Unveiling XII: Squier James Johnston Jazz Bass

[Malak the Mad]

MtM, when you start to re-string it, eyeball that lauerel fingerboard: I had mine for a year or two, and I was changing strings and thought 'y'know, that fingerboard looks pretty dry . . . '.

Laurel? Had no clue.

Sorry, J, but I gotta hit the game show buzzer on that one. The first gen CV's had rosewood boards. CITES hadn't put a ban on rosewood species until 2017, then was eased up on musical instruments two years later. By extension, Squier hadn't switched to Indian laurel until 2017 or so.

 

[Malak the Mad]

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Congrats. I don't have the James Johnston model, but I'm pretty sure it's the same thing as my Inca Silver Squier CV Jazz that I picked up in a trade. Every CV I've played feels great in my hands, and this one is no exception. It's also a great platform for mods – I installed Kent Armstrong pickups, CTS pots, straplocks, and a black anodized aluminum pickguard (I took a chance with Ebay and it fit perfectly). Looks great, feels great, sounds great.

That Inca Silver beastie looks flippin' fantastic!

The JJ signature model caught my eye years ago, even though I'd never heard of Biffy Clyro. A few weeks ago, I saw BC were planning a mini-tour of small venues in North America — including my hometown of Detroit. I decided to buy tickets on a whim, and then spent the last month familiarizing myself with their music. Holy **** ... how have I not heard of this band before?!? They've been around a long time, but they've never made any serious inroads into the US mainstream. They are a headline festival and stadium band in the UK and EU. Their songs cover a wide range from melodic rock, intense and proggy (minus the intricate shredding and virtuosic wankery) to incredibly intimate. They have a knack for soaring sing-along choruses. They are fierce onstage and seem like lovely lads off. Last Friday's small theater show in Detroit was just fantastic – only 500-600 people in the audience, yet they put on a show for 50-60K. I'm hooked. I love this band. Only downside is that James Johnston is taking some time away from touring to address some personal issues. Naomi MacLeod did a bang-up job standing in.

I haven't heard any Biffy Clyro, myself. They certainly weren't a factor in why I wanted this one…it just looks so damn cool and, as a first-gen-CV-in-disguise, I had little doubt about it's playability and reliability.

However, taking in what you have to say about the band, and in light of this acquisition, I suppose I'll have to jump down that rabbit hole in due time. Thanks for the heads-up!

And yes, I really dig progressive rock, but I, too, can do without the patting-oneself-on-the-back wankery.

 

[Malak the Mad]

I've never tried the Cobalt Flats, but they seem to be one of the most popular flatwounds around.

I've said in the past that "they live in that hazy space between rounds and flats". They're simultaneously warmer than rounds, but have enough brightness to not be normal flats…even when compared to new Chromes.

I have a handful of sets lying around. If you want, I could send you a used set (cut for a 4-inline bass) for you to try out. If you think they're worth a damn, keep 'em and just reimburse me for postage. If not, just send 'em back.

 

[J Wilson]

Sorry, J, but I gotta hit the game show buzzer on that one. The first gen CV's had rosewood boards. CITES hadn't put a ban on rosewood species until 2017, then was eased up on musical instruments two years later. By extension, Squier hadn't switched to Indian laurel until 2017 or so.

Really? Well OK with me, thanks for the heads up.

 

[jd56hawk]

I've said in the past that "they live in that hazy space between rounds and flats". They're simultaneously warmer than rounds, but have enough brightness to not be normal flats…even when compared to new Chromes.

I have a handful of sets lying around. If you want, I could send you a used set (cut for a 4-inline bass) for you to try out. If you think they're worth a damn, keep 'em and just reimburse me for postage. If not, just send 'em back.

Thanks, but I'm a black tapewounds guy...D'Addario on my two Dean Exotica acoustic basses, GHS on my regular basses.

 

[UNICORN BASS]

Can anyone tell me where cobalt flats stand compared to Fender flats?

 

[Malak the Mad]

Can anyone tell me where cobalt flats stand compared to Fender flats?

Only speaking for myself…since Fender flats sound quite a bit like D'Addario Chromes, the Cobalts are noticeably brighter than either of them. Similarly, the Cobalt rounds are brighter than nickel-plated steel rounds, so I'm pretty sure it comes down to the metallurgy.

Same offer as above…I have one or two used sets, if you wanna take the plunge.

 

[UNICORN BASS]

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Malak the Mad]

Two lil' updates…

1. I just weighed it with my digital postal scale; 8lb, 12.3oz or 3.978kg, which tracks with my other basswood-bodied basses and is a weight I can definitely live with. (Let's see if stripping off all that grime produces a measurable reduction in weight! )
2. I ordered a tube of Flitz Liquid metal polish. Hopefully, it'll get the job done without marring the chrome!

 

[andare]

Only speaking for myself…since Fender flats sound quite a bit like D'Addario Chromes, the Cobalts are noticeably brighter than either of them. Similarly, the Cobalt rounds are brighter than nickel-plated steel rounds, so I'm pretty sure it comes down to the metallurgy.

Same offer as above…I have one or two used sets, if you wanna take the plunge.

To me Fender 9050s and D'Addario Chromes sound very different. The former have a ton of midrange, the latter are scooped with treble presence. This after they break in and I'm referring to new production 9050s, not the older ones.
They're all made by D'Addario but they sound different.

 

[UNICORN BASS]

+1 on the Flitz, a little goes a long way. Thanks for the comment on the strings andare.

 

[Yahboy]

Can anyone tell me where cobalt flats stand compared to Fender flats?

Different animals, especially those tone after 6 months.

Thick low mid voice Vs growl airly crispy tone. I love both, but more love with Cobalt flat myself.

The E string on Cobalt flat unbelievable lasting , healthy and no duller even more than 5 years. Tone still crispier than some 6 months old round wound.

Suggest try both set your self, personal experience worthy than thousand words....