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Daryl Jones 5 "B" Focus ?

#2
firkinahsoul said:
I had a 55-02 and I hated the B, very BLAH compared to the Spectors.
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Wow! I'm surprised at that. I used to play Spectors exclusively (USAs and CRs, 35" scale Bs, none of the cheaper ones). I now play a Lakland 55-02D as my main bass and it has the best B of any bass I've ever owned (And I NEVER thought that would happen with a bolt-on instrument).

FWIW, I changed the bridge on the Lakland to a Hipshot (I need quick release, I never string through the body) and to my surprise it was also an improvement in tone and playability. A DJ5 (probably with a J-Retro) is DEFINATELY in my future.
 
#3
With the taperwound Lakland B strung through the body, I find the focus on the DJ5 to be great--just about as good as anything I've ever played except maybe the 36" scale David King.

I also liked the B on the 55-01 I owned (string the same way) very much, but I've never spent much time with a 55-94 so I don't know how it compares, or whether the one you had was just "off". Never spent much time with a Spector 5, either--love the design, but the narrow string spacing drove me nuts on the ones I played, so I don't have much point of reference there.

So, I don't know if this is so much help after all!
Mike
 
#5
mikezimmerman said:
With the taperwound Lakland B strung through the body, I find the focus on the DJ5 to be great--just about as good as anything I've ever played except maybe the 36" scale David King.

I also liked the B on the 55-01 I owned (string the same way) very much, but I've never spent much time with a 55-94 so I don't know how it compares, or whether the one you had was just "off". Never spent much time with a Spector 5, either--love the design, but the narrow string spacing drove me nuts on the ones I played, so I don't have much point of reference there.

So, I don't know if this is so much help after all!
Mike
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Two things:
1. Also, I'm not using exposed or taper core, but I still stand by my original statement on my Lakland's B (and I did try exposed core on the Spectors on a couple of occasions).
2. He said his B was not good on a 55-02, not a 55-94, but I may have missunderstood your statement.
 
#12
burk48237 said:
Yep, Nice Bass, If I wouldn't have just spent 2500 on a used NYC Sadowsky I'd be thinkin about it. They do 70's Fenders probably better then any Fenders!
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Ah... I didn't realize that one was used. The other used basses on the site are marked as "used," but for some reason the white DJ5 isn't. I suppose that would be a rather low price for a new one. ;)
 
#13
firkinahsoul said:
I am using regular old XL170's on my spectors (130 - B). i hate to "buy" blind but the DJ 5 is just so damn pleasing to the eye.
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D'Addario XL170s is what I use also. I use the SL (Super Long) sets for the 35" scale, however, I don't use the 5 string sets because I don't want the .130 B. I order the B separately in .125 or .120 when available. Since the .130 is going to be stiffer, I don't know if this had anything to do with your Lakland experience.
 
#14
Eggman said:
I have a JO5 with a J-retro and I love it. Great feel - great sound - great construction. I would imagine a DJ5 is great too.
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Somewhat of an off topic question:
Even though the pickups would still be passive, would installing the J-Retro in the DJ or JO bring the output of the bass up to a similar level as my (all active) 55-02D?
 
#15
1) The J-Retro has lots of room to boost the gain on the pickups and make them very hot--you could probably match the output of your 55-02D, unless you have the oulput set reay hot...

2) FWIW, the Bart pickups on your 55-02D are passive, not active.

Mike
 
#17
mikezimmerman said:
1) The J-Retro has lots of room to boost the gain on the pickups and make them very hot--you could probably match the output of your 55-02D, unless you have the oulput set reay hot...

2) FWIW, the Bart pickups on your 55-02D are passive, not active.

Mike
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1] I do have the trim pot set almost all the way up. It was the only way to get output close to my other active basses (Cirrus, Spector, Carvin). The trade off is the passive mode isn't even close in comparible output. :(

2] I thought I had read they were active, but I guess there couldn't be a passive option then, could there.
 
#20
I love my DJ5, the B is great - not floppy at all.
I don't need the J sound enough to spend Sadowsky / Lull / Celinder money, but I don't feel the DJ5 is a compromise in ANY way whatsoever. It's the best passive 5 stringer I've played next to the Fender Roscoe Beck 5.
 

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