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Jay Turser 54 Precision Bass....Pics

#81
Philbiker said:
Have to say - I simply can't comprehend why one would put a high mass bridge on this bass. This thing is all about vintage tone, sound, and feel. A big part of what made the originals so classic is the low mass Fender style bridge. The one that comes stock looks more than adequate. But that's just me.
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I feel EXACTLY as you do, and I normally don't change bridges. However, this bass is SO light that mine has the worst case of neck dive I've ever encountered, and I would really, really like to mitigate that problem. A heavier bridge is the most direct route to that end, and less expensive than Ultralite tuners. I also have a 50's style Fender bridge cover on it, so if the replacement fits under that cover, no one will know the difference.

And yes, I did flip the cover to its correct orientation - thanks to the poster who pointed out the error. I'll try to add a photo later this evening.
 
#83
So, how much hum does the pickup put out? I figure it's gotta' be kinda' noisy, doesn't it?

How do you guys like the way the neck feels on these babies?

I don't know why I'm asking. The last bass I ordered still hasn't even come in the mail yet. I don't need another bass. I must not buy another bass. I can't imagine why I'm thinking about another bass... :D
 
#84
Well, my locally owned local guy guitar shop Classic Axe (from whence have come over the years my Dean Edge 5 fretless, Tacoma Thunderchief, Trace Elliot Boxer 30, and various other smaller nick-nacks - not to mention a flood of guitars and gear for friends and family members) has one.

Bad news for my credit card balance. I'm going to see it tomorrow. You ALL know how that goes.
 
#85
WoodyG3 said:
So, how much hum does the pickup put out? I figure it's gotta' be kinda' noisy, doesn't it?

How do you guys like the way the neck feels on these babies?
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I've never noticed any hum from the pickup. Sorry to take away a reason NOT to buy one!

Neck? I will admit that neck profiles aren't something that I'm very sensitive to, but to me it doesn't feel different than the '72 neck on my P-bass. The maple cap fretboard looks nice, too. :cool:
 
#86
OK, here's my '54 P copy Turser with the bridge cover installed in the CORRECT orientation. To me, this adds a VERY nice chrome accent that makes the bass look less like a stripped-down model.

I think I'm going to buy Stew-Mac's pickguard routing bit kit and try my hand at making a different pickguard for this - something with more character in the material.

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#87
I went to my local guitar guy this morning to see about the bass. Long story short - I walked out with it. You knew I would. :)

It was missing a tuner which the owner had taken off in order to replace a broken one on another customer's 401. He had tried to order one tuner, but after a couple months he gave up. He claimed that he found out that Turser had changed ownership and was kind of in flux for about 6 or so months. I'm not so sure replacement parts are even available for these Chinese cheapies. He sold me a replacement set of tuners for $20 that seem to be a significant upgrade from the ultra-cheapies that were on the bass. Only problem was I had to drill new holes and install them myself. Not really a problem.

Anyway, I haven't really had a chance to practice with the band or set the intonation (neck and bridge height seem fine from the factory but I will fine-tune with a setup very soon). I've just played it a little. The top three strings are from an old Fender set I had laying around that I liked. The "G" was not long enough, coming from a 3+2 headstock.

First impression - this thing is CHEAP. Reminds me of my first ever bass back in 1978 or so. That's both a good an a bad thing. The Laquer on the neck is THICK like an SX, the finish on the body is thin. The body is four pieces, looks nice. The nut is awful plastic and badly installed. There is some scuffing on the heel of the neck. The pickguard is not a perfect fit for the body, there's more wood on the bottom side of the lower horn cut than there is on the top. The maple neck looks fine, no complaints. The bridge is incredibly cheap, but I like the classic bent metal style so it will probably stay on unless it causes a problem.

Plays fine, looks nice - real vintage look. Sounds wonderful. It sounds just like the Sting bass I tried - the pickup is a real winner!!!! It may be really cheap but it sounds like a million bucks.

No pics no bass, so here are some pictures.
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Now, where can I order that bridge cover?
 
