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Thanks for that. haven't had any issues with the stock tuners yet, but it's an easy mod to keep in mind
Yeah it gets in tune and it stays in tune. I'm thinking if I can shave a 1/4 or 1/2 pound off the weight it will be a win for my back.
Recently picked up a used Brute MJX-5. I believe it's a 2011, so it's before the coil tap switch and wood change. I took it to a local tech to give it a setup and the once-over since I wanted to make sure it wasn't a lemon - there was too much relief in the neck & the pan pot was scratchy. The neck is a little too straight now so I'd like to add some relief back in. It did not come with a truss rod tool.
Short of removing the pick guard every time (as the tech said he had to do), can i used a short arm hex wrench like the kind I could purchase in any local Home Depot? If so, what size? I checked this thread & the original Club thread and couldn't find my answer.
I know, no pics, no bass. They're coming. I'm very impressed with how easy this bass is to play. Just last night I was working on some "groove drills" using my Bongo and after I thought I'd had enough I decided to switch to the Brute before I put everything away. I don't know if it's just the familiarity with the 19mm string spacing or some other aspect(s) of the neck, but the passage I was playing actually became easier on the Brute!
Short of removing the pick guard every time (as the tech said he had to do), can i used a short arm hex wrench like the kind I could purchase in any local Home Depot? If so, what size? I checked this thread & the original Club thread and couldn't find my answer.
I know, no pics, no bass. They're coming. I'm very impressed with how easy this bass is to play. Just last night I was working on some "groove drills" using my Bongo and after I thought I'd had enough I decided to switch to the Brute before I put everything away. I don't know if it's just the familiarity with the 19mm string spacing or some other aspect(s) of the neck, but the passage I was playing actually became easier on the Brute!
Just played my first show with the brute. Definitely the right bass for me. SOOOOO comfortable! I felt at home.
I agree 100%. Brubaker makes the most comfortable necks in all the world, IMHO! I still recall the very first time I picked up my Brute . . . it felt like I was holding a little slice of heaven in my hands. I've owned quite a few different basses over the years, and the only bass that came close to matching the Brubaker in comfort was the Dingwall AB1.5. And it's hard to believe, but if you ever get the chance to play one of Kevin's handmade USA models, you'll be even more at home. Glad you're liking your Brute, have fun with it!! 
- Jan 12, 2011
- 4,578
- 2,460
- Disclosures
- Artist, Trickfish Amplification Bartolini Emerging Artist, MTD Kingston Emerging Artist. Artist, Tsunami Cables
Scroll down and you’ll see me and Bio amongst Bartolini Emerging Artists. Doug Norton is mentioned as well
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- Jan 12, 2011
- 4,578
- 2,460
- Disclosures
- Artist, Trickfish Amplification Bartolini Emerging Artist, MTD Kingston Emerging Artist. Artist, Tsunami Cables
In a nutshell yes!!!! The Brutes were made to be upgraded with High End Pups and Pre. However from what I've heard the newest Brutes with the coil splitter sound damn good.
quite satisfied with the stock pickups in my mjx-4 at this point. the only thing i'm considering changing are the tuners, but really the stocks aren't bad so it isn't urgent. you guys have any preferences?
I reiscovered an old friend this week in my reworked Brute JJX5 that I converted into a MJX5. I installed Bartolini's in the jazz and mm positions and a Seymour Duncan STC3P preamp.(I really like that preamp and have used it before in some other basses.) I also decided to try some nickel strings so I got a set of Dunlop Nickel Brights 45-120. I got everything together and went to a gig and I was quite pleased with the combination. My rig consisited of my Genz STM 900 and my Genz Neo 212 and it was on point throughout the whole night. The style of music was contemporary gospel and some old time southern quartet stuff. It was sitting right in the mix amongst the guitars,organ,drums and even a sax mixed in. As we all can atest to that neck seems to play itself and it made the entire night a pleasure. I tweeked the mids a little and everything else was flat and it ws a good enough to hold it's spot in the mix.
I know I don't have to tell how it feels when it all comes together but it was one of those nights. I have acouple of decent basses(American Peavey Cirrus,Lakland DJ5,Lakland 55-01 and a few more.) but I'm back to my Brute and it's officailly my main player as of last night. I finally have gotten all the variables to line up and GAS is a thing of the past. By the way I picked up another JJX5 and I'm going with Bart Mk5's in this one and I'll be loading my double gig bag with strictly Brubaker Brutes. Sometimes it pays to back track. These brutes as we know are great modding basses!
I know I don't have to tell how it feels when it all comes together but it was one of those nights. I have acouple of decent basses(American Peavey Cirrus,Lakland DJ5,Lakland 55-01 and a few more.) but I'm back to my Brute and it's officailly my main player as of last night. I finally have gotten all the variables to line up and GAS is a thing of the past. By the way I picked up another JJX5 and I'm going with Bart Mk5's in this one and I'll be loading my double gig bag with strictly Brubaker Brutes. Sometimes it pays to back track. These brutes as we know are great modding basses!
I am loving my Brute. I have going back and forth with changing out the Pups and preamp, but it really does have a great tone. It quickly became my main player.
FYI/heads up, eBay has a early/first electronics version jjx5 in red with black guard for $300 shipped! Slap in some higher quality pups and pre and have a superb quality j bass for cheap. Mentions a chip on the back and a bow in the neck (maybe just a truss rod adjustment needed by someone with the know-how???). Someone needs to check this out.
I saw that, but to me, 'neck is bowed' and dirt cheap price means that 'truss rod is broken' and probably unplayable and it is specifically pointed out to avoid a return or chargeback.
- Apr 21, 2000
- 10,465
- 866
- 60
- Disclosures
- Gallien Krueger for the last 12 years!
Okay, I'll dance along. I've always been curious about these, but never had a chance to play one. Well, today I found a JJX-5 on GC's site for 269.00, so I took a chance on it. It'll be here early next week.
Umm, no! Not sure how that made it through QC.
I'd email these pics to Brubaker and see if they'll help remedy this. Being they don't even make the JJX model any longer, I'm not sure what they can do, but it's worth a try.
Good luck!
- Apr 21, 2000
- 10,465
- 866
- 60
- Disclosures
- Gallien Krueger for the last 12 years!
Okay, I got my Brute JJX-5 today. The feel is nice, but it needs tweaking. The preamp has been updated, but I haven't checked to see what has been installed. There's an overdrive sound to it. I changed the battery, and no change. As of now, she's not a keeper, but I want her to be. So, I'll make sure I give it every chance to be. Pic soon. It was only 269.00, but still.
Congrats! Sorry to hear you're having issues. Have patience and faith. I picked up a JJX-4 used over a year ago. It had electronics woes, so I opted to replace the pups and preamp. It has since become my main player. I wish you nothing but the best.
If you still have the stock pups on it, the noise may be due to the preamp not being compatible with the pups. Stock pups are active and they are wired to the battery. Might be overloading the pre??? Good luck figuring out out.
