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list your basses' flaws

alexbib

alexbib

Supporting Member
Apr 8, 2009
208
206
Connecticut, USA
#1
List the flaws of the basses you've got. If you've got one you consider flawless, mention it too ;)

1) Fender Steve Bailey Fretless:
- Had to shim the neck to get low action
- The finish on the back of the neck feels a bit sticky
- Grounding problems: I get white noise unless I touch the metal

2) BC Rich Widow:
- Middle string output is too high (maybe all the pups see it)
- A little fret buzz in some places
- The lower horn (spike) gets in the way sometimes

3) SX SPB-62 5 string fretless:
- Low B lacks sustain
- Bridge rattles a little bit sometimes
- Body starts too high up the neck, playing high is uncomfortable
 
#2
THis sounds like fun!

Ric 4003:
-needs a lot of amplification for the Ric tone I want to come through (really loud and a graphic eq are required to shape it right)
-Can't get the action I want with this damned bridge
-E string is muddier sounding than the rest

MTD KZ-6
-Not an American MTD
-PIckup covers are kind of boring
-Tons of mids and highs, really have to crank the bass and dial down the treble but gets incredibble sound when I do
-Tuners on the bottom of the headstock contact one another if they are both parallel to the neck
-Neck profile is a tad flat
-Pretty heavy and I am a scrawny weakling

Epi EB:
-NUff said
 
#3
Geddy:
Black (kinda boring!)
Hums a lot!
Tone knob only creates hum

Squier P:
Super high action (Waiting to get it set up!)
Really, really bright! Rounds, but still!
Lows are kinda missing, but I can get em.
 
#5
My warwick 5 string is a little boomy/fat for my tastes, thinking its time for some new strings - EB roundwounds dont seem to sound right on it. Heavy bass.

And my warwick 4 string:
- not a huge fan of the baseball bat neck
- same color as my 5!
 
#7
Fender fretless precision Tony Franklin
- typical dead spots of a precision bass on the G-string
- it came as a P/J... that was something I had to remedy :ninja:

Yamaha RBX6 John Myung
- to sterile in tone
- heavy
- loose knobs
- it's not a fretless
- fretboard artwork

Squier Classic Vibe '50s precision bass
- one-trick-pony
- typical dead spots of a precision bass on the G-string
- tuners are not all that
- bridge is hard to set up properly

Yamaha RBX260F
- too light
- too skinny neck
- can't take over 8 years of road, gig and barfight abuse
- black

Yamaha RBX170
- you get what you pay for

Roscoe Century Signature IV FL
- takes to much time at customs :D
 
#9
K5
- K5 graphic on the fretboard
- onboard eq has alot of boost on it to get a decent output compared to a few other basses I have tried with my rig...

gwb35
- stock strings annoyed me
- g string seems a tad too low in action and chokes everyt note off

squire fretless jazz
- the body annoys me trying to fit in some small hard cases I have
- string spacing too far apart cos I prefer really tight 5 string stuff...
- passive electronics,... just seems a bit,... bland,... cut only knobs annoy me greatly!
 
#10
G&L Tribute L-2500: Heavy\balance. Even if I didn't have back issues, the generic tuners make the bass heavy and off balance even with a 3.5" Comfort Strapp.

IMHO, this is an overlooked difference with ANY manufacturer when people always ask "What's the difference between USA vs offshore?"
 
#12
If it has too many flaws, I tend to get them fixed or replaced.

Conklin 6: tad heavy, but still not as heavy as some EBMMs or Fenders I've played over the years. I used a pickup placement that was the same as a few of my other basses, but doesn't sing like 60's positioned pickups, to me at least.

Rob Allen 5 string: the ash and 35" scale take a little away from total depth.

Rob Allen 6er: just a touch of neck dive in the seated position, but nothing the slightest right arm pressure can't fix.

CB 4 string: sent it in for a fingerboard polyester coating and was convinced to get an inlay at the 24th position. Somehow the combo of inlay and new wood, it formed a small hump. Not Cliff's fault and should be fixed when I wear through the polyester and get it releveled.
 
#13
Fender Jaguar:
-too many dings and scratches to list
-hums like crazy when active
-i hate the neck profile

70something Univox Hi Flier(short scale)
-scratch and ding galore
-high action
-pickup cover keeps falling out
-cant find a tip for the pickup switch

Fender Mark Hoppus P Bass
-tons of dings and minor scratchs
-two major paint chips on the bottom of it
-im not crazy about the finish on the neck
 
#14
I'll play along!

Ibanez SR800LE (stock)
- very limited range of usefull tones from the electronics
- boring all black color

- on the pro side is I just love the narrow neck (little hands)

Samick 5 string fretless (EMG active)
- boring black color
- sounds ok but I just don't dig it as much since getting the next bass on my list

Lakland JO-4 Skyline (sunburst, tort, rosewood, Chi-sonic, Bone nut)
- Would love 24 frets and a little narrower neck like my SR800
- Still, I love the bass and can't seem to put it down.

Kramer-Ferrington ABG
- boring black color (how did I end up with 3 black basses)
- onboard electronics are terrible so it's accoustic only
- warp in sound board (doesn't seem to affect anything)
 
#15
OLP Stingray 5: G-string tends to pop out of the nut randomly, especially when playing slap. Scratchy pots. Strap button comes loose.

Dean Sledgehammer 4 string: Body feels like the cheap furniture you get from Walmart. Sounds like the cheap furniture you get from Walmart.

Spector Performer 4 string: Just some gook on the back of the body. Given that it was bought new, I don't think it was a sticker, but something from shipping. Otherwise this thing plays like a champ.

Spector Legend Classic 5: A few small bumps on the back of the neck (bought this as a Blem item and looked it over 100%, and this is the only flaw...and you don't even notice it when playing, only when rubbing the neck). Frets are a bit rough on the edges. Neck heavy, but resolved with a leather strap. B-string is a bit floppy. Washers on the tuners are loose and rattle (doesn't come through the amp, only noticeable when playing unplugged).
 
#16
BAW said:
Fender Jaguar:
-too many dings and scratches to list
-hums like crazy when active
-i hate the neck profile

70something Univox Hi Flier(short scale)
-scratch and ding galore
-high action
-pickup cover keeps falling out
-cant find a tip for the pickup switch

Fender Mark Hoppus P Bass
-tons of dings and minor scratchs
-two major paint chips on the bottom of it
-im not crazy about the finish on the neck
Click to expand...



Maybe you have a flaw... ;)
 
#17
Jeez!!! I have 15 basses hanging or standing in the corners of my office. Each one has it's pluses, some have a minus or two but all function properly. I guess the 3-4 that are in the process of being built or rebuilt would be the focus of my attention. I just need more spare time to work on them. Fishing and RC Helis have been getting in the way of bass fabrication :D
 
#20
Gibson Thunderbird
- No matter how careful I try to be, I can't adjust the POS three point bridge without damaging the screw driver slots on the head of the studs and nearly gouging the wood.
- Need to order $40+ tool to be able to adjust bridge studs without damaging them.
- Nearly impossible to find a replacement for the smaller stud at the bridge point.
- Had to order Hipshot replacement bridge to correct the first three flaws.
 

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