Sad NBD: Gretsch Streamliner Jet Bass

[Ostie]

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)

V1 is the single TV Jones pickup model. V2 is the two single-coil lawsuit model that I own. V3 is the recent “Streamliner” model with thumbnail neck inlays.

 

[ghostdog93]

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.

 

[MrAB4003]

My only other option was to buy one and return if I didn’t like it, which is exactly what’s happening.

 

[Mike Vee]

Honestly, why even bother with cheap basses? when you own something nice that's MIA or MIJ, they just never cut it, sorry. I've tried Squier, Sterling, G&L Tribute, just....nah. You can feel it in the hardware especially. It's not pleasant to hold or use. Turning the tuner like 500 times just to go up a step, seeing the cheap plating that looks like tin foil... etc. not good.

 

[Mike Vee]

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

how so? most classic "famous" bass lines were recorded before import models even existed, and most people since the 80s still strive for a nice USA Fender when in a band, to generalize.

 

[MrAB4003]

Honestly, why even bother with cheap basses? when you own something nice that's MIA or MIJ, they just never cut it, sorry. I've tried Squier, Sterling, G&L Tribute, just....nah. You can feel it in the hardware especially. It's not pleasant to hold or use. Turning the tuner like 500 times just to go up a step, seeing the cheap plating that looks like tin foil... etc. not good.

You’re absolutely right! I lost my mind when I ordered the Gretsch haha! I don’t plan on getting any more cheap instruments. I learned a huge life lesson.

 

[REV]

I own the single pickup version of this bass and yes the hardware is cheap but it's a good sounding bass and it plays well. So far, it stays in tune but I figured on having to replace at least the tuners when I bought it. I haven't opened up the control cavity yet so if the pots are cheap I'll probably replace those as well.

 

[Lackey]

how so? most classic "famous" bass lines were recorded before import models even existed, and most people since the 80s still strive for a nice USA Fender when in a band, to generalize.

Import vs US made has nothing to with quality.

 

[Sauron_]

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

No and no. I have the same bass, same colour and is a beast. Sounds powerful on rehearsal and live, cuts through the mix clean or with a hard overdrive or fuzz.
I have no problems with intonation, it's very light and it has almost no neck dive for a "les paul" type body, and I paid 350$ with a tweed Gretsch hard case included.
I also have a Fender JmJ Mustang and I think the Gretsch has a better, nicer full sound.
I find very very hard to take your comments seriously, looks like you almost didn't play it.

 

[MrAB4003]

No and no. I have the same bass, same colour and is a beast. Sounds powerful on rehearsal and live, cuts through the mix clean or with a hard overdrive or fuzz.
I have no problems with intonation, it's very light and it has almost no neck dive for a "les paul" type body, and I paid 350$ with a tweed Gretsch hard case included.
I also have a Fender JmJ Mustang and I think the Gretsch has a better, nicer full sound.
I find very very hard to take your comments seriously, looks like you almost didn't play it.

Glad you’re having a positive experience with your bass. Just because your experience is better than mine doesn’t mean everyone will have the same experience. Whether or not you want to take my experience seriously is up to you.

 

[Mike Vee]

Import vs US made has nothing to with quality.

Not directly, but price certainly does. Price often indicates the quality of the materials used, the time spent crafting each instrument as well as QC efforts. This most often equals a much better instrument when you spend more money.

That's not to say that ALL expensive USA models come out better than all cheap import models, however, they do probably 90% of the time, and the parts, fit and finish are better 99% of the time.

This is my personal experience across maybe 30 basses I've owned. You simply cannot tell me that an import Fedner is as good as USA. It's not. Do they SOMETIMES come out better as far as feel and geometry?? Yes. But you still have the crappier hardware and electronics.

Can it be a better value? Yes. If your import model has amazing feel and "good wood" and you can upgrade the hardware & electronics for a reasonable fee, brining it up to US line standards (or beyond), then you got yourself a deal!

 

[micguy]

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

While you're at it, I'm sure I heard "your daughter" wanted a Fodera. You'd absolutely be father of the year if you bought one "for her".

 

[Lackey]

Not directly, but price certainly does. Price often indicates the quality of the materials used, the time spent crafting each instrument as well as QC efforts. This most often equals a much better instrument when you spend more money.

That's not to say that ALL expensive USA models come out better than all cheap import models, however, they do probably 90% of the time, and the parts, fit and finish are better 99% of the time.

This is my personal experience across maybe 30 basses I've owned. You simply cannot tell me that an import Fedner is as good as USA. It's not. Do they SOMETIMES come out better as far as feel and geometry?? Yes. But you still have the crappier hardware and electronics.

Can it be a better value? Yes. If your import model has amazing feel and "good wood" and you can upgrade the hardware & electronics for a reasonable fee, brining it up to US line standards (or beyond), then you got yourself a deal!

I'm no economics or manufacturing wizard, but the quality of instruments has IME gotten much better in the last 25 years alone, and considering inflation, the actual price has dropped. I've played a number of vintage basses, Fenders and others, that were wholly underwhelming. Meanwhile cheap imports are incredibly good, not just for the price either. Of course there are great vintage instruments and terrible modern imports, but on balance... My experience with this bass and a weirdly hued MarkBass 5 string inform my opinion that if you can't make great music with them, it's not the instruments fault. And paying more is unlikely to help.

And for the record I have a number of US made basses, two of them handcrafted.

 

[msb]

I was an old Pbass guy , and bought a Dano Longhorn. Something that was designed to be cheap from the very start. It completely changed my thoughts about just what it is that makes a bass good.
I love the cheap little thing. Today it’s still got the factory strings from 98. It’s got a wonderful old school thump , and that’s it. It stays in tune , weighs nothing , sounds great and is really fun to play.

 

[Ritter667]

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

Yes, and Mike Kerr is not even a real bassist.

Royal Blood did still manage to sell a couple albums playing one.

I suppose everyone can get lucky.