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The Official Charvel/Jackson Club!

#1,821
jglunt said:
What? On those rail pickups? I think they look badass. I'll bet they sound great, too. I wouldn't worry about it.
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They do sound good! But there's a bit of corrosion showing up on the rails where the original black finish wore off: not quite the metal look that I want long-term, so I'm going to have to address that in the short term. (I will not be using steel wool, heh.)

I thought that pickup covers would protect them from this kind of problem developing in the long run, although to be fair I won't be playing 35 years from now! So you're right, simply cleaning up the rails and applying a new protective coating is probably the best idea.
1755209137436.jpeg
 
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#1,822
Daniel B5 said:
They do sound good! But there's a bit of corrosion showing up on the rails where the original black finish wore off: not quite the metal look that I want long-term, so I'm going to have to address that in the short term. (I will not be using steel wool, heh.)

I thought that pickup covers would protect them from this kind of problem developing in the long run, although to be fair I won't be playing 35 years from now! So you're right, simply cleaning up the rails and applying a new protective coating is probably the best.
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Good choice. I'm a big fan of not having a cookie cutter instrument like everyone else's. 👍
 
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#1,824
Hey Jackson bass fiends: what do y'all think about this new, limited edition, Randy Rhoads style bass:

Jackson X Series RR-B IV Limited-Edition Electric Bass Guitar -

Get the guaranteed best price on 4 String Electric Bass like the Jackson X Series RR-B IV Limited-Edition Electric Bass Guitar - at Musician's Friend. Get a low price and free shipping on thousands...
www.musiciansfriend.com www.musiciansfriend.com

IMG_0940.jpeg
 
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#1,825
ih8law said:
Hey Jackson bass fiends: what do y'all think about this new, limited edition, Randy Rhoads style bass:

Jackson X Series RR-B IV Limited-Edition Electric Bass Guitar -

Get the guaranteed best price on 4 String Electric Bass like the Jackson X Series RR-B IV Limited-Edition Electric Bass Guitar - at Musician's Friend. Get a low price and free shipping on thousands...
www.musiciansfriend.com www.musiciansfriend.com
Click to expand...
I wasn't aware that it existed until your post. It's interesting. When I had my King V made back in the day (seen HERE), i actually requested the Rhoads body style. The factory came back to me and said it wouldn't balance properly and be very neck heavy. So I went with the King V instead. No regrets, the bass has played great for decades and the balance is excellent.

As for this one, I wish this came in something other than black… and a single bridge pickup makes me wonder if it will be a little thin sounding. Certainly something I will look at repeatedly for the next couple of days though. I like limited edition pointy things.
 
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#1,826
Jazzzed said:
I wasn't aware that it existed until your post. It's interesting. When I had my King V made back in the day (seen HERE), i actually requested the Rhoads body style. The factory came back to me and said it wouldn't balance properly and be very neck heavy. So I went with the King V instead. No regrets, the bass has played great for decades and the balance is excellent.

As for this one, I wish this came in something other than black… and a single bridge pickup makes me wonder if it will be a little thin sounding. Certainly something I will look at repeatedly for the next couple of days though. I like limited edition pointy things.
Click to expand...
I dropped by a Guitar Center to kill some time this afternoon and was surprised to see that they had one of these hanging on the shelf (I didn't think they'd been released into the wild just yet). I have a few observations:

  • It sounded really good to me; almost P bass territory in tone. I didn't think it sounded thin or lacking in low end.
  • Great feeling and playability up and down the fretboard.
  • The sticker said it was made in Indonesia. The craftsmanship was on par with other Indonesian basses I've had or played, which is to say that it is pretty solid, durable, and nice to look at.
  • How the **** can anyone play this sitting down? I had to really work to balance myself just to play it, lol. I'm sure it's a whole different experience once it's on a strap.
  • I absolutely love the shape, color and pinstripes. Per the action photo below, this bass makes me look like I have much more prowess with the ladies than I really do.
IMG_2961.jpeg


I didn't end up buying it, but I am quite tempted.
 
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#1,827
#1,829
ih8law said:
I dropped by a Guitar Center to kill some time this afternoon and was surprised to see that they had one of these hanging on the shelf (I didn't think they'd been released into the wild just yet). I have a few observations:

  • It sounded really good to me; almost P bass territory in tone. I didn't think it sounded thin or lacking in low end.
  • Great feeling and playability up and down the fretboard.
  • The sticker said it was made in Indonesia. The craftsmanship was on par with other Indonesian basses I've had or played, which is to say that it is pretty solid, durable, and nice to look at.
  • How the **** can anyone play this sitting down? I had to really work to balance myself just to play it, lol. I'm sure it's a whole different experience once it's on a strap.
  • I absolutely love the shape, color and pinstripes. Per the action photo below, this bass makes me look like I have much more prowess with the ladies than I really do.


I didn't end up buying it, but I am quite tempted.
Click to expand...
It looks good on you! Thanks for the feedback. Very helpful. The only data point still missing that would interest me is whether it is balanced or if it is neck heavy. If you head over to GC again at some point, see if you can put a strap on it.

As for the color, the only reason I would like something else is because I already have a black bass with white highlights. I also have a white V too, so I don't know what I was expecting as an alternative Rhoads paint job that would satisfy me honestly. There's no way I'd go with polka dots.

