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Nash basses, are they worth it?
- Thread starter twc1313
- Start date
Ordered my PB63 in Dec . Received in July. Light reliced...As everyone said..sounds great and feels great. I cant put it down....and that feeling I get when I strap it on is just ahhhhhh.
People focus too much on how Nash looks and not enough on how they feel. They look like they’ve been played hard for decades…but they feel that way too. It’s like buying an already broken-in baseball glove or something. I’ve never owned a Nash, not really my thing, but every one I’ve played has felt and sounded amazing.
This always puzzles me; what they are, what they aren't, or which ones are and which ones aren't; what makes the ones that aren't not; how the ones that are feel different from the ones that aren't; lots of why and why not questions.
NASH basses are worth it for the cases alone!!
But seriously, I had a '55 P-Bass light relic w/ a Lollar handwound.. Wish I still did.
Through a B-15R (wish I kept that too) it sounded so true Motown that Berry Gordy should have sent me a paycheck!
IOW- I really liked it. It played, felt, & sounded great, and looked like the real deal. Those who oppose relic'ing- OK, don't do a relic!
I would gladly buy or order another, I've seen some sweet ones on the market.
You might want to check out Sandberg relics as well. They make great basses, and their truss rod adjustment is easy.
For the record, for whatever reason, I once read a large thread on a British Bass 'board, and a large number of posters there dissed Nash as what they called a "bitsa" bass. I personally didn't approve of that description, but to each their own, I guess.
But seriously, I had a '55 P-Bass light relic w/ a Lollar handwound.. Wish I still did.
Through a B-15R (wish I kept that too) it sounded so true Motown that Berry Gordy should have sent me a paycheck!
IOW- I really liked it. It played, felt, & sounded great, and looked like the real deal. Those who oppose relic'ing- OK, don't do a relic!
I would gladly buy or order another, I've seen some sweet ones on the market.
You might want to check out Sandberg relics as well. They make great basses, and their truss rod adjustment is easy.
For the record, for whatever reason, I once read a large thread on a British Bass 'board, and a large number of posters there dissed Nash as what they called a "bitsa" bass. I personally didn't approve of that description, but to each their own, I guess.
Over the last couple years I’ve gone through a number of fine basses in the $1500-$3000 range. Until recently I had four in the house, but at this moment only one remains: the Nash PB-57 I picked up in a trade here on TB.
Compared to the others, the Nash has been pretty far from perfect. Frets needed leveling. Heel joint needed a shim made to help the neck angle. The hidden, vintage-style truss rod is so annoying to adjust, and it does need attention when the seasons change. The neck profile is big and kind of unfriendly with a worn finish that’s raw and unrefined. The heavy relic job is a bit much if I’m being honest. Oh and that Lollar pickup is weirdly noisy for a split-coil (yes it’s been thoroughly checked out and even had its pole pieces grounded).
With all that out of the way, the Nash PB-57 I have is without a doubt or contest the most musical and inspiring bass of the many I’ve laid hands on thus far. Don’t know what it is exactly, but it’s a music making machine. It’s so simple yet sounds amazing, and it plays (and even slaps) so easy with the La Bella 760FL Deep Talkin’ flatwounds I have it strung with.
I’ve parted with many objectively wonderful instruments for far less than the issues I’ve described above, however the Nash has been totally worth its past (and ongoing) frustrations.
Compared to the others, the Nash has been pretty far from perfect. Frets needed leveling. Heel joint needed a shim made to help the neck angle. The hidden, vintage-style truss rod is so annoying to adjust, and it does need attention when the seasons change. The neck profile is big and kind of unfriendly with a worn finish that’s raw and unrefined. The heavy relic job is a bit much if I’m being honest. Oh and that Lollar pickup is weirdly noisy for a split-coil (yes it’s been thoroughly checked out and even had its pole pieces grounded).
With all that out of the way, the Nash PB-57 I have is without a doubt or contest the most musical and inspiring bass of the many I’ve laid hands on thus far. Don’t know what it is exactly, but it’s a music making machine. It’s so simple yet sounds amazing, and it plays (and even slaps) so easy with the La Bella 760FL Deep Talkin’ flatwounds I have it strung with.
I’ve parted with many objectively wonderful instruments for far less than the issues I’ve described above, however the Nash has been totally worth its past (and ongoing) frustrations.
I've played a few. To me they sound like what people think old Fenders sound like but never do.
They are kinda cool if you are into the whole retro thing. I'm not. There are too many not-Fenders for a better price.
They are kinda cool if you are into the whole retro thing. I'm not. There are too many not-Fenders for a better price.
I sanded down the back of the neck, then put some strong black tea on the neck so that the tannins would sink in (for some added figuring).
Then used a mixture of steel wool and vinegar to stain it and give it that old, worn grey look.
Not sure if that's the same technique that Nash uses, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's something similar.
I ADORE my JB-5.
That bass has seen countless high dollar basses come and go. Roscoes, Laklands, Pedullas, Devons, etc, etc, etc. That bass (along with my Nordys) will be with me on my death bed.
That bass has seen countless high dollar basses come and go. Roscoes, Laklands, Pedullas, Devons, etc, etc, etc. That bass (along with my Nordys) will be with me on my death bed.
If OP doesn't like the relic, there are plenty of builders who make high quality P's with more modern updates.
Modern Vintage Guitars – Old School Vibe! Modern Upgrades! Modern Vintage, for one. (brought to you by John, formerly of Bass Emporium)
Lakland
Sadowsky
G&L
etc etc.
Modern Vintage Guitars – Old School Vibe! Modern Upgrades! Modern Vintage, for one. (brought to you by John, formerly of Bass Emporium)
Lakland
Sadowsky
G&L
etc etc.
The wear is so unrealistic on them, it's way overdone so they are a non-starter for me
I have a NASH 57PB that I purchased in 2007. It has been in my steady rotation since I bought it. It has the Dimarzio pickups installed which are the stock pickups.
I like the maple neck and fingerboard especially the finish.
They have gone up in price over the years and you should be able to find a nice used one here on TalkBass and save some money.
I haven’t had any problems with this instrument and it sets up beautifully. I have a set of strings on this bass that are approximately 10 years old and completely dead but they sound great.
I have seen some really horrible relic jobs on some of them.. belt sanded fake looking.
I like the maple neck and fingerboard especially the finish.
They have gone up in price over the years and you should be able to find a nice used one here on TalkBass and save some money.
I haven’t had any problems with this instrument and it sets up beautifully. I have a set of strings on this bass that are approximately 10 years old and completely dead but they sound great.
I have seen some really horrible relic jobs on some of them.. belt sanded fake looking.
Me, personally, I’d go for the Fender Am Pro 2 easily. I owned a Nash PB63 and absolutely loved the neck feel and tone….BUT I got tired of removing the neck in order to access the truss rod and the instrument balance wasn’t as great as the current high end Fenders. The Am Pro 2s are excellent.
