Sad NBD: Gretsch Streamliner Jet Bass

[MrAB4003]

The wait is finally over! I received my new Gretsch Streamliner Jet Bass today and... it's not what I thought it would be.

Pros:
1) The neck! It's much easier to play than that of my old Squier Affinity Jazz Bass. The 30" scale and 12" radius neck is nicer than those of my other bass. I also enjoy the gloss finish on the back of the neck.
2) Playing chords didn't give me hand pain, which is why I purchased this bass in the first place. This is a pro unto itself because it's a huge deal.

Cons:
1) My biggest complaint is the cheap tuners and hardware. OK, it's a $300 Chinese made bass, so I expected some of the hardware to be cheap. But I'm used to higher end gear and this is not doing it for me. Putting new strings on it was annoying because the tuners were so wobbly. I've never experienced that even with my previous inexpensive Squier, Ibanez, and Epiphone basses.
2) The pickguard styling. I removed the pickguard because I can't stand tort! It's going back on after work because it's going back.
3) I was playing it acoustically and I kept getting weird overtones.

I will be returning the bass after playing it for a few hours this afternoon. I don't plan on modding it or setting it up. I'd rather get my money back and spend it on another bass.

 

[ajkula66]

Well, at least it hasn't taken you very long to figure that there was never going to be a long-lasting relationship with this one...

I'd rather get my money back and spend it on another bass.

Epiphone Allen Woody Rumblekat might be worth a shot and they're not feverishly expensive either...

Good luck.

 

[MrAB4003]

Well, at least it hasn't taken you very long to figure that there was never going to be a long-lasting relationship with this one...



Epiphone Allen Woody Rumblekat might be worth a shot and they're not feverishly expensive either...

Good luck.

Thank you so much! I’m glad that I had the opportunity to play it for an hour at home with my rig.

Back it goes tomorrow. And I will think of another piccolo bass (or similar instrument) solution in due course.

 

[PennyroyalWe]

It’s a shame, it’s a pretty looking bass. The crappy tuners would be a mood killer for sure, though.

 

[MrAB4003]

It’s a shame, it’s a pretty looking bass. The crappy tuners would be a mood killer for sure, though.

I agree! The tuners did kill my mood this afternoon and evening when I changed the strings to and from the stock strings. I was otherwise having a great day today.

 

[pfschim]

wait! a cheapie bass is NOT better than more expensive basses ?? how could that be?


sorry OP, had to to make the (obvious to me) joke ... no offense intended.

also, sorry that it did not work out. It is kind of a let down when a new bass does not work out, no matter the price.
Sounds like there are other shortscale basses that might work for you though.

good luck!

 

[MrAB4003]

wait! a cheapie bass is NOT better than more expensive basses ?? how could that be?


sorry OP, had to to make the (obvious to me) joke ... no offense intended.

also, sorry that it did not work out. It is kind of a let down when a new bass does not work out, no matter the price.
Sounds like there are other shortscale basses that might work for you though.

good luck!

I learned that the hard way haha! No offense taken.

I hear so often about how we're living in the best era for inexpensive gear and how great it is. But I find that hard to believe after today and many previous (but recent enough) experiences at music stores trying out Squiers, Epiphones, and other inexpensive basses just for fun. I'd rather buy higher quality gear and love it forever.

I'm taking this experience as a learning opportunity at the end of the day. There's no point in staying angry. Instead, I'm grateful that I have the option to return it and look for something else that will work better.

 

[Lackey]

Bummer. Personally I played one of these with the pickup selector switch and dug it big time. Great playability and tone. Tempted to pick one up "for my daughter". Ha

 

[fretno]

On the cheap spectrum the Sterling shorty ray is working great for me. Actually both are on the upper end the Gibson SG bass is cool. You should definitely check out the Epi Newport too.

 

[jimmydean]

It's a crappy , cheap bass...........nothing but a wall hanger .

 

[Ostie]

I have one of the v2 Jr Jet models and it has none of the issues you report. It’s a joy to play. I have not played a v3 though. I can’t believe they changed the hardware, but who knows? The tort PG is easy to change out, but if the guitar ain’t workin for you, best to move on. I also have an Allen Woody, and I second the motion to try one out.

 

[Faith Nicole]

I have one of the v2 Jr Jet models and it has none of the issues you report. It’s a joy to play. I have not played a v3 though. I can’t believe they changed the hardware, but who knows? The tort PG is easy to change out, but if the guitar ain’t workin for you, best to move on. I also have an Allen Woody, and I second the motion to try one out.

I have the G2220 JJii also without the stated Streamliner issues. Everything is solid and sounds great with lots of options.
Side note: there's a v3 ?

Aside from aesthetics, what's the difference between the JJii and the Streamliners (not accounting for OPs stated issues)

 

[five7]

So it's a dud?

 

[Geepers]

And the store will on-sell it as “new” no doubt. I guess we can’t have it both ways.

 

[Lackey]

It's a crappy , cheap bass...........nothing but a wall hanger .

I'd bet that the majority of famous bass lines have been recorded on instruments no better than this one.

 

[steimlem]

have you tried tightening the tuners? mine are fine. certainly had much worse tuners on basses

 

[MrAB4003]

It's a crappy , cheap bass...........nothing but a wall hanger .

So it's a dud?

Yes and yes! I admit that it did look good on my wall… but my other basses look even nicer.

 

[MrAB4003]

I'd bet that the majority of famous bass lines have been recorded on instruments no better than this one.

That’s debatable. It also depends on the era and what basses we’re talking about.

 

[ghostdog93]

Cons:
1) My biggest complaint is the cheap tuners and hardware. OK, it's a $300 Chinese made bass, so I expected some of the hardware to be cheap. But I'm used to higher end gear and this is not doing it for me.

Honest question - did you play one of these before you bought it?

 

[MrAB4003]

Honest question - did you play one of these before you bought it?

No, I played a few of them. They felt and sounded great every time. I guess I can’t rely on the acoustics of Guitar Center.