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NBD, Dont sleep on the Bill and Ted's local Pro

winegamd

winegamd

Jun 3, 2007
2,167
1,480
Sedro Woolley, WA
#1
I have not even been in the market for a new bass. I have tested 100's of basses since I got my Zon in 2008. NOTHING Fender, MM, Ibanez, Markbass, Sire, or G&L make <$2500 has even come close. The only basses I have played that feel this good have been a couple Lull's at >$6k, a Fodera Emporer, an Atlier Z. None of them had a tone to pull me away, though. I have also always been a 6-string player. I have been a one bass man for 18 years!

So then, what's with the NBD? My new Charvel San Dimas Pro 5 JJ. Discaimer: I hate gold hardware, red is not my color, and I have never been a fan of the P-Body shape (I prefer the Jazz body for a FSO).

However, this neck is RIDICULOUS! It rivals my Zon. It may even be a bit more comfortable. It feels better than any of the Fender necks in the Players or Ultra series. Better than any other Markbass FSO. It even made all the Ibanez necks feel like baseball bats.

The DiMarzio Area J's sound killer and are exactly what I would want out of a J pickup tone.

...now that gold really complements the red body and balances with the roasted maple neck and the cream pickup covers. The heavy metal flake in the finish is rather nice. I actually kind of like the symmetry of the bottom of the P shape with the J pickups.

This thing is solid, too. Excellent fit and finish that is up there with Lull.

I played it GC on a Thursday and couldn't stop thinking about it. It was still there the next Wednesday, and I picked it up.

It is used, but in excellent shape. The previous owner pulled out the pre, so it is all passive now, but not limited in tone.

GC had it for $650. I took an older Squier J special and a couple pedals and got it for $350+tax.

I have never been this enamored with another bass since 2008. I would have never even considered Charvel if I hadn't played it. I feel like Im cheating, or now maybe just converting to polygamy.
 

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#2
For a movie that had Napoleon spend a day at a water park, the most unbelievable part of was those two ever saying “San Dimas High School Football Rules!”.

All that said, I would love one of these and I, personally, love the color.
 
#4
Nice bass! Charvel makes some pretty good quality instruments, and they definitely fly under the radar compared to most brands. My teacher had a guitar from the same series, and it seemed like it had everything you could reasonably ask for (including a great finish).

Enjoy!
 
#5
winegamd said:
I have not even been in the market for a new bass. I have tested 100's of basses since I got my Zon in 2008. NOTHING Fender, MM, Ibanez, Markbass, Sire, or G&L make <$2500 has even come close. The only basses I have played that feel this good have been a couple Lull's at >$6k, a Fodera Emporer, an Atlier Z. None of them had a tone to pull me away, though. I have also always been a 6-string player. I have been a one bass man for 18 years!

So then, what's with the NBD? My new Charvel San Dimas Pro 5 JJ. Discaimer: I hate gold hardware, red is not my color, and I have never been a fan of the P-Body shape (I prefer the Jazz body for a FSO).

However, this neck is RIDICULOUS! It rivals my Zon. It may even be a bit more comfortable. It feels better than any of the Fender necks in the Players or Ultra series. Better than any other Markbass FSO. It even made all the Ibanez necks feel like baseball bats.

The DiMarzio Area J's sound killer and are exactly what I would want out of a J pickup tone.

...now that gold really complements the red body and balances with the roasted maple neck and the cream pickup covers. The heavy metal flake in the finish is rather nice. I actually kind of like the symmetry of the bottom of the P shape with the J pickups.

This thing is solid, too. Excellent fit and finish that is up there with Lull.

I played it GC on a Thursday and couldn't stop thinking about it. It was still there the next Wednesday, and I picked it up.

It is used, but in excellent shape. The previous owner pulled out the pre, so it is all passive now, but not limited in tone.

GC had it for $650. I took an older Squier J special and a couple pedals and got it for $350+tax.

I have never been this enamored with another bass since 2008. I would have never even considered Charvel if I hadn't played it. I feel like Im cheating, or now maybe just converting to polygamy.
Click to expand...
Nice sleeper axe. It’s fun to find great things in unexpected packages. Enjoy!
 
#7
I hated gold hardware as well until, like you, I fell in love with a bass that had it. Now I really don't notice. Congrats on not letting a prejudice stand between you and a great instrument. And maple on red always looks good.
 
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#8
I've played the Charvels at GC since they stock them regularly. I haven't plugged them in, but man, they feel freaking great. Like, catch your attention great. Like, how is this $700 great. (smh. i should probly get one :(
 
#9
I absolutely love my San Dimas PJ. The fret ends need work though, I didn't realize they weren't supposed to be as sharp as they are though they still aren't too bad. The rest of it is amazing and the neck allowed for a super low action right out of the box.

If they make a San Dimas 6 string I might have to buy one immediately
 
#11
I have found that there’s little correlation between instrument price and neck playability. Small differences in neck profile make a big difference, and people have very different preferences in what they look for in a neck.

It seems that a lot of people actually really like this bass for its neck, which is a thin “speed neck“. I’ll have to keep my eyes open for one to pop up locally, because I am definitely intrigued.
 
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