• 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.

Official TUNE Club

#581
I just moved this post from another Tune thread since I didn't realize there was an "official" club. ....my story:

First let me say the very first "boutique bass" I ever played was a 5 string Tune Bass Maniac in the 80s and I loved it then and still remember thinking I would like to have one. It just felt right to me. After my custom made J type was stolen in 94' I ended up getting a Tobias Killer B 5er, early Gibson. Occasionally I would think of that Tune but never saw one again. Since then I have gone through dozens of basses and still own quite a few. The other day out of boredom I was looking at Japanese Fenders on the bay then went on GC used for Japanese basses. I saw this Tune for less than half retail and it looked pretty good, a couple of blems but nice. GAS and impulse took over and I called the store the next Day to ask some questions. Next thing you know I pulled the trigger.

I just bought a Tune just like one sold here by Ziggyb awhile back.

Image from http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx342/sigvision/Tune5/Tune1.jpg.

Mine looks identical except for the PU covers and knob upgrades on his.

Mine has 3 of the plastic knob tops missing. Does anyone know where I might find some?

By the way I think the bang to buck ratio is huge! It's a Lightweight Mahogany body with a Flame Maple top. Nice flat front to back neck with 18 mm spacing, light weight, good sounding 3 band pre with internal trim adjustments. Looks great, nicely balanced. What's not to like, really I feel like I stole it from GC. It was the first time I've had a bass shipped across the country to my local store by them and it took 5 days ground and was only $14.00 for shipping. Overall I would say these are a fantastic value. Mine is Korean the build quality is excellent, tight neck pocket.Oh and the Pre is an 18 volt. I think the list new is around $1000.00 I do not think that is overpriced for what you are getting. And as for Korean made stuff I also have a Fender Korean Tele that is flawless and a superb instrument. There is absolutely nothing wrong with these basses and I own Elrick, Drozd, Tobias, Minnieweather, and a number of other hand made basses. I'm very happy with my purchase and think these should get more love here. Oh and a friend owns a Japanese Tune which does NOT sound any better has a thicker neck and weighs at least 2-3 lbs more. This bassweighs right around 8 lbs.
 
Last edited:
#582
Gebass you're up later than me! Haha. ok can someone give me a complete rundown on the trim pots and what they all do. Also after playing this on a strap for a bit I don't like the way the top edge tilts away from you. Has anyone moved the lower strap peg from the back position to a spot more forward and by the notch in the bottom of the body? I think I'm going have to move it I'm just not sure where just yet and wondered what others have done.
 
#583
Kirk Bryant said:
I just moved this post from another Tune thread since I didn't realize there was an "official" club. ....my story:

First let me say the very first "boutique bass" I ever played was a 5 string Tune Bass Maniac in the 80s and I loved it then and still remember thinking I would like to have one. It just felt right to me. After my custom made J type was stolen in 94' I ended up getting a Tobias Killer B 5er, early Gibson. Occasionally I would think of that Tune but never saw one again. Since then I have gone through dozens of basses and still own quite a few. The other day out of boredom I was looking at Japanese Fenders on the bay then went on GC used for Japanese basses. I saw this Tune for less than half retail and it looked pretty good, a couple of blems but nice. GAS and impulse took over and I called the store the next Day to ask some questions. Next thing you know I pulled the trigger.

I just bought a Tune just like one sold here by Ziggyb awhile back.

Image from http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx342/sigvision/Tune5/Tune1.jpg.

Mine looks identical except for the PU covers and knob upgrades on his.

Mine has 3 of the plastic knob tops missing. Does anyone know where I might find some?

By the way I think the bang to buck ratio is huge! It's a Lightweight Mahogany body with a Flame Maple top. Nice flat front to back neck with 18 mm spacing, light weight, good sounding 3 band pre with internal trim adjustments. Looks great, nicely balanced. What's not to like, really I feel like I stole it from GC. It was the first time I've had a bass shipped across the country to my local store by them and it took 5 days ground and was only $14.00 for shipping. Overall I would say these are a fantastic value. Mine is Korean the build quality is excellent, tight neck pocket.Oh and the Pre is an 18 volt. I think the list new is around $1000.00 I do not think that is overpriced for what you are getting. And as for Korean made stuff I also have a Fender Korean Tele that is flawless and a superb instrument. There is absolutely nothing wrong with these basses and I own Elrick, Drozd, Tobias, Minnieweather, and a number of other hand made basses. I'm very happy with my purchase and think these should get more love here. Oh and a friend owns a Japanese Tune which does NOT sound any better has a thicker neck and weighs at least 2-3 lbs more. This bassweighs right around 8 lbs.
Click to expand...

