Joe dart .. Ernie ball jazz !

[BigBigGuy44]

Seems there is always a debate about signature models and who the model was made for or after. Some of us look past whatever name is on the neck plate and focus on the specs. I have a Fender Adam Clayton P bass in purple sparkle. U2 is okay. I can tolerate them. The bass however has an awesome sparkle finish with maple board, abalone block inlay, jazz bass nut width, and painted headstock. That's what I have it. This Joe Dart model is no different. The specs are what interested me, not so much the name on it.

 

[DJ Bebop]

The Joe Dart II is here, any thoughts?

 

[shirojiro]

I love Joe Dart's playing.

I think the lack of a tone control makes the bass less versatile. Just IMHO.

That two pickup bass looks cheap to me. There's something about the Caprice body shape that doesn't sit right to my eye, and the oversized knobs and pole pieces look awfully Fisher-Price to me as well.

I'm glad EBMM is trying new stuff, and backing a phenomenal player like Joe Dart. Even non bassists at work are asking me if I have heard of him.

I'll stick with my EBMM SR5 for now. It's not the bass that's holding me back for sure.

 

[Mike Vee]

Love it!!! However, the price is ridiculous.

 

[Hot Rats]

Love it!!! However, the price is ridiculous.

I agree, it looks cool. I think that's why they only made 100 of them. There are people that can spend that kind of money and not even blink. That's just who the target audience for EBMM these days. I am out of luck... and that's fine.

 

[GodsLove66]

Full blown meh across the board…

Joe Dart? Meh.
VP? Meh.
This bass? Meh.

This comment? Meh.

 

[Mark_70]

Love his playing but I'm afraid if I buy one, I'd still sound like me

Regards
Mark

 

[bass12]

I don't know, looks cheap and kind of goofy.

 

[SixtyCycleHum]

This comment? Meh.

I wanted to say something like this, but I've been penalized for similar. You're absolutely right, though.

 

[DWBass]

$2700 for that?

 

[jd56hawk]

It sure looks finished to me.

Also, even if they did not finish it, it's Joe's signature bass, not yours. Any feature is to his preferences, and it doesn't matter what some random people on the internet thinks about it. They'll sell out like every other run of Joe Dart signatures they've made. Vulfpeck and Joe Dart fans are ravenous.

Personally, the instruments aren't to my taste so I won't buy one. But I'm certainly not going to bemoan a talented dude for being renowned enough to be able to partner with one of the most well-known American instrument manufacturers in the world. I think it's great that a lot of his feature choices fly in the face of what a bunch of wienies on TalkBass think.

That's the thing, some people think it looks fine, some think otherwise.
Hard to believe.

 

[InhumanResource]

Just got a magical notification in my inbox that it's here --

Joe Dart II | Basses | Ernie Ball Music Man

Thoughts?

I can't afford it anyway, but it's sure purdy.

It sounds like a not great sounding jazz bass to me. Not sure why you would want to omit tone controls.

Visually I think it’s unimpressive for the price and functionally not very practical. I don’t like the knobs either but now I’m just being petty

To each their own! Maybe this is somebody’s dream ax.

 

[jd56hawk]

Looks like someone's first stab at making a bass using only the hand tools he had available.
It was a much harder task than he anticipated, so he decided to stop before his idea was fully realized and call it a job half done.
The tune was nice, though.
Is it the theme for the new Frogger 5,000 video game?

 

[pfschim]

I got no dog in this hunt at all ... more power to Joe Dart and EBMM, but retro this is not. I'm personally retro (old guy) and the only basses I ever saw back in the day that sported clunky white knobs like that would be some kind of home-made kludge project instrument.

carry on!

 

[Space Pickle]

meh, i'll wait for the joe dart iii

 

[Mike Vee]

I agree, it looks cool. I think that's why they only made 100 of them. There are people that can spend that kind of money and not even blink. That's just who the target audience for EBMM these days. I am out of luck... and that's fine.

When the Caprice and Cutlass first came out, I think they were $1400. Seems about right for an American made passive bass. Then, out of nowhere, they raised the price to $2100!!! INSANE!

 

[bass12]

$2700 for that?

Seriously - that bass looks like a step down from the Squier I paid $300 for seven years ago.

 

[pbass2]

I dig the minimal vibe. Don't dig those knobs tho but to each his own. But what exactly are these pickups? A single coil in the bridge and a humbucker in the neck(like a Model J)? Sort of a P/J? Or is it "just a J"? I find the specs on the site confusing.
EDIT: NVM, I see they both say "split coils"....

 

[Madcity Fats]

"[T]he tone is manipulated solely by the user's technique and finesse" is some mighty slick marketing speak for "We're charging extra for less soldering."

 

[Alivefor5]

Not a fan of the knobs either. White chicken heads would work better for me.