GrassRoots Bass-IV

[JIO]

Stranger than strange ! I plugged my bass into a amplifier to check for noise, and now everything is working correctly ?????????? Dirty switch ?? Internal bridging in the switch ?? I did give all the switches a few squirts of Deoxit. Well, all is good. I really like the sounds I get from using all the different switching on this bass. I like the pickups, and wouldn't change them. Only thing I may do, is change the capacitor on the tone pot. Not unhappy with the stock tone pot cap, but would like to hear the difference when changed out. Has anybody changed the capacitor on their tone pot ? And if so, what value did you use ?

That's easy! (mystery fix) I too like the tonal options it offers and the ease of switching pu's and especially like the bottom switch which by-passes the V & T pots direct to the jack. It essentially acts as a clean boost at the flip of a switch. As far as capacitors go - the two most common caps are .047f and .022f for a bass with more than one pu. I usually go for the .047f, but honestly it's not a huge difference between the two. The 3 singles are pretty neutral (not especially trebly or bassy)

 

[RJensen615]

Thanks for the info, Jio ! I already know about the capacitors, but always ready to listen to somebody else's efforts and results. Sometimes I use a coupler device I made to test which capacitor sounds best. But that entails my soldering the coupler to the pot, and I was just trying to take the easy way out. Yes, that fourth switch acts like a boost. So much so, that with some amps it is almost too loud. Hope everybody has a Happy Holiday Season !!! P.S. I like your bass builds ! I also live in the SF Bay Area.

 

[JIO]

Thanks for the info, Jio ! I already know about the capacitors, but always ready to listen to somebody else's efforts and results. Sometimes I use a coupler device I made to test which capacitor sounds best. But that entails my soldering the coupler to the pot, and I was just trying to take the easy way out. Yes, that fourth switch acts like a boost. So much so, that with some amps it is almost too loud. Hope everybody has a Happy Holiday Season !!! P.S. I like your bass builds ! I also live in the SF Bay Area.

Thank you! If interested, I play in two Bay Area bands and I can send you info via PM. Regarding the 'boost' switch, I've recently been experimenting with a BOSS Reverb pedal (RV-6) and that switch with the bridge pu works best to subtly add reverb to my sound. It's not 'for everything', but works well for certain material.

 

[jdjk7]

I'm actually thinking about picking up a second one in red and white. It'd be nice to have one to string up with rounds and another to string with flats. Plus one to tinker with if I decide I want to mod... that way, I've still got the original in its original configuration if I don't have time to undo something.

I've normally eschewed the idea of being a guy who collects basses or has multiple of the same kind of bass, but I think these are just too cool and rare not to want!

 

[jdjk7]

Here's a question. I see the model designation G-T-60B, and I also see G-T-64B. Is there a difference? It seems to be color (I think all the 64s have been red/white while the 60s seem to be burst), but is that really it?

 

[JIO]

Here's a question. I see the model designation G-T-60B, and I also see G-T-64B. Is there a difference? It seems to be color (I think all the 64s have been red/white while the 60s seem to be burst), but is that really it?

From what I researched, ESP came out with the sig model in the late '90s? Over a certain number of year (again-?), it was released through Edwards and Grass Roots with cheaper parts and were less expensive. Don't know what the ESP cost then, don't know what the economy versions cost and have only seen the fine metal-flake Fiesta red and 3TSB finishes. If you or anyone has more specific detail - I'm interested to know more.

I've been favoring mine for my band The Sean Conneries - really is a great sounding bass that's very comfortable to play. I plan on using it when we record next month.

 

[jdjk7]

Mine has been a mainstay ever since I got it early last year (Probably only a few pages ago in this thread...) Pretty much only played with it since. Maybe TB needs a Bass IV club!

 

[jdjk7]

Yup! Pulled the trigger on a red/white one from Reverb.

