• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Brought a beat-up Jbass into practice...

M

mr.zero

Nov 8, 2010
21
0
Frozen parts of Europe
#1
Yesterday I brought my recently optained cheapo-no-name jbass (headstock says Action 2002 and the legend tells of far eastern origins) into practice, soloed the bridge pickup, went to town with it and watched the drool drip from the bandmember's mouths.

I mean holy fitting-into-the-bands-overall-soundscape, Batman!

I ended up playing the three hour practice with the beat-up jbass with an unplayable neck past 12'th fret (fret buzz, it's set to BEAD and it really drives the poor bass to it's limits) with my Soundgear 905 which I am oh-so-broud of sitting on the corner.

You probably have already figured out where this is going...GAS valves are leaking!

So...newbie question time: what's the best jbass for me...and my band? :smug: How do they generally handle BEAD tuning (I think I prefer a four string but I "need" the low B)? Is this just a passing thing or should I set my Ibby for sale today and buy a jazz tomorrow? :D


tl;dr: I have a GAS for Jbass
 
#6
Soloed the bridge pickup? In that case, find a Squier Pbass Special.

You can have that same tone and a Jazz neck, plus the P tone, in a decent quality bass that's very affordable. I almost bought a new one for $250 recently, and it was a great bass at twice that price in my opinion.

This way, you can keep the Ibanez.
You'll never forgive yourself if you get rid of it.
 
#8
mr.zero said:
No it's true. I quess some old guru can actually tell why it is so, also. :)
Click to expand...

Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong, and I may well be, but I’m sure when I was studying I learned that ‘Bach’ was the only composer’s name you could spell out using old Germanic notation.

B = what we would now consider Bb
A = A
C = C
H = what we would consider B natural

Can someone confirm/dispel this myth?

:hiding:
 
#12
fenderhutz said:
I used my MIM Fender jazz for BEAD on some recordings I did. The only two upgrades were Basslines and a BadAss II bridge. Sounded great.

It may just be a poor setup on your cheapie bass, pay to have someone get it playing right. If it sounds good, why upgrade?
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same thing. If a setup cures the neck problems why upgrade? You would get to keep both basses. Don't let the label ruin a fun bass for you.
 
#14
JohnDeereJack said:
B = what we would now consider Bb
A = A
C = C
H = what we would consider B natural

Can someone confirm/dispel this myth?
Click to expand...

WIKIPEDIA said:
History of note names

Music notation systems have used letters of the alphabet for centuries.
...
Following this, the system of repeating letters A-G in each octave was introduced, these being written as minuscules for the second octave and double minuscules for the third. When the compass of used notes was extended down by one note, to a G, it was given the Greek G (Γ), gamma...

The remaining five notes of the chromatic scale (the black keys on a piano keyboard) were added gradually; the first being B, which was flattened in certain modes to avoid the dissonant tritone interval. This change was not always shown in notation, but when written, B♭ (B-flat) was written as a Latin, round "b", and B♮ (B-natural) a Gothic or "hard-edged" b. These evolved into the modern flat and natural symbols respectively. The sharp symbol arose from a barred b, called the "cancelled b".

In parts of Europe, including Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Norway, and Russia, the natural symbol transformed into the letter H (possibly for hart, German for hard): in German music notation, H is B♮ (B-natural) and B is B♭ (B-flat). Occasionally, music written in German for international use will use H for B-natural and Bb for B-flat (with a modern-script lowercase b instead of a flat sign). Since a B♭ in Northern Europe is fairly rare, it is generally clear what this notation means.
Click to expand...

I live in Russia and confirm that such a notation is used here in all the music schools. I never liked it and i'm self-taught, so i always use western notation. German notation always seemed unlogical to me: "black key" note has its own name, while all other black key notes are written with accidentals.
 
#15
Bah! Words of wisdom, who wants to hear those? :)

I quess taking it for a spin to a luthier's would not be a bad idea. The bass however has some issues like two extra holes in the body the previous owner had drilled to install some extra knobs but didn't. I bought the bass in the condition it was for a cheap prize just to see how the J-pickup would work.
 
#17
mr.zero said:
Bah! Words of wisdom, who wants to hear those? :)

I quess taking it for a spin to a luthier's would not be a bad idea. The bass however has some issues like two extra holes in the body the previous owner had drilled to install some extra knobs but didn't. I bought the bass in the condition it was for a cheap prize just to see how the J-pickup would work.
Click to expand...

Two extra holes hurt nothing besides aesthetics. If the neck is not warped, twisted and fretboard is not looking like a roller-coaster the cheapest solution would be new strings and a pro-setup...
 
#18
Yeah, supposdly J.S. Bach wrote a piece in which the basic chord progression spelled out his name, i.e. B-A-C-H (Bflat-A-C-B)
Or was that Richie Blackmore? One (or maybe both) of those guys. Bach did it as an ego trip, Blackmore did it as a tribute to Bach. At least one of those (again, maybe both) is true, I know that much.
 
#19
allexcosta said:
Two extra holes hurt nothing besides aesthetics. If the neck is not warped, twisted and fretboard is not looking like a roller-coaster the cheapest solution would be new strings and a pro-setup...
Click to expand...

Then rock the daylights out of it :bassist:

Seriously though. MIM Fender Jazz basses have USA made necks then they are just finished in the Mexico factory. If you can find a cheap used one play it and see if you like the sound. I can tell you adding some decent pickups make them GREAT basses.
 
#20
mr.zero said:
So...newbie question time:

what's the best jbass for me...and my band?

How do they generally handle BEAD tuning (I think I prefer a four string but I "need" the low B)?

Is this just a passing thing or should I set my Ibby for sale today and buy a jazz tomorrow?
Click to expand...

Whichever one you can afford.

There is typically LESS tension on strings tuned BEAD because (IMO) most B strings sold are too light a gauge to get proper tension. Therefore, most any bass can "handle" it.

I'm not qualified to tell you what your desires are or whether this is a "phase", but I will tell you that there are good reasons you see more P's and J's on stage than any other bass.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back