Where to buy Tune Basses?

[bholder]

That's great to hear.But now I wonder if this knowledge will increase the price and value of Korean Tune basses.Now knowing that the Korean basses are the originals.

Well, they have the rights, it seems, but who the "real" Tune is depends on what you associate the brand with - pickups and hardware or the overall body designs? Both parts have to work together to make a great bass. To me, it's the overall design that was the more original. I just want to give due credit to whoever did the body, whether or not they still have any legal rights to it.

 

[jim777]

In response to the original;, "Where can I get..." question, Ishibashi's U-box is usually a good place to start.

 

[tastybasslines]

But if you would like to contact customer service, on the Tune site you can contact
"QUICK INQUARY"

That's embarrassing.

 

[VSN_Guitars]

Well, they have the rights, it seems, but who the "real" Tune is depends on what you associate the brand with - pickups and hardware or the overall body designs? Both parts have to work together to make a great bass. To me, it's the overall design that was the more original. I just want to give due credit to whoever did the body, whether or not they still have any legal rights to it.

Original TUNE designs were created by Hatsun Fujitani in the 80's, hence the Hatsun in TUNE model names. He is still working closely together with WSC in Korea in developing new TUNE models.. Like the brand new TUNE Serengeti Bass and few other prototypes that I saw TUNE exhibiting at their 2015 NAMM show booth in Anaheim this past January.

You can see the new Serengeti in the right side of attached picture.. and a brand new model prototype in the middle (between me and Hannah from TUNE), both of them designed by Hatsun Fujitani.Link Removed

Also, TUNE Korea is exhibiting on all trade shows.. NAMM, Frankfurt Messe, Shanghai .. etc.. Where the Japanese company that uses TUNE name is not allowed to do so.

 

[VSN_Guitars]

But if you would like to contact customer service, on the Tune site you can contact
"QUICK INQUARY"

That's embarrassing.

Is it really? Both Koreans and Japanese are using completely different alphabets and writing systems. Spelling mistakes on their English sites are common not because they are illiterate. it is more because it is very hard for them to comprehend the way we write and spell.

 

[tastybasslines]

Is it really? Both Koreans and Japanese are using completely different alphabets and writing systems. Spelling mistakes on their English sites are common not because they are illiterate. it is more because it is very hard for them to comprehend the way we write and spell.

Yes, it is. The site is in English, it should read that way. Are you theorizing that a few native Koreans or Japanese people put this site together and no Native English speaking person was involved in its creation?

In today's day and age where your web image is everything, it does not leave a good impression.

 

[bholder]

Original TUNE designs were created by Hatsun Fujitani in the 80's, hence the Hatsun in TUNE model names. He is still working closely together with WSC in Korea in developing new TUNE models.. Like the brand new TUNE Serengeti Bass and few other prototypes that I saw TUNE exhibiting at their 2015 NAMM show booth in Anaheim this past January.

You can see the new Serengeti in the right side of attached picture.. and a brand new model prototype in the middle (between me and Hannah from TUNE), both of them designed by Hatsun Fujitani.Link Removed

Also, TUNE Korea is exhibiting on all trade shows.. NAMM, Frankfurt Messe, Shanghai .. etc.. Where the Japanese company that uses TUNE name is not allowed to do so.

Thanks! That's the stuff!

 

[bholder]

Yes, it is. The site is in English, it should read that way. Are you theorizing that a few native Koreans or Japanese people put this site together and no Native English speaking person was involved in its creation?

In today's day and age where your web image is everything, it does not leave a good impression.

I mean, they have computers, use the English spellcheck, shouldn't be too hard, whether native speaker or not. That's why it exists.
Edit: </accidental insensitive rant> Oh well...

 

[VSN_Guitars]

I mean, they have computers, use the English spellcheck, shouldn't be too hard, whether native speaker or not. That's why it exists.
Edit: </accidental insensitive rant> Oh well...

Yes they do, and we have Japanese, Korean, Chinese languages on our computers too.. now would you be able to create a web site using those language packs in their native languages without making any mistakes?
There is also a huge misconception that we English speaking north Americans have. We think that because the size off our market the whole world has to comply with the way we are and we do business. But for most Asian companies we are just marginal compared to their domestic and other Asian markets. Asian markets are 10+ time bigger than ours. Most of them are focused on their domestic and other Asian markets. That's where their bread and butter is, that's where they selling 90%+ of their products. I don't see any US or Canadian companies creating a version of their web site in Japanese or Korean even they sell more to Asia than here.

 

[Photobassist]

Yes, it is. The site is in English, it should read that way. Are you theorizing that a few native Koreans or Japanese people put this site together and no Native English speaking person was involved in its creation?

In today's day and age where your web image is everything, it does not leave a good impression.

I live in Japan and believe me, this happens more often than you can imagine. Misspelled English on tv, products, storefronts, etc.

Try using Google translate for Japanese to English, it comes out in an almost cryptic mess. Same thing when going from English to Japanese.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Yes, it is. The site is in English, it should read that way. Are you theorizing that a few native Koreans or Japanese people put this site together and no Native English speaking person was involved in its creation?

In today's day and age where your web image is everything, it does not leave a good impression.

It's hard to believe this is really an issue.Especially when so many in THIS country speak English and make far more errors in spelling.

Hey!How about those Tune Basses?

