Mikey D Posted September 20, 2020 Share Posted September 20, 2020 (edited) In a perfect would I'd buy a Fodera MG Mini but it isn't perfect and I don't have $10k to drop on anything nevermind a custom bass. Or an even more perfect world be a sponsor of Ibanez and have them make me a short scale fanned-fret GWB35 with Aguilar or Nordstrand strung E-C. As neither are going to happen I bought a TMB35 about a month ago as reviews were solid although most about 4 string. Almost immediately or even before it was received I decided it was going to be a bit of a project bass to mod. (This seems to be a trend with the new shorter scale Ibanez basses and rightly so for the quality and pretty brain prices - @therealting has done an excellent job on a Mezzo). @walshy had a set of AG PJ5 HC so thought what the hell...they arrived next day and then so did the bass. Tip for everyone else; the routing for the Ibanez Dynamix pickups are not the same as the AGs. Before doing anything else I strung it E-C with some strings I had laying about (bought some Foderas to go on post-mod) and recorded this quickly - From Within - Michel Camilo (Anthony Jackson Bass Cover) and was already suitably impressed with feel and sound for £200ish. Luckily I had just spoken to my mate Jimmy about doing some fretwork on my basses and he recommended 'Rob' who does his guitars. So I set about getting them over to Rob with no rush on them. A few WhatsApp back and forth we agree it needed a bit of a reroute and the pickguard would need changing to cover any holes I left it all up to him. It'll be ready to pick up tomorrow after one more minor mod. I was excited anyway but after his comments I can't wait to pick it up tomorrow now: his nonchalant 'turned out alright hasn't it' got much more excitable with 'mate these pickups...I had to phone my bass player to tell him about the sound'. Then I got a pic...I'm totally into the new 'board shape. I have a 4 or so additional mods in mind but will get it back and finally play it a bit before deciding what to do next. Will check back in with a video/audio of it soon. Tomorrow will be a New Improved Bass Day Edited September 20, 2020 by Mikey D 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey D Posted September 22, 2020 Author Share Posted September 22, 2020 Another quick mod...straplocks. Also I’ve had a chance to play now through audio interface and amp...these Aguilar pickups are so clean! The P and J sound exactly like good P and Js should. So for about £500 all in I am extremely happy with the outcome. Although I’m almost convinced on the next 2 mods already. But working out how to do a bit less than full RRP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kumimajava Posted September 22, 2020 Share Posted September 22, 2020 (edited) Looks great - am just considering getting one of these myself - but there is precious little info on the 5-string variant. if you don't mind me asking: how does it balance? Any hints of neck-dive? The shape looks very Jaguar-ish, and both Jaguars that I had dived something fierce Hoping this one doesn't! Edited September 22, 2020 by kumimajava Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6feet7 Posted September 22, 2020 Share Posted September 22, 2020 How much do these weigh? Unfortunately that is always my first thought when eyeing up any new bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey D Posted September 22, 2020 Author Share Posted September 22, 2020 Hi. Tbh there is neck dive no doubt about it. When sitting down I play ‘classical guitar’ style anyway and standing up although it is obvious, it doesn’t bother me personally. The mod mod I wanted to do actually was swap the tuners for some lightweight gotoh. Won’t resolve completely but will help a bit. Although I can’t say im not intrigued by the more extreme mod of going headless 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kumimajava Posted September 22, 2020 Share Posted September 22, 2020 13 minutes ago, Mikey D said: Hi. Tbh there is neck dive no doubt about it. .... Although I can’t say im not intrigued by the more extreme mod of going headless Thanks for clarifying that - I'd be most curious to see how the headless-mod works out ... as a fan of headless basses, it's an idea that sounds rather attractive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey D Posted September 22, 2020 Author Share Posted September 22, 2020 Have you seen this? Real Things Mezzo Mod Not a TMB but you get the idea. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kumimajava Posted September 22, 2020 Share Posted September 22, 2020 6 minutes ago, Mikey D said: Have you seen this? Real Things Mezzo Mod Not a TMB but you get the idea. I had not seen that before - thanks for pointing it out, it looks fantastic! The Nova headless kit seems to be a nice fit, too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey D Posted October 28, 2020 Author Share Posted October 28, 2020 Another minor mod: made a removable ramp and it is slowly becoming my favourite bass to just pickup and play. Now to decide whether to bother with tuners or not... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey D Posted February 21, 2021 Author Share Posted February 21, 2021 Thinking of next mod...keeping current tuners but wondering which hipshot extender would match closest?! Anyone else done this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey D Posted March 29, 2021 Author Share Posted March 29, 2021 After debating whether to change them for a while, I found these Ultralites for sale thanks to @Bobthedog Big weight difference, but not enough to totally remove any movement. However when sitting bass now balances almost parallel with the floor rather than diving towards it. When standing a little forearm pressure and strap easily hold it where I prefer the angle to be. The costs are pushing it a bit now but for a c.£500-600 investment, I think it's been worthwhile to get in the short scale club with a level of quality I'm happy with. Definitely a market for more mid-quality short scales. Next mod: After filling the holes...one day maybe add a drop tuner hipshot xtender 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobthedog Posted March 29, 2021 Share Posted March 29, 2021 (edited) 21 minutes ago, Mikey D said: After debating whether to change them for a while, I found these Ultralites for sale thanks to @Bobthedog Big weight difference, but not enough to totally remove any movement. However when sitting bass now balances almost parallel with the floor rather than diving towards it. When standing a little forearm pressure and strap easily hold it where I prefer the angle to be. The costs are pushing it a bit now but for a c.£500-600 investment, I think it's been worthwhile to get in the short scale club with a level of quality I'm happy with. Definitely a market for more mid-quality short scales. Next mod: After filling the holes...one day maybe add a drop tuner hipshot tender Glad they helped. I believe @Rich cleverly filled the holes on his Sire with cut down cocktail sticks. PS love the Aguilar rig in the background. Edited March 29, 2021 by Bobthedog 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.