Where are the "new" Marcus Miller Jazz 4 made?

[hands5]

Personally I think the preamp in the MM5 was garbage and I immediately got rid it for a ( dare I say it ! ) Sadowsky onboard preamp and it made the bass sound a helluva lot better. The 18v preamp in the MM5 has 20db of bass which is way too much bass for an onboard preamp in my IMO, not to mention the damn thing didn't even have a bypass switch either

 

[LaBassGuy]

Personally I think the preamp in the MM5 was garbage and I immediately got rid it for a ( dare I say it ! ) Sadowsky onboard preamp and it made the bass sound a helluva lot better. The 18v preamp in the MM5 has 20db of bass which is way too much bass for an onboard preamp in my IMO, not to mention the damn thing didn't even have a bypass switch either

I have owned the MIJ MM4, but sold it because I did not like the pre and the pickips--plus I like sturdier, graphite reinforced necka. So now I am thinking the MM5 will work better for me. And now I am hearing the MIM MM4 sounds like the MM5.

 

[Alex Huddleston]

Regarding the quality difference between the newer MIM artist series vs the older MIJ, they feel identical in my hands. That being said, it seems like the MIM lets more "lemons" slip through the QC process. I just recently bought an MIM geddy lee and the first one I received had many flaws and was unplayable, but the replacement felt exactly the same as the MIJ. Don't worry too much about the MIM vs MIJ thing, but be sure to get it from a retailer with a good return policy

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Dear all,

I'm the owner of a MIJ MM jazz bass and of a Am. Std. jazz bass (latest generation).
When I first bought the MIJ MM I also tried a MIM MM as I actually wanted to buy a natural finish version of the instrument which, however, was only available in its MIM version.
The MIM bass was playing really not as loud and clear as the MIJ... there really was a huge difference between the two although the MIM finish was quite nice.
Therefore I decided to buy the MIJ instead, although in a 3TS finish.
Then I got the Am. Std.
These Custom Shop '60s picj-ups are very powerful and, especially the bridge pick-up, has got almost the same strength of the neck one; therefore, all in all, the tone is quite vintage and good for any finger-picking application.
With the MM, however, the 2-band onboard preamp is quite handy and, although the bass is not provided with a passive tone control, the instrument is really versatile and, in terms of the neck finishes, quite more refined than the Am. Std.
The only noticeable thing I've done to it was to replace the tuners with original 70s RI tuners and also the 3-bolt neck plate which didn't have the Micro-Tilt writing...
All in all, my favourite axe is the MM bass! Thumbs up for it!

 

[Peter S]

I have had a MMJ since 2007/8. After a 30 year lay off I thought I would start again and this was the only decent bass in the shop so I bought it. I live in Northern Ireland (sigh). I have recently fitted a John East preamp and this will provide just about any tone you want from blues to Serbo Croat. The only thing is, I am aged 64, 5 ft 2" and this mother weighs a ton. I think it's because of the Alder body but maybe that contributes to the tone. After a 3 hour set I am bushed. I have never been able to play slap bass and indeed never heard of it or Marcus Miller at the time of buying the bass. I don't like the sound of slap but would still like to do a bit after listening to Marcus - his slap is different to mine! I usually use D'Addario chromes which I love for Jazz and rock. The East preamp can make even these mellow strings sound like rounds but they wont slap or maybe it's just me. *** is it with slap? I am a good > average player but suck at slap. I am using the right bit of my thumb etc... yes this is not the place for sh*t slap but my MMJ is a thing of beauty and sounds beautiful. I shall just have to live with the hernia. Pete

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

I have had a MMJ since 2007/8. After a 30 year lay off I thought I would start again and this was the only decent bass in the shop so I bought it. I live in Northern Ireland (sigh). I have recently fitted a John East preamp and this will provide just about any tone you want from blues to Serbo Croat. The only thing is, I am aged 64, 5 ft 2" and this mother weighs a ton. I think it's because of the Alder body but maybe that contributes to the tone. After a 3 hour set I am bushed. I have never been able to play slap bass and indeed never heard of it or Marcus Miller at the time of buying the bass. I don't like the sound of slap but would still like to do a bit after listening to Marcus - his slap is different to mine! I usually use D'Addario chromes which I love for Jazz and rock. The East preamp can make even these mellow strings sound like rounds but they wont slap or maybe it's just me. *** is it with slap? I am a good > average player but suck at slap. I am using the right bit of my thumb etc... yes this is not the place for sh*t slap but my MMJ is a thing of beauty and sounds beautiful. I shall just have to live with the hernia. Pete

Well Peter, mine has clearly got an ash body but it also weighs a ton ... i own 6 basses and this guy is the heaviest unfortunately ... like a boat anchor at your neck ... that's why I usually play it when I am seated.
I'd also like to fit a Marcus Retro preamp onto it ... I'll do i when I'll have time.
Slap-tone wise, I think the MM has got one of the best tones in its category ... my MIA jazz bass is not as warm at the MM is and in my opinion is very similar to the tone of Marcus Miller, whether or not you are an accomplished slapper ...
However, here in Talkbass there are a lot of people idolizing good players too much ... don't tell them about the fact that his jazz bass is the foundation of Marcus' tone as they will always tell you that tone comes solely from the fingers (they should say from the hand bones in the case of Macus' slap tone)..