Lastly, playing them sitting down does work. You still wear the strap over your shoulder and mostly sit on the edge of the seat or couch, with knees together and to the left. Then the guitar hangs down along your leg on the right. Its comfortable, but it is still hanging off your shoulder… just in a seated position.
 
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#1,830
Oh, one more thing to mention is that you'll need a hanging style guitar stand for your V. The only one tall enough for my Jackson is the Hamilton KB38. I'm not a huge fan of the stand myself, but I've tried them all and this is the only one tall enough to keep the bass off the floor.
 
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#1,833
ih8law said:
I dropped by a Guitar Center to kill some time this afternoon and was surprised to see that they had one of these hanging on the shelf (I didn't think they'd been released into the wild just yet). I have a few observations:

  • It sounded really good to me; almost P bass territory in tone. I didn't think it sounded thin or lacking in low end.
  • Great feeling and playability up and down the fretboard.
  • The sticker said it was made in Indonesia. The craftsmanship was on par with other Indonesian basses I've had or played, which is to say that it is pretty solid, durable, and nice to look at.
  • How the **** can anyone play this sitting down? I had to really work to balance myself just to play it, lol. I'm sure it's a whole different experience once it's on a strap.
  • I absolutely love the shape, color and pinstripes. Per the action photo below, this bass makes me look like I have much more prowess with the ladies than I really do.
View attachment 7326870

I didn't end up buying it, but I am quite tempted.
Click to expand...
Dammit I'm sorely tempted...Also Maul rules
 
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#1,835
Here are my 3.

2000 C4MJ Transparent Red modified

Seymour Duncan STC-3P preamp
Seymour Duncan SJB3 Quarter Pound J-Bass Pickup
Seymour Duncan SMB4D 4-String Music Man Ceramic Pickup
Hipshot D Tuner
207.jpg



2017 JS2 Snow White modified

Seymour Duncan SSB-4s Passive Soap bars
CTS pots and wiring/ switch craft jack.
208.jpg



2021 Pro Series Spectra Bass SBP IV Caribbean Blue
428.jpg
 
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#1,836
MrVanimal said:
Here are my 3.

2000 C4MJ Transparent Red modified

Seymour Duncan STC-3P preamp
Seymour Duncan SJB3 Quarter Pound J-Bass Pickup
Seymour Duncan SMB4D 4-String Music Man Ceramic Pickup
Hipshot D Tuner
View attachment 7360099


2017 JS2 Snow White modified

Seymour Duncan SSB-4s Passive Soap bars
CTS pots and wiring/ switch craft jack.
View attachment 7360101


2021 Pro Series Spectra Bass SBP IV Caribbean Blue
View attachment 7360102
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As much as I have a nostalgic love of white basses, I have to say that the Pro Series Spectra is my favorite. Congrats on the beautiful basses.
 
#1,837
jglunt said:
As much as I have a nostalgic love of white basses, I have to say that the Pro Series Spectra is my favorite. Congrats on the beautiful basses.
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Thanks! I actually just got the Spectra recently from Musicians Friend when they had it on a clearance price. I was looking for a neck-thru bass, so this checked the box. I honestly love the finish. It looks like a tropical beach sandbar.
 
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#1,838
anyone that owns the Jackenbacker 5 string, what are you doing for B strings? I have had to move to tapers because nearly every low B i've tried won't fit through the bridge. customer service said it was "normal", and any .135 or smaller should fit. not the case for me.
 
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#1,839
scuzzy said:
anyone that owns the Jackenbacker 5 string, what are you doing for B strings? I have had to move to tapers because nearly every low B i've tried won't fit through the bridge. customer service said it was "normal", and any .135 or smaller should fit. not the case for me.
Click to expand...
A bought a double ball end set of strings by a very well known European string company for my Steinberger 5-string. The B snd E strings were barely long enough to install, and the saddles of those strings at the bridge where the ball drops into were not retracting into the bridge as they should, creating what to me looked like a recipe for disaster. I messaged the vendor I bought them from. He called me on the phone, and he had the string company's rep on with us. All the string company's rep would say is "That's how they're supposed to fit." I've played Steinbergers for over 35 years, so I knew that that is NOT how they're supposed to fit. That's made me very leery when people try to blow smoke up me ol' keister like that. In your case, I'd try a smaller string...maybe a 130 or 125. You should still get plenty of lows.
 
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#1,840
jglunt said:
A bought a double ball end set of strings by a very well known European string company for my Steinberger 5-string. The B snd E strings were barely long enough to install, and the saddles of those strings at the bridge where the ball drops into were not retracting into the bridge as they should, creating what to me looked like a recipe for disaster. I messaged the vendor I bought them from. He called me on the phone, and he had the string company's rep on with us. All the string company's rep would say is "That's how they're supposed to fit." I've played Steinbergers for over 35 years, so I knew that that is NOT how they're supposed to fit. That's made me very leery when people try to blow smoke up me ol' keister like that. In your case, I'd try a smaller string...maybe a 130 or 125. You should still get plenty of lows.
Click to expand...
I ended up just drilling out the B string hole on the bridge. Sick of nothing but taper strings fitting. Perhaps my bridge was an oddity with too much plating, but it was a struggle for any B to fit.

After drilling out, installed some cobalt flats. They sound really good on this bass. Fyi, they barely fit. The silk just clears the nut.
 
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