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Thanks again guys - I ended up getting a rectangular hard case for a jazz/precision style and it fits perfectly.
Howdy all -
Just picked up a Brute, Single cut and I've got a question about the fretboard. It seems as though the fretboard does not lie flush through the entire length of the neck. There is an overhang of about an 1/8th of an inch that begins (gradually) right around the 12th fret.
Just picked up a Brute, Single cut and I've got a question about the fretboard. It seems as though the fretboard does not lie flush through the entire length of the neck. There is an overhang of about an 1/8th of an inch that begins (gradually) right around the 12th fret.
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Not sure what the question is but my double cut has a similar overhang starting at the 15th fret.
@ Adam - You're right, pal. I put an edit on my original post and forgot to proofread my writing. Oops! 
Kevin B got back to me almost immediately (awesome) and confirmed with me that this overhang is appropriate. Looked a bit awkward and it startled me a bit but a bass maker, I am not. I'm satisfied with his response and will get back to practicing. Cheers, all!
Kevin B got back to me almost immediately (awesome) and confirmed with me that this overhang is appropriate. Looked a bit awkward and it startled me a bit but a bass maker, I am not. I'm satisfied with his response and will get back to practicing. Cheers, all!
Kinda' late on this, but I was gonna' jump in and say that's been standard since the get-go. My JJX-5, with a handwritten serial number in the 20's, has the same thing. Never bothered me, and doesn't get in the way in the least.
Anyway, did you get your new SC 5 off Reverb or eBay for $450 shipped? I just placed my order for the last Satin Black SC 5 they had at that price . . . what a steal!!! They have some Merlot 5's left, and maybe some 4 strings too at that price, if anyone's interested.
I probably didn't need it, but I really miss my single cut KXB-5 and want something with a similar feel again. Can't wait to get it!
Howdy all -
I am a bit conflicted. I'd hate to inadvertently tarnish any reputation Brubaker has, specifically owner's respectable experience but I thought it fair to at least share my experience. I really wanted to get very excited about having a new MJXSC, 4 string but after opening the box and playing it for a day a small amount of quality control issues started to reveal themselves.
These pictures (hopefully) tell most of the story. My biggest issue was the fingerboard with the small chunk missing by the nut and the indentation from the fret setting. That first picture is a crack in the finish with other...stuff.
I will add, the bass played rather well and the neck was as nice as others have suggested. It wasn't overly thin/small but it's playability was spectacular and it doesn't fight against you like other "beefy" necks can do. (I wouldn't describe this neck as beefy but it's certainly not jazz neck size, if that helps.) The electronics were noisy with a pretty constant hum. There were certain configurations (coil switch, pickup pan, extreme cutting of highs) that could reduce the issue but it seemed pretty restrictive. Also, the switch itself made "crackling" noises anytime you flipped the switch. Fret work was, meh. I'm not overly picky about sharp edges on my frets but there were quite a few to try and ignore.
Tuning pegs held pitch with easy turning. Bridge is pretty spectacular at any price.
Wanted to keep it and thought I'd do so, even with the issues; it plays that well. However, even with all my respect, back to the retailer it goes.
I am a bit conflicted. I'd hate to inadvertently tarnish any reputation Brubaker has, specifically owner's respectable experience but I thought it fair to at least share my experience. I really wanted to get very excited about having a new MJXSC, 4 string but after opening the box and playing it for a day a small amount of quality control issues started to reveal themselves.
These pictures (hopefully) tell most of the story. My biggest issue was the fingerboard with the small chunk missing by the nut and the indentation from the fret setting. That first picture is a crack in the finish with other...stuff.
I will add, the bass played rather well and the neck was as nice as others have suggested. It wasn't overly thin/small but it's playability was spectacular and it doesn't fight against you like other "beefy" necks can do. (I wouldn't describe this neck as beefy but it's certainly not jazz neck size, if that helps.) The electronics were noisy with a pretty constant hum. There were certain configurations (coil switch, pickup pan, extreme cutting of highs) that could reduce the issue but it seemed pretty restrictive. Also, the switch itself made "crackling" noises anytime you flipped the switch. Fret work was, meh. I'm not overly picky about sharp edges on my frets but there were quite a few to try and ignore.
Tuning pegs held pitch with easy turning. Bridge is pretty spectacular at any price.
Wanted to keep it and thought I'd do so, even with the issues; it plays that well. However, even with all my respect, back to the retailer it goes.
