• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

The Bass Company

#281
Hey all, got a question regarding the truss rod on these basses:

The [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] says "truss rod: double rod - single action". Does this mean that this is a single-direction truss rod, or can it both add and remove relief? Who of you has played with the truss rod at all, and how did it go?
 
#284
1. Many qualitiy instruments now use the double rod, single acting truss rod. This isn't as versatle as a double acting rod, but is in some circles thought to be superior to the old style single rod that Gibson and Fender have always used.

2. I have only played one Kingston, a used 4 string at a music store, and I think the build quality on my TBC is much better. The TBC feels much more solid in my hands, though it is no heavier...and quite possibly lighter. I do own two MTD Grendels and an MTD Beast (both of the Grendels are with the old Grendel headstock) and while these are all great instruments, I got each used and they all have had neck issues...they all have needed a lot of fret leveling in order to make the fingerboard level.
 
#287
I have to say that my first and only experience left me less than exited about the TBC JJ. The local shop has a few of them in stock. Me not being familiar with TBC, I was immediately struck by the looks. From a distance, it looked like a top notch boutique instrument. Then I saw the price tag...$900! I decided to take it for a test drive. When I first picked it up, I was thrown off by the weight. It LOOKED like it should have weighed twice as much. For some reason, that sent up a red flag. Then I noticed the roughness in the routing of the truss rod adjustment pocket, no boutique element here! I plugged in to an older Ampeg pre, QSC power, and an Accugroove Dickens sig. I can say that the tone was nice, however I did not get a real chance to dial it in and drive it. The owner of the shop succeeded in totally distracting me from the instrument and began to try to sell my the Accugroove! I consistantly reminded him that I have no need for such a high end cabinet If I'm looking at (what I thought was) a $900 axe.
I only remember a few things about the JJ:
Nice sustain.
Action was high.
Noise unless I grounded by touching the strings.

For $900, I would have not been comfortable with purchasing this, but for under $500, I really need to reconsider!

What would be the difference sonically between the JJ and the SS?
Is the noise common on j-type basses? (never played one! Only p's and soapbars)
 
#290
zeronyne said:
Billy, I think I know the exact store you are talking about. The TBC basses there are set up very poorly and are not representative of the typical TBC bass that I've had the pleasure of playing.
Click to expand...

pm me with the name of the store that you think it is. If you're correct
You win a lifetime supply of...pocket lint (sorry, that's all that I had in the old jeans pocket pal)!:hyper:
 
#291
Billy, you do realize that their basses have chambered bodies, thus the lightness, right? they're not crappy light wood.

and $900? you gotta be kidding me. Do me a favor and NEVER shop there again. Scam artists from the sound of it.

And that sucks about the domain, hopefully they'll renew it in time. I'ma see if I have a diferent e-mail for darrell to let him know.
 
#292
klocwerk said:
Billy, you do realize that their basses have chambered bodies, thus the lightness, right? they're not crappy light wood.

and $900? you gotta be kidding me. Do me a favor and NEVER shop there again. Scam artists from the sound of it.

And that sucks about the domain, hopefully they'll renew it in time. I'ma see if I have a diferent e-mail for darrell to let him know.
Click to expand...


No, at the time I was not aware of the chambered bodies,that is until I read this entire thread. That's part of he reason that I am reconsidering purchasing one (directly of course). I don't think that the shop is set on ripping people off, they are just small and can't offer the prices that the megastores can. For the most part, they are maybe 3-5% higher than the megas and offer better service.
 
#294
Billy Low said:
No, at the time I was not aware of the chambered bodies,that is until I read this entire thread. That's part of he reason that I am reconsidering purchasing one (directly of course). I don't think that the shop is set on ripping people off, they are just small and can't offer the prices that the megastores can. For the most part, they are maybe 3-5% higher than the megas and offer better service.
Click to expand...
still, that's a rediculous price when the company lists them at $500. The big chain stores don't carry TBC and the Mom and Pops have no competition for the bass. If they're asking $900, they're intentionally ripping you off.
 
#297
There is definitely something strange going on w/them as both mine have interference noise but only when I'm using the neck pups. The preamp issue (scratchy blend pot)they had is a bit quirky. Spraying them does not clean them up. Darrell seemed to think it had something to do with the shielding paint. I personally thought it was their propietary blend pot which has a small IC board attached to it which is also wired to the preamp's black box.

I haven't replaced the blend pot yet but I will. I'll let you know the outcome. I should probably replace all the pots and recoat it w/shielding paint while I'm back in there. Because even when I put the Fender noiseless pups (all other electronics remained) in the JJ5 model I got the same interference problem, again, only with the neck pup.
 
#298
Billy Low said:
What would be the difference sonically between the JJ and the SS?
Click to expand...

The JJ stock pups are very bright, not necessarily bad ,but may sound a bit thin for some. Don't know if you saw my review further up the thread but I had a problem w/the stock J pups feeding back.

I mentioned it previously but for out of the box functionality, the SS equipped bass sounds really good to me. The pups/preamp combo seems to do well together. The pups are not even close to the brightness of EMG's which to me is a plus. They have a somewhat subdued high end but a mild midrange bark. I really like the sound of the bridge soap pup soloed. It's not harsh at all.
 
#299
tim oconnor said:
The JJ stock pups are very bright, not necessarily bad ,but may sound a bit thin for some. Don't know if you saw my review further up the thread but I had a problem w/the stock J pups feeding back.

I mentioned it previously but for out of the box functionality, the SS equipped bass sounds really good to me. The pups/preamp combo seems to do well together. The pups are not even close to the brightness of EMG's which to me is a plus. They have a somewhat subdued high end but a mild midrange bark. I really like the sound of the bridge soap pup soloed. It's not harsh at all.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I also did some research on the subject by checking earlier threads in another forum. Questions answered. I basically have to a-b both styles of pickupsfor myself. Problem is finding the same manufacturer with the same model offering each style of pickup!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back