 

[Peter S]

Well Peter, mine has clearly got an ash body but it also weighs a ton ... i own 6 basses and this guy is the heaviest unfortunately ... like a boat anchor at your neck ... that's why I usually play it when I am seated.
I'd also like to fit a Marcus Retro preamp onto it ... I'll do i when I'll have time.
Slap-tone wise, I think the MM has got one of the best tones in its category ... my MIA jazz bass is not as warm at the MM is and in my opinion is very similar to the tone of Marcus Miller, whether or not you are an accomplished slapper ...
However, here in Talkbass there are a lot of people idolizing good players too much ... don't tell them about the fact that his jazz bass is the foundation of Marcus' tone as they will always tell you that tone comes solely from the fingers (they should say from the hand bones in the case of Macus' slap tone)..

Thanks for your comments Gianni. Can I ask you what sort of strings you use on your MM? As I said I really like my D'Addario Chromes flatwounds and I have just put a new set on my P bass. Just to be different I have ordered D'Addario Pro steels EPS 165. I have no knowledge of these strings but I trust D'Addario to produce a good product and I still want to achieve slap before I die! I recommend you have a look at the John East preamp at John East Marcus Miller Retro 01 Preamp - Best Bass Gear . I talked to him on the phone and he is a one man operation but he does great work. In truth I could get confused between my Mesa amp (which can produce any sound) and the East preamp but I find I can just leave the Mesa flat and make tone adjustments on the guitar.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Thanks for your comments Gianni. Can I ask you what sort of strings you use on your MM? As I said I really like my D'Addario Chromes flatwounds and I have just put a new set on my P bass. Just to be different I have ordered D'Addario Pro steels EPS 165. I have no knowledge of these strings but I trust D'Addario to produce a good product and I still want to achieve slap before I die! I recommend you have a look at the John East preamp at John East Marcus Miller Retro 01 Preamp - Best Bass Gear . I talked to him on the phone and he is a one man operation but he does great work. In truth I could get confused between my Mesa amp (which can produce any sound) and the East preamp but I find I can just leave the Mesa flat and make tone adjustments on the guitar.

Well Peter, I don't like too much tension on the strings which, in turn, can deteriorate the neck's set-up acting together with any changes in seasonal atmospheric humidity etc...
In addition to that I have got small hands but I like to play fast short sections added to the lines, therefore, and to my greatest satisfaction, I opted for Rotosound Funkmaster 66.
These particular set consists of a very fine gauge roundwound strings (35-90) made of stainless steel ... the strings remain bright and alive for a while and I'm not looking at anything else although I'd like to try the DR Highbeams in the futute.
However, I'm very satisfied with the Funkmasters ... on a slap tone perspective they are very clear and the tone resulting from that particular bass is very similar to that from Marcus himself (in effect Rotosoubd developed the set with Mark King) ... if you don't like the gauge then you can try the Sunbeams or the Rotosound Swing Bass 66 round wounds which exist in a variety of gauges.

 

[madbass6]

I know the Geddy Lee is NOW being made in Mexico. Are the current/new Marcus Miller J4 the same way?

The MIM miller basses are called MK 2!
DOES anybody know wish are better and why?

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

The MIM miller basses are called MK 2!
DOES anybody know wish are better and why?

MM bass production in Mexico has been terminated ... tried one before buying my MIJ (same store, same day, same amp, same everything) as it was sold at a considerably lower price and it was in natural finish, which I liked more at the time ... the preamp or the pickups or the combination of the two sounded muffled and lifeless when compared to what installed on the MIJ one ... for the rest they were of similar weight (heavy) with the pickguard of the MIJ actually identical to the one on the actual Marcus’ bass as the MIM has got a separate battery compartment ... on the MIJ, however, the shape of the tuners was not period-correct as they were ‘60s style reverse tuners which I later changed into ‘70s style tuners (don’t know whether it was Marcus who placed ‘60s style tuners on his ‘70s bass) ... don’t remember what was installed on the MIM

 

[madbass6]

MM bass production in Mexico has been terminated ... tried one before buying my MIJ (same store, same day, same amp, same everything) as it was sold at a considerably lower price and it was in natural finish, which I liked more at the time ... the preamp or the pickups of the combination of the two sounded muffled and lifeless when compared to what installed on the MIJ one ... for the rest they were of similar weight (heavy) with the pickguard of the MIJ actually identical to the one on the actual Marcus’ bass as the MIM has got a separate battery compartment ... on the MIJ, however, the shape of the tuners was not period-correct as they were ‘60s style reverse tuners which I later changed into ‘70s style tuners (don’t whether it was Nsrcus that out ‘60s style tuners on his ‘70s bass) ... don’t remember what was installed on the MIM

Awesome info. Thanks, very much appreciated!
I guess I made the rite choice then & an extra bonus, got lucky with the weight ! Under 9lbs.
I just purchased this beast literally minutes ago online! it's an all original 2005 MIJ miller I tried one out last week at an open mic a buddy of mine that I haven't seen in years ask me to jam with them and was amazed instantly!
I told him iv e got to get one of these and he said just make sure it's made in Japan and get it before it becomes impossible to get it as they're discontinued !
But didn't get into details on the differences of the two! So thanks again! Hey your the first to see and know about this Bass ! My wife will find out in the AM! (sleeping) yea, it's going to be an interesting morning for sure! lol. But hey, it's an MIJ miller she'll get over it!

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

It is the same model as mine ... the only thing I’d change on the long term is the electronics package as it tend to be noisy under some circumstances ... other than that the bass has got a robust tone and, notwithstanding what a lot people say, just following the hype IMO, the tone produced by it is basically the tone which Marcus Miller has modelled is sound on ... good catch under 9lbs