Attachments
OK, I had meant to reply to this after I got my black MJXSC-5 to compare QC and/or shipping and handling issues. Fortunately for me, I had none of the same issues you did, except for the noisy stock electronics, but I already had the Aguilar replacement pups and pre on hand and knew I was gonna put those in. Too bad the stock stuff is so noisy, it sounded decent otherwise . . . maybe all it needs a proper copper tape shielding treatment??? Also, the nut didn't appear to be glued on in any way as it fell off immediately when I pulled off the strings to swap out the bridge and tuners to Hipshot ultra-lights. So that was weird to me. I just set it back in place when I restrung it thinking I may have a brass nut cut for it as I had on my KXB. We'll wait and see what happens there.
The only other gripe that I have is that the finish is ultra thin. Too thin!!! I understand that this was done to keep costs down, but I barely tapped it with my screwdriver head, and bam, instant chip to the wood. Then the same thing when the wrench touched the wood while tightening up the volume pot. Not sure what to do about this issue. I'll maybe have to touch up the spots and spray on a good couple coats of satin clearcoat.
I don't wish to diss the Brubaker Brute line in anyway. This is Brute #4 for me and it feels and plays amazingly! And sadly, from what it looks like, the Brute series has come to an end, as I haven't seen anything new ordered or offered for sale on any of the usual sites for nearly a year. Somebody please jump in and correct me if I'm wrong about this point. And I do hope I'm wrong. Don't want to spread any disinformation.
I'll try and post a couple of pics soon. It looks pretty sharp with the gold and black hardware I put on it. And, it sounds killer with the Aguilar electronics.
Amazingly, you can still find them out there for pretty cheap.
I haven't upgraded my electronics yet, but I've been fairly satisfied with the stock ones.
I haven't upgraded my electronics yet, but I've been fairly satisfied with the stock ones.
- Jan 12, 2011
- 4,578
- 2,460
- Disclosures
- Artist, Trickfish Amplification Bartolini Emerging Artist, MTD Kingston Emerging Artist. Artist, Tsunami Cables
I wonder the same thing as it seems the air has gone out of the Brute Scene. I did however upgrade both of my Brutes. My Black MJX-5 has a Reed James NEO J/MM set. J pup has a split Neo Bar and MM Pup has two Neo Bars. I matched them up with a Bart 4.6 NTMB. My Single Cut I had it painted white. Installed a Bart Classic Series J/MM Set and HR 4.6 Pre. Put MOP block stickers on the board. Both sound nice and are keepers. Both also have MM split Series/Parallel/South Coil.
I am about to buy new pickups / preamp (Bart all around) for my MJX-5. All of the "long" jazz neck pickups I have found are 3.73 inches, and the stock pup appears to be much closer to 4 inches. Any problems with fit?
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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
I upgraded my Brute SC with a complete Bart Package. You want the long JB Pup and the Larger Lakland Sized MM Pup. I had the MM Pup split series/parallel/single coil as well. They were correct fit drop in's. I also made sure I ordered the Classic series Pups. The Bart Long Pup is actually a split design but yes the long Pup fits nicely. 59CBJD-LN1 or the 59CBJD L3.
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Just talked to my homie at bassbassgear.com, and the Bart 57 (57J1-S1) has the size / spacing needed for the Brute (the 59 is too small). The Brute neck pickup is just under 4 inches wide, with about 1.75 inches between the centers of the mounting screws.
The 59CBJD-LN1 fit?!? According to its measurements and my ruler, it's too short and the mounting screws are too close together.
- Jan 12, 2011
- 4,578
- 2,460
- Disclosures
- Artist, Trickfish Amplification Bartolini Emerging Artist, MTD Kingston Emerging Artist. Artist, Tsunami Cables
Trust what Best Bass Gear says. I may be confused. I know I ordered the long one. I don't even know if I still have the box. I just sold that Bass two weeks ago
I just checked and you're correct. I still had the box I ordered the 59CBJD-LN1 direct fit.
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I found where I ordered the pickups for my Brute JJ, it was these:
Bartolini 59CBJS L/S 5 String Jazz Bass Set, Single Coil, Classic Bass - Best Bass Gear
The neck pickup is the same on either the JJ or the MM/J....59CBJS long.
Bartolini 59CBJS L/S 5 String Jazz Bass Set, Single Coil, Classic Bass - Best Bass Gear
The neck pickup is the same on either the JJ or the MM/J....59CBJS long.
- Jan 12, 2011
- 4,578
- 2,460
- Disclosures
- Artist, Trickfish Amplification Bartolini Emerging Artist, MTD Kingston Emerging Artist. Artist, Tsunami Cables
- Jan 12, 2011
- 4,578
- 2,460
- Disclosures
- Artist, Trickfish Amplification Bartolini Emerging Artist, MTD Kingston Emerging Artist. Artist, Tsunami Cables
I just checked and you're correct. I still had the box I ordered the 59CBJD-LN1 direct fit.
