Well since he was asking the people that actually bought one, if they're still playing it, doesn't seem this was the thread for you.
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Still Playing Your Joe Dart Bass?
- Thread starter PNW Tony
- Start date
In spite of not having luck with buying any bass without playing it first, I was very tempted the first year but did not order one. Saw several reviews, even Lobster liked it and she gives honest opinions. Was tempted again last year even with the price increase.
Recently saw one on CL from 2024 for $450 was listed about a month. Did not go to check out but that would have been my chance to play one.
Another slight price increase and I am barely tempted. Guess I’ll decline.
Recently saw one on CL from 2024 for $450 was listed about a month. Did not go to check out but that would have been my chance to play one.
Another slight price increase and I am barely tempted. Guess I’ll decline.
Anyone that has played a SBMM JD, other than neck and preamp how does it compare to a Ray 4? I think I could buy a Ray 4 and mod it for less than a JD and if I keep original parts could return them to the Ray, sell it and not loose much if any money.
Hi there !!!
I’m still playing the JD-1 every day since I got it in November 2025 and I love it but it was shipped with some issues.
First one, the pickup wasn’t properly grounded, and had an aweful buzz when some pole pieces were touched. SBMM sent me a new pickup for free.
Second issues, the setup wasn’t great but that’s ok.
Third and last i hope, I have one high fret, which means I have to go to my luthier to fix it.
I think I am gonna take it to the luthier to check everything and fix/setup the bass properly.
That being said it is, for me at least, a great bass, easy to play, the sound is so funky and it looks amazing.
I’m still playing the JD-1 every day since I got it in November 2025 and I love it but it was shipped with some issues.
First one, the pickup wasn’t properly grounded, and had an aweful buzz when some pole pieces were touched. SBMM sent me a new pickup for free.
Second issues, the setup wasn’t great but that’s ok.
Third and last i hope, I have one high fret, which means I have to go to my luthier to fix it.
I think I am gonna take it to the luthier to check everything and fix/setup the bass properly.
That being said it is, for me at least, a great bass, easy to play, the sound is so funky and it looks amazing.
Joe Dart the bass is kinda........
I owned the real Ernie Ball version. It was actually a really cool bass. The passive pickup sounds a lot better with flats than an active StingRay. In the end, I just didn’t really love the small Sterling body though. Happy owner of a Retro 70s StingRay these days. Perfection.
What caused you to not be comfortable on stage with it? Was it the looks, sound, or did something else turn out to be different than what you thought you were getting when you bought it? Your experience could help some people who are currently on the fence about buying a 2026 crop.
The new Joe Dart bass is the best JD bass so far IMO, but I'm waiting for the newer JD that they're going to introduce in July.
Just a guess, but I hear it's going to be even better...at least until they introduce another one come September.
Just a guess, but I hear it's going to be even better...at least until they introduce another one come September.
I have a second run SBMM Joe Dart in the natural finish. I never would have bought one myself - my brother (also a bassist) bought it for me on a whim. I'm still not sure what I did to deserve that - but it was VERY appreciated!
The bass looks amazing. I LOVE the body and finish. The white pup and single knob are quirky and fun. The neck is killer, and it took a nice low setup. It plays great, and I really dig the tone. It's cool looking and gets many compliments.
I don't have the bass now - the only reason is because my brother drove 4 hrs to come borrow it to do some recording. He really loves that bass as well.
So in summary, I think many of ya'll are nutz! In my book it's a very good instrument at an almost unbelievable price point. But no, it didn't turn me into JD either.....
The bass looks amazing. I LOVE the body and finish. The white pup and single knob are quirky and fun. The neck is killer, and it took a nice low setup. It plays great, and I really dig the tone. It's cool looking and gets many compliments.
I don't have the bass now - the only reason is because my brother drove 4 hrs to come borrow it to do some recording. He really loves that bass as well.
So in summary, I think many of ya'll are nutz! In my book it's a very good instrument at an almost unbelievable price point. But no, it didn't turn me into JD either.....
I think a lot of TB members are going to borrow this idea of disguising their new bass purchases as gifts for a brother.
My 2024 Dart is one of my daily drivers. It's a simple, compact bass that sounds good. The stock flats were great, but I've got rounds on it these days.
the bass itself was fabulous. I loved it with the stock flats. It was light, easy to play, well balanced, and heck, I might buy one again!
i bought it pretty early on, and didn’t want it to be a spectacle or topic of conversation. The one knob was really big and it might attract questions lol.
Greetings from Paso!
