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Basses with 2x2 headstock?

#21
Adagietto said:
The G2220 has single-coils.
Click to expand...
That is my sense of the matter as well. However, I'm reluctant to commit to that without firm proof.
I have heard (again, Internet hear-say FWIW) that Fender offered some sort of rebate to affected owners?
Possibly a settlement intended to shut down bad press ASAP, but i don't know that to be certain either.
Did Fender ever post an admission of sin?
I have to ask, given you only live two doors down from Area 51. :roflmao:

I've inaverently been in thread hijack mode tonight. Apologies to the OP, and others.
Without irrevocable proof, can we get back to the OP's questions? Thanks.
 
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#22
I'll certainly second the Epiphone Jack Casady basses which are terrific, but I'd also suggest the Guild Starfire basses.

GuildStarfireII.jpg
 
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#23
I have a Zemaitis bass that I got on sale last year at just over $1000 new from Zemaitis US. It has the Les Paul shape you are used to, 2X2 headstock and passive J pickups. Its one of the few basses that I've bought and didn't want to change anything. The sound is incredible and its a pleasure to play. I have the MIK model and their current offerings are MIJ with a hard case and free shipping. They are listed at $1599 on closeout. Not sure what they are going to replace them with. If its a bass you might be interested in, call the number on the website. Everyone I talked to there was knowledgeable and friendly. They might tell you if the price will be reduced anytime soon to get you closer to your target price.
 
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#24
Old Garage-Bander said:
That is my sense of the matter as well. However, I'm reluctant to commit to that without firm proof.
I have heard (again, Internet hear-say FWIW) that Fender offered some sort of rebate to affected owners?
Possibly a settlement intended to shut down bad press ASAP, but i don't know that to be certain either.
Did Fender ever post an admission of sin?
I have to ask, given you only live two doors down from Area 51. :roflmao:

I've inaverently been in thread hijack mode tonight. Apologies to the OP, and others.
Without irrevocable proof, can we get back to the OP's questions? Thanks.
Click to expand...

They're definitely single coils. I don't understand why some people find this so hard to accept? This is extremely easy to verify. Also, the fact that Fender has offered a compensation and Gretsch has removed the term "humbucker" from the product description really says it all. Why is this so hard to accept???

I should probably add that I own one of these basses myself. The stock pickups were 100% definitely single coils. They picked up noise like single coils and they weren't even noise cancelling with both pickups on because Fender/Gretsch had installed two bridge pickups, which I believe they did in all these basses, or at least a very larger number of them. They REALLY messed this one up.

I replaced the stock pickups with TV Jones Thundertrons. I forgot that the Gretsch Junior Jet doesn't have Gretsch string spacing due to the Fender-style bridge. So I ended up having to replace the bridge as well to get the strings to line up properly with the Thundertrons. All the mods ended up costing more than the bass itself!

At least this gave me a chance to dissect the stock pickups and they are 100% definitely single coils. They're very dark sounding single coils though so I can totally understand why Fender/Gretsch got away with it for so long. The tone is actually quite humbucker'ish.

Single coils aren't necessarily a bad thing of course. I actually replaced the pickups because I found them too dark and muffled sounding, not because of the noise which wasn't any worse than any traditional J-bass, except of course for the lack of hum-cancelling with both pickups on.
 
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#25
Gluvhand said:
Aria
Click to expand...

One of my first thoughts. I like a 2x2 but can't get happy with a lot of Gibson tones and I don't think I could enjoy a 30" scale for long. I'd love to have Gibson EB2d or a Les Paul Signature, but that kind of money for a bass I'd likely get nothing but "pride-of-ownership" out of would bug me.

A good while back I ended up in possession of a minty Aria Pro II CBS-380 (mfg early/mid 1980s) for a while and I recall it as a well-built good feeling bass. Tone, IIRC, was more modern than a Fender but not too far off, definitely NOT dark and thuddy like a traditional Gibson. Might have even been a little thin and weak sounding but it was plenty acceptable with a decent amp.

If I ever run across an Aria Pro II CBS-450 (basically same thing but neck-through instead of bolt-on like the 380, both have 32.5" scale length ...I think) in Sunburst/Good/VG condition I will likely buy it. It would just scratch that itch for me.

Aria Pro II CBS-450.jpg
 
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#28
carlosjrf said:
Planning on selling one of my basses. I would like to get one with a 2x2 headstock tuners layout. Always preferred les pauls for guitars, so that headstock style is appealing.

For ~$1k, looking for ideas of basses with this layout. My biggest hurdle is that i want passive electronics. Not averse to active, but i want great passive tone. Although not ideal, im willing to do the electronics if i find a great body and neck.

Here’s the ones ive found so far:
Ive tried ibanez sr line, though great, but string spacing is a bit tight. Dont have warwicks to try. Dont care for schecter. There is a washburn taurus that seems a good one, but considering it was ~$300 new, paying $600 seems crazy, its an option. I would tell you the 2 very expensive brands that are great examples of what I’m thinking about, but don’t want to distract from someone giving me ideas.

Thanks in advance. Have a good holiday!!!
Click to expand...
Italia Imola...I play this one more than my USA-made
G&L L2000s.

Epiphone Jack Casady...almost as nice as the Italia.
No upgrades needed for eithef bass, just the proper strings.
 
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#31
13bass said:
3 of mine are Warmoth builds with their 2x2 headstock's, as someone stated earlier if you want to custom build your own or have a tech/luthier assemble and set up for you. Also my Guild Starfire II is as well.
Here are mine....
View attachment 4910387 View attachment 4910388
Click to expand...
It’s definitely an option but with the finishing it gets up there. Don’t really want to get into a finishing job. Loog good though.
 
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#32
Jim63 said:
I have a Zemaitis bass that I got on sale last year at just over $1000 new from Zemaitis US. It has the Les Paul shape you are used to, 2X2 headstock and passive J pickups. Its one of the few basses that I've bought and didn't want to change anything. The sound is incredible and its a pleasure to play. I have the MIK model and their current offerings are MIJ with a hard case and free shipping. They are listed at $1599 on closeout. Not sure what they are going to replace them with. If its a bass you might be interested in, call the number on the website. Everyone I talked to there was knowledgeable and friendly. They might tell you if the price will be reduced anytime soon to get you closer to your target price.
Click to expand...
They look great. I’m not high on shortscale. Thanks for the top as I didn’t know of these.
 
#35
carlosjrf said:
Planning on selling one of my basses. I would like to get one with a 2x2 headstock tuners layout. Always preferred les pauls for guitars, so that headstock style is appealing.

For ~$1k, looking for ideas of basses with this layout. My biggest hurdle is that i want passive electronics. Not averse to active, but i want great passive tone. Although not ideal, im willing to do the electronics if i find a great body and neck.

Here’s the ones ive found so far:
Ive tried ibanez sr line, though great, but string spacing is a bit tight. Dont have warwicks to try. Dont care for schecter. There is a washburn taurus that seems a good one, but considering it was ~$300 new, paying $600 seems crazy, its an option. I would tell you the 2 very expensive brands that are great examples of what I’m thinking about, but don’t want to distract from someone giving me ideas.

Thanks in advance. Have a good holiday!!!
Click to expand...
Washburn makes good stuff.

PRS
 

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