 

[JIO]

Mine has been a mainstay ever since I got it early last year (Probably only a few pages ago in this thread...) Pretty much only played with it since. Maybe TB needs a Bass IV club!

I frankly don't think there are many around, especially outside of Japan. When new it was sold as a 'Japanese market only' bass and designed by a Japanese bass-player as his signature bass. They are starting to be sold on eBay used from Japan which is where I got mine. Also, this thread was started 2008 (15 yrs ago!) and as you can see - not that many posts until I started posting after getting mine.

Just found 3 on eBay from Japan -
Used 90s Grass Roots / ESP G-T-64B IV Jaguar Bass Fiesta Red Sparkle 4.55kg W/GB | eBay
ESP Grass Roots G-T-64B Red Electric Bass Used | eBay
And here's the same bass sold by a different seller from Japan, for less. Mine was the same deal so I just bought the cheapest one from a seller with 100% feedback and I had no problems.
GRASSROOTS /electric bass/GT-64B | eBay

 

[jdjk7]

I frankly don't think there are many around, especially outside of Japan. When new it was sold as a 'Japanese market only' bass and designed by a Japanese bass-player as his signature bass. They are starting to be sold on eBay used from Japan which is where I got mine. Also, this thread was started 2008 (15 yrs ago!) and as you can see - not that many posts until I started posting after getting mine.

Just found 3 on eBay from Japan -
Used 90s Grass Roots / ESP G-T-64B IV Jaguar Bass Fiesta Red Sparkle 4.55kg W/GB | eBay
ESP Grass Roots G-T-64B Red Electric Bass Used | eBay
And here's the same bass sold by a different seller from Japan, for less. Mine was the same deal so I just bought the cheapest one from a seller with 100% feedback and I had no problems.
GRASSROOTS /electric bass/GT-64B | eBay

Yes, I am familiar with the cursory history. I always figured that it was mostly due to the market-specific interest (i.e. the Japanese bass player) that kept it limited as a Japan-only item. That's always saddened me, because it is truly a marvelous bass, both in its looks, its sound, and its versatility. I'm fairly certain that if more American buyers simply knew this concept existed, it would be a more popular idea. I mean, the reason I gave in and bought this one today is because this morning there was one offer on it, and when I looked a little bit ago, that had gone up to 5... so somebody wants them.

 

[JIO]

Yup! Pulled the trigger on a red/white one from Reverb.

Hope it was less than the one from Barcelona! What do you have in mind modding it? Other than the mostly cosmetic mods I did (actually changed-out a lot!) - I personally wouldn't want to change the pu's.

 

[JIO]

Yes, I am familiar with the cursory history. I always figured that it was mostly due to the market-specific interest (i.e. the Japanese bass player) that kept it limited as a Japan-only item. That's always saddened me, because it is truly a marvelous bass, both in its looks, its sound, and its versatility. I'm fairly certain that if more American buyers simply knew this concept existed, it would be a more popular idea. I mean, the reason I gave in and bought this one today is because this morning there was one offer on it, and when I looked a little bit ago, that had gone up to 5... so somebody wants them.

There are actually a number of 3-pu basses out there now. I personally don't use the neck-hugger pu much but I too like everything about it otherwise.

 

[jdjk7]

Hope it was less than the one from Barcelona! What do you have in mind modding it? Other than the mostly cosmetic mods I did (actually changed-out a lot!) - I personally wouldn't want to change the pu's.

It was not the one from Barcelona! $540+$50 CONUS shipping.

I don't have any particular mods in mind, but the main one for me is the pickups-- only because of the single coil hum. I've thought about seeing if split coil Jazz pups will fit, because it looks like the pickup mount is basically a Jazz-style. If I tried anything else, it would be trying to see if a standard Fender neck will fit... just for serviceability reasons, just in case there's any issue with the stock necks. As well, I've seen control plates designed for three-way switches instead of two-way switches, which would create options for pickup phase, series/parallel, etc. I've also seen this mod that is basically a push/pull tone pot with the push/pull letting you switch between two different cap values, which is neat.

