it's just not nice at all. Some of you will argue "that's the problem right there, don't slap!" but I'll just stick my tongue out at them So I have a set of black DiMarzio Model J coming that I will try and see how it goes. I did not want something too "vintagey" and I have other basses that do that, and the Model J, from my recollection, have the right amount of girth and "darkness", which I think would be good on this bass... We will see. Quote
Polo35 Posted April 12, 2014 Posted April 12, 2014 [quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1397292689' post='2422488'] I kept on reading to see your review, but didn't find one Welcome to the forum. [/quote] Quote
Polo35 Posted April 12, 2014 Posted April 12, 2014 (edited) I will do a review as soon as I can. I've not had much of a chance to play it the last few days. So far all I can say is that it's a great bass for the price. I love the way it looks and it sounds great too. I was looking at a bass the costs double and I'm glad I didn't get it and not just because I saved some money. Thanks glad to be here Edited April 13, 2014 by Polo35 Quote
mcnach Posted April 27, 2014 Posted April 27, 2014 £119 including delivery... That should not be allowed. If they made a shell pink or fiesta red... I'd have one of each too! Model J pickups are here. Hopefully I'll have time to fit them next week. I really like the sound of the originals, but I find them a bit "wild" when playing hard (or slap) and hard to tame that way. Model J should be suitably dark for my purposes... Quote
Conan Posted April 29, 2014 Posted April 29, 2014 Still loving the colours and necks - feeling very tempted by one of these in either Surf green or Sky blue Quote
theyellowcar Posted April 29, 2014 Posted April 29, 2014 [quote name='Conan' timestamp='1398770776' post='2437367'] Still loving the colours and necks - feeling very tempted by one of these in either Surf green or Sky blue [/quote] Shameless plug (but I'm a paid up member) but I have an immaculate Surf Green example up for sale on here with an additional white pearl pickguard Quote
discreet Posted May 4, 2014 Posted May 4, 2014 [quote name='theyellowcar' timestamp='1398777350' post='2437487'] ...I have an immaculate Surf Green example up for sale on here with an additional white pearl pickguard [/quote] Yoink! Quote
RockinRelic Posted June 6, 2014 Posted June 6, 2014 I live in the USA and bought one from a store in Germany last month -- purely for the surf green color. I couldn't find one anywhere in the states. It arrived within a few weeks, and it was in pretty good shape out of the box. First thing I did was turn the truss rod to correct the neck bow. I did mods on it, including Bartolini pickups and a Gotoh bridge. I also replaced the stock strings. My luthier (who can turn a log into a Stradivarius) worked on it and I did further work filing the fret ends smooth. I also painted the head stock to match the body. It now plays with the best of my other basses. I use it professionally in a surf band. I couldn't happier with the sound and joy of playing it. Amazing. Bottom line, the J&D bass is an amazing value for the money, and with a little work, it can be your main rig. Quote
mcnach Posted June 6, 2014 Posted June 6, 2014 [quote name='RockinRelic' timestamp='1402067491' post='2469762'] I live in the USA and bought one from a store in Germany last month -- purely for the surf green color. I couldn't find one anywhere in the states. It arrived within a few weeks, and it was in pretty good shape out of the box. First thing I did was turn the truss rod to correct the neck bow. I did mods on it, including Bartolini pickups and a Gotoh bridge. I also replaced the stock strings. My luthier (who can turn a log into a Stradivarius) worked on it and I did further work filing the fret ends smooth. I also painted the head stock to match the body. It now plays with the best of my other basses. I use it professionally in a surf band. I couldn't happier with the sound and joy of playing it. Amazing. Bottom line, the J&D bass is an amazing value for the money, and with a little work, it can be your main rig. [/quote] I am still amazed by mine! Like you I bought it mostly because of the colour... I wasn't expecting to like it quite so much! Quote
Sean Posted June 6, 2014 Posted June 6, 2014 [quote name='RockinRelic' timestamp='1402067491' post='2469762'] I live in the USA and bought one from a store in Germany last month -- purely for the surf green color. I couldn't find one anywhere in the states. It arrived within a few weeks, and it was in pretty good shape out of the box. First thing I did was turn the truss rod to correct the neck bow. I did mods on it, including Bartolini pickups and a Gotoh bridge. I also replaced the stock strings. My luthier (who can turn a log into a Stradivarius) worked on it and I did further work filing the fret ends smooth. I also painted the head stock to match the body. It now plays with the best of my other basses. I use it professionally in a surf band. I couldn't happier with the sound and joy of playing it. Amazing. Bottom line, the J&D bass is an amazing value for the money, and with a little work, it can be your main rig. [/quote] Photos please! Quote
RockinRelic Posted June 8, 2014 Posted June 8, 2014 As requested, here are some photos of my customized J&D surf green bass. Quote