I quite like mine too but I prefer shortscale basses and have been trying to sell locally but somehow no one knows of them here
 
#584
@loopee

It's almost the same here in the UK,folks know Tune basses and know they're good. Just nobody wants to buy them:eek:

Two recent examples. Late 80s Bass Maniac 1 owner from new in black, £390 asking price - sold 3 months later for £250.
Another Bass Maniac in pink this time had no interest at £250 so the owner donated it to charity:thumbsup:

My own Maniac was £100 but needed wired up again,it's not just Maniacs though the TWB 4 was bought for £240

The story is even worse for Nanyo SGC Bass Collection basses,there it's a case of " Ah wonderful bass,how does £100 sound ? "
 
#585
kodiakblair said:
@loopee

It's almost the same here in the UK,folks know Tune basses and know they're good. Just nobody wants to buy them:eek:

Two recent examples. Late 80s Bass Maniac 1 owner from new in black, £390 asking price - sold 3 months later for £250.
Another Bass Maniac in pink this time had no interest at £250 so the owner donated it to charity:thumbsup:

My own Maniac was £100 but needed wired up again,it's not just Maniacs though the TWB 4 was bought for £240

The story is even worse for Nanyo SGC Bass Collection basses,there it's a case of " Ah wonderful bass,how does £100 sound ? "
Click to expand...
Yes, it is sad when good instruments are not recognized and paid a fair price
 
#586
To be fair loopee it's them being over-looked that bothers me,I've never had any interest in resale values.

Sadly though there is a silly mindset these days that inexpensive means rubbish when of course it really only reflects lack
of demand.

Still it means those of " in the know " never had to sell our 1st born to own a great bass:thumbsup:
 
#587
Kirk Bryant said:
Gebass you're up later than me! Haha. ok can someone give me a complete rundown on the trim pots and what they all do. Also after playing this on a strap for a bit I don't like the way the top edge tilts away from you. Has anyone moved the lower strap peg from the back position to a spot more forward and by the notch in the bottom of the body? I think I'm going have to move it I'm just not sure where just yet and wondered what others have done.
Click to expand...
Hey!I'm not up late!I'm up early!
Welcome to the Tune Club!
You'll need a number.But I'm not sure who's giving them out.

Now.As for the trim pots.
There's one notch filter for both pickups.
And then there's two gain pots.One for each pickup.
Here's a diagram of the electronics.
1227_gzp-2 blk.jpg
 
Last edited:
#588
Thanks gebass6, I was kind of hoping for some "this is what it sounds like or sounds best to me" type of comments. I really do appreciate the diagram. I'll probably just do what I did I with my Elrick and take the cover off and turn knobs with it plugged in. I guess I was hoping there would be some tonal adjustment available rather than just PU volume adjustment. Though I'm sure that would render some tone change as well. In the E bass there is boost and cut as well as midrange adjustment available which makes it very customizable.

Oops edit: just blew the diagram up and saw the notch filter. Going to have to play with that now.
 
Last edited:
#592
Kirk Bryant said:
Oh man that's cheatin'
Click to expand...
Yep!Well I also have Hipshot Ultralite tuners.But they only lighten the neck so much.

This works from the OTHER end.Take an old belt.(I prefer an old dress belt)Shorten it so that it can wrap around your upper thigh.Mine is about 25 inches long.(First picture)Snapshot_20140405_1.JPG Drill some new holes so you can buckle it.

Now,with your bass strapped on feed the belt from the outside of the back of your upper thigh in between your legs.
Then between your bass and the strap.Wrap the belt around your upper thigh of your right leg to complete a loop and buckle it! (second picture)Snapshot_20140402_5.JPG
Tighten it so that it is snug enough.There!Your bass neck is fixed at a good playing angle.(Last picture) Snapshot_20140402_6.JPG

Now the neck doesn't dive!You can walk around with it.Your left arm doesn't have to support the weight of the neck.And your right arm doesn't have to push down on the body's upper edge.You can fret and play your bass with less forearm muscle tension.

