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Any Mitchell TB500 Owners?

Josdown

Josdown

Apr 3, 2018
7
22
#1
What's up guys? Long time lurker, finally decided to officially sign up!

So I was wondering if anyone owns a Mitchell TB500. I'm on the hunt for a new P/J and am really considering the Squier Vintage Modified Precision. While at GC the other day, I came across the Mitchell line which I haven't seen before. Personally, the one I played sounded good and felt great (not a fan of finished necks).

In researching the brand, pretty much the consensus is it's Chinese junk because it's GC's house brand and overpriced at $499 retail (currently they're going for $299 at MF). What I have yet to find though is an honest review from an actual owner. Has anyone bought one? Has it held up?
 
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#6
I know exactly zero about that bass.

I just swung by to say Welcome to TalkBass @Josdown !!!!!

If we as a group don't have much experience with that bass in particular, perhaps we can help in another way.

If you tell us what kinds of music ylu are i to playing and what your budget is, we may be able to share our experiences with other basses in that price range that woukd meet your needs.

Just a thought. Either way, good luck with your hunt.
 
#7
UNICORN BASS said:
Played several, liked the shape and the ergonomics but not much else. The frets were sharper than any bass i have ever played, and not too level either. Just didn't work for me, i would rather have a bass from Rondo at half the price.
Click to expand...
No kidding! I was at the GC in Canton, MI (I wonder if this is where you tried the bass) and I made the huge mistake of sliding down the fretboard. The frets were so sharp it snagged my finger and drew blood, had to get a band-aid while the store cleaned up the bass. Absolutely terrible fretwork on that particular one, others I've tried since then a few had sharp frets, nowhere near as bad as the one that got my finger, but perhaps needed to be filed down.
However, my biggest worry is that out of the 10 or so I've tried at various Guitar Centers in the area in the past 2 years, the output jack was faulty in most of them - either very noisy or didn't work at all. I realize that the ones I played were store demo models, but for that many to have faulty jacks underlies their lack of durability. Very easy fix so as jacks are very inexpensive. Otherwise, I found the basses themselves to sound pretty decent especially the Mitchell FB700, just way overpriced for what they are.
 
#8
two fingers said:
I know exactly zero about that bass.

I just swung by to say Welcome to TalkBass @Josdown !!!!!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the welcome!

I actually landed up buying this bass. I had been eyeing a Squier Vintage Modified P/J bass and while at GC decided to pick it up to A/B the two.

I guess these basses can be a little hit or miss because the one I got had perfectly smooth fret ends and no issues with fret height, etc. It was perfectly playable as is. There was another one that did have a horrible set up with tons of fret buzz.

I landed up ordering the Squier direct from Fender and between the two, I decided to keep the Squier. I found the pickups, especially the J to be a little hotter on the Squier. It was also a little brighter. The Mitchell to me was a little more mellow and not as aggressive sounding as the Squier. Feel wise, I think I prefer the "naked" neck of the Mitchell. My first mod on the Squier might be sanding down the neck.

Overall, for the same price as a Squier ( these retail for $499 but are often on sale for$299), I think if you can find a Mitchell that doesn't have the QC issues some have encountered, it is definitely a contender for a good low budget bass. I would've kept it if I could have.

Thanks to everyone that replied. Hopefully this mini review helps others.
 
#9
Josdown said:
Thanks for the welcome!

I actually landed up buying this bass. I had been eyeing a Squier Vintage Modified P/J bass and while at GC decided to pick it up to A/B the two.

I guess these basses can be a little hit or miss because the one I got had perfectly smooth fret ends and no issues with fret height, etc. It was perfectly playable as is. There was another one that did have a horrible set up with tons of fret buzz.

I landed up ordering the Squier direct from Fender and between the two, I decided to keep the Squier. I found the pickups, especially the J to be a little hotter on the Squier. It was also a little brighter. The Mitchell to me was a little more mellow and not as aggressive sounding as the Squier. Feel wise, I think I prefer the "naked" neck of the Mitchell. My first mod on the Squier might be sanding down the neck.

Overall, for the same price as a Squier ( these retail for $499 but are often on sale for$299), I think if you can find a Mitchell that doesn't have the QC issues some have encountered, it is definitely a contender for a good low budget bass. I would've kept it if I could have.

Thanks to everyone that replied. Hopefully this mini review helps others.
Click to expand...

Great. Glad you wound up with a solution.
 
#13
Josdown said:
What's up guys? Long time lurker, finally decided to officially sign up!

So I was wondering if anyone owns a Mitchell TB500. I'm on the hunt for a new P/J and am really considering the Squier Vintage Modified Precision. While at GC the other day, I came across the Mitchell line which I haven't seen before. Personally, the one I played sounded good and felt great (not a fan of finished necks).

In researching the brand, pretty much the consensus is it's Chinese junk because it's GC's house brand and overpriced at $499 retail (currently they're going for $299 at MF). What I have yet to find though is an honest review from an actual owner. Has anyone bought one? Has it held up?
Click to expand...
Two years later, I just ran into a Mitchell TB500 at GC for $150 with a little clearcoat missing on the headstock. I bought it. It's pretty nice sounding a playing wise. Mine is a transparent white with tortoiseshell pickguard. Seems like the paint is a weak point. I have a guitar player in my cover band that has a Les Paul looking Mitchell that sounds great, but the paint has pitted....
 

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