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The Bass Company
- Thread starter rontalsaurus
- Start date
My AP-500MJ arrived today. Pros & Cons, Positives & Negatives:
I ordered it on 3/10/06; this is the EBay link to it:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7393552552
As you can see, the heading lists it as an AP-500MM 5 string, but the picture is an AP-500MJ 5 string. After checking out their website, I clicked their EBay link, & was really turned on by the looks of this particular MJ. I did not realize until after I clicked BUY NOW that this discrepancy existed. I immediately sent an Email to the company asking which it was, MM or MJ....NO reply what so ever. I did not even receive ANY kind of acknowledgement from The Bass Company that I even purchased the instrument--nothing, nada, zilch, niets, no tracking number NOTHING from The Bass Company period. I don't even know if they are still in business by their lack of correspondence.
I've been working 3rd shift all this week today, Friday, I hear this knock on my door & lo & behold, and its UPS with my bass. I open up the box & I'm lucky, it's the MJ I wanted. More problems: NO packing slip, invoice, sales receipt or anything to show that I am the original buyer. The Bass Company Website says: "Beginning Jan 1 2005 all our bass guitars will be accompanied by a Certificate of Origin." Again, none, nada, the only thing in the box besides the bass was a small envelope with 2 allen wrenches in it.
Darrell, if you are still reading this thread, somebody needs to kick some serious butt in your Los Angeles facility!!!!! Hire a manager to make certain that what has happened to me does not happen to another customer. I'm really sour on The Bass Company now.
Now for a review of the Bass itself. Totally the opposite from the above. What a sweet instrument. The Los Angeles facility could learn a valuable lesson from the China factory. I've never played a bass straight from the factory that was set-up better than this one. The action is unbelievably low, with no fret buzzing at all. The frets are dressed great, no sharp edges, uneven frets or anything like that. Tone is nice, I wish they would have copied the control positions for the bass, mid, & treble EQ from Music Man, The Bass Company has the bass & treble reversed from MM & I keep adjusting it like a MM, not a biggie, but it would have been nice. This 5 stringer has a 35" scale, where as my Fender American Jazz V has a 34" scale. I can immediately tell the difference in string tightness.
Overall, I'd rate the Chinese end of The Bass Company a 10, & the Los Angeles end, a -10.
I ordered it on 3/10/06; this is the EBay link to it:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7393552552
As you can see, the heading lists it as an AP-500MM 5 string, but the picture is an AP-500MJ 5 string. After checking out their website, I clicked their EBay link, & was really turned on by the looks of this particular MJ. I did not realize until after I clicked BUY NOW that this discrepancy existed. I immediately sent an Email to the company asking which it was, MM or MJ....NO reply what so ever. I did not even receive ANY kind of acknowledgement from The Bass Company that I even purchased the instrument--nothing, nada, zilch, niets, no tracking number NOTHING from The Bass Company period. I don't even know if they are still in business by their lack of correspondence.
I've been working 3rd shift all this week today, Friday, I hear this knock on my door & lo & behold, and its UPS with my bass. I open up the box & I'm lucky, it's the MJ I wanted. More problems: NO packing slip, invoice, sales receipt or anything to show that I am the original buyer. The Bass Company Website says: "Beginning Jan 1 2005 all our bass guitars will be accompanied by a Certificate of Origin." Again, none, nada, the only thing in the box besides the bass was a small envelope with 2 allen wrenches in it.
Darrell, if you are still reading this thread, somebody needs to kick some serious butt in your Los Angeles facility!!!!! Hire a manager to make certain that what has happened to me does not happen to another customer. I'm really sour on The Bass Company now.
Now for a review of the Bass itself. Totally the opposite from the above. What a sweet instrument. The Los Angeles facility could learn a valuable lesson from the China factory. I've never played a bass straight from the factory that was set-up better than this one. The action is unbelievably low, with no fret buzzing at all. The frets are dressed great, no sharp edges, uneven frets or anything like that. Tone is nice, I wish they would have copied the control positions for the bass, mid, & treble EQ from Music Man, The Bass Company has the bass & treble reversed from MM & I keep adjusting it like a MM, not a biggie, but it would have been nice. This 5 stringer has a 35" scale, where as my Fender American Jazz V has a 34" scale. I can immediately tell the difference in string tightness.
Overall, I'd rate the Chinese end of The Bass Company a 10, & the Los Angeles end, a -10.
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I bought a lefty from them on eBay a few months ago. Alot of problems with it (frets, finish, fretboard) BUT they were great guys and took it back & gave me a full refund (including postage). 
