Bass Player Reviews Mitchell Basses

[bobcruz]

The jack location looks seriously weird but I'd have to try it with a strap. I tuck my cable through the strap and maybe with a 90-degree plug the strap would keep it snug in the jack--has anyone tried it that way?

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

I think a 90 degree plug might even be problematic, notice the angle the plug exits at in SirMjac28's second pic. It wouldn't be able to rotate without gouging into the body.

 

[rodv66]

Crapulous crap. There are six of them hanging on the walls of my local GC and they all should be turned into coffee tables.

 

[BusyFingers]

Really, they're not that bad. The headstock is atrocious looking, though.

 

[bobcruz]

I think a 90 degree plug might even be problematic, notice the angle the plug exits at in SirMjac28's second pic. It wouldn't be able to rotate without gouging into the body.

Good eye you've got there, Mr. Earl! Now that I see the exit angle, it would be unusable. Reminds me of some of the worst Soviet basses I've seen pictures of: "good enough for government work, comrade!"

 

[Spectrum]

I remember when I first noticed these in GC's catalogue and I thought, "Oh, this must be their house brand. I bet it's unimpressive." Looks like I was right.

At least they didn't ruin a cool brand name with it. When I think of "Mitchell" I think of an old MST3K episode I saw back when I was in college. Some of Joe Don Baker's finest acting work.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Crapulous crap. There are six of them hanging on the walls of my local GC and they all should be turned into coffee tables.

I guess they could be IKEA kits!

 

[Onward]

I remember when I first noticed these in GC's catalogue and I thought, "Oh, this must be their house brand. I bet it's unimpressive." Looks like I was right.

At least they didn't ruin a cool brand name with it. When I think of "Mitchell" I think of an old MST3K episode I saw back when I was in college. Some of Joe Don Baker's finest acting work.

MITCHELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

MITCHELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL



One of my favorite MST3K episodes

 

[rodv66]

I guess they could be IKEA kits!

They could be called fartlensounden

 

[lancimouspitt]

I thought I would add a few pics.

What on earth where they thinking with that jack?

 

[Stranger Danger]

This was a classic Bass Player review because the overall tone was positive while mentioning the instruments' shortcomings. Between the two of them, the FB700, an active four with two MM style pickups, got the best review since it's one real shortcoming was a scratchy volume pot. The five string P/J TB500 was seen as having a few real design flaws like a too skinny nut that placed the B and E strings too close together in the first position, a badly designed jack location that made it difficult to use a strap, and really damning was a trussrod that hard to reach because it probably should have been a bit longer.

Overall, the review confirms my opinion of Mitchell as good looking basses with a series of small flaws that add up to make them unattractive purchases.

The 2 MM bass is just a jackhammer. The Metal guys should love it.

 

[bassstrangler]

I fiddled with one at GC one day, cheap bridge by Kmise was the first disappointment I noticed. Pots weren't good either. Overall impression was meh.

 

[blue4]

I've played one for a bit, the fiver with the wood top and the weird jack. My impression of it was that it felt pretty good from a playability standpoint. Didn't sound bad either. But the QC needs to be improved. I don't think they're junk, but they require a buyer who knows how to tinker.

 

[Gilsdorf]

See this is surprising to hear, because the ones at my GC (Joliet) that I've futzed around with were actually probably better than most of the other stuff normally hanging on the wall.

 

[Watchootognbout]

The jack location looks seriously weird but I'd have to try it with a strap. I tuck my cable through the strap and maybe with a 90-degree plug the strap would keep it snug in the jack--has anyone tried it that way?

I think a 90 degree plug might even be problematic, notice the angle the plug exits at in SirMjac28's second pic. It wouldn't be able to rotate without gouging into the body.

Good eye you've got there, Mr. Earl! Now that I see the exit angle, it would be unusable. Reminds me of some of the worst Soviet basses I've seen pictures of: "good enough for government work, comrade!"

What on earth where they thinking with that jack?

My Tune TWB63 has a jack in that location.
Absolutely no problem for me!
In this location a straight plug can't be bumped by my knee while sitting.
Plus I can loop the cord with a cable tie around the strap end.

 

[bobcruz]

My Tune TWB63 has that kind of jack.
Absolutely no problem for me!
In this location a straight plug can't be bumped by your knee while sitting.
Plus I loop the cord with a cable tie around the strap end.View attachment 1034016

Have you tried it with a 90-degree plug (the only kind I use)?

 

[Watchootognbout]

Have you tried it with a 90-degree plug (the only kind I use)?

No.It's recessed.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Have you tried it with a 90-degree plug (the only kind I use)?

I use anangle plug on this bass with an input here.

 

[bholder]

No clue on the quality of them, but given that one pic earlier, I don't actually mind the looks. Didn't see the headstock though.

 

[WaynerBass]

My first MM Jazz Deluxe Active 5 had to be sent back because the bridge pickup route looked like it was chiseled out with a hammer and chisel + the damned thing wasn’t even grounded correctly. The ground wire from the bridge to the tone controls was laying in the cavity.. that was $899.99 at AMS so.. I did return it and bought the same model from Sweetwater.. but in saying that... these problems with the Mitchells sound like much less to complain about..