There's no way my current financial situation can support buying a Rickenbacker, so when @LowEndLobster gave a four-claws and rather enthusiastic review of the Jackson X Series Concert Bass CBXNT DX IV I figured "that'll do". I went about looking for one in Fireburst since I don't like black and the current abundant supply of the red and green finishes that are just too "in your face" don't appeal to me either. There are a few DX V five strings in Fireburst offered for sale on Reverb and eBay. But there was apparently only ONE four-string DX IV Fireburst available in the whole country, and wait a minute ... this is just too good ... it's HERE at my local Guitar Center, and hold my breath, I can't believe it ... it's ON SALE!! So next morning I was off in a flash to GC, had them bring up their ladder and retrieve the Jackson from way over in the far right, top row, on the bass wall. Checked it out with handy amp and cable and commanded the staff "sell it to me, and give me the sale price" ($570). Corey didn't even know it was on sale. Good thing I had taken along a printout from their website page. I think that was their fastest (and easiest) sale of the year so far.
I always change out factory strings for flats, and none of the local stores had my favorite D'Addario flats in stock. I picked up some crappy Ernie Balls so I could get started. The D string broke when I was tensioning it. Good thing I was wearing glasses. (Good idea to wear safety glasses when stringing a guitar in case a string decides to up and slap you in the face). Leveling and polishing frets (several high frets), oiling fingerboard, cleaning and waxing, action setup etc. Final setup had to wait until my D'Addarios arrived from Strings By Mail. Final tweaking of truss rod, action height, intonation, etc.
I am tickled pink by this guitar!! No, it's not a Rickenbacker, but it's not a PJ either. It's kind of like a PJ with numerous multiple personalities. Kind of like a PJ with a snarly attitude. Yes, there are a few finish flaws. Nothing obvious to the casual observer. Yes, the OOB setup, and especially the fretwork left something to be desired (I think hasty and sloppy pressing, but the fret ends were nicely dressed). However, the pickups and the preamps perform impressively for this price point, the neck is very nice and very playable, the tuners hold tune, the sustain is awesome (the high-mass bridge??), and the looks are (to me) quite appealing, even if only vaguely Rickenbackerish, it's got similar vibes. (If you don't agree the headstock makes a nice weapon, Ha!!)
I always change out factory strings for flats, and none of the local stores had my favorite D'Addario flats in stock. I picked up some crappy Ernie Balls so I could get started. The D string broke when I was tensioning it. Good thing I was wearing glasses. (Good idea to wear safety glasses when stringing a guitar in case a string decides to up and slap you in the face). Leveling and polishing frets (several high frets), oiling fingerboard, cleaning and waxing, action setup etc. Final setup had to wait until my D'Addarios arrived from Strings By Mail. Final tweaking of truss rod, action height, intonation, etc.
I am tickled pink by this guitar!! No, it's not a Rickenbacker, but it's not a PJ either. It's kind of like a PJ with numerous multiple personalities. Kind of like a PJ with a snarly attitude. Yes, there are a few finish flaws. Nothing obvious to the casual observer. Yes, the OOB setup, and especially the fretwork left something to be desired (I think hasty and sloppy pressing, but the fret ends were nicely dressed). However, the pickups and the preamps perform impressively for this price point, the neck is very nice and very playable, the tuners hold tune, the sustain is awesome (the high-mass bridge??), and the looks are (to me) quite appealing, even if only vaguely Rickenbackerish, it's got similar vibes. (If you don't agree the headstock makes a nice weapon, Ha!!)
Last edited:
