• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

JMJ Signature Road Worn Mustang!

#61
Total pipe-dream, but anyways...

I would really love more 'signature' instruments from session players. (Granted, JMJ is very much an artist but you know what I mean.)
There are details and features which are subtle, but make the difference for a working musician. Like the pickups on this Mustang bass. Sounds like a P-Bass but with even more focus. Easy to mix. Also the tone pot is matched really well to the pickup which makes that control soooo much more useful!

I get why Mike Dirnt probably sells more instruments. Nothing wrong with that. I dig the 'Day! ;-) But, how about more instruments that the 'trenchmen' spec out? A Tim LeFebvre P-Bass or a copy of Sklars Carruthers built dual P with mando wire would be rad!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lodubs and jwindham
#62
I agree, the subtleties can really add up to something special. Of course, we all like to tweak our sound with strings, pickups, tuners, bridges, which can also yield fantastic results. In truth, no bass plays itself: we bring our own unique energy to each instrument. I can't tell you how many times I was jamming on a bass, then set it down, to hear another player pick it up and sound completely different! That said, I feel there is something truly important in preserving the "tone-history" of some of these great instruments of specific time periods. What I particularly love about JMJ's approach with this bass is that it was a labor of love to bring to market a bass that is simply just a great sounding/feeling bass.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Texican and jmjbassplayer
#64
Brio said:
SW rep called to say they had one in stock so I jumped at it. Should be here later this week. Everyone please say a prayer that the weather stays nice enough for me to not have to wait to open the box. I'm not very patient.
Click to expand...
Congrats! You'll be pleased. Mine needed a little setup to quell some e-string buzz. After my luthier was done with it, he started shopping for one—said it was better than his '66.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jwindham and Brio
#66
Still LOVING this Mustang!
The stock Fender flats are beginning to settle in BUT (because I cant leave well enough alone) I'm thinking of putting a set of D'Addario Chromes on it. I don't think there's a lot of difference (as in they're probably wound on the same machine) but I'm just more comfy with Chromes. I know exactly how they age, how to really get the most out of them, etc....

Question: will I need a medium scale set, or are these just regular long scales installed at Fender? The short scale + string through ÷ stumpy vintage tuner posts < silk winding coefficent = string set "formula" comes into play here...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lodubs and cataract
#67
scotch said:
Still LOVING this Mustang!
The stock Fender flats are beginning to settle in BUT (because I cant leave well enough alone) I'm thinking of putting a set of D'Addario Chromes on it. I don't think there's a lot of difference (as in they're probably wound on the same machine) but I'm just more comfy with Chromes. I know exactly how they age, how to really get the most out of them, etc....

Question: will I need a medium scale set, or are these just regular long scales installed at Fender? The short scale + string through ÷ stumpy vintage tuner posts < silk winding coefficent = string set "formula" comes into play here...
Click to expand...

Medium. Glad you dig the bass, man.
 
  • Like
Reactions: hideawayblues, Lodubs and scotch
#68
My dog, Willow, digs the tones! I figure if my dog jumps on the couch while I'm playing, it can't sound all that bad.
 

Attachments

  • 20180313_195158.jpg
    20180313_195158.jpg
    719.7 KB · Views: 84
  • Like
Reactions: Jeremy Darrow and GregC
#71
Winnie1138 said:
Justin, why did you choose the 9.5 neck radius as opposed to the 7.25?
Click to expand...

It was the one concession I made to the Fender team...they really wanted that flatter radius because of the feel it gives, especially in the context of more modern instruments. It didn't bother me in the slightest when I started testing neck profiles so I thought sure, why not.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kubicki Fan, NewJackBass, Roger W and 5 others
#73
jmjbassplayer said:
It was the one concession I made to the Fender team...they really wanted that flatter radius because of the feel it gives, especially in the context of more modern instruments. It didn't bother me in the slightest when I started testing neck profiles so I thought sure, why not.
Click to expand...
I greatly prefer 9 1/2 myself. Makes it easier to bend notes and keep low action.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kubicki Fan, Iofflight, cataract and 2 others
#75
winterburn69 said:
JMJ:

You had Chromes on your Mustang for quite some time IIRC, why did you make the switch to the La Bella's? how do they compare, which do you prefer on the Mustang?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I change the set between the two somewhat regularly. I just happen to have LaBella's on it for maximum old school. I love worn-in Chromes though, they still have the best tonal flexibility for flats (for me).
 
  • Like
Reactions: Polardog and cataract
#79
Anticipating that this Mustang is going to maintain a permanent place in my active duty roster, I decided to do a proper shielding job on it. I've performed this little mod on all of my go-to studio basses.

I have found that shielding my single coil instruments well removes almost all of the noise one hears when not grounding themselves to the instrument (ie, touching the strings). It can be really annoying during a tracking performance or between takes. Drives engineers nuts!

I'm pleased that it did the trick on this bass as well. No noise in my home studio, where as it did buzz when I released the strings previously.

Well worth the time put in on this instrument!

20180405_161857.jpg
20180405_162419.jpg
20180405_165853.jpg
20180405_161857.jpg
20180405_162419.jpg
20180405_165853.jpg
20180405_164349.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Roger W, mikecd1, GregC and 6 others
#80
scotch said:
Anticipating that this Mustang is going to maintain a permanent place in my active duty roster, I decided to do a proper shielding job on it. I've performed this little mod on all of my go-to studio basses.

I have found that shielding my single coil instruments well removes almost all of the noise one hears when not grounding themselves to the instrument (ie, touching the strings). It can be really annoying during a tracking performance or between takes. Drives engineers nuts!

I'm pleased that it did the trick on this bass as well. No noise in my home studio, where as it did buzz when I released the strings previously.

Well worth the time put in on this instrument!

View attachment 2974473 View attachment 2974474 View attachment 2974475 View attachment 2974473 View attachment 2974474 View attachment 2974475 View attachment 2974480
Click to expand...
Nice! Cool to see it sans guard.. gotta say that the copper is visually striking paired with the Daphne blue (copper pickguard??)
 
  • Like
Reactions: CameronJohnson

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back