This post is mostly me talking into the wind to clear my mind as I've ended up in decision paralysis for a new short scale. I've got a SBMM Shorty and while it's an awesome bass, I'm just not jiving with the pickup and tone. Turns out I'm more of a p-bass tone kind of guy.
Problem is that I'm struggling between basses I can try and basses I'd have to order. Ordering the bass has issue as they would be from stores not local (or possibly across the US/Canada border) and I'm not fond of restock fees.
Things I've tried
JMJ Mustang - darn nice bass. Preferred the black rather than the blue and wish they hadn't road worn it. This could be a buy it for life bass. Few small niggles - like the edges of the tuning keys are rough, but mostly spot on. Having a hard time with the price compared to the CV Mustang.
CV Mustang - total value for money. At local prices it's 1/3 of the price of the JMJ and at least in listening in store, hard pressed to tell the sonic differences, At a rough price out, a SD Custom shop Mustang pickup and Hiptshots get it mostly the way to a JMJ for half the price. Not quite in my preferred colors
Bronco - yeah, the cheap guy. But pickup + tuners + bridge + electronics + pickguard mods bring it up to just above the CV Mustang price, but I get the satisfaction of having modded it to what I chose. Weakness is the neck, but from the ones I've handled, the laurel on black version is decent enough for me to be happy (the maple ones I've handled have had issues with fret sprout)
Vintera Mustang (not the II version) - I probably should have bought this when I tried it. 35% off, it was a deal and a great feeling bass. The low vintage frets on it tripped me up a bit, but this version with the narrow jazz nut was nice. the Pao Ferro was ok, but it was in Fiesta Red which wasn't quite my thing and it sold before I could go back.
Then there is the few that I'd like to try before buying but I haven't found them local. All run around the same same price (once things like shipping/currency exchange are factored in). Problem is return policies or shipping sort-of get in the way.
Nordy Cat - the V1 or the V2 using the front/middle pickup only seems interesting. Haven't seen it local to try.
Reverend Sentinel - sounds great in online demos, but I want to hear/feel it in person.
Ibanez EHB1000S - ok, weird one compared to the rest, but I had a chance to try the long scale version and kinda liked it.
Vintera II Mustang - I'd expect this to be like the Vintera I tried, but with the addition of the belly cut/forearm smoothing. I do see it has a bit wider nut.
The Cat and Sentinel seem very interesting in their own right, but trying to get hands on one is the issue. The Cat has to come across the border and the Sentinel comes from out of province, making both a difficult challenge if I don't like them.
I've walked prepared to buy the JMJ and walked out. I've walked in ready to buy the CV and walked out.
I'm just stuck not knowing what to decided. Probably afraid of making the wrong decision.
Problem is that I'm struggling between basses I can try and basses I'd have to order. Ordering the bass has issue as they would be from stores not local (or possibly across the US/Canada border) and I'm not fond of restock fees.
Things I've tried
JMJ Mustang - darn nice bass. Preferred the black rather than the blue and wish they hadn't road worn it. This could be a buy it for life bass. Few small niggles - like the edges of the tuning keys are rough, but mostly spot on. Having a hard time with the price compared to the CV Mustang.
CV Mustang - total value for money. At local prices it's 1/3 of the price of the JMJ and at least in listening in store, hard pressed to tell the sonic differences, At a rough price out, a SD Custom shop Mustang pickup and Hiptshots get it mostly the way to a JMJ for half the price. Not quite in my preferred colors
Bronco - yeah, the cheap guy. But pickup + tuners + bridge + electronics + pickguard mods bring it up to just above the CV Mustang price, but I get the satisfaction of having modded it to what I chose. Weakness is the neck, but from the ones I've handled, the laurel on black version is decent enough for me to be happy (the maple ones I've handled have had issues with fret sprout)
Vintera Mustang (not the II version) - I probably should have bought this when I tried it. 35% off, it was a deal and a great feeling bass. The low vintage frets on it tripped me up a bit, but this version with the narrow jazz nut was nice. the Pao Ferro was ok, but it was in Fiesta Red which wasn't quite my thing and it sold before I could go back.
Then there is the few that I'd like to try before buying but I haven't found them local. All run around the same same price (once things like shipping/currency exchange are factored in). Problem is return policies or shipping sort-of get in the way.
Nordy Cat - the V1 or the V2 using the front/middle pickup only seems interesting. Haven't seen it local to try.
Reverend Sentinel - sounds great in online demos, but I want to hear/feel it in person.
Ibanez EHB1000S - ok, weird one compared to the rest, but I had a chance to try the long scale version and kinda liked it.
Vintera II Mustang - I'd expect this to be like the Vintera I tried, but with the addition of the belly cut/forearm smoothing. I do see it has a bit wider nut.
The Cat and Sentinel seem very interesting in their own right, but trying to get hands on one is the issue. The Cat has to come across the border and the Sentinel comes from out of province, making both a difficult challenge if I don't like them.
I've walked prepared to buy the JMJ and walked out. I've walked in ready to buy the CV and walked out.
I'm just stuck not knowing what to decided. Probably afraid of making the wrong decision.
