I was rehearsing with a band I sub in on occasions, and as usual brought my trusted ol' Ibby BTB 1005e. Which I really like for it's versatility and playability. The band rehearses in a more than average equipped place, with all kinds of stuff hanging on the wall. And what did I see? A white MIJ Fender J Special from the 80'ies, just like the one I foolishly sold some 20 years ago. It was completely banged up in the finish, but with a good set-up and fairly new roundwounds. Strapped it on, and got ready for a couple of songs that didn't need the B-string. Both pi's full on on tone all the way up. And BOOM, it was so RIGHT in the mix immediately, and with a presence I hate to admit was more to my liking than my Ibby. I'm already seating to buy my old J Special back, but this will make me search even harder. What a nice and usable bass that is.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
DARNIT!! JB Special kicked butt yesterday...
- Thread starter Thombas
- Start date
I've had GAS for a Jazz Bass Special for a while now and went a little silly... I now have 3 of them, along with a Power Jazz Special and a PB-555, which is the one with dual slanted P pickups.
The JBS especially has a much wider tonal range than its given credit for. Yes, it has very pronounced mids if you want them (which is why it sits in the mix so well), but the pickup selector allows you to iso the P and get you every bit as thick a tone as a quarter pounder does, and adding some J gives you added tightness - and nasal Jness - as needed.
I've found that half-rounds work REALLY well on these also, and the MIJ necks from the 80s are perfect for my hands.
TB poster bassgod has one for sale in the classifieds, by the way. It's the same pearl white color, and is one of the earlier (and more sought after) painted neck models. Very fair price also.
The JBS especially has a much wider tonal range than its given credit for. Yes, it has very pronounced mids if you want them (which is why it sits in the mix so well), but the pickup selector allows you to iso the P and get you every bit as thick a tone as a quarter pounder does, and adding some J gives you added tightness - and nasal Jness - as needed.
I've found that half-rounds work REALLY well on these also, and the MIJ necks from the 80s are perfect for my hands.
TB poster bassgod has one for sale in the classifieds, by the way. It's the same pearl white color, and is one of the earlier (and more sought after) painted neck models. Very fair price also.
+1 about the neck thing too. I don't know if it's because it was that bass I learned to play on, but it did feel very RIGHT
I'll try to send a pm to bassgod. I suspect he's in the us, and I'm in Europe. But where there's a will... and so on.
Best,
Thomas
I love my JBS. The white JBS was gone last I saw (had to fight seriously hard not to snatch it up)
Last edited:
COME ON! FENDERS ARE CRAP AND FOR LEMMINGS WITH NO VISION TO WHAT A BASS CAN BE!
(kidding)
tho, it is funny how that works, isn't it? Surely it's an anomoly, as per 90% of the TB populace, you can surely do better than a lowly Fender.
(kidding)
tho, it is funny how that works, isn't it? Surely it's an anomoly, as per 90% of the TB populace, you can surely do better than a lowly Fender.
Completely agree! I don't like that I like it that much
- but they got that one right, to my ears and hands 
You're probably right, I couldn't find it either. But I learned that there are many basswoods on tb
Oh well, I haven't given up tracking down "my own" from 20 years ago, now I've found the persons who bought it and sent her an email. Lets see what happens.
Im with you.I cant find i Bass that sits so perfectly in every mix like my CS 64 Relic Jazz period.I love my 76 Fender Precision but even she isnt as complete as my Jazz.
Yes, it was quite a revelation yesterday, and I can see where this is taking me: To a loooong talk with the Secretary of Finance. I have a slight problem there, since I accidentally bought a motorbike last week, after maybe a drink or 11 too many. She might - rightfully - claim, that it's her turn to throw a little cash around now. Not that there's much to throw around now....
Ibanez
My go-to bass is an older (MIJ 2003) Ibanez BTB 1005e, with Bartolini pre and soap bars. I've gigged it extensively the last decade, and like it for a lot of things. Soundmen really like it for the way it sits, and so do I. But yesterday the JB Special was just the thing, and kicked my main player back in the case for the rest of the evening.
the only other bass i enjoy like my Relic was my 2000 Fender Jazz i bought it to take some pressure off my Relic.I played that bass and really enjoyed everything about it.Of course being the dumb azz that i am wanted to try something different LOL.Traded for a 2005 Stingray then traded that in for a 84 Precision then traded back for my stingray traded that for a Sterling traded that for my current P Bass.Im 80% satisfied with my P Bass im gonna keep the P but i am getting a second Jazz in the future i think ha ha .
I tried to track it down to help you out, but it appears that bassgod76 has deleted the entire FS thread. It was surprising to me that it didn't sell right away at his asking price, bumped it for him once or twice, but even those posts have vanished from my post history.
I was going to do a re-paint on one of mine to make it a pearl white model, then choose 1 of the 3 to keep and likely sell or trade the 2 others. Not ready to do this yet, but if the search for your old one doesn't pan out, maybe get in touch with me and we can try to arrange something. I'd be willing to ship to Europe.
I was going to do a re-paint on one of mine to make it a pearl white model, then choose 1 of the 3 to keep and likely sell or trade the 2 others. Not ready to do this yet, but if the search for your old one doesn't pan out, maybe get in touch with me and we can try to arrange something. I'd be willing to ship to Europe.
Thanks Marko, I will! I'm actually in Toronto in September, so if we work something out, shipping won't be a problem. At least not for you, I'll just have the usual with the airline
Yeah, that would work out very well for you! Carry it on, or take it apart and box it nicely and pay maybe $25 for an extra checked item.Thanks Marko, I will! I'm actually in Toronto in September, so if we work something out, shipping won't be a problem. At least not for you, I'll just have the usual with the airline
