I'm actually headed to Kawasaki today (the city, not the guy on the video). If I can convince my wife, maybe I can stop by the guitar store to try their basses and I'll report back. I'll try to compare with the Fender Ultra series.
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Three Dots
- Thread starter cyclopsbookworm
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- japan three dots yoshi kikuchi
The market for boutique jazz basses in Japan is hot. There are so many options, with Xotic probably being the most popular for the past couple of years. There's also Black Smoker that's starting to gain a bit of popularity, too.
Anyway, here is a sound clip of a Three Dots bass that is available at the shop Geek In Box in Yokohama -
Three Dots also makes a Music Man style bass - FB Model ｗ/Pickguard (TCB/R)｜イケベ楽器店
I have tried a Three Dots bass and thought it was nice, but was not particularly blown away.
Anyway, here is a sound clip of a Three Dots bass that is available at the shop Geek In Box in Yokohama -
Three Dots also makes a Music Man style bass - FB Model ｗ/Pickguard (TCB/R)｜イケベ楽器店
I have tried a Three Dots bass and thought it was nice, but was not particularly blown away.
I've tried Black Smoker before. Their passive 5 string pbass felt quite nice. It sounded fairly dark though but it might've been the amp.
I remember having a similar impression. I think the original poster would be happy with a Three Dots bass. Whether Three Dots, Black Smoker, or other brands that sell basses for over $2000.00, they are all incredibly well made. Personally, I want to try one of these from a newer builder - [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] 
Just hard to spring for a Japanese import because of the extra costs, but I'm always looking for the next cool thing. Getting closer to just keeping my Sadowsky Tokyo and calling it a day until I can afford another Bordwell or an MTD.
So I finally went to the guitar store in Kawasaki City but they didn't have any Three Dots. I won't get another chance since I'll be flying to the states very soon. But instead, I got to try the new Kazuki Arai model Fender Jazz Deluxe V. I don't think you guys get these outside of Japan. It was basically like Fender Jazz Deluxe V copy. Thick neck (for me) and wide spacing. I really liked the passive sound a lot but the active had plenty of variation, too.
- Jun 30, 2010
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
I agree - the hs is very incongruent with a J body.
(as in, different tuners wouldn't help it)
Trying to find a nice looking headstock for your Fender Shaped bass that doesn't look like a Fender to avoid legal action is probably the toughest part of designing a "new" jazz/precision bass. The rest of the bass has a very "Sadowsky-esque" look - and probably feel - to it.
For those that are wondering, Three Dots have addressed the criticism around the headstock and have introduced a revised headstock:
The build quality of these is up to par with the Japanese Metros (don't forget these used to be around the same price in Japan before Warwick inflation). Super low action, immaculate fretwork but passive electronics. Made in Japan with Hipshot hardware. Sound fantastic. Kikuchi-san will also be introducing a custom shop brand with active electronics later in the year:
The build quality of these is up to par with the Japanese Metros (don't forget these used to be around the same price in Japan before Warwick inflation). Super low action, immaculate fretwork but passive electronics. Made in Japan with Hipshot hardware. Sound fantastic. Kikuchi-san will also be introducing a custom shop brand with active electronics later in the year:
I was fortunate to secure one of the custom basses by Kikuchi-san. Still in transit, will post an update when I try it out.
Finally got my hands on my new bass made by Yoshi Kikuchi (former designer of MIJ Sadowsky Metroline)
This thing is a freaking beast of a bass. Fit and finish is second to none, I'll dare to put this a little above Sadowsky NYC in terms of playability. This is a step above my Dragonfly and my STR.
Mine is an ash body with a maple on maple neck. This is a kind of one off build by Mr. Kikuchi, and only 8 of these masterpieces were made for the first run.
This thing is a freaking beast of a bass. Fit and finish is second to none, I'll dare to put this a little above Sadowsky NYC in terms of playability. This is a step above my Dragonfly and my STR.
Mine is an ash body with a maple on maple neck. This is a kind of one off build by Mr. Kikuchi, and only 8 of these masterpieces were made for the first run.
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It's hard to beat a high-end Japanese instrument. I recently picked up a Black Smoker j bass and it's one of the best I've laid my hands on. Atelier Z, Oopegg, Black Smoker, Seventy Seven by Deviser - these are all incredible instruments and a fantastic bargain IMO when you buy them used. I personally own all of these brands.
