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New bass... wide choice too many doubts

ElBarto

ElBarto

Nov 7, 2017
40
33
33
Italy
#1
Hello everyone!!!
I've a Fender Jazz Flea and a Warwick Corvette 5
I've been thinking of buying a new bass recently, and I can't decide between a lot of bass :rolleyes::confused:
at the moment I'm very torn between P bass (Vintera II 50's, 60's or Nate Mendel but I'm not very convinced by the SPB-3) and Mustang JMJ I like the idea of a short scale...

I don't rule out the Epiphone Thunderbird or some Gibson Ripper/G3 clone like Serek but much more cheaper
Thanks in advance for your help! And sorry for my poor english:laugh:
 
#8
I combined a Nate Mendel P Bass and Thunderbird. I like it.

IMG_0648.jpeg
 
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#9
gln1955 said:
The JMJ and T-bird are worlds apart ergonomically. I don't know what you may have access to in Italy, but a day trip to a big city music store seems in order.
Click to expand...

Seconding this, those ergonomics are pretty diverse and a lot of people won't necessarily like both. I've owned both a JMJ and a thunderbird and I really enjoy the ergo of both basses (yeah I'm a weirdo who thinks T-birds are comfortable) but a lot of people won't.

Someone else mentioned the upper fret access on the Mustang and actually that was my only gripe with the JMJ. Everything else on the JMJ feels super fast, but the heel and neck profile felt surprisingly clunky when you're really reaching up there. Possibly because otherwise the instrument feels really quick - I loved the neck on it.
 
#12
ElBarto said:
Hello everyone!!!
I've a Fender Jazz Flea and a Warwick Corvette 5
I've been thinking of buying a new bass recently, and I can't decide between a lot of bass :rolleyes::confused:
at the moment I'm very torn between P bass (Vintera II 50's, 60's or Nate Mendel but I'm not very convinced by the SPB-3) and Mustang JMJ I like the idea of a short scale...

I don't rule out the Epiphone Thunderbird or some Gibson Ripper/G3 clone like Serek but much more cheaper
Thanks in advance for your help! And sorry for my poor english:laugh:
Click to expand...
I don't (won't ever) own a Warwick and I am not a short scale kind of guy. But, I have a Vintera 50's P, I have an unreal Mexi P with an Aguilar pickup that was put together by Nino Valenti, I have one of the new Epi 64 Tbirds, plus a whole bunch of others. Of the ones you listed, if you don't mind the wide neck on the Vintera 50's P, I would say that should be your number one choice. They are really nice and still at a reasonable price point, if you can find one used for a better price, that is the direction that I would head.
 
#13
ElBarto said:
Hello everyone!!!
I've a Fender Jazz Flea and a Warwick Corvette 5
I've been thinking of buying a new bass recently, and I can't decide between a lot of bass :rolleyes::confused:
at the moment I'm very torn between P bass (Vintera II 50's, 60's or Nate Mendel but I'm not very convinced by the SPB-3) and Mustang JMJ I like the idea of a short scale...

I don't rule out the Epiphone Thunderbird or some Gibson Ripper/G3 clone like Serek but much more cheaper
Thanks in advance for your help! And sorry for my poor english:laugh:
Click to expand...
What do you have NOW, and why doesn't that work for you, or what causes you to think about another bass?
 
#14
I recently purchased a Squier Paranormal Rascal bass. Its a short scale and sounds fantastic for what I do, that being jazz, latin, blues, R&R, soul, and whatever other chart they've handed me since I bought it. Only thng is, it's a bit heavy.

Prior to the Rascal I mostly used Fender Mustang PJ LE and Hofner Ignition Club basses.
 
#15
ElBarto said:
Hello everyone!!!
I've a Fender Jazz Flea and a Warwick Corvette 5
I've been thinking of buying a new bass recently, and I can't decide between a lot of bass :rolleyes::confused:
at the moment I'm very torn between P bass (Vintera II 50's, 60's or Nate Mendel but I'm not very convinced by the SPB-3) and Mustang JMJ I like the idea of a short scale...

I don't rule out the Epiphone Thunderbird or some Gibson Ripper/G3 clone like Serek but much more cheaper
Thanks in advance for your help! And sorry for my poor english:laugh:
Click to expand...

Very much love my JMJ. I'm not a relic guy, but it's an extremely comfortable bass to play, sounds great, and just feels like a solid instrument.

JMJ with flats (also not something I expected to really like) is an incredible machine.

For the cost you can get a JMJ used (around $1000 I think?), it's a great bass and it also provides some different tones compared to your other basses.

The JMJ is just something else.
 
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#16
T McClure said:
Do you have a shop near you with any of these to try out?
Click to expand...
gln1955 said:
but a day trip to a big city music store seems in order.
Click to expand...
The biggest shop in Sicily is near my home but they have only the vintera II 60's...



bylar13 said:
I combined a Nate Mendel P Bass and Thunderbird. I like it.
Click to expand...
awesome! but if I choose the Mendel I would change to something less invasive like the
Gervais Cote said:
Fender Pure Vintage 63
Click to expand...



Killing Floor said:
What are you missing from the basses you have?
You should Always buy another bass. But think about what you are lacking and you'll be able to find one that fits.
Click to expand...
Thunderthumbs73 said:
What do you have NOW, and why doesn't that work for you, or what causes you to think about another bass?
Click to expand...
I really love my basses but I want some different (sound and feeling)...

ComesATime said:
Very much love my JMJ. I'm not a relic guy, but it's an extremely comfortable bass to play, sounds great, and just feels like a solid instrument.
Click to expand...
the only thing that scares me is the transition from the giant warwick to the short scale and vice versa

mdogs said:
I have one of the new Epi 64 Tbirds, plus a whole bunch of others.
Click to expand...
Please tell me more about the thunderbird! feeling sound etc...
Is it good quality for the price? or Is the finish poor?

ElBarto said:
or some Gibson Ripper/G3 clone like Serek but much more cheaper
Click to expand...
I saw that Epiphone made a reissue of the grabber, Does anyone own it or have tried it? even through it's not a real "grabber"...

Thank's everyone for help me! 🙏
 
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#17
ElBarto said:
The biggest shop in Sicily is near my home but they have only the vintera II 60's...




awesome! but if I choose the Mendel I would change to something less invasive like the






I really love my basses but I want some different (sound and feeling)...


the only thing that scares me is the transition from the giant warwick to the short scale and vice versa


Please tell me more about the thunderbird! feeling sound etc...
Is it good quality for the price? or Is the finish poor?


I saw that Epiphone made a reissue of the grabber, Does anyone own it or have tried it? even through it's not a real "grabber"...

Thank's everyone for help me! 🙏
Click to expand...
The quality of the Tbird is actually quite high. The finish is very nice I have the Inverness green, it plays very well. But, I would say that the best thing about it is the way that it sounds.

Now, like most Tbirds, it has neck dive or at least it did. I moved the front strap buttons to a more traditional location and I put Hipshot ultralight tuners on it. But, the truth is that just by moving the strap buttons the neck dive pretty much went away.
 

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