I've got a Z6 waiting for me until i've got the cash. Can I join? It's the same as that B-stock one.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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 Official Brice Club
- Thread starter bstringkyle
- Start date
-
- Tags
- club
It's Link Removed fretless bubinga.
Thank God they don't waste their time on those things. Actually, they look cute, neck is really nice, string spacing is very narrow. But, electronic is disaster. I tried every possible kind of strings. Sounds the same every time....
Problem with me is that I don't want to pay more than $500 for guitar, even if someone handle to me the most incredible custom guitar for $550. Nope. I don't pay more than $500. That's it.
I was the same way - until I found out I can't get the tone and playability I want unless I spend some $$ for something with more than 4 strings. Personally, even thought Precisions and Jazz basses have signature tones, I HATE Fenders (can't get used to how they feel), and there's always some fatal type of flaw with inexpensive Ibanezs (can't find fretlesses, they don't make maple fretboards, their stacked pots bend, etc.).
Z
I just bought a Brice HXB-406 fretless (bubinga color). The bass is VERY sturdy, well made, nice wood, lightweight, beautiful color and its fretless, non-marked rosewood fretboard is just fantastic. It came to me with no major problems (except a dead B string...but I was sent a replacement immediately). Took it out for a spin yesterday and it performed well.
The electronics are not very sensitive (meaning...you really have to go very trebly, or very bass to change the sound), but I was able to find a good "mwua" sound with enough low end and enough trebleness to really hear my stacatto finger work (ala Rocco Prestia or Jaco).
For 299.00, it's definitely worth it. And I don't really feel like I need new electronics...at least not yet. The pickups sound clean and warm.
ON eDIT: Problem: I replaced B string with a new LaBella Deep Talking flat (first of all...they sent me a normal scale...so...some of the red part of the wire is right under the C note on the B string...duh!) In any case, I'm having a similar problem with this new string as with the old stock string. I'm starting to think the old stock string wasn't that bad. Something seems wrong with the pickups (tried both sides of the Blend knob...same problem). Anyone had problems getting strong output/tone out of the B string on an Brice HXB-406 fretless?)
The electronics are not very sensitive (meaning...you really have to go very trebly, or very bass to change the sound), but I was able to find a good "mwua" sound with enough low end and enough trebleness to really hear my stacatto finger work (ala Rocco Prestia or Jaco).
For 299.00, it's definitely worth it. And I don't really feel like I need new electronics...at least not yet. The pickups sound clean and warm.
ON eDIT: Problem: I replaced B string with a new LaBella Deep Talking flat (first of all...they sent me a normal scale...so...some of the red part of the wire is right under the C note on the B string...duh!) In any case, I'm having a similar problem with this new string as with the old stock string. I'm starting to think the old stock string wasn't that bad. Something seems wrong with the pickups (tried both sides of the Blend knob...same problem). Anyone had problems getting strong output/tone out of the B string on an Brice HXB-406 fretless?)
So I get a reply from the Brice people. They claim that NOTHING is wrong with the instrument (that the B-string is fine). One thing is for sure...that B-string is not fine. It's at least 40% weaker than the rest of the strings and it "phases in" the sound (so the attack comes about .5 seconds after you pluck the string). Makes me question their knowledge as techs, because the B-string problem was pretty audible to at least 5 professional musicians at a local music performance and to my professional electric bass teacher (the one who claimed it might be a "phase" problem).
I'm asking the company to send me the bass back and to refund me $50.00. I'll use that money toward replacing all the electronics on my end...but I don't know if they'll go for it.
It's been 2 weeks and I can't say I'm too satisfied with the ordeal. I love the bass' look and neck feel...but...I'm not going to be a happy camper if the company refuses to give me a discount and I have to go out and pay for replacing the electronics.
Too bad...my friend (my teacher) had a good experience with his Brice Z6 fretted 6-string.
I'm asking the company to send me the bass back and to refund me $50.00. I'll use that money toward replacing all the electronics on my end...but I don't know if they'll go for it.
It's been 2 weeks and I can't say I'm too satisfied with the ordeal. I love the bass' look and neck feel...but...I'm not going to be a happy camper if the company refuses to give me a discount and I have to go out and pay for replacing the electronics.
Too bad...my friend (my teacher) had a good experience with his Brice Z6 fretted 6-string.
FWIW my Brice V2 has a not-so-good B string. It does the job, but it's not that great. I don't mind it.
well, I will say this...they agreed to send me my fretless 6-string HXB-406 AND give me a $50.00 partial refund...a discount (my idea and they agreed).
i'll use those $50.00 toward the parts and installation of top of the line Bartolinis.
All in all, I'll have a NASTY looking and NASTY sounding bass for about $450.00...not bad...
At least they were smart with their customer support...and given that their instruments have been pretty good (from what I've seen of friends who have Brices), I'd say they're a safe bet to order from. I only wish I had known about them before ordering my Ibanez SR406 4 years ago...I would have rather gotten a Z6 fretted 6 string from Brice and cheaper.
i'll use those $50.00 toward the parts and installation of top of the line Bartolinis.
All in all, I'll have a NASTY looking and NASTY sounding bass for about $450.00...not bad...
At least they were smart with their customer support...and given that their instruments have been pretty good (from what I've seen of friends who have Brices), I'd say they're a safe bet to order from. I only wish I had known about them before ordering my Ibanez SR406 4 years ago...I would have rather gotten a Z6 fretted 6 string from Brice and cheaper.
I got my fretted Z6 about a year ago. A great bass overall and perfect for how I play, but I did ship 3 back before I found one without fret dressing issues. I actually just got mine set up and my tech was telling me to watch out for neck bowing on this model. Im trying to figure that out now while still keeping it my primary bass.
P.S. let me get a number!
P.S. let me get a number!
Yes! The Z6 is finally mine. I'm really digging the spalt on top. Looks excellent. There will be pics as soon as I can get a new SD reader, as I don't know where my old one went.