This works by using a lever and fulcrum basis.Your bass is a lever.The strap around your neck and shoulders together are a fulcrum.You can either decrease weight on one end of the "Lever"(the neck) to raise the neck.Or you could increase the weight or"counterbalance"and/or anchor the other end.The belt "dead ends"or anchors the shortest end of the "lever" without adding weight.Try it out!
 
Last edited:
#593
gebass6

Thanks for posting that wiring diagram. I'd always been under the impression my Tune was a TWB4 but my
wiring differed from the diagram. Turns out it must be a TWB4-WB due to the piezo but oddly it's not fretless just
a TWB with the GZP-2WB preamp fitted though the batteries are in a different position.
PICT0001.JPG
 
#595
Kirk Bryant said:
I just moved this post from another Tune thread since I didn't realize there was an "official" club. ....my story:

First let me say the very first "boutique bass" I ever played was a 5 string Tune Bass Maniac in the 80s and I loved it then and still remember thinking I would like to have one. It just felt right to me. After my custom made J type was stolen in 94' I ended up getting a Tobias Killer B 5er, early Gibson. Occasionally I would think of that Tune but never saw one again. Since then I have gone through dozens of basses and still own quite a few. The other day out of boredom I was looking at Japanese Fenders on the bay then went on GC used for Japanese basses. I saw this Tune for less than half retail and it looked pretty good, a couple of blems but nice. GAS and impulse took over and I called the store the next Day to ask some questions. Next thing you know I pulled the trigger.

I just bought a Tune just like one sold here by Ziggyb awhile back.

Image from http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx342/sigvision/Tune5/Tune1.jpg.

Mine looks identical except for the PU covers and knob upgrades on his.

Mine has 3 of the plastic knob tops missing. Does anyone know where I might find some?

By the way I think the bang to buck ratio is huge! It's a Lightweight Mahogany body with a Flame Maple top. Nice flat front to back neck with 18 mm spacing, light weight, good sounding 3 band pre with internal trim adjustments. Looks great, nicely balanced. What's not to like, really I feel like I stole it from GC. It was the first time I've had a bass shipped across the country to my local store by them and it took 5 days ground and was only $14.00 for shipping. Overall I would say these are a fantastic value. Mine is Korean the build quality is excellent, tight neck pocket.Oh and the Pre is an 18 volt. I think the list new is around $1000.00 I do not think that is overpriced for what you are getting. And as for Korean made stuff I also have a Fender Korean Tele that is flawless and a superb instrument. There is absolutely nothing wrong with these basses and I own Elrick, Drozd, Tobias, Minnieweather, and a number of other hand made basses. I'm very happy with my purchase and think these should get more love here. Oh and a friend owns a Japanese Tune which does NOT sound any better has a thicker neck and weighs at least 2-3 lbs more. This bassweighs right around 8 lbs.
Click to expand...
Try to contact VSN guitars in Canada.
 
#598
kodiakblair said:
To be fair loopee it's them being over-looked that bothers me,I've never had any interest in resale values.

Sadly though there is a silly mindset these days that inexpensive means rubbish when of course it really only reflects lack
of demand.

Still it means those of " in the know " never had to sell our 1st born to own a great bass:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

of course, they're being overlooked and are simply great basses, but the resale value does bother me some.......It's been in it's bag for years and only played maybe a whole hour.....I'd like to sell it since I'm not using it.
 
#599
Perhaps aiming for a captive market would help.

There are a couple of Facebook groups only concerned with Tune Basses.I'm sure there would be some interest,though you'd have to be
prepared to ship worldwide as many members are in Europe. Quite a few in South America too.

I'll keep an eye out for you if you go down that road:thumbsup:
 
#600
kodiakblair said:
Perhaps aiming for a captive market would help.

There are a couple of Facebook groups only concerned with Tune Basses.I'm sure there would be some interest,though you'd have to be
prepared to ship worldwide as many members are in Europe. Quite a few in South America too.

I'll keep an eye out for you if you go down that road:thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Hey, that's a great idea....thank you....I'll have a look on FB
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back