 

[bholder]

Yes they do, and we have Japanese, Korean, Chinese languages on our computers too.. now would you be able to create a web site using those language packs in their native languages without making any mistakes?
There is also a huge misconception that we English speaking north Americans have. We think that because the size off our market the whole world has to comply with the way we are and we do business. But for most Asian companies we are just marginal compared to their domestic and other Asian markets. Asian markets are 10+ time bigger than ours. Most of them are focused on their domestic and other Asian markets. That's where their bread and butter is, that's where they selling 90%+ of their products. I don't see any US or Canadian companies creating a version of their web site in Japanese or Korean even they sell more to Asia than here.

I don't ascribe to any of that "size of market demands they cater to us" crap , all I'm saying is why then bother having an English site? Doing it poorly looks worse to the (edit: E1Ler) consumer than not even trying at all. Edit: Then again, I'm now guessing these sites and such aren't really target towards E1Lers at all. Still, appearances do count...

 

[bholder]

It's hard to believe this is really an issue.Especially when so many in THIS country speak English and make far more errors in spelling.

Hey!How about those Tune Basses?

True that. My spelling nazi war is not just with E2Lers! I make oopsies too, of course, I do try to go back and fix them.

 

[Kirk Bryant]

First let me say the very first "boutique bass" I ever played was a 5 string Tune Bass Maniac in the 80s and I loved it then and still remember thinking I would like to have one. It just felt right to me. After my custom made J type was stolen in 94' I ended up getting a Tobias Killer B 5er, early Gibson. Occasionally I would think of that Tune but never saw one again. Since then I have gone through dozens of basses and still own quite a few. The other day out of boredom I was looking at Japanese Fenders on the bay then went on GC used for Japanese basses. I saw this Tune for less than half retail and it looked pretty good, a couple of blems but nice. GAS and impulse took over and I called the store the next to ask some questions. Next thing you know I pulled the trigger.

I just bought a Tune just like one sold here by Ziggyb awhile back.

Image from http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx342/sigvision/Tune5/Tune1.jpg.

Mine looks identical except for the PU covers and knob upgrades on his.

Mine has 3 of the plastic knob tops missing. Does anyone know where I might find some?

By the way I think the bang to buck ratio is huge! It's a Lightweight Mahogany body with a Flame Maple top. Nice flat front to back neck with 18 mm spacing, light weight, good sounding 3 band pre with internal trim adjustments, great balance. Looks great, nicely balanced. What's not to like, really I feel like I stole it from GC. It was the first time I've had a bass shipped across the country to my local store by them and it took 5 days ground and was only $14.00 for shipping. Overall I would say these are a fantastic value. Mine is Korean the build quality is excellent, tight neck pocket. Oh and the Pre is an 18 volt. I think the list new is around $1000.00 I do not think that is overpriced for what you are getting. And as for Korean made stuff I also have a Fender Korean Tele that is flawless and a superb instrument. There is absolutely nothing wrong with these basses and I own Elrick, Drozd, Tobias, Minnieweather, and a number of other hand made basses. I'm very happy with my purchase and think these should get more love here. Oh and a friend owns a Japanese Tune which does NOT sound any better has a thicker neck and weighs at least 2-3 lbs more. This bass weighs right around 8 lbs.

 

[kodiakblair]

Lovely Bass Kirk.

I have a similar 4 string model though minus the Flamed Maple top I can only agree with you regarding the build quality, my Korean Tune is
fantastic.

Is it better than my Japanese built Bass Maniac ? No !! they are both finely crafted basses. We must remember that both companies are building the
best basses they can, unlike certain companies who have inferior instruments purposely built in various locations to highlight the home produced items.
Whether they are build in Korea or Japan the Tune basses are extremely well designed and built.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Mine has 3 of the plastic knob tops missing. Does anyone know where I might find some?

It seems that a great many secondhand Tune basses are missing the knob tops.I think the only place to order them is on the site.Directly from S.Korea.Tune bass guitar official website
They're a bit tricky to remove.You have to have a very thin walled socket to get the nut off.

Personally,I replaced the knobs with Abalone topped gold dome knobs.Much classier than black plastic.
I have them on all three of my basses.Guitar Parts Metal Dome Knobs Knurled Barrel Abalone Top Set of 2 Gold | eBay

 

[Kirk Bryant]

I've pretty much decided to just replace the knobs already. I really like the look of the bass I posted above. Just some dark natural wood ones with at least a dot or preferably a stripe down the side. On my basses I like to position the knobs with the dot or stripe facing up at me when full on except if it has a center indent then I want the center facing me, if that makes sense. I don't like to have the mark facing away where I can't identify the setting immediately.

 

[Kirk Bryant]

Oh just found you guys on the "official tune bass club" see ya over there!

 

[Watchootognbout]

I've pretty much decided to just replace the knobs already. I really like the look of the bass I posted above. Just some dark natural wood ones with at least a dot or preferably a stripe down the side. On my basses I like to position the knobs with the dot or stripe facing up at me when full on except if it has a center indent then I want the center facing me, if that makes sense. I don't like to have the mark facing away where I can't identify the setting immediately.

Yeah.I choose knobs with a set screw.
I do the same.Point it toward me.Ebay also sells exotic wood knobs.

 

[mp40smg]

So, need a bit of help here. The 6 string fretless wenge at VSN is calling me.
Are the Korean Tunes good/ great?
Seems like a really good deal. But are these SX type quality (typcial indo-chin-korean machine mass produced) are or they really something special?