• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

NBD w/bonus amp!

alanolynn

alanolynn

Aug 19, 2012
389
552
41
NNY
#1
So, I found a sweet little gem on CL and was able to swap an old bass drum I don't use anymore for it, and as it turns out, it came with an amp too!

Meet my latest addition...

IMG_20190520_210448_01.jpg


Early model VM Jazz and a matching Rumble 60.

I, like many others, was very skeptical about the VM and CV series, but after fiddling with this for night, my mind has been changed!

I'm usually a P or P/J guy, so I don't have a lot of experience with a true J style setup, but I'm pleasantly surprised. Full sound, but a lot leaner than a split coil P style.

The neck alone is enough to be a completely different animal. Very thin and smooth. Lots of fun. I found it much easier to perform scales at greater speed with this neck.

The amp...eh, its nothing to write home about, but for a freebie, it makes a great practice tool. For sixty watts though, it weighs a ton. Another reason to keep it home.

Anyway, I thank you fellow TB-ers for talking these basses up. I may not have given it a chance had it not been for some other stellar reviews I've read on here.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TolerancEJ, mikewalker, AudioTaper and 10 others
#4
alanolynn said:
Early model VM Jazz
Click to expand...

It's not a VM, as you'll find if you ever try to replace the pickups. VM and CV series has standard sized pickups, this does not. Fortunately, the pickups in there sound pretty good. This is the earlier "Classic" series, made in Indonesia. I have three - they're some of the nicest Jazz basses I've ever played. A little heavy, maybe. GREAT basses. Yours looks brand new!
 
#5
arbiterusa said:
This is the earlier "Classic" series, made in Indonesia
Click to expand...

It FEELS brand new. Fresh strings and all! I'm thinkin the kid found a new/old stock and ended up with buyer's remorse, seeing as how the amp still has plastic over the logo.

I was wondering why I couldn't find any info on one with the knurled knobs and being Indonesian made.

Is there anything else you can tell me about it? Features and benefits? Thanks for your insight!
 
#7
alanolynn said:
Is there anything else you can tell me about it? Features and benefits? Thanks for your insight!
Click to expand...

The Tele knobs are the giveaway. I replaced mine with regular Jazz knobs - they fit fine. Like I said, the biggie is the pickups - they are not a standard size (and they are both the same size!) so unless you rerout the back PU and replace the pickguard you really don't get any upgrade options. For my money, they sound just fine as is. You've got the sunburst, they had at least three other colors (a matte grey with matching headstock which is rare, champagne, and metallic green, and yes, I have those three). I'm also pretty sure they had a red. No maple necks, they're all rosewood. I upgraded the jack to a Switchcraft. Some people might want to upgrade the mini pots, but mine are fine so I left them as is. The necks are great. Very stable, love the finish.

Mine were dirt cheap, bought used. Most expensive was $149, cheapest was $79. I doubt you can find them for that cheap nowadays.

That's really it. Great Jazz basses at Walmart prices. Enjoy it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: alanolynn and gregmon79
#8
alanolynn said:
So, I found a sweet little gem on CL and was able to swap an old bass drum I don't use anymore for it, and as it turns out, it came with an amp too!

Meet my latest addition...

View attachment 3421981

Early model VM Jazz and a matching Rumble 60.

I, like many others, was very skeptical about the VM and CV series, but after fiddling with this for night, my mind has been changed!

I'm usually a P or P/J guy, so I don't have a lot of experience with a true J style setup, but I'm pleasantly surprised. Full sound, but a lot leaner than a split coil P style.

The neck alone is enough to be a completely different animal. Very thin and smooth. Lots of fun. I found it much easier to perform scales at greater speed with this neck.

The amp...eh, its nothing to write home about, but for a freebie, it makes a great practice tool. For sixty watts though, it weighs a ton. Another reason to keep it home.

Anyway, I thank you fellow TB-ers for talking these basses up. I may not have given it a chance had it not been for some other stellar reviews I've read on here.
Click to expand...
Very cool, now step 2:
Get yourself over to the Fender Rumble Club and get a number Fender Rumble Club
 
  • Like
Reactions: alanolynn and BazzaBass
#9
Nice score.
As for the pickup tone. If they're lacking a bit of meat, I highly recommend a series/parallel switch on a push-pull pot. It's a fairly easy mod (pictorial wiring diagram at Semour Duncan website) that only costs about $15 bucks (for the pot) and will give you the option for a thick hum bucker sound when you pull the knob. I've put this mod on every J I've owned (cheap and not) and it's always been a winner.

As for the pickup swaps I wouldn't bother until you've tried the series/parallel switch but I think there are options. IIRC, like early model MIM J's they are either both bridge or both neck position. This is actually not too bad, as you can simply order two pickups in that size. This may limit you to hum bucking options so as not to get a ton of hum and with two identical pickups you may end up rolling back or lowering the neck pup a bit but that's not the end of the world. DImarzio Ultra Jazz or Model J's are hum canceling as are some Bartolinis and others.
 
  • Like
Reactions: alanolynn and Zoobiedood
#14
alanolynn said:
Honestly, I'm just not a fan of this Humble Rumble 60. Its heavy and a bit thin sounding for my taste. I'd rather wait until I have a product I can happily stand behind. Don't get me wrong, its still built well. It's a great rig, just not my kind of sound.

that being said, I'll still monkey around it with it. I may end up loving it. You never know!
Click to expand...

True enough. But in the meantime, There is info in Fender Rumble Club Wiki Page | TalkBass.com. There is a lot of good info on All Rumbles of all ages. The new ones are lighter and sound much better than the previous versions. Your's appears to be a v1 (version 1) built between 2003 and 2010. Good, steady, and dependable, but, as you say on the heavy side. As to tone, it may be you need time to tinker with the EQ. The Rumble Club is also a good place to get advice and share information with other Rumblers.
We look forward to seeing you over there.
 
#16
alanolynn said:
So, I found a sweet little gem on CL and was able to swap an old bass drum I don't use anymore for it, and as it turns out, it came with an amp too!

Meet my latest addition...

View attachment 3421981

Early model VM Jazz and a matching Rumble 60.

I, like many others, was very skeptical about the VM and CV series, but after fiddling with this for night, my mind has been changed!

I'm usually a P or P/J guy, so I don't have a lot of experience with a true J style setup, but I'm pleasantly surprised. Full sound, but a lot leaner than a split coil P style.

The neck alone is enough to be a completely different animal. Very thin and smooth. Lots of fun. I found it much easier to perform scales at greater speed with this neck.

The amp...eh, its nothing to write home about, but for a freebie, it makes a great practice tool. For sixty watts though, it weighs a ton. Another reason to keep it home.

Anyway, I thank you fellow TB-ers for talking these basses up. I may not have given it a chance had it not been for some other stellar reviews I've read on here.
Click to expand...
Try this out

Link Removed
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back