#88
Philbiker said:
I went to my local guitar guy this morning to see about the bass. Long story short - I walked out with it. You knew I would. :)

Now, where can I order that bridge cover?
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Yes, we knew you would. Feels REALLY good, dunnit?? I didn't feel like it was as cheap overall - but maybe the black poly hides some things. I know the poly isn't very thick on the body....which the nitro finish fans would probably say is A Good Thing.

Dang, these sound good, don't they???

I went directly to Ebay. A Fender cover (or accurate replica) will fit just fine over the stock Turser bridge - guaranteed. I'm sure Guitar Parts Resource also has them...Link Removed

There's one for $19.79 on this page:
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Just check to make sure you either get screws with the cover or order them at the same time.
 
#89
Oh, damn. I did not need to see this thread. I've been kinda jonesing for a cheap bass like this.

Gah. Going to get one. Now I just have to haunt eBay until I can get one in vintage sunburst. Everywhere else seems to be charging $160. Which is reasonable, but if they're out there for less, I'ma hold out.
 
#90
Couple of rough demos for ya to hear what kind of tone this thing is capable of. These are rough practice demos for a project I'm doing with my brother Andy, pardon the occasional bad notes.

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Recorded from the balanced preamp out of my Peavey Max head (post-eq) into Sonar LE using an Emu 1212m audio card.

This bass sounds like a million bucks I tell you. And the neck feels really nice. Comparable to a really good SX (and I've played some very nicely set up SX basses).
 
#94
Philbiker said:
Couple of rough demos for ya to hear what kind of tone this thing is capable of. These are rough practice demos for a project I'm doing with my brother Andy, pardon the occasional bad notes.

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Recorded from the balanced preamp out of my Peavey Max head (post-eq) into Sonar LE using an Emu 1212m audio card.

This bass sounds like a million bucks I tell you. And the neck feels really nice. Comparable to a really good SX (and I've played some very nicely set up SX basses).
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...so, yeah, I'm definitely getting one now.
 
#98
Pilgrim said:
The interesting thing about that pickup is that is has very good reviews. If you search online reviews, you'll find people who replaced it with an aftermarket - and then went back to the original! Somehow the manufacturer seems to have hit upon a good winding setup and design for this pickup.
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Agreed. The more I play it, the more I like the sounds I get out of this thing. However, the neck dive is worse than I initially thought (now that I play it more...).

I just ordered a couple of big chrome bridge covers - I'll see which one looks best on it. Maybe I can slap a few magnets on the inside of the covers to add some weight to it (only half kidding).

Probably a better strap would help some as well.

It's a neat bass regardless of the minor issues. I've been reading up on Turser products since I started hunting for a hollowbody, and they've got a real good reputation for making solid replica basses at amazingly affordable prices.

I agree with your comments (on the Hollowbody thread) on the JTB-134 - an awesome looking bass. I love my RLB4 Hollowbody, it's got thunderous tone and killer looks.

Cheers,

ack
 
#99
OMG,,, just put on a 2 year old set of LaBella 760FL's.. this is what a P should sound like...

i've bought many basses & have had to dump lots of cash in them to get them how i wanted them to be... but this Turser,, i'll probably put on an ashtray cover & a set of straploks & DONE

funny thing is,, i've never owned a fender,, never liked em very much,,, liked the sounds they made,, just not the company & way too overpriced

for under a hundred bucks,,, hahahahaha :bassist:
 
#100
NorCal Dog said:
OMG,,, just put on a 2 year old set of LaBella 760FL's.. this is what a P should sound like...

i've bought many basses & have had to dump lots of cash in them to get them how i wanted them to be... but this Turser,, i'll probably put on an ashtray cover & a set of straploks & DONE

funny thing is,, i've never owned a fender,, never liked em very much,,, liked the sounds they made,, just not the company & way too overpriced

for under a hundred bucks,,, hahahahaha :bassist:
Click to expand...

I ordered a natural one through my local dealer who sells the strats mostly. I have a set of 760FL's waiting for it. I'll order an ashtray most likely as well and maybe a pickup cover :hyper:
 

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