I'd also like to replace the plastic control plates on mine with metal ones. I tried to pull the plates off of my Squier VI to see if they would fit, but the specs are just slightly different. I saw you did that previously... was that your experience? did you have to drill new holes?

The only mod that I've already done to my instrument is that, first I replaced the toggle switches on mine... the originals were quite loose and prone to being unintentionally shifted, and the neck pu switch seemed ready to break. I also installed some spacers from Faction Guitars, which lower the toggles with respect to the pickguard and make them more resistant to accidental bumping. I'm likely to do the same to this new one.

 

[JIO]

It was not the one from Barcelona! $540+$50 CONUS shipping.

I don't have any particular mods in mind, but the main one for me is the pickups-- only because of the single coil hum. I've thought about seeing if split coil Jazz pups will fit, because it looks like the pickup mount is basically a Jazz-style. If I tried anything else, it would be trying to see if a standard Fender neck will fit... just for serviceability reasons, just in case there's any issue with the stock necks. As well, I've seen control plates designed for three-way switches instead of two-way switches, which would create options for pickup phase, series/parallel, etc. I've also seen this mod that is basically a push/pull tone pot with the push/pull letting you switch between two different cap values, which is neat.

I'd also like to replace the plastic control plates on mine with metal ones. I tried to pull the plates off of my Squier VI to see if they would fit, but the specs are just slightly different. I saw you did that previously... was that your experience? did you have to drill new holes?

The only mod that I've already done to my instrument is that, first I replaced the toggle switches on mine... the originals were quite loose and prone to being unintentionally shifted, and the neck pu switch seemed ready to break. I also installed some spacers from Faction Guitars, which lower the toggles with respect to the pickguard and make them more resistant to accidental bumping. I'm likely to do the same to this new one.

As illustrated earlier in this thread, I fabricated my own plates from aluminum, following the same shape/holes. The pu's are pretty unique - they wanted them to mimic the Fender Bass VI's and they did a good job. But as I pointed out, the draw-back is that the height-adjustment flanges are under the pg. But once set they don't require fussing with. If you were going to replace the pu's - you would either have to modify the pg or cut a new one.

 

[jdjk7]

As illustrated earlier in this thread, I fabricated my own plates from aluminum, following the same shape/holes. The pu's are pretty unique - they wanted them to mimic the Fender Bass VI's and they did a good job. But as I pointed out, the draw-back is that the height-adjustment flanges are under the pg. But once set they don't require fussing with. If you were going to replace the pu's - you would either have to modify the pg or cut a new one.

I wouldn't terribly mind having a new pg cut, that way the original is always there.

But I don't think I can cut my own plates... the only makers I know of who make this sort of thing is Faction Guitars and Expressway Guitars, but they've both gone a bit quiet where custom projects are concerned.

Sorry for not reading back through the thread. I've mostly just had the time today for quick posts and replies...

 

[JIO]

I wouldn't terribly mind having a new pg cut, that way the original is always there.

But I don't think I can cut my own plates... the only makers I know of who make this sort of thing is Faction Guitars and Expressway Guitars, but they've both gone a bit quiet where custom projects are concerned.

Sorry for not reading back through the thread. I've mostly just had the time today for quick posts and replies...

I you have a metal fabricator in your area - you can take them the mirror-acrylic plates and they will fabricate metal versions. I had a vintage bridge cover for a Dano made of stainless. I made a moquette based on an original - which was missing.

an original from the late '60s -

 

[vylya]

Hello. Very good site and description of the instrument. I would like to find an electrical circuit for connecting three pickups with four switches. Thank you.

 

[vylya]

Edwards Bass-IV

 

[JIO]

I'll take a pic of the 4 switch plate underside - the V/T control plate is basic.

 

[vylya]

Ok-Thanks a lot