Looks like I'm going to be joining the club. Just paid for a 6-string Zi-II on ebay. Will take a while to arrive but already excited.
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Official TUNE Club
- Thread starter user362432
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Hi, folks!
The matter is that I recently bought this nice thing and very curious where it was manufactured. It's very similar in appearance to a Tune Bass Maniac, so I decided to look here for any clue about its origin. Googling didn't work. There is no serial, only "Academy TM" written in the bass top. The bass has a passive circuit, quite decent sound and looks solidly made. It was sold in the mid 2000s to a friend of mine through a local music store as an already used gear. My guess is that it was made in the 1990s at one of the former Korean or Japanese Tune factories. Really eager to know the truth.) Please help.
The matter is that I recently bought this nice thing and very curious where it was manufactured. It's very similar in appearance to a Tune Bass Maniac, so I decided to look here for any clue about its origin. Googling didn't work. There is no serial, only "Academy TM" written in the bass top. The bass has a passive circuit, quite decent sound and looks solidly made. It was sold in the mid 2000s to a friend of mine through a local music store as an already used gear. My guess is that it was made in the 1990s at one of the former Korean or Japanese Tune factories. Really eager to know the truth.) Please help.
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Thanks for the information. I'll do some research on Marina instruments then. SGC Nanyo SB301 does resemble my bass, though I saw a lot of Chinese basses and it seems to me that they were far from this very bass qualitatively. BTW, here I found another Academy bass offered as the Korean. 
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@angryrussian
I've a feeling Marina have links with SX guitars There was a Bass Collection by SX too.
I've a feeling Marina have links with SX guitars There was a Bass Collection by SX too.
It's here!
Strings are very old but still sounds NICE.
A previous owner 'upgraded' the electronics...
Anyway. Are you guys still giving out numbers?
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Don't think I knew about this club. I've owned my black 4 string Bass Maniac since about '87 when I purchased it from Elderly Instruments in Lansing (you can see the headstock in my avatar photo). Still one of my favorite basses to play, and the most comfortable (sitting or standing). Problem is that the electronics have failed, and with no US distributer, I have had no luck getting replacement parts.
Anyone know where I could look for a replacement pre-amp board?
Thanks!
Anyone know where I could look for a replacement pre-amp board?
Thanks!
Contact VSN Guitars (look at post #1136)
I'm sure the may have something.
I got used to it. It's a bit awkward at first but eventually it doesn't become a problem. I do prefer the shape of my PH-5 as it's a more standard shape than the TW series but the TW shapes are fine when sitting.
Replaced fingerboard.
It did have a de-fretted finger board.
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So i decided to replace the Preamp in my Tune Somnus Zi II with a Bartolini preamp. I chose a two band model and the controls are Volume (with an A/P push pull), Blend and stacked Bass/Treble.
The difference in sound is huge, much more clarity on the high end. I also took the opportunity to shield the cavity with copper tape.
Next, i will be replacing the pickups with a set of Bartolini classics. Wish me luck!
The difference in sound is huge, much more clarity on the high end. I also took the opportunity to shield the cavity with copper tape.
Next, i will be replacing the pickups with a set of Bartolini classics. Wish me luck!
Out of curiosity what was the original preamp on the Somnus? I don't think they used the standard 3 band, right?
I'm surprised to hear someone changing the electronics in a Japanese Tune Zi. I was in love with the stock Tune pickups and controls in my previous two Zi-IIs. I've read it before on TB and I feel it's accurate to say that the early Tune pickups are as close to Lane Poor pickups in clarity, noiseless-ness, and tone I've ever heard. That being said, do you plan on keeping the original pickups and preamp?? If so, can I call dibs?!?