They told me it was one of only a few lefties they attempted making at that time. They also said they would relook at bringing in lefties in the future.......I would buy another one from them when they do! With all of its problems, it still sounded great!
They told me it was one of only a few lefties they attempted making at that time. They also said they would relook at bringing in lefties in the future.......I would buy another one from them when they do! With all of its problems, it still sounded great!
How unfortunate to hear about yr woes dealing with TBC, Bizmo. However, glad to hear that yr bass turned out to be such a gem. I'm quite interested in the JM 5 string though I'm a little torn between that and the MM 5. TBC seems like such a stand up company and the fact that Darrell has been so involved with this thread appears to be a testament to how exceptional their customer service ethics are. I truly hope yr experience is an isolated one where somehow the attention to yr order just slipped through the cracks. Its unfortunate, but even a good company can goof when dealing with such volume. I hope Darrell is reading this, because his postings on this thread suggests that he really cares about his company's products and customer service.
Good luck with yr bass, Bizmo. Post some pics if you can!
r
Good luck with yr bass, Bizmo. Post some pics if you can!
r
When I had my problems, Darrell AND the owner both called me at home at different times to apologize and take care of the issues! Darrell was even answering my emails while at home in IN for Christmas vacation.....wow.
If you're not hearing from these guys, something is wrong.
If you're not hearing from these guys, something is wrong.
I'm thinking of either scoring a TBC 5 (MJ or MM) which I have never played or even seen other than online or a G&L Tribute L2500 which I have tried and really liked. My question is if anyone has actually played any of the TBC 5 string models and the G&L Tribby and how does the basses compare to one another.
Thanks,
r
Thanks,
r
Darrell was super responsive for my requests as well, I'm wondering if you had the wrong e-mail address or something. They also have a phone number listed on their site, and all their e-bay auctions, so you could have just called then if you were getting no response.
I recently put rosewood knobs on mine ($1.50 each at grizzly.com) and they match the pickguard beautifully. I'm going to have to take some photos and post them. Still totally loving this bass. I'm considering putting in a passive switch next.
In re: to the highs being really killer, you could consider wiring up a small capacitor on the output jack if it bothers you. Look at the wiring for a standard passive tone knob and use a simillar cap. (Or just install a whole tone knob/cap. heh.) I got my single-M for playing slap, and I love the crispy highs, but I can see how it might bother you if you wanted more of a P-bass type tone.
I recently put rosewood knobs on mine ($1.50 each at grizzly.com) and they match the pickguard beautifully. I'm going to have to take some photos and post them. Still totally loving this bass. I'm considering putting in a passive switch next.
In re: to the highs being really killer, you could consider wiring up a small capacitor on the output jack if it bothers you. Look at the wiring for a standard passive tone knob and use a simillar cap. (Or just install a whole tone knob/cap. heh.) I got my single-M for playing slap, and I love the crispy highs, but I can see how it might bother you if you wanted more of a P-bass type tone.
Say klocwerk, have you tried a G&L Tribute 5 and if so how do you think it compares to yr TBC? I know you have a single MM pickup bass and of course the G&L's have two but I'd still like yr take on it.
Thanks!
r
Thanks!
r
klocwerk said:
Oooh, nice knobs, thanks for the link.
I wonder if I can get those on my Sinsonido.
after reading this and the sx megathread i think ive made up my mind
im gonna get the jt 400jj or the m series all i need now is the money
if i cant decide which should i get first
thanks every body
im gonna get the jt 400jj or the m series all i need now is the money
if i cant decide which should i get first
thanks every body
i have a question which one plays better out of the maple or the pauferro finger board i have only played on rosewood myself
jonathan_matos5 said:
This is very subjective stuff. You should hit a music store and decide for yourself.
My current bass has a rosewood fingerboard, but I am a fan of harder, smoother, tighter boards like ebony. But, you really have to determine this for yourself. There are no right answers - the only thing that matters is what You are comfortable with.
i work a nights and the stores are closed when im off and i have only been playing a couple of months so i havent developed a preference yetSBassman4x said:
jonathan_matos5 said:after reading this and the sx megathread i think ive made up my mind
im gonna get the jt 400jj or the m series all i need now is the money
if i cant decide which should i get first
thanks every body
you cant get the jj cause im gettin it
just screwin around. but you should get the dual MM for more variety
How have I missed this thread for this long? These things look great!
I'm ordering one next week... that's all there is to it.
I'm ordering one next week... that's all there is to it.
Platypus_Of_420 said:you cant get the jj cause im gettin it
just screwin around. but you should get the dual MM for more variety
hate to break it to ya, the MM isnt splitable, so its not exactly "more versitile" or what not
