Hi I'm very interested in the new JMJ Mustang, does it sound different tonally to the MIJ Japanese reissue?.I currently have a MIJ strung with flats and love the bass. Unfortunately I live too far away from a dealer to go and try the JMJ.
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Difference in sound JMJ vs MIJ Mustang?
- Thread starter blacktop deluxe
- Start date
Jeez I dunno I don't have both. All I know is that this JMJ sounds way more like my '66, which is what I was going for in the first place. Maybe some other folks have a notion about this?
Old thread, but I just received a JMJ Mustang and until recently owned a MIJ Mustang.
The MIJ bass has a thinner neck, and seemed to have a larger headstock and full size tuners rather than the smaller hipshots on the JMJ. The MIJ had bad neck dive, which is why I finally sold it.
The JMJ is perfectly balanced on a strap.
I've only played the JMJ for a few hours but the tonal difference between the MIJ is significant .The tone pot on the JMJ is very linear and musical. The MIJ tone control was unremarkable and diminished the volume as it rolled off, as where the JMJ tone control works great.
The JMJ neck profile feels better to me than the MIJ but the MIJ was a good looking bass and my example even had a flamed maple neck.
The MIJ had a flabby E string and kind of a rubbery sound. But even so, it did sit well in a mix. It just lacked bottom end. The JMJ on the other hand is balanced across the strings and has an amazingly solid bottom end. It doesn't have the boing, boing sound of the MIJ Mustang.
To me they sound very different, in ways that can't be accountable to just flats versus rounds.
I haven't gigged the JMJ yet, only played against tracks, so I can't tell how it sits in the mix. The MIJ worked in trio and 4 piece but didn't fare well in large bands, and was swamped by keys .
I'll have to see how the JMJ sits in a mix.
The MIJ bass has a thinner neck, and seemed to have a larger headstock and full size tuners rather than the smaller hipshots on the JMJ. The MIJ had bad neck dive, which is why I finally sold it.
The JMJ is perfectly balanced on a strap.
I've only played the JMJ for a few hours but the tonal difference between the MIJ is significant .The tone pot on the JMJ is very linear and musical. The MIJ tone control was unremarkable and diminished the volume as it rolled off, as where the JMJ tone control works great.
The JMJ neck profile feels better to me than the MIJ but the MIJ was a good looking bass and my example even had a flamed maple neck.
The MIJ had a flabby E string and kind of a rubbery sound. But even so, it did sit well in a mix. It just lacked bottom end. The JMJ on the other hand is balanced across the strings and has an amazingly solid bottom end. It doesn't have the boing, boing sound of the MIJ Mustang.
To me they sound very different, in ways that can't be accountable to just flats versus rounds.
I haven't gigged the JMJ yet, only played against tracks, so I can't tell how it sits in the mix. The MIJ worked in trio and 4 piece but didn't fare well in large bands, and was swamped by keys .
I'll have to see how the JMJ sits in a mix.
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What a difference a set of strings makes!
I've been using my MIJ Mustang live for a good while now - it's been strung with flats, and sounded gorgeous in a blues setting with one guitar and a toppy bass drum sound...
Recently I've been playing more rockier material and working with two guitar players, often with a more old school thumpy tone - the bass gets a bit lost, even with some creative EQ.
My short scale chowny bass has a set of rounds - De'Addario EXL170's, which are long scale and cut down (supplied as stock on the chowny). I'm breaking all the rules here - long scale roundwounds on a Mustang! - but the articulation and tone is wonderful. Good tension too! - I've always been a rotosound devotee until I started using the Chowny....
I've been using my MIJ Mustang live for a good while now - it's been strung with flats, and sounded gorgeous in a blues setting with one guitar and a toppy bass drum sound...
Recently I've been playing more rockier material and working with two guitar players, often with a more old school thumpy tone - the bass gets a bit lost, even with some creative EQ.
My short scale chowny bass has a set of rounds - De'Addario EXL170's, which are long scale and cut down (supplied as stock on the chowny). I'm breaking all the rules here - long scale roundwounds on a Mustang! - but the articulation and tone is wonderful. Good tension too! - I've always been a rotosound devotee until I started using the Chowny....
Hi, ThingsAbove.
I’ve been looking into getting either the MIJ or JMJ. The JMJ sounds the most appealing but living in Japan, there’s a higher chance of finding a used MIJ. But I just read how your MIJ had bad neck dive. I haven’t played any Mustang basses. Is it a common thing with many Mustang or is it with MIJs? It’s the first time reading it.
My particular MIJ had neck dive while my JMJ does not, but it varies by instrument and can be alleviated through use of lightweight tuning machines. Some people have reported balanced MIJ Mustangs. So, I wouldn't assume they all have neck dive.
Thought I’d mention there’s a JMJ pickup listed on Reverb right now for anyone interested in one (possibly with a Mustang) but doesn’t want the whole JMJ Mustang.
No affiliation of course, I’m definitely not parting with any part of my JMJ bass.
No affiliation of course, I’m definitely not parting with any part of my JMJ bass.
