Just came in the mail... opinion?

[Felken]

If you really want my opinion...

This must be one of the most average-est basses I've every seen. Not outstanding in any way, yet just does what needs to be done, all while having a few icks here and there.

The colour is exceptionally average, an average blue. Nothing wrong with it, at all, yet no godly praise either.

But hey, I'd never say no to an average bass .

 

[hypercarrots]

those marks on the control plate are usually caused by a drill bit that missed the mark. maybe a previous owner was trying to enlarge those shaft holes? i had to do that with a control plate from a japanese fender when replacing the metric size pots to standard. that wouldn't be necessary on a mim control plate though...

 

[Gord_oh]

I'm confused on what the problem is?

 

[EZ Happening]

If you really want my opinion...

This must be one of the most average-est basses I've every seen. Not outstanding in any way, yet just does what needs to be done, all while having a few icks here and there.

The colour is exceptionally average, an average blue. Nothing wrong with it, at all, yet no godly praise either.

But hey, I'd never say no to an average bass .

Seriously that's great feedback. Thank you.... Im taking it to a luthier tomorrow for a setup so we shall see.

I have to say that the color is outstanding though!

 

[EZ Happening]

I'm confused on what the problem is?

None at all.... just a fun inexpensive bass that I thought would be somewhat of an interesting/entertaining thread. If we look for the problem will we ever find it?

 

[39-Bassist]

Nice blue...but the only thing that matters is YOU like it...have fun tweaking it to your liking!

 

[Hounddog409]

What the heck is up with the pink walls?

 

[craigie]

Looks like a bunch of gummy bears hibernated on it for a year or two.

Haha haha. Nice one! I thought a colony of super size bacteria grew there.

That colour isn't average at all. Looks like metallic blue that will look amazing under stage lights. The pickguard looks better yellowed than a new white one which look terrible IMO. I even like the lack of knobs. I sometimes take them off. Prevents you accidentally turning them. Those solid shaft bronze colour pots look killer. Or if you must jazz knobs are available from BE Electronics for less than a buck. Must be available from other electronics supply stores. I think Leo just picked a common industrial knob and the rest is history.

Awesome looking bass and unless the neck is somehow gooched it's probably a winner. I have a 90's vintage MIM jazz that I just love the resonance of the body. Age of wood? Good piece? My imagination? Who cares if it's all in my mind, I like it!

 

[inthebassclef]

Well my general rule, if a bass is missing knob most often times means it was not well treated

 

[sigmafloyd]

I have a 96 jazz that looks pretty much like that. Didnt know about the pickup length issue, better go back in time and cancel the 100s of gigs I've played with it

 

[bass.slinger]

Almost looks like the pickup positions were swapped - bridge in neck and vice versa. Weird.

 

[tjh]

I don't think those Schaller tuners are original either.

I am pretty sure the first couple years ( late '91/'92) of MIM Standards used machinges that said 'Licensed by Schaller' like this ...

 

[ProgressiveDoom]

I don't really understand being tight-lipped about what was probably a $300 bass. Especially because you're asking us to evaluate the purchase. It's not like I'm asking you how much your house is worth.

Maybe he blew the mortgage on it, couldnt pass on the price

 

[craigie]

Well my general rule, if a bass is missing knob most often times means it was not well treated

Sure, I think it's rare that somebody might purposely do it, like me. However, the condition of the body and neck is a better indicator. If it looks good, plays good and everything works well what's to worry about regarding mistreatment?
Must agree though if you're ordering online sight unseen that is a red flag.

 

[andruca]

I'm with the majority: if it was cheap enough I'd keep it and make it shine again. Also on the cheap, it needs some work (cleaning/polishing of both wood and hardware, setup -a good occasion to try your own if you don't already do-) but very few parts (new strings, knobs, a new pickguard if you don't like that one -looks like it has shrunk, it happens, might be the cause for the neck PU's misalignment-, the control plate). All MIM Jazzes and Ps I've tried had great sounding pickups, nice tuners and the bent plate bridge, altho' simple, does the job perfectly IME, so no need to hurry in changing stuff, it's more like some 30-50$ and spend time giving her some love.

 

[RedJag]

Something is odd with it in that the G string lines up with the pole pieces on the bridge pick up, but not the neck pick up at all. I've never seen anything like that.

I think it's missing the nut, so the strings aren't held in place properly.

 

[RedJag]

View attachment 1153304

See if you can post a clearer picture of the entire bass because it's hard to tell from this shot why the neck pickup is so lopsided

 

[Lownote38]

I think it's missing the nut, so the strings aren't held in place properly.

That would be super weird if that's the case.

 

[RedJag]

That would be super weird if that's the case.

On second look it's just the picture being blurry, but it does look at first like the strings aren't evenly spaced over the entire neck

 

[GCPENG]

This is my 95 MIM. Other than differences due to parallax, I'd say it's pretty much the same as far as string/neck/pole alignment.