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TBC club

#141
Still waiting for the replacement screws Jack promised me about two years ago to replace all the stripped ones on the bass I bought. Every one had been over-tightened by a power driver.
Where does all this TBC love come from? Read the reviews here (especially mine and the following one). I have never been more disappointed with the quality of a bass - it made a Squier look like a Sad. Poorly cut nut, high frets, bald patches on the varnish on the (maple) neck - you name it, it was wrong. And it weighs the same as a Precision. It was the first bass I bought on recommation of TB'ers, and the last. To quote another reviewer (BGRA) it was a "POS".

DON'T believe the hype - it's hype. In this case you do get what you pay for, and I got what looks like a first-time bass build from a hobbyist wood-worker PLUS lots of promises which were never fulfilled, and lies about dispatch dates, etc. Perhaps the old ones were good, the USA ones AREN'T
 
#142
Hullaballoo said:
DON'T believe the hype - it's hype. In this case you do get what you pay for, and I got what looks like a first-time bass build from a hobbyist wood-worker PLUS lots of promises which were never fulfilled, and lies about dispatch dates, etc. Perhaps the old ones were good, the USA ones AREN'T
Click to expand...

They varied drastically. You got the short end of the stick apparently, I got the opposite end.

The parts were all cut in China and hand assembled in the USA. When they were first doing this they took time and put together some really nice basses with excellent fit and finish. I think as time went by and they weren't making much money doing it they got a lot sloppier in their fit/finish and just tried to get them out the door.

I got one of the good ones. I've had pro gigging bassists pick up my TBC single-M and ask me how many thousands I paid for the custom job. Truly. Direct quote.
 
#143
Really, Hullaballoo, calm down..... You had one experience and got a bad taste. There are A LOT more people out there that have GREAT basses that Jack made for them -- including me. Got my Lightwave a few weeks ago and it is just beautiful. I have played many a high dollar bass that did NOT play or sound as nice as my TBC.
 
#144
Don't tell me to calm down, I'm telling you what happened. I feel it's a duty to tell the truth on this site, and not just be a fanboy. Look at the reviews on here, and there are three which say the same thing. Just because you got a nice one doesn't mean everyone else's has to be - my bass had the faults on it as described, as did several other people's. My bass was sent out in a condition which would have emabarrased a first-year woodwork student, end of story.
 
#145
Hullaballoo, I owe you an apology. I did not mean to discount the problems you have had with your bass. I would feel the same way. I just meant to say that the MAJORITY of Jack's basses are very good instruments and offer a very good value in today's market. He is making these instruments here in the U.S. and not in some mill in Indonesia for nearly the same price. And yes there are some other instruments that missed the QC that seems to be more likely on the MAJORITY of his instruments. I just take issue with your statement, "DON'T believe the hype - it's hype". I would agree with you if he continually pumped out poor instruments, but that is simply not the case.

Also, if it is "pure hype" would Rocco even approach Jack and put his name on a crappy bass?
 
#146
That's ok then. I've always said that I'm sure some people have had good experiences with these basses, but that there are plenty who haven't. I've heard that the early ones were great, but the fact that someone actually packed my one in that state and posted it 3000 miles just makes me despair. Plus, as I said in my review, Jack seems like a really nice bloke, which makes it even more baffling when he promises to do things and then doesn't. I know that they're cheap, but if you'd seen the state mine arrived in, you'd have wept, like i almost did. Now I've done a f/board refinish, fret level and crown, and cut the nut as it should have been it's a nice player. It's just that I think people should be aware that things can be bad as well as good, and I (and the other English guy in the review page) certainly got a bad deal, and I think these discussion pages should reflect what people actually get when they hand over their money, and not just be a place for adulation.
That being said, with a bit more attention to detail, the bass I got could have been very good, and I'd be a fan too. It really does sound like a SR!
 
#148
anyone order anything recently? I was just wondering how the QC is. I purchased one from them in 2006 only to have it stolen. (my only bass and it was good) it killed me to the point that i did not think about or buy a bass till this year ( an LPB sx jazz from rondo with good sound). I've been pondering whether to order a tbc again in the near future but if the qc is as bad as has been described lately, I may just buy 5 string from rondomusic again. )
 
#149
I may have the wrong amount of zeroes in the serial number. Haven't picked it up yet but partial traded a bad Mexican P for it. $325 with hardshell case.

It's the same tobacco sunburst as truckin88's pictured 5 string. Played it, couldn't put it down, it's basically a Stingray for a grand less. It blew away the (ugly) Sub I played in the same store.

It will be a nice complement to my 60's reissue Jazz and it can do P-bass mud even better than the Mexican P could.

Anyone know if this serial number is one of the early USA models? Either way I am thrilled with it.
 
#150
I have a 4 string JJ model TBC bass, made in China, that I bought from another TBer. I have had no problems with it at all. Somebody told me the TBC basses made in China are actually more reliable than those made in the US.

Before I got my Fodera, I played the TBC all the time because, being inexpensive, I always left it out on a stand, rather than safely tucked away in a case. The chambered body makes it really light, and makes it more audible when not plugged in to an amp. So it's great to use when I just have a minute or two for some scales or finger exercises.

Now that I have a Fodera, the TBC doesn't get much use. But you can't hold that against the TBC, given that it only cost me about $200 and the Fodera cost over $4000.
 
#151
I am enjoying my AP500M more all the time. Had occasion to take it into a local shop and some kid said, "Wow, great looking bass!"

One of the local hot-shoe bass players played it and had nothing but praise for it. Kinda nice to have my judgment about the bass affirmed once in awhile.
 
#154
Glad to own one; will be sorry if he folds up shop. Just had a friend (bass player for 30+ years) play it last night. He owns a Roscoe and a Pedulla. Didn't say it matched his basses (and he'd have been wrong if he had said so,) but he really liked the bass. Quite impressed with sound.

Did suggest I get a fret job (which it definitely needs--little bit of fret sprout--not bad, but needs to be fixed) but that was his only complaint. Did like my G&L Tribute L2500's tone better, but not much.
 
#156
Old thread - but ...

I've been loving my TBC lately, but it's in need of a setup - which it hasn't really needed in all the years I've had it, but the strings are getting a tad far away from the fretboard. I went to adjust the truss rod, but realized I couldn't get a normal allen key in there without damaging the pickguard. So I called Jack to ask him what size it was so I could grind one down to fit. No problem he says - email me your address and I'll send you one right away. I bought the bass about 3 years ago! What a stand up dude.
 
#159
I have tried numerous E-mails Phone calls etc. to inquire about an AP400MJ with a maple board and the passive/active option as i really don't like the Pau Ferro

i have yet to receive a response.....

it seems as though if you want something from him it has to be bought out off the E-Bay store?
 
#160
I think jack is running a one man operations now. I used to talk to a guy that worked for him, did the web design and customer relations, I know he either left/got laid off.

From what I hear, jack isnt the most tech savy guy, but it doesnt take much to figure out a phone : /

Sorry to hear that snake, TBCs are great for the price, and Ive herd the AP series are now USA made.
 

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