discreet Posted June 8, 2014 Posted June 8, 2014 [quote name='RockinRelic' timestamp='1402236748' post='2471207'] As requested, here are some photos of my customized J&D surf green bass. [/quote] Looking good! How does it sound with the Barts fitted? Quote
RockinRelic Posted June 8, 2014 Posted June 8, 2014 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1402236944' post='2471212'] Looking good! How does it sound with the Barts fitted? [/quote] Thank you ! The Barts sound is huge. I installed the 9J1's. Quote
mcnach Posted June 8, 2014 Posted June 8, 2014 Sexy! NOt a big fan of matching finish headstocks but... that looks great! Quote
discreet Posted June 8, 2014 Posted June 8, 2014 [quote name='RockinRelic' timestamp='1402238869' post='2471222'] The Barts sound is huge. I installed the 9J1's. [/quote] Very good. They're the split coils? Quote
RockinRelic Posted June 9, 2014 Posted June 9, 2014 Thanks very much for all good reviews. Yes, they are splits --- here's a link to all the info on the 9J1's: http://www.bartolini.net/product/9j1-ls/ Quote
subdude Posted June 9, 2014 Posted June 9, 2014 i have one of these green ones as well, and as many mentioned before me, it is an incredible bass for the money! the only small issue i found were the fret ends on the G side of the fretboard, some were slightly rough on the edge but nothing a 10 minute go with a file wouldn't solve. otherwise i am stunned by the fit and finish of the bass. the sound is huge and versatile, the pots, usually a weak spot on low budget instruments, have a very smooth feel to them and a great response. allthough i have no way of directly comparing the bass to more expensive jazz bass models, i find it hard to believe they could be significantly superior to the J&D i am tempted to get a P model now...... Quote
RockinRelic Posted June 9, 2014 Posted June 9, 2014 (edited) I used the Small version of this fret dressing file to bring the ends to perfection: [url="http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Types_of_Tools/Files/3-Corner_Fret_Dressing_Files.html"]http://www.stewmac.c...sing_Files.html[/url] Regarding comparison to the more expensive Fender Jazz Bass models, I've had many over the years, and now own the USA version of the Fender Dimension Jazz Bass. While the outsized variety of tonal variations are possible with the Dimension and its blizzard of controls, my J&D actually feels as good, maybe even better in my hands while playing. And sonically, the J&D did great out of the shipping box. But after installing the Bartolini pickups and the Gotoh bridge, I have a musical cannon to dispense rolling thunder of the highest order. Backstory: I was inspired to try the custom approach with the J&D after successfully remodeling a Fender Squire James Johnston Jazz Bass with Fender N3 Noiseless pickups, new tuning machine heads and strings, etc. I still have that one. If there's a lesson to be learned from my experience it's this: There are some hidden treasures in the guitar marketplace, and the thrifty musician can achieve high-end results with a little effort and a little expense. Edited June 9, 2014 by RockinRelic Quote
Annoying Twit Posted June 9, 2014 Posted June 9, 2014 (edited) A nice looking bass. But, surely with the new pickups/electronics, the extra fretwork, the upgraded finish, a lot of this bass is now down to the work you've done, rather than the J&D original? The Barts cost more than the whole J&D bass. [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/bartolini_baj9j1_pickupset.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...1_pickupset.htm[/url] They have more character (to my ears) than the Wilko pickups on the HB1975 jazz. [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hbb1975_na.htm"]http://www.thomann.d..._hbb1975_na.htm[/url] Though, maybe that's an unfair comparison as they aren't in the same bass with the same EQ settings. I think what you'e done sounds like it's great. But, is it more like a custom bass now? Edited June 9, 2014 by Annoying Twit Quote
RockinRelic Posted June 9, 2014 Posted June 9, 2014 That's a fair assessment. No question it evolved into a custom instrument. It's still a great bass for the money, even if one only did the rudimentary things one does when acquiring a new instrument. In other words, adapt it to your tastes and needs. That may be as simple as changing the strings. Most players probably wouldn't wish or need to pump high-end components into it as I did. And they'd still have a mighty fine bass for the money. Or a solid foundation for a totally pro instrument. [quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1402345165' post='2472524'] A nice looking bass. But, surely with the new pickups/electronics, the extra fretwork, the upgraded finish, a lot of this bass is now down to the work you've done, rather than the J&D original? The Barts cost more than the whole J&D bass. [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/bartolini_baj9j1_pickupset.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...1_pickupset.htm[/url] They have more character (to my ears) than the Wilko pickups on the HB1975 jazz. [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hbb1975_na.htm"]http://www.thomann.d..._hbb1975_na.htm[/url] Though, maybe that's an unfair comparison as they aren't in the same bass with the same EQ settings. I think what you'e done sounds like it's great. But, is it more like a custom bass now? [/quote] Quote
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