Not diggin’ the DJ4

[Kipp Harrington]

Just got this bass a month ago. Not diggin’ it. Just doesn’t feel comfortable to me and I have tried setting this bass up the last few days and the action is unacceptably high... if I try to lower the sadlles (after adjusting the trussrod, I’m getting some buzz). Hopefully, it’s not too late to return it to Sweetwater. It’s been a little under 30 days since it was shipped. Going to actually play some Fender basses while I’m there (I live about 90 minutes from Sweetwater). Lakland builds a nice bass, but maybe I wasn’t meant for a nice bass. I enjoy playing my Squier PJ more than the Lakland. I feel really stupid purchasing this bass and finding out that it’s nothing special.

Any suggestions on what Fender’s to look at? I think I want to stick with a P bass body. i just don’t like the way the J bass pickups are positioned for my right hand playing style. Really frustrated with this situation.

Thanks for any input.

 

[MattZilla]

Take it to a pro and ask him/her to get the action as low as possible. The saddles' height shouldn't need to be adjusted at all after that- only adjust the truss rod as the weather changes call for it.

 

[PockySteve]

Contact Sweetwater, go there, and have them professionally set it up while you are playing there with them, so you can get it dialed in how you like it.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

This is why I'm a try before I buy type of person now, unless there's a generous returns policy.
I've had too many disappointments from gear that others thought was "all that" & didn't live up to my expectations.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

This is why I'm a try before I buy type of person now, unless there's a generous returns policy.
I've had too many disappointments from gear that others thought was "all that" & didn't live up to my expectations.

I am totally on board with that now!

Going to actually play a few while I am at Sweetwater.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Contact Sweetwater, go there, and have them professionally set it up while you are playing there with them, so you can get it dialed in how you like it.

Don’t like the bass.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Take it to a pro and ask him/her to get the action as low as possible. The saddles' height shouldn't need to be adjusted at all after that- only adjust the truss rod as the weather changes call for it.

Returning the bass... hopefully. Don’t like it. I think it’s overrated.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

I personally don’t like any of the under sized jazz bodies I’ve played regardless of sound.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

I personally don’t like any of the under sized jazz bodies I’ve played regardless of sound.

Glad to hear that. I think I’m going to try out the Fender Player Series P bass first. I love my Squier Affinity PJ.

 

[two fingers]

Just got this bass a month ago. Not diggin’ it. Just doesn’t feel comfortable to me and I have tried setting this bass up the last few days and the action is unacceptably high... if I try to lower the sadlles (after adjusting the trussrod, I’m getting some buzz). Hopefully, it’s not too late to return it to Sweetwater. It’s been a little under 30 days since it was shipped. Going to actually play some Fender basses while I’m there (I live about 90 minutes from Sweetwater). Lakland builds a nice bass, but maybe I wasn’t meant for a nice bass. I enjoy playing my Squier PJ more than the Lakland. I feel really stupid purchasing this bass and finding out that it’s nothing special.

Any suggestions on what Fender’s to look at? I think I want to stick with a P bass body. i just don’t like the way the J bass pickups are positioned for my right hand playing style. Really frustrated with this situation.

Thanks for any input.

Yeah just take it back.

I briefly owned a Mike Lull 5 string with a Sadowsky preamp. It was a ridiculously well-made instrument. I tried everything to bond with it. I got a good setup done as well.

It just never felt right in my hands. So I sold it and never looked back. Too many basses out there to fight one you don't like.

 

[wvbass]

Yep. It’s pretty hard to get used to the feel of J pickups under you right hand after you get used to a P pickup. For me, it is a totally different animal, but it taught me to use a little softer touch.

There’s also nothing wrong with sticking with a P. I mostly play some variety of a P bass.

 

[MattZilla]

I am totally on board with that now!

Going to actually play a few while I am at Sweetwater.

play them with a strap, into your amp, on a box, with a fox.

I tried hard to like a Warwick Vette, really loved the tones, the body was just weird though. Sitting down it was fine/nice-ish, but standing was minor torture unless I was being very animated. Honestly, a 4003 was only slightly less comfortable and a 4003s was more comfy while standing.

 

[CallMeAl]

Man that stinks. You seemed so psyched up for it! Lucky you live close to sweetwater.

Glad to hear that. I think I’m going to try out the Fender Player Series P bass first. I love my Squier Affinity PJ.

I've spent some time with 4 players now; 2 P, a Jazz and a Jag. They were all really nice, but I think I like the Jazz the best. I want one!

But it doesn't matter what we say. The lakland is "highly recommended" and you didn't like it. ( personally i could never make myself like an instrument. I know right when I get it if it's a good fit or not.) I'd make a day of that trip and really spend some time with what's at the sweetwater store. And remind yourself why you went looking for another bass in the first place. (Didnt you want a jazz?) Or maybe you're learning what matters to you....

Good luck! Excited to hear the report

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Yeah just take it back.

I briefly owned a Mike Lull 5 string with a Sadowsky preamp. It was a ridiculously well-made instrument. I tried everything to bond with it. I got a good setup done as well.

It just never felt right in my hands. So I sold it and never looked back. Too many basses out there to fight one you don't like.

The flashiest or most hyped bass is not always the one that knocks your socks off when you see it. That is probably why so many people with options play worn down beaters.

 

[tradernick]

Don’t like it. I think it’s overrated.

It’s not overrated. It’s just that you don’t like it. They’re not the same.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

It’s not overrated. It’s just that you don’t like it. They’re not the same.

Yeah... I guess that’s a more accurate description. Just seemed that way to me when my $199 bass plays better than a $1,700 one.

 

[PSPookie]

Don't feel bad. I didn't get along with my DJ5. There was nothing wrong with it; there just wasn't anything right about it ... for me.

As to the playability, there exists the possibility that it's just a bad bass. Even with the tightest of quality control sometimes a stinker sneaks through.

 

[jnewmark]

Contact Sweetwater, go there, and have them professionally set it up while you are playing there with them, so you can get it dialed in how you like it.

I thought Sweetwater was supposed to do this before it left the store ?

 

[johnson79]

What is one person's holy grail bass is another's red Solo cup. Just the way it goes. Nothing is one-size fits all when it comes to instruments. Try some Fenders and Squiers as well as anything else that looks interesting.

 

[Spidey2112]

I feel really stupid purchasing this bass and finding out that it’s nothing special.

Don't beat yourself up about it... we've all done it... especially, when you see something you like, and there's not a chance in Hades you'll actually see one in your area to try out.

That said, are you sure you're following the instructions put forth in the videos? How far are you from Columbus? I'll do it for you. Pretty sure that's a sweet bass, and your dislike for it is in how it's setup.